The Green Industry's Resource Center

BostonGuy · #1 10-06-2006, 06:16 PM

Has anyone adjusted the belts on a Bobcat S185? Can yougive me a walk through on the two belts? I'm searching the net for the info and haven't found anything yet.

Scag48 · #2 10-06-2006, 10:17 PM

What belts? Be a little more specific...

Mike33 · #3 10-06-2006, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BostonGuy

Has anyone adjusted the belts on a Bobcat S185? Can yougive me a walk through on the two belts? I'm searching the net for the info and haven't found anything yet.

I own one am not sure if it is the same as my old 763, if so have your local dealer do it.They actually have a special tool to do it with. it will be the best 50.00 you spent.
Mike

BostonGuy · #4 10-07-2006, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scag48

What belts? Be a little more specific...

There is a large wide belt under a plastic cover with three clips has to be the hydraulic belt. There is also a v-belt behind the motor. I'm not sure what this drives??

If they need special tools to adjust I guess it's off to the shop. I'd like to pick up a service manual if they aren't expensive.

Dirty Water · #5 10-07-2006, 02:56 PM

We used to have a vibratory plow with a belt driven hydro pump. It used to slip if you were putting too much load on it.

Since then, I've always bought direct driven machines. Far less hassle. I didn't realize that bobcat skidsteers had belt drives..

ksss · #6 10-09-2006, 09:51 PM

I believe that belt runs the hydro pump. Bobcat claims this allows them to run at reduced RPM. I think everyone else is direct drive.

Tigerotor77W · #7 10-09-2006, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ksss

I believe that belt runs the hydro pump. Bobcat claims this allows them to run at reduced RPM. I think everyone else is direct drive.

Yes. On all three counts.

(It's what Bobcat claims, anyhow. Cat will then claim that the accelerator pedal allows the engine to run at low RPMs naturally as well.)

TerraFirma Excavating · #8 10-11-2006, 01:41 AM

You can adjust them yourself. I've done it before on my 773T. I can't remeber the specifics and I'm travelling right now. I'll look at my machine tomorrow and post back.

TerraFirma Excavating · #9 10-11-2006, 02:15 PM

The regular owners manual has instructions on Adjusting the Drive Belt. He's a brief re-cap if you have lost yours.

1. Open the rear door and disconnect the negative battery cable
2. Remove the 3 belt shield fasteners and remove the shield

This is hard to describe without pictures: There is an idler pulley that provides tension. Between it and the block is a little indicator pointer which shows amount of tension. When the pointer is in the 1 o'clock position, there is no spring tension on the pulley. When the pointer is in the 3 o'clock position, it hits a stop at maximum tension.

3. Loosen the bolt to adjust the spring loaded drive idler (You'll see a bracket with a slot to allow travel for adjustment, this is it)
4. Push the idler pulley against the belt using a pry bar. The indicator should travel to the 3 o'clock position at full tension, then let it raise a little bit so that it is not against the stop
5. Tighten the mounting bolt to 25-28 ft.lbs
6. Run the engine for a few minutes and check the tension again.
7. Re-install belt shield and fasteners.

BostonGuy · #10 10-22-2006, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TerraFirma Excavating

You can adjust them yourself. I've done it before on my 773T. I can't remeber the specifics and I'm travelling right now. I'll look at my machine tomorrow and post back.

Thanks for posting this TerraFirma. My tension indicator was in the 12 oclock position and every now and then I heard a whering sounds and I thought the hydraulics slowed a little. It would quickly recover and I was wondering if I was hearing things. I readjusted the belt which took a 9/16 socket, prybar, and less than 10 minutes total. It's been a week and I haven't heard any more noise and the hydraulics work perfect.