baler belt mod for snowblower John Deere

[Dani3l]

I'm finally tackling the baler belt mod on my snowblower John Deere impeller (the 44 inch unit).
Is drilling and using ¼ inch bolts/washers straight through the belt and onto the blades enough to hold it? Or are guys using a strip of aluminum or something to clamp it down for extra security?

can this whole thing be done with the auger and plastic impeller still inside the housing?
Also, what thickness of baler belt works best without rubbing the housing too much? Thanks!

 

[Alan]

For better load distribution, go with ¼" bolts paired with fender washers and a backing strip, which can be made from aluminum or flat bar. A 3/8" baler belt is your best bet, it's tough and won't cause too many clearance problems. You can definitely do the mod inside the housing, though it might be a bit cramped, rotating the impeller can help a lot in this case.

 

[Warrior_Cleo]

I’ve seen people use a small metal strip over the belt just to spread the pressure, but it’s not required. The main thing is even spacing and tight hardware. Baler belts are tough stuff and won’t tear loose unless the bolts are loose.