Link vbelts for driving generator or fan

[Freddie2010]

Hi, Does anyone have any experience with using link belts on farm tractors to drive the fan or generator.? I have a 1957? John Deere 420w farm tractor. To change a generator or fan belt is a nightmare on this tractor. I would have to remove almost the entire front end to do the job.
I have seen one or two pictures of link belts being used on these tractors. If I could use one on my 420w. It would save me a LOT of work. Can anyone out there give me some advice or information on using a link belt to drive the fan or generator, on a farm tractor.I would appreciate the help very much..thank you in advance.

 

[Janicholson]

They work well. The only issue is initial stretch. after a period of 3 to 5 hours of running they stabilize pretty well. No problem. Jim

 

[glennster]

i use one on my farmall m for the alternator drive belt. a breeze to install vs the oe type. works well, no problems.

 

[dpendzic]

I have one on my Cat D2---no problems

 

[jCarroll]

IMHO you are overestimating the effort. I removed the circular fan tip shield from the radiator shell, and by moving it
around was able to provide clearance to change the belts. Not fun, but doable.

The link-belt is a good solution.

 

[flying belgian]

I've been farming and owned trucks for 55
years and never heard of a link belt.
I had to Google it. Pretty slick.

 

[Caryc]

(quoted from post at 14:13:19 05/01/23) I've been farming and owned trucks for 55
years and never heard of a link belt.
I had to Google it. Pretty slick.

Believe it or not, link belts run smoother that V belts. I have a 14" band saw that had a lot of vibration in it. I switched to a link belt and the vibration was gone.

 

[rustcollector]

Link belts are a good substitute until you can do the job correctly. Worked with a lot of folks in the cotton ginning industry that would use these on the night shift when a belt failed on a drive. Then the day shift had to change in the morning. These belts do not transmit as much power as a same sized V belt.

 

[Gary Reif]

I did the same thing on a table saw, runs so much quieter and smoother.

 

[Caryc]

(quoted from post at 19:01:54 05/01/23) I did the same thing on a table saw, runs so much quieter and smoother.

Yeah, it's amazing because those link belts look so lumpy and bumpy. :wink:

 

[moresmoke]

I have a tractor with an add on generator. The lower radiator pipe runs through the belt. A link belt works fine.



I found Jason brand belt on eBay quite a bit cheaper than elsewhere.

 

[M-MAN]

I've ran one on my tablesaw for
years but I wouldn't put one on my
tractor. The edges tend to roll up
and that's going to wear into the
pulleys.

 

[Traditional Farmer]

Get the tool made for them

 

[Caryc]

(quoted from post at 07:51:32 05/02/23) Get the tool made for them

What tool made for what?

 

[J.Wondergem]

I have one running on a Farmall BN. I think I put it on about 5 years ago and still running, but I don't run it every week.