Sk800 fan belt replacement?

[arborandearth]

I need to replace a fan belt on my Ditch Witch SK800 tomorrow. Any tips or things I need conciser before I drive way out to the job? It is a 45 minute drive in a rural area...I would hate to have forgotten something that will make the repair easier.

Any special tools aside from a tool set and vise grips?

I didn't see any tensioning pullys like on an auto.

The work area in the machine is really tight, but it looks like I should just be able to slip the belt over the fan without removing housing or radiator.

I couldn't find any youtube videos - most were of Kubota tractors requiring a PTO shaft to be removed, but that doesn't apply.

Any experience out there?

 

[treeandland]

I need to replace a fan belt on my Ditch Witch SK800 tomorrow. Any tips or things I need conciser before I drive way out to the job? It is a 45 minute drive in a rural area...I would hate to have forgotten something that will make the repair easier.

Any special tools aside from a tool set and vise grips?

I didn't see any tensioning pullys like on an auto.

The work area in the machine is really tight, but it looks like I should just be able to slip the belt over the fan without removing housing or radiator.

I couldn't find any youtube videos - most were of Kubota tractors requiring a PTO shaft to be removed, but that doesn't apply.

Any experience out there?

It is very tight space in there. I have an SK750. I tried to tighten my belt but didn't have the right tool. My mechanic friend came and helped me out and used a ratcheting pry bar made by Gearwrench. You have to loosen and pry on the alternator. Be careful of an engine sensor that's very close. He said it's tricky to put on a new belt but he can do it if he uses a mirror to see what's happening back there.

 

[arborandearth]

It is very tight space in there. I have an SK750. I tried to tighten my belt but didn't have the right tool. My mechanic friend came and helped me out and used a ratcheting pry bar made by Gearwrench. View attachment 72979 You have to loosen and pry on the alternator. Be careful of an engine sensor that's very close. He said it's tricky to put on a new belt but he can do it if he uses a mirror to see what's happening back there.

Great advice... luckily the alternator is out and a new one is going in. That's how the whole scenario happened - battery wasn't getting a charge, tested alt and it was bad. We jumped and we're running it on idle so we could move it out of the trailer and move a towable lift. Then the belt broke.

I'll take a mirror and slim bar of some sort. I have a couple crowbars too.

 

[arborandearth]

I had a crowbar that worked great to keep pressure on the alternator. The battery was also kaput, but we at least we're able to jump it and get it back to town, replace battery, and running like a hog again

 

[treeandland]

I had a crowbar that worked great to keep pressure on the alternator. The battery was also kaput, but we at least we're able to jump it and get it back to town, replace battery, and running like a hog again

Glad you were able to get that repair done. They are great machines aren't they! I wouldn't want to do most of our tree jobs without the Ditch Witch.

 

[arborandearth]

It's made us all bit heavier in the mid section because it does all the hard work! It was my first financed piece of equipment, and I've not had one regret.