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jlapag

Troy bilt tomahawk chipper belt placement

20 years ago

My brother just gave me a 8hp tomahawk chipper. The engine started fine but the belt just flopped around. There are 3 pulleys. One from the engine, one to the drum and a middle one to some kind of clutch. Does the belt go on the inside or outside of that clutch pulley? I tried it both ways but neither seemed to work. Is the clutch lever suppose to lock in? Mine doesn't seem to do that. The belt looks healthy. Anybody out there that can give me a clue?

Featured Answer
  • 19 years ago

    The reason the belt is flopping, is that the tension isn't right. If you have a manual go to chapter 2-step 4 (belt tension check), and follow the instructions. If you don't have a manual, look on the chipper and you'll see a engaging lever. Pull down the lever, look for a head bolt and bushing beside the lever. Take a ruler and measure the distance between the bushing and the head of the bolt, if head of the bolt isn't 3/4" to 13/16" from the bushing, then take a screwdriver or wrench and turn the bolt counterclockwise increase the distance or clockwise to decrease the distance. (Make sure the belt is not worn, if worn, replace it with a belt, part number 97133, for the 8 horsepower tomahawk chipper/shredder. This should help you with the belt. The belt goes on the top pulley (engine pulley), and the bottom pulley (cylinder drive pulley). The middle pulley is called the (idler pulley). When the engaging lever is not engaged, the belt should be straight down from the engine pulley to the cylinder drive pulley. When you engage the lever, the idler pulley pushes against the belt and puts tension on the belt, so the chipper can do it's job. I hope this helps you in your gardening. (GOOD GARDENING!)

    Comments (6)

    • 20 years ago

      "Is the clutch lever suppose to lock in?"

      Probably not. A lot of tillers are made with a "dead man" clutch design. The idea is that if you suddenly become incapacitated and let go of the clutch lever the tiller will stop.

      My old Merry Tiller had a handy thumb-operated button to latch the clutch lever and I used it a lot. My new Merry Tiller lacks such a handy device and I find my thumb unconsciously searching for that button every time I use the tiller, like yesterday.

      In my opinion, dead-man clutch levers are an annoyance and an inconvenience. I know they are supposed to be a safety feature, but dead men shouldn't operate tillers.

      MM

    • 20 years ago

      Pardon my "tiller" response to a chipper message. Many chippers have an automatic clutch that isn't supposed to kick in until the engine builds up speed. Centrifugal clutches behave like that.

      That way, when you pull the starter cord or operate the electric starter, you aren't also trying to rotate the chipper mechanism.

      Perhaps your brother can tell you how the belt is supposed to go. It shouldn't be "flopping." Possibly your chipper has a manual clutch that you are supposed to engage after you have started the engine. Your brother didn't happen to give you the user's manual, did he?

      MM

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    • 20 years ago

      Thanks for responding MM. No my brother just bought the chipper himself but didn't use it. And there is no manual. Your thoughts about the clutch does help. So I may have to hold it for a while. Just wish I knew which way the belt went around that clutch pulley it would save a lot of trial and error.

    • 20 years ago

      I owned a Troy Built for years. Same model as yours. The belt goes against the outside of the idler pulley and the clutch level, when pushed down as far as it will go, engages the pulleys by increasing the friction on the motor pulley and the rotor pulley, just ensure you have the correct belt installed, a tad too long and it won't work. Also the clutch lever should stay engaged until you lift it up.

    • 18 years ago

      The belt installs with the tension pulley on the outside and when you push in the lever it will engage the pulley to put tension on the pulley and start turning the chipper wheel. Push down on the level slowley and let the chipper wheel gradually speed up before locking in the lever. You need to make sure you have a 5/8" x 28" or 29" belt.

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