loose altermnator belt causing many issues, yes ??

[tstex]

Hello to All,

Have a 95-96 M5400S w front-end-loader and have issues as of today.

When I started her up, I turned the key to the left to warm-up the glow plugs as I've being doing for the last 20 yrs. But when I did, she started up. That was the first time that ever happened. I was in a hurry to get a stuck tractor out of the mud, and later noticed that the belt was making a squealing noise.

In the next 1 to 1.5 hrs, she would only start If I turned her to the left, and turning her to the far right made either a clicking sound and would not start, except 1-2 times it did start. But turning to the left she started every time, and the belt to the alternative and fan was continuing to squeal.

lastly, the gear shifter both the R, F-hi and F-low, as well as the 1-4 stick shift was real sensitive. Mainly when starting up and getting her in initial gear, they made a quick grinding sound. This too has never happened before either.

Questions:

1. Is the loose belt causing all these strange starter electrical issues? I did not have a lot of time trouble-shoot, but the belt did feel loose.

2. Does the loose belt have anything to do with the gears being hyper sensitive?

3. Is it complicated to install a new belt, or is there anything I need to check that would or could have caused the belt to loosen?

Again, this starting issue has never occurred before and neither has the belt ever squealed before so I am assuming there is a correlation.

Lastly, if I need to do anything to check the belt or other, pls let me know. I will go back out tomorrow and get the ball rolling.

Finally, we had one of our best cold/cool fronts this year as of today, and I replaced 3 of the 4 frt-end-loader cylinders about 3-4 months ago, but did refill w hydraulic fluid. could the cooler weather cause the gear sensitivity? I also checked the battery and neither of the terminals had any oxidation/corrosion or other. Battery was replaced about 2 - 2.5 yrs ago. Have done nothing to drain the battery.

Thank you very much and pls advise, tstex

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

When I started her up, I turned the key to the left to warm-up the glow plugs as I've being doing for the last 20 yrs. But when I did, she started up. That was the first time that ever happened.

So, you are saying that the normal GP position actually started the engine, instead of just activating the GPs? Did I understand that correctly?

1. Is the loose belt causing all these strange starter electrical issues? I did not have a lot of time trouble-shoot, but the belt did feel loose.

No, you've got other weird things going on. I'm not saying the loose belt is not a problem, but there are too many things going on that are not related.

2. Does the loose belt have anything to do with the gears being hyper sensitive?

I can't see how, but then, I don't know your tractor, and I'm new to tractors in general, so I'll leave that question for those with more experience.

3. Is it complicated to install a new belt, or is there anything I need to check that would or could have caused the belt to loosen?

Nah, it's not difficult. But you may not need a new one. They do get slack, and do eventually need to be replaced, but you can nomrally adjust them a few times before that's required. Your owner's manual should tell you how to adjust it. Be careful not to get the belt TOO tight, as this puts too much strain on the alternator bearings and causes premature failure. By "premature", I don't mean that it will fail in a day or two, but that it will fail a lot sooner than it should. For example, if the alternator might have lasted 5 years with proper tension, you might get 2 or 3 years instead.

Again, this starting issue has never occurred before and neither has the belt ever squealed before so I am assuming there is a correlation.

Yes, the squealing is likely from the belt, but why is the belt loose? Check into that. Correlation is not causation, and coincidence does happen. It should never be assumed, but it should never be ruled out, either.

 

[newbury]

If you have been running that tractor for 20 years have you changed the belt before?
How many hours on the tractor?

 

[tstex]

So, you are saying that the normal GP position actually started the engine, instead of just activating the GPs? Did I understand that correctly? Yes. To normally start the tractor, I always turn to the left first to get the GP going, but to my immediate surprise, she just started.



No, you've got other weird things going on. I'm not saying the loose belt is not a problem, but there are too many things going on that are not related.



I can't see how, but then, I don't know your tractor, and I'm new to tractors in general, so I'll leave that question for those with more experience.



Nah, it's not difficult. But you may not need a new one. They do get slack, and do eventually need to be replaced, but you can nomrally adjust them a few times before that's required. Your owner's manual should tell you how to adjust it. Be careful not to get the belt TOO tight, as this puts too much strain on the alternator bearings and causes premature failure. By "premature", I don't mean that it will fail in a day or two, but that it will fail a lot sooner than it should. For example, if the alternator might have lasted 5 years with proper tension, you might get 2 or 3 years instead. Since the tractor us about 20 yrs old, never changed the belt or alternator, or anything else except the battery, hydraulic hoses, hydraulic seals in cylinder, then the normal fluid changes...maybe I need a new belt anyway or it would not hurt to change it.



Yes, the squealing is likely from the belt, but why is the belt loose? Check into that. Correlation is not causation, and coincidence does happen. It should never be assumed, but it should never be ruled out, either.

will check

 

[tstex]

If you have been running that tractor for 20 years have you changed the belt before?
How many hours on the tractor?

I have owned the tractor since new...No, I have never changed the belt bc there has never been a need, until now. The tractor has about 715-730 hrs...as you can tell, I am a weekend farmer.

Thanks for everyone's help and comments - tstex

 

[tstex]

OK, I found the on-line Op's Manual for the M5400S, and it says to loosen the two alternator bolts and w a lever, pull the alternator until the belt is w /in the acceptable range .28inches to .34 inches. That's about a 1/4" to 1/3" delta. Where do I test this? is it in the middle of the longest stretch of the belt?

when they refer to a lever, is there a specific tool for this? if so, what, or what is the most common tool used for this?

Finally, what are all of the pulleys that the belt resides? It is the engine, fan and alternator? is there also a dummy pulley? I am not at my tractor and the diagram on page 52 to the manual is really a poor picture.

I have not adjusted this belt before, obviously, so any and all help would really be appreciated.

Regards,
tstex

 

[big bubba]

crow bar

 

[tstex]

Guys,

Just spoke to Kubota Service Mgr. He said that even if the belt is loose, it should not have any bearing on the switch and its functions. When I previously for the last 20 yrs turn the key to the left re the glow-plug, but now it starts that way, said that some type of rodent may have chewed the wires and it has crossed wires or the contacts on the switch are bad...I keep the tractor in the shed [no rodent proof], and have had issues w rodents before.

Wanted to get your opinion on this matter...Thx b-bubba on the lever suggestion

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

That's exactly right. If the switch is operating differently than normal, that's NOT a belt issue. Could be chewed wires, could be the switch went bad. Some noggin-pokin' is in order, to see if the wiring is chawed.

 

[tstex]

Thanks Temp.

I agree on checking w lines to see if they are all ok. Once I've gone from one end to the other on the M5400 [BTW, are the wires really hidden anywhere and if so, any tricks on getting to them?] wiring harness and no bites, then I'm going to replace the switch, replace the belt and then for good measures, check the clutch tolerance per spec's.

if anyone has any first hand experience on removing and reinstalling this switch, I am all ears...I know from experience that knowing the special maneuvers on things like this means the difference btw 15 minutes and 1.5hrs. I once watched a guy remove the fuel line from my Stihl 029 and he did it in about 90 seconds...took me near 25 minutes on another one...so, that's why I'm not going to reinvent the wheel anytime soon - thanks gentlemen