Brand New - Betstco FH-EFGCH195 Burning Belts

[bctxprop]

I'm trying to understand what's going wrong here. This flail cutter has been used twice as it's brand new, and both times I've burned the belts. I spoke with the representatives at Betstco on Friday, and their mechanics walked me through a few troubleshooting steps. The first issue identified was that the top pulley was out of alignment (came that way), which I promptly fixed. Fortunately, I had a backup set of belts ($75), so I adjusted the tension and corrected the alignment. After making these adjustments, I went ahead and cut about 10 acres of Coastal Bermuda mixed with Bahia grass. Unfortunately, the belts started smoking again and were nearly destroyed by the time I finished.

I'm at a loss as to what could be causing this issue. Should I consider returning this equipment, or is there something I might be overlooking? I've greased all the specified points, and the gearbox is properly oiled. My Brush Hog rotary cutter handles the same terrain without any issues. I’d appreciate any insights or help y'all can provide. The belts have 1/4" to 1/2" deflection as specified in the manual it came with.

 

[5030]

It's not American made. Simple answer. You have an alignment issue, probably the main frame.

 

[bctxprop]

10-4 so you'd return it?

 

[bctxprop]

What's frustrating is that after spending $3,800 on this equipment, it took several hours to assemble, and now I've already spent an additional $150 on belts that are getting destroyed. This is turning into an expensive mistake. According to their website, they supposedly accept returns, but I guess we'll see how that goes. I'm pretty disappointed...

 

[Midniteoyl]

Are the belts a 'matched set'?

 

[5030]

Never bought anything from them. If I need an implement I always buy from my dealer. Might cost a bit more but I've never been unhappy with any purchase.

They may accept returns but I bet you pay for return shipping and a restock charge and because it's now used, I bet they won't refund your entire amount.

 

[5030]

Are the belts a 'matched set'?

Whether they are is not really relevant. If you look at the pictures, the wear is on all of them and it's on the edges. That tells me there is an alignment issue.

 

[5030]

Far as matched sets of belts are concerned, there is really no matched sets of belts other than measuring various belts and matching them as close as possible to overall length.

 

[bctxprop]

Never bought anything from them. If I need an implement I always buy from my dealer. Might cost a bit more but I've never been unhappy with any purchase.

They may accept returns but I bet you pay for return shipping and a restock charge and because it's now used, I bet they won't refund your entire amount.

10-4. If it's truly a manufacturer's defect, they should make it right—especially considering the significant investment of money, and the time I've put into assembling it. But given the current situation, you're probably right. I'll keep you all updated on how it turns out. My dealer doesn't carry flail cutters, which I don't think are as common here in my part of Texas. I took a gamble based on the positive reviews I saw on YouTube.

 

[bctxprop]

Are the belts a 'matched set'?

No, don't believe it's a matched set. It's just the belts that came with the flail mower from Betstco. I think they're 21" in length.

 

[2515R Dude]

Does the lower pulley spins freely when there are no belts installed?
Do hummers installed the right way?

To me it looks like excessive resistance, you just need to find out why.

 

[bctxprop]

Does the lower pulley spins freely when there are no belts installed?
Do hummers installed the right way?

To me it looks like excessive resistance, you just need to find out why.

Yes, lower pulley spins freely. The hammers are installed the right way and were installed by Betstco.

 

[2515R Dude]

so, where does the resistance come from? Can it be you overload it somehow?
Also, what i can see on the picture , but it might be deceiving, the lower pulley groves are narrower. Don't know if it is true or if it is important.

Also, from my old mechanical days i remember that overtightening belts makes them overheat

 

[bctxprop]

so, where does the resistance come from? Can it be you overload it somehow?
Also, what i can see on the picture , but it might be deceiving, the lower pulley groves are narrower. Don't know if it is true or if it is important.

Also, from my old mechanical days i remember that overtightening belts makes them overheat

The belts aren't over-tightened. My neighbor, who is an Ag mechanic, and my father-in-law, who was a cotton farmer for over 30 years, both checked the belts after I replaced them. They said the belts were as specified and didn't seem too tight or too loose. We even ran the implement for a bit and rechecked—it was good to go. I'm not sure why they're burning up. They suggested it might be the pulley design, with the belts being too close to each other and generating heat. It's a real puzzle, but it's becoming an expensive one. It doesn't make sense to purchase something that's supposed to cut brush if it can't even handle Bermuda and croton weed in the pasture. Here's another picture you can see how they're all fraying on the edges after an hour of use.

 

[ericm979]

Is the tension the same or close on all the belts? I think the idea of a matched set is that the belts are all the same length within a tight tolerance, so there's not going to be some loose belts and some tight ones.

 

[scootr]

I've been using the same mower for about 4-5 yrs. I did burn up my first set of belts by allowing the hammers to engage the ground. Rooky mistake. The second set got hot enough to smell cutting thick grasses too fast. I ensured they were tensioned properly, gave them a generous coat of belt dressing, kept the cutter shaft greased and no more problems. I'm also on my second set of hammers due to cutting an unfamiliar rocky field.

 

[RjCorazza]

Those belts sure seem to be riding too high in the pulley, causing the sharp edge to start the belt damaging process.
I'm not an expert, but there's just no way those belts can survive getting pulled into that sharp edge.

 

[bctxprop]

I've been using the same mower for about 4-5 yrs. I did burn up my first set of belts by allowing the hammers to engage the ground. Rooky mistake. The second set got hot enough to smell cutting thick grasses too fast. I ensured they were tensioned properly, gave them a generous coat of belt dressing, kept the cutter shaft greased and no more problems. I'm also on my second set of hammers due to cutting an unfamiliar rocky field.

They're not engaging the ground. This is South Texas and it's mostly flat with no rocks and was cutting weeds/grass, nothing crazy. Tractor speed was 1.5-2.5 mph depending on areas cutting. Happy to show you the grass it was cutting, nothing exciting. We have goats, sheep, and everything else, we occasionally shred the pasture to help with weed management.

 

[bctxprop]

Those belts sure seem to be riding too high in the pulley, causing the sharp edge to start the belt damaging process.
I'm not an expert, but there's just no way those belts can survive getting pulled into that sharp edge.

That's what several farmers in the area said after seeing the belts. Something isn't right with the pulleys or something... It's not the bearings because everything sounds good and turns. The belts aren't too tight or too lose.

 

[bctxprop]

Is the tension the same or close on all the belts? I think the idea of a matched set is that the belts are all the same length within a tight tolerance, so there's not going to be some loose belts and some tight ones.

It's the belts that come from Betstco. They come in a set but not sure if it's a matched set. The tension seems the same on all the belts. At $75 for four belts and with them burning up every time I run the mower at some point we're going to have to toss in the towel. I'm already $150 out on belts.