Having Issues After Changing Belt

[freetheheal]

I'm new to this and I have no idea what is right and wrong, which is why I'm asking here. I just put a new drive belt on my 2013 Pro RMK and used the Team Tool to spread the sheaves on the clutch to get the old belt off. There was resistance as I threaded it in. Once I put the new belt on I unthreaded the Team Tool and within a half a turn the tool was loose and I could spin it out with one finger quickly.

So now the new belt is extremely loose on the clutch and the sheaves did not tighten up? What am I doing wrong? Thanks for any advice.

 

[Richracer1]

Nothing, the belt is just sitting down in the secondary due to spreading the sheaves to get the belt in/out. It'll go back to normal (tighten up) after you move the sled a little bit or lift the track off the ground and spin it.

 

[freetheheal]

Thanks richracer1! I moved the sled around and that fixed it, just like you said. I'm glad I didn't do anything wrong.

Next question, do you need it tight on the clutch before starting the sled? If this was to happen on the mountain do I need to have someone lift the rear so I can spin the clutch?

I'm sorry if these sound like dumb questions, I'm just new to it and the manual doesn't mention anything about it. It just says to install the new belt.

 

[LoudHandle]

You can get it closer to where it should be if you play the belt up towards the top of the secondary sheaves as you back the tool out. Otherwise you are starting in High gear. FWIW

 

[Danny Dangles]

Thanks richracer1! I moved the sled around and that fixed it, just like you said. I'm glad I didn't do anything wrong.

Next question, do you need it tight on the clutch before starting the sled? If this was to happen on the mountain do I need to have someone lift the rear so I can spin the clutch?

I'm sorry if these sound like dumb questions, I'm just new to it and the manual doesn't mention anything about it. It just says to install the new belt.

Yes do just as you did in the shop, you can easily grab the secondary and move the track on the mountain. If you don't and you just take off with the secondary sheaves spread you will belt will slip on your secondary momentarily until the sheaves close tight.

Be sure to adjust your belt deflection now that you have put a new belt on.

 

[freetheheal]

Thanks for the advice.

Can you explain how to adjust the deflection?

LoudHandle, I use the sled for backcountry skiing and was planning on coming up to Alaska in a couple weeks to ski. I notice you are in Valdez, I'd be heading to Thompson Pass. How is the snow up there? I was looking at the avy forcast today and it seems like it could be warming up next week. It's been hot here in Colorado and hoping it's not going to be the same there.

 

[Danny Dangles]

I believe there is a write up in your manual, but looking at your secondary check how far above the secondary sheaves your belt is sitting. I like to set mine just before I am able to see the chord that is below the 'ribbed' part of the belt.

To adjust this, make sure your secondary sheave is closed, and the belt is riding at its highest point (basically what you did when your spun the track.)

if the belt is sitting too low (the ribs of the belt are just above the secondary sheave,) find the small allen key set screw with a 7/16 nut on it.
hold the small set screw with an allen key while you loosen 7/16 nut (just back it off a half turn.) Then back the set screw a 1/4 turn. Remove the tools and turn the secondary by hand. If the belt is sitting at the right height now, you can hold the set screw and re-tighten the 7/16 nut. If not you can loosen the set screw another 1/4 turn, until you are happy with the belt height.

if the belt is sitting too high (you can see the chord of the belt above your secondary sheave,) grab the threaded tool you used to remove your belt. Screw it into the secondary until the belt is at your desired height. Then hold the small set screw with the allen key and break the 7/16 nut. Turn the allen key in until you can feel it bottom out. Then while holding the allen key, tighten the 7/16 nut up. Remove the secondary sheave tool and go ride.

 

[freetheheal]

Great thanks Danny Dangles!

 

[LoudHandle]

LoudHandle, I use the sled for backcountry skiing and was planning on coming up to Alaska in a couple weeks to ski. I notice you are in Valdez, I'd be heading to Thompson Pass. How is the snow up there? I was looking at the avy forcast today and it seems like it could be warming up next week. It's been hot here in Colorado and hoping it's not going to be the same there.

We have had an odd winter like nearly everyone else. We are way behind on snow but the pass is ridable (48" base at the Tsaina Snotel). In town we have about a foot of base. Way less than a 1/4 of our normal snowfall. People are still getting out and riding but you need be aware of the lack of snow and be on the look out for rocks and other immovables just under the snow. It is coming just do not know when, It may all come in March, April, and May, we have had those years here before. Enjoy your trip and if you need something holler.

 

[freetheheal]

Thanks LoudHandle. I came up a few years ago when it was the epic breaking snowfall year and the piles in Valdez were 20 feet high. It kind of ruined it for me because now I want every year to be like that. I'm going to start heading that way and hopefully it begins to snow in the next 3 weeks.