S250 A/C/Water pump belt

Hey guys, I joined about 4 years ago while looking for my first machine, bought it, love it, now need to fix it!! I noticed the belt was missing a few teeth on the inside and was cracking pretty badly, the other night it started squealing (-35 dgrees C feeding a round bale). I pulled it in the shop to thaw out, changed the oil, filter and fuel filter, loosened off the alternator and that's when I finally realized I would have to take off the other belt to get the this one off! I'm not a mechaninc, but I can run a wrench, I'm just a little uncofortable when it comes to the right tension to put on these belts once they're replaced. Especially when you're reaching in there up to your armpits and can see!! Any advice on how to tackle this job? Or is it better left to a HD mechanic? Thanks in advance.

Should this post be in the "repairs" forum?

Tucker3878 said:

Should this post be in the "repairs" forum?

Click to expand...

From the service manual.
The A/C compressor belt should have .16" deflection with 3.72-3.98 lbs. of force.
The alternator should have 5/16" deflection with 15 lbs. of force.

OldMachinist said:

From the service manual.
The A/C compressor belt should have .16" deflection with 3.72-3.98 lbs. of force.
The alternator should have 5/16" deflection with 15 lbs. of force.

Click to expand...

Thanks OM, have you done this type of work before? How do I measure deflection? As far as I know this little belt runs around the alt, water pump, and whatever pulley the front belt runs on, guess I should have a look at the service manual, I think MINE is sitting on my buddy's bench from when he borrowed my machine!! Any free sources on the interweb to download them?

Tucker3878 said:

Thanks OM, have you done this type of work before? How do I measure deflection? As far as I know this little belt runs around the alt, water pump, and whatever pulley the front belt runs on, guess I should have a look at the service manual, I think MINE is sitting on my buddy's bench from when he borrowed my machine!! Any free sources on the interweb to download them?

Click to expand...

Belt tension tester
http://www.mcmaster.com/#6160k12/=v1teyz
Instructions for use
http://www.emersonindustrial.com/en...s/Installation and Maintenance/Form_5453E.pdf