B7800 oil change then broken belt?

[BrettW]

HI,
I just changed the engine oil on my 2003 B7800. I use the loader to lift the front end. (FYI this is my first oil change (bought the tractor used) and the first time using the loader this way) When I brought the tractor down with the loader I found the battery light on. Turns out that the belt broke for some reason.
My question is, did I do something that stressed the belt somehow? Can using the loader that way create a problem with the engine belt?
Now I'm off to get a new belt but I could use tips on the installation. I've never done that before.
thanks , Brett W

 

[Bird]

Brett, there's no reason that would have affected the belt that I can think of. You'll want to check that the fan and alternator can be turned easily by hand to make sure the problem wasn't the result of one of the pulleys freezing up. And look at the pulleys to make sure the alignment is correct. Of course, it's possible that the belt tension was just not adjusted properly. When my B2710 was fairly new, I was mowing the yard one day when I noticed the temperature gauge start to climb really fast, so I shut it down and found the belt destroyed. I went and got a new belt, did the checks mentioned above, put the new belt on, and never had another problem. I still don't know what caused the original belt to break, but I had not thought to check the tension on it myself before it broke, so that's a possibility.

 

[hwew]

The belt tension could of been too tight when it was adjusted on the assembly line at Kubota.
When I purchased my B7500 I checked everything out before using it and I felt the fan belt was way too tight so I loosened it. After tightening the tentioner bracket on the altenator I looked where it was before and I moved it about 1/2". I feel that is alot for such a short belt. I guess it is a good idea to check these simple things upon delivery.

 

[BrettW]

What about hard digging with the loader? Could that effect the belt by stressing the motor? I've been moving/digging a lot of dirt and rocks. thanks, brett

 

[Bird]

Brett, I'm not gonna say it can't, but I'll say it shouldn't unless something in the mounting or assembly is loose allowing something to move that should not move.

 

[BrettW]

thanks again, bw
any belt install tips. I found the oil filter a real bear to get off.

 

[Bird]

Brett, there was one other little matter when I broke that belt. I went by the Kubota dealership and they didn't have one in stock, so I went to Pep Boys, they measured the old belt as best they could (it was not only broken, but badly torn up) and sold me a belt that matched. As it turned out, when I backed the adjustment all the way off, I still had to really work to get that new belt on. I began to think it was just a little too short, but once I got it on, it wasn't too tight and I knew I'd have plenty of adjustment left if if stretched, but it never did require any more adjustment. Neither my Kubota dealer nor Pep Boys had a cross reference for the Kubota part number.

As for install tips, if you've ever changed a belt on a car, it's about the same thing. You should be able to loosen the adjustment braket on the alternator and swing it in to get the new belt on, then pull or pry it out to get the right tension before tightening the bolt again. And if you have to pry it out, just be careful of where you put your pry bar so you don't damage anything.

 

[ronjhall]

<font color="blue"> I found the oil filter a real bear to get off. </font>
Brett
I found that a large pair of channellocks work very well getting filters off my B2910.

 

[Bird]

Wow, 20.25" channel lock pliers! So far I haven't found any my 16" channel locks wouldn't handle, although, personally, I really prefer any one of several brands of three legged oil filter wrenches.

 

[ronjhall]

Bird
Now you did it. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I am going to have to add another tool to my collection. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif