poly belt tensioning shortcut

[howel07264]

Thought i would share my little tensioning secret with you guys. I have a carlton 7015 and have always dreaded the final tensioning of the poly belt. Usually you climb under the wheel, loosen the locking bolt and nuts, turn several revolutions climb back out check tension,climb back under and repeat many times. Heres what i do. Bought a 4k porta power for around $100,placed one end on the differential that drives the wheels and the other end on the back of the cutter wheel. Slowly start pumping the hydraulic fluid to the ram till you get the desired tension and tighten all adjusting bolts in place. Be sure to install the locking pin the cutter wheel before extending the ram. I ask everyone that uses this tip please send me $100 for the labor you will save.

 

[gr8scott72]

Thought i would share my little tensioning secret with you guys. I have a carlton 7015 and have always dreaded the final tensioning of the poly belt. Usually you climb under the wheel, loosen the locking bolt and nuts, turn several revolutions climb back out check tension,climb back under and repeat many times. Heres what i do. Bought a 4k porta power for around $100,placed one end on the differential that drives the wheels and the other end on the back of the cutter wheel. Slowly start pumping the hydraulic fluid to the ram till you get the desired tension and tighten all adjusting bolts in place. Be sure to install the locking pin the cutter wheel before extending the ram. I ask everyone that uses this tip please send me $100 for the labor you will save.

Interesting. I'm not sure what a 4k porta power is but I do have my Carlton in several dozen pieces right now putting cutter shaft bearing on it.

I'd have to do it some other way as I have a trx not a wheeled 7015.

 

[dave k]

Thanks H I have a new porta power in the shed only used to reshape the cutter wheel cover on my 8018 99HP after replacing the cutter wheel shaft and bearings, never thought of pushing the wheel to get tension.
Scott when you see a porta power it will be plain what H means and we could use it by placing a 2x4 against the bed surrounding the swing bearing and drop the head so it is level with that cover then use the pp as H suggests !

 

[gr8scott72]

Thanks H I have a new porta power in the shed only used to reshape the cutter wheel cover on my 8018 99HP after replacing the cutter wheel shaft and bearings, never thought of pushing the wheel to get tension.
Scott when you see a porta power it will be plain what H means and we could use it by placing a 2x4 against the bed surrounding the swing bearing and drop the head so it is level with that cover then use the pp as H suggests !

No, it was quite clear how to use it with what he described. I just didn't really know what it was. I looked it up. I know now.

Very good info.

I ordered the bearings today and the shop will have the old ones pressed off and the new ones on tomorrow.

Bearings were $216 each. Yikes!!

 

[gr8scott72]

Hmm, Harbor Freight has one for $79 online. I wonder if my local store has one? I'll be checking when I pick up the cutter wheel tomorrow.

P.S. That cutter wheel with sandvik is VERY heavy. 300 plus pounds?

 

[gr8scott72]

What about just putting a 2x4 under there and lowering the actuall cutter head with the machine running?



(Wow, 1,000th post!)

 

[howel07264]

What about just putting a 2x4 under there and lowering the actuall cutter head with the machine running?



(Wow, 1,000th post!)[/QUOTE With the porta-power you can leave the boom raised at its highest position [easy to tighten bearing nuts]. You will be surprised how exact and easy it is to set just the right amount of tension. You could in theory do the same with a block of wood but run the risk of stretching or breaking the poly belt. That 3" boom cylinder don't know its own strength. Also make sure to install the wheel locking pin[keeps wheel stable and bearings flush against bottom mounting plate]

 

[howel07264]

Hmm, Harbor Freight has one for $79 online. I wonder if my local store has one? I'll be checking when I pick up the cutter wheel tomorrow.

P.S. That cutter wheel with sandvik is VERY heavy. 300 plus pounds?

Just curious how many hours you had before having to replace the sanvik wheel.? What was cost of new wheel? Did they change the design of the wheel?

 

[gr8scott72]

Just curious how many hours you had before having to replace the sanvik wheel.? What was cost of new wheel? Did they change the design of the wheel?

Wheel is fine. Pillow block bearing failled at 445 hours.

I took wheel, shaft, and bearings off (in one piece of course) and took it to a machine shop. They are getting the old bearings off and pressing the new ones on.