Belt Conditioner?

ammodram · Mar 11, 2008

Anybody use spray-on belt conditioner like they sell at auto parts stores on fan belts and so forth on their tractor?

Just wondering if it helps, hurts, or does nothing. I thought about using it on the belts on my older Kubota, since they don't seem to be in bad shape, but are pretty old.

-Matt

Soundguy · Mar 11, 2008

Don't use anything if they aren't causing a problem... it's not like hair conditioner where it helps make it last longer...

if you have to use something.. get some white candle /wax and hold it to the belt.. ( be carefull)

soundguy

ammodram · Mar 11, 2008

Soundguy said:
it's not like hair conditioner where it helps make it last longer...

Hmmm. I didn't use much conditioner as a kid. Maybe that's why my hair didn't last past my early 20's.

Thanks for the info. Belts aren't making any noises, I just wondered if it would prolong the life of the belt. Apparently not.

-Matt

RonMar · Mar 11, 2008

ammodram said:
Hmmm. I didn't use much conditioner as a kid. Maybe that's why my hair didn't last past my early 20's.

Thanks for the info. Belts aren't making any noises, I just wondered if it would prolong the life of the belt. Apparently not.

-Matt

Anything that remains like grease or oil will collect dust, and most likley shorten the belt life. Does the belt or tractor manufacturer reccomend the stuff? I have never heard of any who have, but I have never looked too hard either.

I personally have never had any use for the stuff. It might mask a problem for a little while, but that problem will eventually return.

My .02

Soundguy · Mar 12, 2008

As i mentioned.. the only belt dressing I use is parafin wax... If you ask for belt dressing at a CAT counter, you get a tube of yellowish parafin that has a spiral paper peel lable on it.. pell off some paper and apply the wax to the running belt.. etc.

soundguy

Runner · Mar 13, 2008

Whatever you do, please be careful. I have a friend who was dressing a belt on a running engine and lost a finger by getting it caught in a pulley.

Solo · Mar 16, 2008

I haven't used any on my tractor, but on large air handling units I've used WD 40 or LPS lubricant to prolong belt life. I did a little experiment with 2 large air handlers for a year belts with lube never cracked or showed signs of wear. The one with no lube needed belts twice. Same environment and run time. A friend of mine was an industrial mechanic he showed me that trick.

Solo