drive belt 6216

[NCTyphoonKid 0]

Where is the best place to get a drive belt for a 6216 I've heard simplicity belts are the best to get for them but there's no simplicity dealers near me that I'm aware of. I've tried adjusting but it still grinds going into gear sometimes and I think the belt slips also sometimes it'll stop going uphill.

[lampoulos 0]

In my experience the Simplicity belts are the best so I'd do what I could to find one. My 6212.5 has the same variator set-up at your 6216. As long as all your belt guides and stops are in place and adjusted properly and your variator is properly serviced (once a year)and functionally free the tractor should function properly even if the belt is a bit worn.

I'd recommend taking the belts off the variator and lubricating the sheave and pivot before going anything too hasty.

[Chris727 2,022]

You can buy an OEM from one of our site sponsors such as Sandy Lake Implement or Wells Implement or from an online vendor such (Jacks, SEPW, Partstree, or Ebay.)

[GrincheyOne 52]

Gentlemen, Please pardon my ignorance, but what is a "variator" first I saw that term, in forums?

[steve-wis 637]

Variator is a system that varies the ground speed of the tractor in whatever gear you are in. It works like a snowmobile clutch basically. There is a lever next to the shift lever. If you push it down, it moves a swinging bracket either forward or back. The bracket has a fixed half-sheave on either side, and a sliding one between them. One belt comes from the engine to one side, another belt goes from the other side to the tranny imput pulley. By moving it either forward or backward, it forces the center part of the sheave closer to one side or the other, changing the effective working diameter of both halves. In other words, one side gets bigger as the other gets smaller.It is also called a vari-shift. My Allis T816 has it, as did the Simplicity 6216. Not sure if any others had it. Steve

[steve-wis 637]

Forgot to mention, the drive belts are available from Jacks, also have seen them on ebay, and I have used a good quality industrial belt on mine and it worked well. One belt is a cogged belt, the other a standard. I bought the standard one at an industrial supply store. The cogged one I got from a fellow member here who had one(Thanks, Bear!).

Steve

[lampoulos 0]

That's probably the best explanation of a vari-drive that I've ever heard Steve! It's a good system as long as it's maintained, but it can start really producing some off the wall problems if it isn't. Lack of ground speed is a big indicator of either the pulley/shieve or the swing shaft not moving freely.

[steve-wis 637]

They do require regular cleaning and lube. I haven't had a problem with this one. I had a 6216 before where the center part of the pulley was worn on the bore enough that it would lock up if the belt was worn much at all, otherwise it is a nice unit, great for blowing snow. I use second gear and if it gets heavy can slow down almost to first gear speed without shifting. Next best thing to a hydro, imho.

Steve

[JohnMBerst 36]

As have a 6216, is my dedicated snow machine. Does work great not having to shift, just slow down to the snow depth. Second gear also Steve, and that covers about 98.5% of all need.

[steve-wis 637]

Yes John, it is almost like a hydro, but I think the gear tranny is a stronger unit personally. I use the T816 mostly for snow with the 42 inch blower, but also have used the tiller, mowed with it a bit, and pushed dirt with the heavy spring trip blade. I love the thing, although mine will be needing an engine transplant soon. The one in the tractor is one I put together from three different engines. It runs ok yet, a bit of smoking, but it has a rattle in it that kind of worries me. Hoping my good friend Bear might have something for me next spring when I road trip up to Wisconsin.

Steve

[lampoulos 0]

I've put my 6212.5 through the paces as well. mower, bager, tiller, it's my main snow throwing tractor. I even fabbed together a single point hitch for it and pull a single-bottom blow with no problems. Weigh it down and it'll do a lot of work.

[Bullstok 1]

FWIW, I have had the blue belts from TSC on my 6216 for a year now and still doing good. Front drive belt and rear transmission belt both.

[davidmoll 60]

I own a 6216 tractor and there is an adjustment procedures for the variable speed drive which has to be done if you find that the tractor is slowing down going up hill. Do you have the operators manual for the tractor. I pretty sure you can download it and if after you follow the adjustment your still having problems then the belt could be the problem. I bought my 6216 used in 1997 and have never changed the variable speed drive belt. Another sign that adjustment is needed is when you start to go uphill and the tractor slows down and if you pull back on the brake/clutch pedal the speed goes back to normal. If needed I will copy the procedure from my manual and send to you.

FYI, the variable speed drive is great for snow blowing as stated earlier, but I also find that its also good for leave season when the leaves blow into a pile or there is lot on the ground. Hope this helps. Moleman