Checking Belt Tracking

If belts are new and have not been used, add talcum powder to simulate crop dust or the belts may not track properly on the rolls.

Only use baby powder made with talcum. Do not use powder with corn starch. Corn starch will absorb moisture and cling to rolls.

It is best to powder belts on a sunny, dry day with baler in a building or under shelter. If baler is outside, be sure belts and rolls are dry. Do not put powder on damp (early morning dew) belts.

Use baby powder that is made with talcum. A large bottle, 15-oz plus, may be necessary.

When positioning the gate to provide access for service, always make sure tension arm (A) is fully raised and against tension arm stops (B). This prevents gate from lower unexpectedly.

Lock gate by fully raising gate and moving lever (E) to locked position. Crop material can hold the tension arm at a lower position and material can be redistributed during servicing. This could cause tension arm (A) to swing up and suddenly lower the gate, even if the gate lock is engaged.

Failure to verify that tension arm (A) is positioned against stops (B) may result in serious injury or death.

Close the gate any time baler must be left unattended.

If gate can not be fully raised to engage gate lock channel, use hoist or appropriate lifting device to support gate.

1. To avoid serious injury from entanglement, ensure bystanders stand clear when operating baler. DO NOT apply powder with baler running.

   
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   A - Tension Arm

   B - Tension Arm Stop

   C - Talcum Powder

   D - Powder on Belts

   E - Lever in Gate Lock Position

   Position gate as follows:

   1. With tractor attached to baler, open gate fully, lower gate until belts are slack and tension arm (A) remains against tension arm stop (B). Shut off tractor engine and remove key. Use hoist or appropriate lifting device to support gate..

   2. Stand outside of baler tire, and liberally sprinkle powder (C) on all belts (D). Remove hoist or jackstands. Start tractor, close gate, and engage PTO to rotate belts approximately 2.4 m (8 ft.). Disengage PTO.

   3. Repeat steps a and b until complete length of belts are thinly coated.

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2. When removing powder from rolls (A), lock gate, shut off tractor engine and remove key.

   
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   A - Rolls

   If belts are slightly damp, or humidity is high, powder may stick to rolls (A). If rolls are coated, remove powder from rolls, and reapply powder to belts.

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3. Remove any wrappage or buildup on rolls.

4. Determine if gate closes evenly using the following instructions:

   1. Open gate using tractor hydraulics.

   2. Stop tractor engine and remove key.

   3. Move tractor SCV lever to float position to allow gate to close freely.

   4. If both sides of gate contact main frame at the bottom, proceed to Step 5.

   5. If one side makes contact but the other side has gap between gate and frame, see your John Deere dealer for proper procedure to straighten the gate.

5. Park baler on level surface. With baler empty and gate closed, engage PTO and run at slow speed. Hold tractor hydraulic lever in gate closing position to apply tension to belts while checking.

   Check the tracking of the belts by observing belt positions relative to belt guides.

6. Shut off tractor engine and remove key. Adjust rolls, if necessary. (See ADJUSTING BELT TRACKING in this section.)