UH-18SP Drive Belt Idler/Tensioner
After several hours of using the 18sp the thrust drive belt started streching, and to tighten the belt we would have to take the engine mount bolts loose and move the shims from under the engine to under the pillow block bearings on the prop shaft. We didn't want to do this every time we needed to adjust the tension on the belt so we put an idler pulley / tensioner on it.
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Here is our homemade back side belt tensioner / idler. Jerry Coffman turned the aluminum idler pulley for us, and welded up the rest. Now we can adjust the belt tension in seconds with no tools required.
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Just another look at the idler/tensioner on the hovercraft
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