Older Snapper 28" hi vac rear engine belt tightening
- Thread starter Butchisan
- Start date
Jim Jackson on youtube . He has made a ton of invaluable Snapper RER videos. He goes over everything you need to know about these machines. He tells you when and why too. Click below for just one of his videos.
Recommend downloading every video he has posted for future reference. Sometimes videos get pulled down from the platform.
Recommend downloading every video he has posted for future reference. Sometimes videos get pulled down from the platform.
Slomo, thank you for your response. In this video he talks about not being able to extend the frame. I am not sure if I have the same problem he had but all he said about it was "I had to fix that". My question is HOW? I am not a mechanic. I can usually take things apart and put them back together, but I do not have a work shop so I am limited on how many pieces I can have laying about. I simply want to know (assuming mine is not froze up inside the tube as his is) how to get the leverage to slide the tube forward to extend the frame and thereby tighten the belt. I hope that makes sense.
sgkent
Lawn Addict
don't know how yours works but the first question I would be asking myself is does the frame slide at all. Meaning is the reason there is play is that the belt has stretched beyond the adjustment. If the frame won't get tighter or looser then it may be rusted, in which case penetrating oil (not wd40) and heat may free it up. I might also look for a manual or service manual for it. I would look for one for you but there is no model number and serial number. Snapper should have a website. Also archive.org may have old copies of their website.
Auto Doc's
Lawn Addict
First question I have is was the correct deck belt installed? These had a specifically designed deck belt. A typically hardware store belt does not work.
What are the numbers on the ID plate next to the seat pan area.
Part tree.com has the exploded view of the parts for most models, so you can see how it is assembled.
I have a series 6 Snapper RER 8HP B&S engine.
Dwayne Oxford
Member
I've been running them since '89. There likely are plastic bushings where tube goes thru frame so careful with/don't heat. I install belt, pull front out with comealong, then adjust using the belt tensioner.
You can get a free pdf copy of your manual at searspartsdirect. The last digit or two of your model number indicates the series of your machine. For example, I have a 28085 model. The 28 is the deck size, the 08 is the horse power of the engine and the 5 is the series. I am currently restoring a 281019. It is a series 19. Both of these machines can have their lengths changed for belt adjustment purposes but the older one has a clamp under the seat and the newer one uses shims and washers. Suggest you first find the manual for your series and make sure you are loosening the adjusting mechanism. If the tube won’t move, I’d try some penetrating oil on the joint where the tube slides and then pick up the front end and see if you can twist the axle housing to make the tube rotate and break any rust bond that may be holding it in place. Standing it up might make this easier on your back, as would having a person on either end of the axle housing. If the tube rotates a little but you still can’t pull it out, either get a helper or put it in park with parking brake on and attach a come-along or cargo tie down strap to a tree or vehicle and use the ratchet to pull the front end.
grumpyunk
Well-Known Member
You will likely not be able to pull the tubes apart if you have the brake on as the brake cable will keep them from moving as it is conected to both ends, brake pedal and the lever on the brake shoe. The cable will not stretch much.
That could be why you cannot tension the belt.
Release the parking brake and loosen the clamps under the seat. There should be a 'guard' that limits how far the tubes can rotate against each other. It will block more rotation than allowed. It will not help when trying to stretch the belt.
You will have to tie it down at one end, and use a pry bar or come-along(cable hoist/wire fence stretcher) to pull the other end away.
I have not done it for years and memory indicates I was about as successful as you have been. I just now realized you can't have the brake on and expect to put tension on the belt. I might just tie one end to the bumper of my truck and use a piece of 2X4 or 2X2 as a leverbehind the front wheel(?) to pull on the front half. But it's raining, and ummh, I don't wanna.
tom
That could be why you cannot tension the belt.
Release the parking brake and loosen the clamps under the seat. There should be a 'guard' that limits how far the tubes can rotate against each other. It will block more rotation than allowed. It will not help when trying to stretch the belt.
You will have to tie it down at one end, and use a pry bar or come-along(cable hoist/wire fence stretcher) to pull the other end away.
I have not done it for years and memory indicates I was about as successful as you have been. I just now realized you can't have the brake on and expect to put tension on the belt. I might just tie one end to the bumper of my truck and use a piece of 2X4 or 2X2 as a leverbehind the front wheel(?) to pull on the front half. But it's raining, and ummh, I don't wanna.
tom