How much can belts be shortened to install new lacing? I have a Case IH 8420- 4.8X364 inch belts. They have been shortened once already,now measuring 361.5 to 362.75. I was told you have 8 inches to play with. Any help will be appreciated.
I have a 5530 hesston which is the same baler, my manual says minimum of 362, i think i was only able to get around 360 and some change out of mine when i put new lacing in this spring. Local dealer said that should be ok, so i went with it. It seems ok and worked just fine, i also put the pins in and drop the gate to relieve the tension on the belts when im not using it. Hopefully that'll help the pins and laces last a little longer and not tear out.
You will be fine the belts have had ware on them already.. two splices is nothing as long as its done right.. you can also adjust belt tension if it seems to be to tight.
Ford: '88 3910 Series II, '80 3600, '65 3000; '07 6530C Branson with FEL, 2020 LS MT225S. Case-IH 395 and 895 with cab. All Diesels
If you are worrying about length, you can always install a longer splice than the material you removed. I've run 2 splices and numerous singles. None of them the same length. I gauge my belts by pushing on them at the rear of the baler with the gate shut. I use the level monitors to see where the belt should be and one by one push on them to see if they match it. If off a little I don't worry about it. I work hard for a square bale but if I don't get it, I don't get it. I probably do more to screw it up than a mis-sized belt would. Course with irregular fields and irregular growth, I'm not completely to blame.