Forums Archive Index > Outdoor Power Equipment > Accessing drive belt tension pulley bolt

Author: Yukon

Date: 15 Dec 2006 10:45 pm

Seem to have a problem with my tension pulley bolt being loose making the pulley stray over the belt. You would think this would be an easy fix wouldn't you, but no... :beat:

I know if I unbolt the engine mounting plate and lift the motor off I can access this bolt and do what ever it needs done to it (put washer and tighten).

Before I do this I gotta think there is an easier way to accomplish this without having to grunt like a caveman. :groan:

Any ideas?

As you can see in the pics I have no direct access to it. I can't reach around the plate (blue arrows), I can't go up through the bottom, can't angle it from the back (pic with little blue arrow pointing to the culprit). I tried loosening the bracket that holds that whole section, took off the bolts up top and figured I could swing it out with the two bolts as hinges (green arrows and squiggles). But the control rod for the auger engaging pulley is welded to the arm so it won't swing out for me and it won't drop down cuz it sits above the axle.





Is there a better way?

Author: OldToroOwner

Date: 16 Dec 2006 7:59 am

Yukon- Just got what you posted..
That's a through-bolt that is welded to the bracket, correct?...probably with a nyloc nut or similar on the backside??
That pulley should basically "float" and have the correct amount of tension if that return spring is OK, shouldn't it??
If there's not enough tension on that pulley..maybe it's the return spring that need replacing?? Or you need a stronger spring.
Either that, or the bracket needs to be looser and/or is sticking due to gunk or rust..does that sound right?. :?
I think the only adjustment you would normally make is the "alignment" of the pulley so that the OUTSIDE of the belt tracks correctly....that is to say, the in/out position relative to the drive pulley.
I believe that's what the nut on the backside would do. to me, it looks like the "sqaure nut" is only used when you need to change the belt so you can hold the bracket from swinging in...

Never had a Sears machine, so I may be all wet..
Marty would probably know, if I'm not correct...

Author: Majorxlr8n

Date: 16 Dec 2006 8:42 am

Fisrt thing I thought of is that this bolt is a carriage bolt. If it is tight, chances are that the bolt needs replacing. That could be why its "walking" around as the lever must pivot. Constant moving will wear it out - very common. Do you have any distributor wrenches for Ford (1/2") or GM (9/16")? I don't know the nut size but one of these wrenches might work. If not, loosen the 6 bolts that hold the yellow upper housing (the engine sits atop this). Remove the 4 front bolts, tilt the engine towards the handles & put a 2x4 block in to hold the engine up. That should work...

Marty

Author: Yukon

Date: 17 Dec 2006 2:21 am

Ya, I'm not to sure what it's supposed to act like. It has way to much latteral movement and judging by the wear on the old belt, the edge of the pulley was riding the center of the belt. I fiddled with the spring but all I can think of is either the bolt is to loose (allowing arm to track outwards) or the hole is worn oval or something. The pulley itself is secure on the arm and the arm will track right when I push it inwards towards the plate.

I don't have any dist. wrenches so I guess I'll remove the engine and plate and get a good unobstructed view and work area. Good thing it's still raining here. Weatherman says not to count on a white X-Mas too, which suits me fine :)