Looking for advice on replacing fan belt on BX24

[diggindoc]

My faithful BX24 (7 yrs / 400 hrs young) has a case of the squealies on cold mornings. I'm sure it's the fan/alternator belt slipping, because it's accompanied by low erratic tach readings that become correct when the belt warms up and the squealing stops. (I'm assuming the tach takes its signal from the alternator speed). So I've been adjusting the alternator position to tighten the belt a couple of times a year, but now I'm at the far end of the slot. Must be time for a new belt...

Looks like to thread on a new belt over the crankshaft pulley, I have to undo the driveshaft from the back of the engine. It's not all that easy to access, but from under the tractor I can get a socket on the lowest bolt. When I try to loosen it however, the crankshaft just turns from the wrench torque and the bolt doesn't loosen. Can anyone tell me the right way to do this? Is there an easy way to lock the engine crankshaft so I can apply torque to the bolt head? Is it OK to loosen one bolt, "bump" the engine until the next bolt is accessible and loosen it, and repeat, or is that asking for damage?

I'm hoping someone has done this before and will share their expertise. As an alternative I could try to get one of those multiple-link-belts which you can thread through, then fasten together, but they are hard to find in this skinny size and I'm not sure they're rated for this service.

Thanks in advance,

Mark

 

[whitetiger]

Yes, you have to remove the three bolts in the front pulley. Yes you can remove one bolt and bump the engine over.
If it wants to turn over rather than break the bolt loose, block the flywheel with a screwdriver or pry bar in the starter ring teeth.

 

[diggindoc]

Thanks whitetiger! I will try that and post results.