Drive Belt Tension Check and Adjustment

When properly adjusted, with engine off and clutch in neutral, machine should move freely. With clutch engaged, traction roller should not move.

When properly adjusted, with engine on and set at slow idle, brake off and clutch in neutral, machine should not move. With engine on and set at slow idle, brake off, clutch engaged and holding machine by handlebars, transport wheels should spin on gravel or concrete surface. With engine on, brake off, and clutch engaged, unit should propel itself up an incline.

Check Procedure

1. Park machine on a level surface.

2. Move run/off switch to off position.

3. Move travel clutch lever to neutral position.

4. Pull the machine backward: transport wheels and roller should turn freely.

   • If roller and transport wheels turn freely, proceed to next step.
   • If roller and transport wheels do not turn, adjust belt tension.
   
   

5. Move clutch lever to engaged position.

6. Pull the machine backward: transport wheels and roller should not turn.

   • If transport wheels or roller turn, or if excessive force is required to engage clutch, adjust belt tension.
   • If transport wheels and roller do not turn, proceed to next step.
   
   

7. Move clutch lever to disengaged position.

8. Start engine and run at slow idle. The machine should not move forward. If it does, adjust belt tension.

9. With engine running at slow idle, hold machine by the handlebars to prevent it from moving. Release the brake and engage the clutch.

   • If transport wheels spin on gravel or concrete, belt is properly adjusted.
   • If transport wheels will not spin on gravel or concrete, belt adjustment is required.
   
   

Adjustment Procedure

Depending on the results in the check procedure in the previous steps, either a coarse or fine adjustment might be required.

• A coarse adjustment involves movement of the engine. If the machine moves quickly in neutral or if the machine will not spin the tires, a coarse adjustment is likely to be required.
• A fine adjustment involves adjustment of the cable. If the machine creeps while running at slow idle in neutral, a fine adjustment is likely to be adequate.

1. Park machine on a level surface.

2. Move run/off switch to off position.

3. Move travel clutch lever to neutral position.

4. 
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   Remove flange head bolt (A) and drive belt cover (B).

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5. Go to “Determine Type of Adjustment Required.”

Determine Type of Adjustment Required

1. 
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   Center jam nuts (C) on upper cable ferrule.

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2. 
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   Adjust lower cable anchor (D) to achieve specified clearance (E) between idler and belt shield support.

   Item	Measurement	Specification
   Idler-to-Belt Shield	Clearance	0.039 - 0.118 in. (1 - 3 mm)

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3. 
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   With the machine off, compress both drive belts. Distance (F) between bottom of the idler and top of belt should meet specifications.

   Item	Measurement	Specification
   Bottom of Idler-to-Bottom of Idler	Clearance	0.472 - 0.709 in. (12 - 18 mm)

   • If distance is not correct, proceed to “Coarse Adjustment Procedure.”
   • If distance is correct, proceed to “Fine Adjustment Procedure.”
   
   

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Coarse Adjustment Procedure

1. 
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   Front of Engine

   
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   Rear of Engine

   Loosen engine mounting bolts (G).

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2. Slide engine forward (loosen belt) or rearward (tighten belt) to adjust belt tension until the distance between belts and idler is correct. (See “Determine Type of Adjustment Required.”)

3. IMPORTANT: Engine PTO sheave and differential gear case sheave MUST align.

   Use a straightedge to verify that sheaves are aligned.

4. Tighten engine mounting bolts.

5. Proceed to “Fine Adjustment Procedure.”

Fine Adjustment Procedure

1. 
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   Loosen upper cable jam nuts (C) and lengthen (decrease belt tension) or shorten (increase belt tension) ferrule length to change belt tension.

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2. Tighten jam nuts to specifications.

   Item	Measurement	Specification
   Upper Cable Jam Nuts	Torque	96 lb-in. (11 N·m)

3. Repeat check procedure. (See “Check Procedure.”)

4. If adjusting upper cable is not adequate, proceed to next step.

5. Center jam nuts on upper cable ferrule.

6. 
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   Loosen jam nuts (D).

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7. Lengthen (decrease belt tension) or shorten (increase belt tension) ferrule length to change belt idler tension.

8. Tighten jam nuts to specifications.

   Item	Measurement	Specification
   Belt Idler Tension Jam Nuts	Torque	96 lb-in. (11 N·m)

9. Repeat check procedure and readjust as necessary.

10. Install drive belt cover.