TC Series Belt Issue

[NewHollandOwner]

My First Post, I came over from DTR (Diesel Truck Resource) What a great site (theirs and this one too).
Anyway, my issue is this. I bought a new New Holland TC 35, after about 14 hrs. of use, I happend to notice my instrument panel was dead, nothing, no tach, no nothing. I popped the hood and find out that my belt has popped. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif So, I take the adjustment out of the alternator, put the belt abck on, and tighten. This lasts for about 30 seconds, belt flys off. I take the belt off and inspect (huge gash in the belt, as soon as I put it on it Rolls over and pops off). This is not good, 25 degrees out,snow,wind,new 18K dollar tractor?? Of to NAPA to get a replacement. Long story short, I'm back in business (until yesterday) SAME belt issue now at 31 Hours. This is getting rude here, total of three belts in 31 hours?? Go to the dealer, they give me a new belt and tell me to check the alignment of the pulleys, I look at it, (with straight edge) seems pretty aligned to me). Anyway, new belt is on, but how long will it last??Any suggestions besides dropping it off at the dealer??

 

[NewHollandOwner]

How much difference in the line up of the pulleys would it take to throw the belt anyway? No sharp parts, or other pulley issues that I know of on this tractor.

 

[tc35dforme]

If you're aligned, I'd be looking at tension. As the belt runs, it will warm up and stretch. Maybe you're just not getting a good tension setting. The old thumb pressure trick used to work, but now I'd be using a good measurement technique. I can't quickly come up with a tension spec in the service book, but I'll bet the dealer will be able to tell you.

 

[Alan0043]

Is this a new tractor that we are talking about ? I would have the dealership fix the tractor under warranty,unless trucking makes it a hardship. Just a thought.

 

[chatcher]

Troubleshooting a malfunctioning new machine is not like troubleshooting a well-used one that has failed. You can't assume anything was ever right. A new one may have parts that are mis-manufactured. (I once worked on a new Pontiac with a bad miss on one cylinder. Turned out the intake manifold runner to that cylinder was cast solid - no passageway!

You may have a pulley that is damaged or not shaped correctly that destroys belts. You might try inspecting the pulley grooves with a light to see if something doesn't look right. They should turn true with no detectable wobble or runout, and there should be no rough spots or nicks in the belt contact area. It shouldn't be too hard to indentify what's doing the damage, since there aren't many things that touch the belt.

 

[jinman]

Some Class III Boomers have had problems with the fan blades hitting the shroud when the front end of the tractor flexes. Have you heard any strange noises? If your fan is hitting the shroud and stopping while the engine keeps running, that could throw the belt. I'd think you would hear it and smell burning rubber though. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

You aren't working in any kind of brush that could be coming up from the bottom and catching in the pulley are you?

...just a couple of thoughts.

 

[NewHollandOwner]

Everything seems to be "free and clear" .
Transportation to and from the dealer wouldn't be too bad, I have 20' Equipment hauler. Seems kinda "homeowner-ish" to take my tractor to the dealer for a belt issue, but if it happens again that's where it will end up. I was sitting in my yard getting ready to till up an area that was never properly seeded last spring when it happened the last time, so nothing poked up in there or anything like that.
My dealer seems like he's going to be cool about it, mentioned "sending someone down" to look at it at my place if needed. Thanks for all the good input, I'm sure it won't be the last question I have.

 

[RickB]

Fan belt problems have been non-existent at our store. Haven't seen the fan blade/shroud interference in a couple years or so, though the 35's were worst for that. The obvious has already been stated, I'd also look for glazing on the belt sides that would indicate slippage and/or a hard turning water pump or alternator.

 

[NewHollandOwner]

You're right about troubleshooting a new one, can't jsut start throwing parts at it huh? 2 year warranty makes me warm and fuzzy, one of the reasons I bought new.

Thanks for the advise, I checked over the pulleys pretty well, look fine to me. I thought the same thing when I saw the huge gash in the belt??

 

[kensfarm]

"This is getting rude here, total of three belts in 31 hours??"

Have you looked at the belt run after bringing the rpm's up to the 540 pto speed. Something must be loose.. jumping/vibrating out of place.

I'm on my 6th season w/ my 35D.. never had a belt problem.. sorry you're having problems.