Advice please.....

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

Today I have to tighten the drive belt on my G 28 for the first time.

I have read the manuel and it seems pretty simple.

However, the manuel says: BELT TENSION.... 7/16" deflection with 14 pounds of deflection force.

I don't have a tool to measure this.

Any advice?

Thanks, David

[sgschwend]

How about approximating the force by picking up an item that is near the weight you need then using that feeling in you arm to translate to the force you deliver.   I wouldn't think you would need to be that exact.  (2 gallons of water in a plastic container would be 16 pounds)

[Larry]

Got any fishing buddies...they all have De-Liar scales.  My scale says I catch 14 pound bass most every trip.  I may have broke the spring some 20 years ago but it doesn't the accuracy...much. ;D

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

I may try your idea sgschwend. Now my saw will have a set of jugs!  :D

Sounds like it might get me close.

Thanks

[paul case]

If you can put that 2 gallons of water in plastic jugs with a small rope holding on to them and tie the other end on the belt in the middle of the span between your pulleys you should be able to measure the deflection with a strait edge and tape measure. 
PC

[Brucer]

Or you could buy an inexpensive belt tension gauge ;D.

[Chuck White]

Wood-Mizer carries a small instrument for measuring the tension in belts.

I plan on getting one the next time I go down to WM.

[Brucer]

John Deere used to sell them. Mine was made by the Gates Rubber Company -- and looks exactly like the JD model except for the label.

They are all pretty much the same. A spring loaded plunger with an inch scale on the bottom and a marker (e.g. an O-Ring) to mark the deflection you want. The top part of the plunger pushes another marker (another O-Ring) along a pressure scale.