Link vbelts for driving generator or fan

Freddie2010 · May 1, 2023

Hi, Does anyone have any experience with using link belts on farm tractors to drive the fan or generator.? I have a 1957? John Deere 420w farm tractor. To change a generator or fan belt is a nightmare on this tractor. I would have to remove almost the entire front end to do the job.
I have seen one or two pictures of link belts being used on these tractors. If I could use one on my 420w. It would save me a LOT of work. Can anyone out there give me some advice or information on using a link belt to drive the fan or generator, on a farm tractor.I would appreciate the help very much..thank you in advance.

Janicholson · May 1, 2023

They work well. The only issue is initial stretch. after a period of 3 to 5 hours of running they stabilize pretty well. No problem. Jim

glennster · May 1, 2023

i use one on my farmall m for the alternator drive belt. a breeze to install vs the oe type. works well, no problems.

dpendzic · May 1, 2023

I have one on my Cat D2---no problems

jCarroll · May 1, 2023

IMHO you are overestimating the effort. I removed the circular fan tip shield from the radiator shell, and by moving it
around was able to provide clearance to change the belts. Not fun, but doable.

The link-belt is a good solution.

flying belgian · May 1, 2023

I've been farming and owned trucks for 55
years and never heard of a link belt.
I had to Google it. Pretty slick.

Caryc · May 1, 2023

(quoted from post at 14:13:19 05/01/23) I've been farming and owned trucks for 55
years and never heard of a link belt.
I had to Google it. Pretty slick.

Believe it or not, link belts run smoother that V belts. I have a 14" band saw that had a lot of vibration in it. I switched to a link belt and the vibration was gone.

rustcollector · May 1, 2023

Link belts are a good substitute until you can do the job correctly. Worked with a lot of folks in the cotton ginning industry that would use these on the night shift when a belt failed on a drive. Then the day shift had to change in the morning. These belts do not transmit as much power as a same sized V belt.

Gary Reif · May 1, 2023

I did the same thing on a table saw, runs so much quieter and smoother.

Caryc · May 1, 2023

(quoted from post at 19:01:54 05/01/23) I did the same thing on a table saw, runs so much quieter and smoother.

Yeah, it's amazing because those link belts look so lumpy and bumpy. :wink:

moresmoke · May 1, 2023

I have a tractor with an add on generator. The lower radiator pipe runs through the belt. A link belt works fine.

I found Jason brand belt on eBay quite a bit cheaper than elsewhere.

M-MAN · May 2, 2023

I've ran one on my tablesaw for
years but I wouldn't put one on my
tractor. The edges tend to roll up
and that's going to wear into the
pulleys.

Traditional Farmer · May 2, 2023

Get the tool made for them

Caryc · May 2, 2023

(quoted from post at 07:51:32 05/02/23) Get the tool made for them

What tool made for what?

J.Wondergem · May 2, 2023

I have one running on a Farmall BN. I think I put it on about 5 years ago and still running, but I don't run it every week.

Link vbelts for driving generator or fan

Freddie2010

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Janicholson

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glennster

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dpendzic

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jCarroll

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flying belgian

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Caryc

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rustcollector

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Gary Reif

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Caryc

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moresmoke

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M-MAN

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Traditional Farmer

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Caryc

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J.Wondergem

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