451 snowblower idler
 

Question here on how the tension is set on the pto belt.

Illustration shows #45 shaft and #18 Brkt assy, idler. Is the #18 idler supposed to rotate on the #45 shaft when belt tension is adjusted or is the idler supposed to be frozen on the shaft and the whole shaft rotates?

My recently purchased snowblower has the idler frozen to the shaft and it's too far inboard, causing the belt to rub on the bracket and destroy the belt.

I could figure it out if I took the snowblower back off. Not interested in do that at this time.

Anybody? TTT.

The #1 arm is attached to a spring#8 I think( hard to see the picture), that in turn is attached to # 18. When #1 is flipped forward it moves #18 bracket and pulley to set the belt tension. Good luck, Don

Yes, I got that part but the question is, what does the idler bracket rotate on? Does it rotate on the shaft it's mounted on or is the idler bracket fixed to the shaft and the shaft rotate on the frame of the blower mounting frame?

My problem is, I need to move the idler bracket on the shaft it's mounted on to get belt clearance. It doesn't want to move on the shaft with a one pounder and a driver bar. Before I go to the two pounder or all the trouble of taking this thing off the tractor, I thought it easier to just ask how it works.

Thanks.

I just checked my 451, and the shaft is stationary, and the plate rotates on it. Don

Interesting!

Last night I pulled the shaft/idler bracket off the blower. I tried to drive the shaft out of the idler bracket and it wouldn't budge. So, I got the flame wrench out and put the heat to it and finally got the idler bracket off the shaft.

With the bracket removed, I can see a circular groove on the shaft and a small hole drilled through the centerline of the shaft. At this point, I am assuming the circular groove was a mark to show how far the idler bracket should be pressed on the shaft.

Going back to the garage in a few and after I get the shaft and bracket cleaned up, I'll have a better idea what is what.

As tight as that bracket fit the shaft, it seems like it was made that way and the groove in the shaft just reinforces that thought. I'll know more later. Thanks.