Does the Harmonic balancer need replacing?

I've never replaced the crankshaft damper on my 4440, tach shows 8200 hours. I'm guessing I'm way over do. I'm replacing it in the spring, is there anything else I should look for when I'm replacing this?
 
I never replaced them unless they have been oil soaked and the rubber is letting go.There are a lot of tractors that are 40 years old running the original dampener... look it or good first..
 
(quoted from post at 22:04:33 02/28/13) I never replaced them unless they have been oil soaked and the rubber is letting go.There are a lot of tractors that are 40 years old running the original dampener... look it or good first..


Thanks! I will look it over real good and go from there.
 
A fellow I know had a JD tractor that blew up because the harmonic balancer failed. I can't remember which engine or tractor model it was.

1. What does JD say about replacing it?

Regards,
JGC
 
The service rep that came to the dealer I worked at said the official party line was replace them every 5000 hrs or with any major crankshaft failure. I never worried much about them unless the rubber was swelled from oil. I did rebuild a 4020 once that would break rocker arms about once a year. Then one year it broke the crankshaft. In hindsight I think the tractor was telling us the harmonic ballancer was bad. Not that the owner would listen.
 
Remember John Deere is recommending it,,and in doing so are selling parts and service,,just like the "Swap the final drive" Program....As for broken cranks,,,some times it just 'Happens'....
 
I generally replace if the rubber is swelled or obvious cracks and deterioration. How strong is the tractor running? I overhauled a 4440 a few years ago that was ran hard (180+ hp) all it's life. The balancer looked good and was dry but the customer wanted to replace it. I pressed the old one apart and the rubber was worn 1/3 of the total width so it was getting weak but looked good visually. Since then I look at known history also when inspecting a balancer.
 
Yes I agree they like to sell parts. Thats why I said the party line. I never put another rocker arm in that 4020 after it was rebuilt with a new crank and balancer.
 
(quoted from post at 01:19:35 03/01/13) I generally replace if the rubber is swelled or obvious cracks and deterioration. How strong is the tractor running? I overhauled a 4440 a few years ago that was ran hard (180+ hp) all it's life. The balancer looked good and was dry but the customer wanted to replace it. I pressed the old one apart and the rubber was worn 1/3 of the total width so it was getting weak but looked good visually. Since then I look at known history also when inspecting a balancer.


Hmm interesting, Its running pretty strong, I overhauled it 2 years ago, put new injectors in it along with new turbo. I do have it turned up some, I'm guessing around 150-155. After reading your post, I'm thinking of just replacing it for piece of mind.
 
The early 4020"s had bad rocker arms,, I can not link the balancer to the failed rocker arms....
 
Most people don't replace dampers. There should be a chisel mark between inner outer portion and the inner part that attaches to the crankshaft. Replace the damper if the chisel marks do not line up (the outer portion has moved) or at rebuild time.
Somebody said there is a 5000 hour recommended change, that is fine.
Keep a close eye on the damper if you ever have a severe oil leak on the front of the engine. Oil can damage the rubber.
 

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