Vermeer 504 Super I Belt Maintenance

kardy

New User
Just got a new-to-me Vermeer -- upgrade from an old Hesston 5510, and it's quite a change!

Need to replace a couple of the lacing pins. Manual says to "release spring pressure" when working on the belts. Unfortunately, I can't find any mention of "how". Is there a way to block up the tension arms while lowering the tailgate (as I did on the Hesston)? Surely I don't have to unbolt the tension springs to fix a lace (or, for that matter, replace a belt).

Hope I didn't miss this topic elsewhere -- I did try to search.

In any event, thanks for the experienced advice I'm sure will follow this request!
 
the way I do it on my 505SI Vermeer is to use a 2" ratchet strap and run around the front with the tail gate open, from the arms where the tension springs hook tot he baler then slowly let down the gate until they are loose,,,, may not be the proper way but it works for me
 
Open the tailgate all the way open.This will release the pressure on the belts. There
should be a valve to push to lock the tailgate up. Look on the hitch area.
 

If I visualize right, the strap prevents the tension arms from lowering as the tailgate comes down -- thereby loosening the belts. The strap would go over the tension arm and under the springs (or vice versa) to hold the arms up.

Do I have it right?

Thanks for the reply!
 

Thanks for the reply! It seems like my belts get tighter when I raise the tailgate, so I'm not sure holding it open will help. On the valve, there is a check valve in the tongue but it doesn't have a button or anything like your description. Looks like the way to hold the gate open is with the safety blocks that go around the lift cylinders. If I lower the gate onto the blocks, will the tension arms continue to release while the gate is held open? Will the blocks hold that much pressure? (I've seen some others bent out of shape.)
 

I do what CaseNutty does except I use a chain. Raise taligate, set safety locks on each cylinder, this is important because if a hose were to break the tailgate
would drop quickly on you if you were under it. Then lower slowly until belts are loose.

KEH
 
YES Great point,, I forgot the safety stops! and yes that is how I do it,,, I use the strap to keep down the scratching of paint is all, the first time I used a chain as well
cnt
 
(quoted from post at 14:12:41 09/04/15) some baler do release when the gate is raised my Vermeer does not,,, they will turn with the gate raised

Thanks to all for the advice. What I did: raised gate, ran chain from end of tension arm (by spring) over top of baler (on blocks to protect sheet metal) to other tension arm. Lowered gate on to the safety blocks. Worked fine.
 
My baler would release the tension when opened. Then I hit the hold open valve and proceeded to change belts.
 

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