Pro belt tensioner

likkerpig · Sep 20, 2013

What do you guys think of this? Wondering if it will actually do anything or not. Never had a problem last year. Looks like a great alternative to a full belt drive replacement.

http://www.firenice.us/store/2013-2014-pro-belt-drive-tensioner.html

RoffRider · Sep 20, 2013

wow...150 bucks... :crazy:

how about give this idea to a company that wont rip you off

likkerpig · Sep 20, 2013

150.00 is definitely steep for what it costs in materials. Just lookin at what people think about it hoping to have a decent discussion...

Pro-8250 · Sep 20, 2013

likkerpig said:
What do you guys think of this? Wondering if it will actually do anything or not. Never had a problem last year. Looks like a great alternative to a full belt drive replacement.

http://www.firenice.us/store/2013-2014-pro-belt-drive-tensioner.html

Like you said, never had a problem last year. We did not either.
Gas, oil, pin the throttle, and have fun!!

slash · Sep 20, 2013

Rely not a bad price if it keeps the belt from slapping and breaking 2 or 3 belts would easily be saved in a season and from what I understand there not cheep ..

AndrettiDog · Sep 20, 2013

$150 is steep. Especially since all it really does is tighten the belt. It doesn't allow it be loosened to where we could change it easily.

POLZIN · Sep 20, 2013

looks like maybe a simple, effective solution. I like it. IMO parts + labor + profit 150.00 isn't bad .

Hawkster · Sep 20, 2013

The belt tensioner is what is needed like all belt driven drive trains but the Pro was designed to be flickable and there lies the problem for the hard core . So what happens when you launch off a cornice or case the bottom of a creek while holding it wfo to just get out ? Flexing of the driveshaft (that still has a clamp because they haven't even addressed the problem , disgraceful ) and jackshaft is like a rubberband and a stationary idle won't compensate for it . Than there's the other mass majority that won't have any problems ever with this .

Flickable in the real world of racing is a very bad thing because the drive train has to much flex .

mountainhorse · Sep 21, 2013

If you look at time invested in design... the time to test it... then materials, labor, stocking it and some profit for your time... $150 is a good price IMO.

.

diamonddave · Sep 21, 2013

mountainhorse said:
If you look at time invested in design... the time to test it... then materials, labor, stocking it and some profit for your time... $150 is a good price IMO.

.

Agree 100%

richracer1 · Sep 21, 2013

My dealer is selling these for 130 installed. I'll probably have one on my '14 Pro. It also helps that the manufacturer of these is a good friend of the GM at the dealership. I've known about this idler for several months now. I don't really see it as a tensioner as it applies less than 1lb of force on the belt, it more to control the ballooning of the belt on WFO to off throttle to WFO situations which allows the belt to climb out of the pulley teeth and get sheared off when you hammer on the throttle again.

If you don't think it's worth DON'T buy it, no need for the bashing.

If you can invent, test, produce, and market something similar for less money, go for it.

Pro-8250 · Sep 21, 2013

richracer1 said:
My dealer is selling these for 130 installed. I'll probably have one on my '14 Pro. It also helps that the manufacturer of these is a good friend of the GM at the dealership. I've known about this idler for several months now. I don't really see it as a tensioner as it applies less than 1lb of force on the belt, it more to control the ballooning of the belt on WFO to off throttle to WFO situations which allows the belt to climb out of the pulley teeth and get sheared off when you hammer on the throttle again.

If you don't think it's worth DON'T buy it, no need for the bashing.

If you can invent, test, produce, and market something similar for less money, go for it.

I thought the price was reasonable. Hell we paid $200 extra for the LE model which does absolutely nothing for the reliability or performance. :crazy:

I wonder how that bearing and roller will hold up. Is it a sealed bearing?

richracer1 · Sep 21, 2013

Pro-8250 said:
You make a good point I never thought of. "Ballooning"
I thought the price was reasonable. Hell we paid $200 extra for the LE model which does absolutely nothing for the reliability or performance.

Yeah, but they look better.

Solby · Sep 21, 2013

I saw this setup at HayDays and it looked good, very clean. $150 is very reasonable for a snowmobile accessory that might actually save you money (belts). If I fail a belt I will definitely be ordering one. Great job!

richracer1 · Sep 21, 2013

Pro-8250 said:
I wonder how that bearing and roller will hold up. Is it a sealed bearing?

I misquoted, my dealer will charge 139 installed. As for the bearing, the idler is designed for this type of use, so I wouldn't worry about it.

JCasino · Sep 21, 2013

My dealer told me today that C3 has a tensioner coming out for the Pro but its $450 and he'll have one in a week or two. Must be more to it than this one but makes $150 seem like a steal.

RoffRider · Sep 21, 2013

mountainhorse said:
If you look at time invested in design... the time to test it... then materials, labor, stocking it and some profit for your time... $150 is a good price IMO.

.

a craftsman 1/2 inch ratchet costs 20 bucks

looks like it costs more to make a ratchet than it does to make this little wheel and some bolts...

gears, spring, bearings, hard steel, shaping steel, starbits...and not to mention if it breaks they get you a new one

fine & ice sure wont be counting my money...even if i had a belt drive...

RoffRider · Sep 21, 2013

richracer1 said:
My dealer is selling these for 130 installed. I'll probably have one on my '14 Pro. It also helps that the manufacturer of these is a good friend of the GM at the dealership. I've known about this idler for several months now. I don't really see it as a tensioner as it applies less than 1lb of force on the belt, it more to control the ballooning of the belt on WFO to off throttle to WFO situations which allows the belt to climb out of the pulley teeth and get sheared off when you hammer on the throttle again.

If you don't think it's worth DON'T buy it, no need for the bashing.

If you can invent, test, produce, and market something similar for less money, go for it.

well im sorry (not really)

if these companies think they can get away with ripping people off without any flack...well then...good luck

are you one of those guys who would buy a 250 dollar thermostat from most wanted performance or terra alps racing?

rmscustom · Sep 21, 2013

RoffRider said:
a craftsman 1/2 inch ratchet costs 20 bucks

looks like it costs more to make a ratchet than it does to make this little wheel and some bolts...

gears, spring, bearings, hard steel, shaping steel, starbits...and not to mention if it breaks they get you a new one

fine & ice sure wont be counting my money...even if i had a belt drive...

I'll buy every tensioner (same quality as above) you can make for 20 bucks...

RoffRider · Sep 21, 2013

rmscustom said:
I'll buy every tensioner (same quality as above) you can make for 20 bucks...

you pay for shipping and i could get you some wheels off a skate board and bolt that skate board wheel to some old worn out ball joints and put that on an aluminum plate bolted to the chassis with some old washers as spacers

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