IH 1300 sickle mower belt tensioning method

Nawlens Gator · Jul 27, 2015

I use a IH 1300 sickle mower behind a IH 140. The belt between the drive and flywheel pulley has a belt roller bushing on the lower belt, and an idler pulley on the upper belt. When I bought the mower (used), the belt went below the top idler pulley, which was used to set the belt tension (this pulley is adjustable up and down). When I had the frame replaced and the mower refurbished at the local IH/Kubota place, it came back with the belt above the lower roller, and under the top belt pulley, which seemed OK. However the lower roller is just a bushing with a roller on top and corrosion caused it to cease and destroy the drive belt. The operators manual shows the belt below the lower roller and above the upper pulley and gives some complicated directions for adjusting belt tension. This doesn't seem reasonable because there is plenty of adjustment to use the top pulley for tensioning. The 1300 is similar to the 1100 and 1200. I'm curios to know if anyone uses the top pulley, and or bottom roller to adjust the belt tension.

Bob · Jul 27, 2015

Bottom belt is the "load side" of the drive, and the "roller" is probably just there to stabilize the belt from "slapping".

The upper belt would be the "slack side" and deflecting that side to tighten the belt would seem to make the most sense.

Nawlens Gator · Jul 27, 2015

Thanks Bob. So you're saying the drive pulley, looking from the rear, rotates clockwise?

I will spool the belt under the lower belt roller and under the upper belt pulley if so.

IaGary · Jul 27, 2015

I would think you would want the belt under the top tensioner pulley. Above the bottom pulley just to slightly make contact as Bob stated.

I was taught to always use the tensioner pulley, or sprocket on a chain, to wrap the belt or chain around the sprockets and pulleys more.

Doing it this way gives the chain or belt more traction area.

Gary

dhermesc · Jul 28, 2015

Agreed. The belt should run below the pulley on the top tensioner to pull the belt down. Just guessing (mine doesn't have the lower pulley) but the belt should run on the top side of the lower pulley with it just barely touching or possibly with a tiny gap - as said by a previous poster so it can reduce belt slap.

Nawlens Gator · Jul 28, 2015

The only way to have the belt lightly touching the lower (fixed) roller bushing is to run the belt under it. That's what I'll do, and under the top idler pulley. Much thanks!

IH 1300 sickle mower belt tensioning method

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