Drive Belt Tension Check; Drive Belt Alignment - Bodyguard T-30 User Manual

compressed air and blow out any accumulated dust from inside the motor and on the motor
control board as well as any other effected components.
• Check the drive belt tension to ensure it is not too loose (results in the belt slipping on the drive
motor pulley and front roller pulley and creating a jerking feel) or too tight (puts strain on the drive
motor shaft and results in the drive system working much harder than necessary as well as putting
increased strain on the front roller bearings which can cause them to wear prematurely). See
section 7.2 for details on performing a Drive Belt Tension Check.
• Check the walking belt tension to ensure it is not too loose (results in the belt slipping on the
rollers and creating a jerking feel) or too tight (results in the drive system working much harder
than necessary and puts increased strain on the roller bearings which can cause them to wear
prematurely). See section 7.3 for details on performing a Walking Belt Tension Check.
• Perform a Deck & Belt Condition check per the instructions in section 7.6 and complete
maintenance if required.
7.2

DRIVE BELT TENSION CHECK

IMPORTANT : Do not spray general belt lubricant on a treadmill drive belt.
The drive belt connects the drive motor to the front roller making the front roller to turn and move the
walking belt when the drive motor is started. It is important that the drive belt tension is set correctly
to avoid premature wearing of parts and to maintain user comfort and safety.
An over tightened drive belt can cause drive motor shaft damage, front roller bearing damage and
result in higher than usual DC amperage draw by the drive motor.
A loose drive belt can slip on the drive motor pulley and front roller pulley, causing the walking belt to
jerk, which is a serious safety hazard for the user and can result in a fall.
The drive belt tension can be adjusted by removing the motor cover and shifting the drive motor
support plate. This moves the drive motor closer to or further away from the front roller. Moving the
drive motor closer to the front roller will decrease drive belt tension, moving the drive motor away
from the front roller will increase drive belt tension.
The drive belt tension should be such that you can twist the drive belt with your fingers about 90
degrees but no further with firm pressure. If you can easily twist the drive belt much more than 90
degrees it is too loose and prone to slipping so increase the drive belt tension by moving the drive
motor away from the front roller. If you cannot twist the drive belt 90 degrees with firm pressure it is
too tight and could cause premature component wear so decrease the drive belt tension by moving
the drive motor plate towards the front roller.
After making any adjustments to the drive belt it is important to test the belt tension by walking,
jogging and then running on the unit and confirming that the drive belt does not slip. Always do this
with the motor cover off so you can see if the drive belt slips at the same time as you feel the walking
belt jerk.
7.3

DRIVE BELT ALIGNMENT

Ideally the drive motor and front roller pulleys are parallel so the drive belt sits perfectly straight in the
two pulley's grooves, however, the drive belt is designed to handle several degrees of misalignment.
When inspecting the drive belt alignment ensure the belt is placed in each pulley's grooves so the
drive belt is as straight as possible. If a section of the drive belt has come off a pulley it can be
pushed back on (or levered on with a screwdriver) while turning the drive motor flywheel slowly with
one-hand. Loosening the drive belt tension will also make it easier to reposition a misaligned drive
belt.
TREADMILLS – USER MANUAL
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