Monitoring John Deere belts and pulleys

[Ironbounder]

I was right in the middle of my shift when a weird squeal made me realize it was time to check the belts, pulleys, and tensioners.

What quick and safe tips do you use to catch wear before it leads to any issues?

 

[HayDeereJohn]

Keep an eye out for any glazing or cracks on the belt ribs. If the belt has a shiny, smooth surface, it’s probably slipping and needs to be replaced. You should also spin each pulley by hand when the engine is off; feel for any roughness or wobbling. Bad bearings can create noise and quickly wear out belts, so it’s best to catch any issues early.

 

[Hi Deere]

You can check the belt tension using your thumb, it should give a bit, around a half inch, with moderate pressure. If it’s too loose, the belt will slip and squeal; if it’s too tight, it’ll wear out the bearings faster than it should. Finding that sweet spot is really important.