Belt removal

[md11freighter]

Hey guys I'm new to snowmobiling and did a quick search for any hints on the R&R of the belt. I want to figure out how to do this in the garage instead of trying for hours to replace it out in the field when one lets go.
I've been lurking for a while and cleaned and adjusted the power valves, adjusted the idle, oil, and throttle. I lubed and cleaned it but I am afraid of the belt letting go on the trail and not knowing how to replace it makes me feel kind of helpless.

Thanks

 

[Yamidude59]

Have your clutches been cleaned? and did you check belt deflection? those are the two main reasons why your belt would break, how new is the belt? I replace the belt by getting the rear of the sled off of the ground so the track can turn, then i go up to the secondary and turn the secondary while trying to roll the belt off of it at the same time, Its a Pita. There are other techniques like clamping open the secondary so its looser and can come out easier.

 

[snowdad4]

set your parking brake, push and turn clockwise the inside sheave on the secondary, this will force it open. takes a little practice but you wil figure it out. once the secondary sheaves have separated, there will be enough slack in the belt to come up and over. remove off secondary first, primary second. some people just yank hard on the belt in an upward motion, thus forcing the sheaves open. this technique never worked that good for me. the garage is where you want to learn this and practice, not on the trail. good for you for wanting to learn.

 

[blueblooded]

I grab the belt from the bottom near the belly pan and give it a pretty hard tug upwards,this will spread the secondary and it comes right off.

 

[mod-it]

I shove in on the helix while trying to twist it, pushes inside sheave open and then belt comes right off. If shoving in on your helix is too hard to do, clean your secondary.

 

[md11freighter]

Thanks for all the replys guys. This question came from years of riding Motorcycles in the desert. I wouldn't dream of riding 50+ miles away from the car without knowing how to change a tube out in the bush. I guess its the same with the belt.
Anyway the wifes a school teacher so I guess getting out in the garage to play with snowmachines is out (I have already been scolded). I'll get this figured out next week when she's back to making money. I'm going to try to clean the clutches.

Thanks again.

 

[sandmanmike1]

I like to take a scotch brite pad to my sheaves a couple times a year and put something similar to a cross-hatch pattern on them. I also lock the parking break and rotate secondary and belts comes right off. There is also a tool specifically designed for belt removal forgot who makes it.