Changing V-belts with a loader

[4140 or bust]

I can't believe I need help changing belts of all things. I have a 64 Ford 4000 Industrial 4 cyl gas with a 724 loader. Need to change the belts out and I already removed the mounting bolts from the front hydraulic pump, but that doesnt give enough clearance. I have read in other threads to loosen the bolster bolts(red circles) and pry it forward to give another 1/4" clearance for the belts. If I do that, what is the proper way to support the tractor so it doesnt want to cave in to where I cant get the bolts back together. I was thinking of jacking up the front axle and putting it on jack stands then using a jack to support the rear under the tranny. Is that a good plan? I was also thinking of just removing the crank pump hub and pulley (blue circle) but not sure there is enough clearance to pull those bolts out. What a mess to change out some belts.

 

[pomester]

The easy way out is to purchase segmented v-belts. I had the same situation on a 4500. This turned a major job into an easy one. Still working 10 years later.

 

[4140 or bust]

The easy way out is to purchase segmented v-belts. I had the same situation on a 4500. This turned a major job into an easy one. Still working 10 years later.
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Thanks! I was looking at those but had already ordered the PS pump belt. Not big loss though. Where did you pick yours up? Harbor Freight has them but not sure those are HD enough. They don’t mention tractors as an application.

 

[pomester]

Thanks! I was looking at those but had already ordered the PS pump belt. Not big loss though. Where did you pick yours up? Harbor Freight has them but not sure those are HD enough. They don’t mention tractors as an application.

I think I got mine on ebay - Amazon has them, later I found them at an electric motor shop. Grainger's? McMaster? Probably. Be sure to get the correct width. They do stretch a bit with use, install them as short/tight as you can. It's not particularly difficult to shorten them after running several hours, but it's even easier not to.