John Deere 165 Hydro Drive Belt Replacement

[cjet69]

My brother has been using my freebie 165 Hydro ever since we got the deck rebuilt in 2014. Last weekend the drive belt gave up. He started working on it in his yard but with the lack of tools and the pto clutch being stuck we decided it was better off in the shop. Much cooler out of the sun also. Hauled it down in the tilt trailer behind the Farmall Super C and rolled it in under the bridge crane. Got it picked up and used a puller along with tapping on the clutch to get it removed. Both pulleys on the drive belt tensioner are noisy so they will be replaced along with the belt. Time to order parts.

 

[4getgto]

11 years out of a belt I'd say.
Your brother has a pretty nice brother too....

 

[MFDAC]

That belt paid it's dues! Is the clutch savable, CJet? That is a hefty old electric hoist on your bridge crane! Makes my 500 pounder look pretty puny---LOL!

DAC

 

[cjet69]

The clutch should still be good. I think that is a 1-ton hoist but don't know for sure.

 

[cjet69]

I ordered the belt and pulleys and they probably won't arrive for a week so I decided to weld up the cracks in the fender pan. That then leads to painting it which means stripping it so its now soaking in the electrolysis tank.

 

[MFDAC]

I ordered the belt and pulleys and they probably won't arrive for a week so I decided to weld up the cracks in the fender pan. That then leads to painting it which means stripping it so its now soaking in the electrolysis tank.

Now the "might as wells" are happening. You might end up with a full resto yet!

DAC

 

[cjet69]

Now the "might as wells" are happening. You might end up with a full resto yet!

DAC

I notice a theme around here lately. Lots of stripping paint and then repainting.

 

[MFDAC]

I notice a theme around here lately. Lots of stripping paint and then repainting.

And you are the one doing it all, CJet!

DAC

 

[cjet69]

Ran the fender pan overnight in the E-tank. Had to flip it this morning to get the other end. Looks like its loosening up the paint really good so it should clean up pretty easy. Guess I better look at the paint and see if its hardened up in the can or not.

 

[4getgto]

I don't know Cjet that seat pan is going to make the hood look like.....well you know...
And you probably don't want to get your spray gun dirty twice....

Oh I'm sure the yellow wheels will clean up to match the rest of the newly painted tractor...
Your brother is going to love you...
All because of a belt...

 

[cjet69]

I don't know Cjet that seat pan is going to make the hood look like.....well you know...
And you probably don't want to get your spray gun dirty twice....

Oh I'm sure the yellow wheels will clean up to match the rest of the newly painted tractor...
Your brother is going to love you...
All because of a belt...

I already painted the front wheels so only 2 more to do but you don't want old tires on newly painted wheels. Then I should tear it completely apart so I can spray the frame black.

 

[cjet69]

Pulled the fender pan out of the E-tank and pressure washed it. The little bit of paint and decals left will wire wheel or sand off without much problem.

 

[MFDAC]

Pulled the fender pan out of the E-tank and pressure washed it. The little bit of paint and decals left will wire wheel or sand off without much problem.

That etank did a great job, CJet!

DAC

 

[cjet69]

That etank did a great job, CJet!

DAC

They are nice. Just hook it up and walk away and it does most of the labor for you.

 

[steve b]

What is the power source for the E tank?

 

[cjet69]

What is the power source for the E tank?

A battery charger.

 

[cjet69]

A little wire wheel work, some welding and grinding, knocked out a few dents, and treated it with Ospho. I'll hang it in the paint booth tomorrow and shoot some epoxy primer on it.

 

[cjet69]

Sprayed the epoxy primer.

 

[cjet69]

Filled a crease on the left fender, a few waves on the center back edge, and some deeper rust pits. Hung it back in the paint booth a hit it with another coat of epoxy primer to cover any bare metal. Once this dries I will spray a coat or 2 of high build primer. It will be close because I don't have much high build left in the can.

 

[olcowhand]

Had a family friend bring me his z330 john deere zero turn with only 22hrs on it and needing a 3rd deck belt! He had took it to the dealership but he's tired of them just putting another belt on for it to just destroy it in 15 minutes to half an hour. I had a neighbor with a Husqvarna lawn tractor doing tge same except it would put several hours on a belt, then eat it. Both had deep pullies that would run a 5/8 belt, but they called for 1/2 belts. On the Husqvarna I put taller idlers and a 5/8 belt. After 2 years that same belt is still working fine. It's OE belts did good to last 3 to 4 months TOPS! On this JD, after modifying the belt system i mowed heavy grass at least 45 minutes and immediately checked the belt and only mildly warm. OE isn't always right!