Versatile 103 Idler Pulleys ..... a question ???

Crazy Horse · Sep 30, 2018

We have a mid-60's Versatile 103 self propelled swather. My question refers to the two idler pulleys that adjust the main belt tension on the left side of the machine. The belt is driving the main front reel. Here's my question ....

Are both of these idler pulleys the "flat type" idler pulley? Or should one be for the flat side of the belt and the other for the v-side of the belt? The machine we have has both idlers being for the flat side of the belt. As a result, one of the two pulleys is operating on the v-side of the belt.

Thanks for the replies ....

Bob · Sep 30, 2018

It doesn't take much power to drive the reel, and the reel turns SLOW, so the idler pullies used aren't that big of a factor.

As I recall they were both simple and wide and flat, and CHEAP and turn on a simple bushing.

FIAT parts confirms my memory that they were both the same. Are you having a performance issue, or is this a rhetorical question?

(Farm machinery from eras past can be VERY low tech compared to what we mite expect now!)
FIAT parts V1752

Crazy Horse · Oct 1, 2018

Thanks Bob ..... your reply is very helpful. Our tractor club owns the swather and we used it for the first time yesterday after some repairs etc. The issue we had yesterday is that the belt was coming off. Both idler pulleys are plastic and probably twice as wide as the belt. One of the idlers has the retaining flange on the outside circumference chipped off for about 2" and I suspect that is the issue or reason. I'm surprised they are plastic, there is not much plastic on that old machine. Maybe these have been replaced with something newer?

The serial number is 66-150xxx and I think we had figured out it was from the mid-60's or thereabouts. We're not sure if the Wisconsin V4 engine is original to the machine. It has distributor ignition and we're not 100% sure if it is 12V or maybe 6V (doubtful probably). Maybe you can let us know your thoughts about that.

hymie2lt · Oct 1, 2018

The two pulleys are just the flat style, however they can wear and run crooked and then the belt will fall off, especially if the edge is cracked. It will have to be replaced. The drive pulley on the end of the tube frame will be an adjusting V-pulley that one flange can be moved in or out, with set screws, to make the reels go faster or slower.
Wayne

Crazy Horse · Oct 1, 2018

Thanks Hymie .... see my reply lower down here to Bob, some more info about our pulleys (edge cracked like you mentioned) and also about the electrical system.

hymie2lt · Oct 1, 2018

We ran two 103 swathers for years. Good swathers for their time. They are 12 volt systems, and the Wisconsin engine is original. Have you had trouble with the intake/exhaust valves sticking after sitting in the off season?
I may have some of the plastic pulleys if you need? If I remember correctly, they would wear because they just run on a bushing, and not a bearing.

Wayne

Crazy Horse · Oct 1, 2018

Wayne, thanks but we should be OK for pulleys, there are lots of scrap 103's around here and a good number of suppliers for generic bearings and pulleys, etc.

We finished up yesterday thank goodness. We've had two snowfalls already this fall (central Alberta), gone now but it's but trying again this morning ... our tractor club plants about 30 acres of feed barley and about six acres of oats. We bundle some of the oats and thresh it at our annual show in August so we store it on wagons over the winter. We bin the barley if we don't sell it right away. And yes, I believe this engine had a stuck valve and one of the members freed it up, might have ground the valves while he was at it, not sure.

Where do you hang your hat?

Bob · Oct 1, 2018

(quoted from post at 07:50:08 10/01/18) Thanks Bob ..... your reply is very helpful. Our tractor club owns the swather and we used it for the first time yesterday after some repairs etc. The issue we had yesterday is that the belt was coming off. Both idler pulleys are plastic and probably twice as wide as the belt. One of the idlers has the retaining flange on the outside circumference chipped off for about 2" and I suspect that is the issue or reason. I'm surprised they are plastic, there is not much plastic on that old machine. Maybe these have been replaced with something newer?

The serial number is 66-150xxx and I think we had figured out it was from the mid-60's or thereabouts. We're not sure if the Wisconsin V4 engine is original to the machine. It has distributor ignition and we're not 100% sure if it is 12V or maybe 6V (doubtful probably). Maybe you can let us know your thoughts about that.

We had a couple of 'em "back in the day".

The idlers were plastic from the factory.

Electrical system was 12 Volt.

Think I've still got an operator's manual SOMEWHERE, I'll have to look!

hymie2lt · Oct 1, 2018

I am in NW Saskatchewan. about 1 hour north of the Battlefords.
If you pour diesel fuel down the exhaust manifold every fall when you put the swather away, and turn the crank a bit so the cylinders all get filled with diesel. Then leave it all winter. In the spring change the engine oil and filter, and you will not have any more trouble with stuck valves. The diesel will lube them up. We had trouble every spring with these Wisconsins, until we started doing this. never had any trouble after. Engine will smoke on start up for a few seconds then purr like a kitten.
Wayne

Versatile 103 Idler Pulleys ..... a question ???

Crazy Horse

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Crazy Horse

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hymie2lt

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Crazy Horse

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