The club within

[Whaler]

I had to replace the shims so I converted to the BT3100 system and changed belts at that time. I think I was the first forum member to update my shim system.

[smorris]

Not yet...I figure it will happen at the worst possible time under a time constraint. I probably should go ahead and order the spares now.

[Ed62]

With all the talk about shims on this site, I'm surprised of the number of people who haven't had a problem with them. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed for the belts and shims.

Ed

[L. D. Jeffries]

Ditto. What Ed62 said.

[LCHIEN]

Answering questions/observations in this thread
1. The belts are difficult to change because they are relatively short (short throw between pulleys) and not real elastic And there's two of them side by side). Heating them in boiling water B4 changing has been claimed to help
2. No, they are different from V-belts, the twist link belts don't fit either, requires a unique belt.
3. IN a survey I did about 33% of BT3000 owners (not BT3100) have had the shim problem.
4. I have my original shims. I keep the ways lubed with wax. I hope to have the original shims for a long time.

[the uke]

Best method is having 16 year old son to handle the ratchet to turn pulley so you can use both of your hands to help those darn belts go on that darn pulley

[vaking]

I still have original shims but belts I replaced. It was not so bad.

[Sawatzky]

When I had my BT I fried the belts but got very lucky in replacing them. Since the saw was still under the 2 year warranty I called a local authorized Ryobi repair shop and they replaced the belts for free. After that I was very careful because of all I have read about the hassle of replacing them.

[LCHIEN]

the best suggestions I saw were to put the nut on the arbor, an then put a 3/4" socket on a rachet and use that to turn the arbor and pulley assembly while walking the belts onto the pulleys. Otherwise you ca't get enough leverge to rotate teh pulleys while trying to get the belt on.

[scmhogg]

I have yet to have to replace anything on my BT3000. [Touch wood]

Where is the best place to get an extra set of belts and BT3100 shims, just in case?

Steve

[trash man]

When to replace ?

Dumb question and dumb answers are ok. How do I know when to replace belts, besides if they brake ? Will they slip or is there a loss of power , maby a smell ? I have had saw for 5 or 6 years with moderate use so far all is well.

Wayne (trash man )

[LCHIEN]

Dumb question and dumb answers are ok. How do I know when to replace belts, besides if they brake ? Will they slip or is there a loss of power , maby a smell ? I have had saw for 5 or 6 years with moderate use so far all is well.

Wayne (trash man )

they usually break, they don't slip or squeak. For one thing they're cogged.
Mostly they break when you overload the machine or jam the blade, this destroys $20 belts to protect your $180 motor.
I have heard of them dry rotting with age and extended storage in bad conditions without use. Then they just disintegrate when used. this is a rare occurrence, though.
Overall I would say from the messages i've read here the incidence of belt breakage without abuse is very low.

[jabe]

I had to change the belts as it was broken when I got the B3000 saw. I also up-graded the shims about a year later. I microwaved the belts in a bowl of water and it helped make the installation easier.