Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

I just replaced an auger belt on my MTD 5HP, when I engage the auger it looks like the belt is getting ground down. I saw some powder on the ground after I shut it off. Is there an adjustment I should make, I don't think I put it on wrong. Any suggestions would be appreciated, Thanks. 

For the auger drive systems I'm afamiliar with there is an idler pulleythat is mounted in a slot on an arm that move when the auger clutch lever is depressed. As the belt wears the pully is moved to keep the belt "tight enough". When you replace the belt the pulley makes the new belt too tight and needs to be readjusted. Changing  the linkage from the handle to the idler pulley should be done to change the clutch mechanism movement not the belt tension. Essentially the linkage determines when the arm starts to move and to a certain extent how far in the arm moves. How far in the idler moves should be adjusted by moving the idler in the slot on the arm. When the lever that engages the auger clutch is released the arm should spring back to its fully disengaged position, this causes a brake pad to rub agains the outter edge of the belt, slowing the auger down and then stopping it. If the brake pad is worn down or missing then the rivets that hold it onto the lever arm will cut grooves in the belt..