New Idea Hay Rake 403

floydt · May 29, 2015

Just picked one of these up.. Can someone email me how the belt goes on. .and how to adjust it?? Will this be an on going issue with the belt not staying on??

DeltaRed · May 29, 2015

If the belt wont stay on,you have another issue.Either something is out of line.Or the belt is just flat worn out.

Hay hay hay · Jun 1, 2015

I am looking for my manual. The belt is round like a rope. Maybe someone tried to put on a v-belt and that won't work.
be sure the pulley on the axle is lined up with the idler pulley under the shield. The belt is tightened by the tensioner which screws out to expand and put pressure on the belt.

I have 2 of these old rakes. The simplicity of the design is wonderful. They work very well and a new belt will last 20 years or more.

I will try to find my manual. Putting a new belt on is much easier if you do it the right way as explained in the manual. The key is to undo the right wheel axle mounting (looking forward) from the frame and slip the belt between the two.

The belt is available from New Idea (about $150).

Hay hay hay · Jun 1, 2015

Idea for you. Google "new idea 403 rake". In the photos the one of an orange and green rake in those photos clearly shows the belt, belt routing, idlers and tensioner. Good luck

floydt · Jun 1, 2015

i changed the bearings in the larger sheath.. The belt is in good shape and round.. I put the belt on and it rides off the larger sheath.. Now I'm wondering if the bracket the pulleys are on is bent?

Hay hay hay · Jun 2, 2015

I have never, in 10 years and 2 rakes, hundreds of acres of hay, had a belt come off.
Hard to tell in the pictures but I think you may have found the problem.
The idler pulleys change the direction of the belt 90 degrees.
They need to line up with both the big pulley on the rake (sheave?) and the pulley on the axle.
Use a straight edge to see if they (pulleys) are in alignment.
Is it coming off at the rake end?

It is amazing the ways some people can bend, bash and break equipment.

floydt · Jun 2, 2015

The belt comes off the Larger of the two pulleys (not the rake end.. or on the axle) .. the other thing I found out is the stabilizer bar.. looks like at one time the end broke off .. and as you can see in the picture .. they welded back on.. and when they did they welded it so it will no longer turn . .not sure why they did that. . so now I can't tighten the belt. . which it seems plenty tight as it is . .but if I was able to turn that stabilizer bar (large turnbuckle) .. maybe it would straighten the belt out. . so the pulleys would align better

floydt · Jun 5, 2015

I fixed the stabilizer bar .. bent the bracket that holds the larger of the two pulleys .. Looks like I'm in business!
I need around 15 new springs.. and I'll be good to go!

New Idea Hay Rake 403

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