B2620 fan belt strikes radiator hose

[Farmall45b]

I called my dealer today and spoke with the parts department and service department. They both claim to know of no problems with the 40 amp alternators on the B2X20 series of tractors. My machine went out of warranty in October, so no help there. As best I can figure, the belt may have been put on a tad too loose and allowed the belt to "slap" and rub on the radiator hose. I tightened the belt today and placed tape over the rubbed spot and ran the tractor several hours, and I see no new rub spots, but it is awful close. The next problem is that the alternator has no more adjustment to tension the belt, dealer say belt stretched, get a new one. OK, but in 120 hours? Am I really going to have to swap belts that often?

After examining closely, I have the following conclusions;
1. The belt probably was too big to begin with, I ordered the right belt to see, but I am thinking I need to go a bit smaller in order to have the alternator tensioner near the center of adjustment.
2. If the belt was smaller and the adjustment was more towards center, the angle of the belt would be such as to allow more clearance on the radiator hose.
3. The 40 amp alternator kit was probably poorly engineered and the belt supplied should be a hair shorter for use on the B2X20 series tractors.

I plan to follow up and with Kubota USA and see if they even care, but I would love hearing from everyone else to know if their machine is wrong or right. I have attached a couple of photos showing the clearance as best as I can, it is a tight fit.

 

[skspurling]

I am just running the original alternator, not a 40 Amp. I'll have to see if I can remember to take a picture tomorrow. Mine looks nothing like the picture with the oil filter in it. I don't even see the metal plate that keeps the hose out of the belt in that picture. The clearances are close in there. When it is done right there is only about 3/4" of clearance. After getting this fixed, I doubt it is a common problem. Looks like they had a new guy or the guy had a bit too much sake the night before and didn't tighten down the hose shield properly.

Now, as far as having the hose, the told me they didn't have them on hand because they rarely need them. I looked at one of the dealers that has an online parts order system, and they said there was a lead time of 3-5 days... Sounds like they order them as needed there too. It is really odd the things people don't stock any more. I suspect that there was some kind of taxation that went into effect back in the 70's or 80's that makes this so common. I suspect a combination of that and after effects of the tsunami are causing these stock issues.

 

[jesseb3@att.net]

I had a similar issue with my BX2350. The dealer did the first 50 hour service, and used the larger of two acceptable oil filters for my engine. Pushed the hose right into the belt. Since then, I do my own service, and make sure I get the smaller filter that it was designed for. Not sure it's contributing to the issue here.

 

[radioman]

after seeing your pics farmall- It appears that a longer radiator hose would resolve everything so it will be further away from belt.

 

[Farmall45b]

Yes, either a longer radiator hose or a shorter belt would give more clearance. I don't think a longer hose will be available, as is is a pretty special molded hose. My only hope is that perhaps the new hose I am getting from Kubota is a bit longer. The other option I have is to not install the hose quite as far onto the radiator. The fitting is pretty long and the hose could be help of a 1/4 of an inch without problem. I am thinking that a shorter belt might be a longer term solution. I don't think that it is right that the belt was nearly at the end of its adjustment when installed brand new.

 

[2manyrocks]

I have a yanmar 226D, and the clearance between the fan belt and the radiator hose is uncomfortably tight for me. I installed a metal hose clamp over the area of concern on the hose, and so far no problems.

 

[Farmall45b]

I got a new fan belt from the dealer today, and it is the same as the one that was on the tractor, resulting in the alternator tension being at the very end of adjustment and the belt nearly touching the hose. I am going to try and get a shorter belt this week, and my dealer is going to call Kubota, but they see not bulletins or problems with other machins. Those of you with
B2X20 series tractor and 40 amp alternators, if you have a chance to check the lower hose near where the belt comes past for rubbing, I would much appreciate it. It is not always easy to see and feel may be your best route. Thanks!

 

[Farmall45b]

Dealer does not really seam to care and is so far not going to help me out. Says he contacted Kubota and they said there is not a problem and there are no bulletins. There obviously is a problem otherwise I would not have a cut radiator hose. They admit that if I brough it in for the repair that they would figure out what is wrong and repair as needed, at my cost. In all my years of automotive and tractor mechanics, I have yet to install a belt and have the adjustment be at the end of the slot when brand new. I am ordering a shorter belt and getting a spiral hose protector to install too. I will take pictures and keep everyone updated. I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has a problem with belt interferance with the lower hose or that has a 40 amp alternator and hase more clearance than I do to see what is differeant on my tractor.

 

[46andtool]

I've noticed debris under the hood of my B2320 since new also (has 44 hrs now). I clean it off regularly to track it, figuring it was bugs and crap sucked in while mowing. Now I'll check these tolerances you speak of between the spinning parts and the stationary parts. Also, where the alternator is located in the adjustment slot. If this thing is eating the belt, the dealer will make this right for me. Thanks for sharing...

 

[Farmall45b]

Here are some more pictures of the before and after of my B2320. I ended up putting a 37.0 belt on instead of a 37.6. The .6 made a huge differance in how is fit. My dealer is not being very helpful in this matter, but I did send them detailed pictures and am waiting to see what they and the Kubota rep. have to say. I don't think that it is acceptable for a machine with 150 hours to have a belt that is at the at the maximum adjustement point and rubbing on the radiator hose. I did try a new belt at the dealer's recomendation, figuring the old one streched? hmmm it was at the max. adjustment when delivered to me, but the new belt was the same thing. Kubota speced too long a belt I am thinking. I will keep people posted as to an outcome. I would like to hear from anyone who is or is not having problems with this and dealers who might be on here as to problems you have seen and how you would handle this for a customer who has a tractor with 150 hours and three years old.