belt tightening on cab saw

[Mike Canaris]

I bought a brand new Leeson 3 hp motor for my General 350 cab saw...after I installed it....the belts were kind of loose...(3/4 inch play when you push them) and when I fired it up it was great until I shut it off there it had a shudder...so I tightened the belts up some more...now the shudder left but I get a rather loud thud when it starts..I realize 3 hp motors have lotsa of torque...is this normal...or I haven't found the happy medium in belt tightening..?

[Steve Clardy]

I just use the weight of the motor to tighten belts.

[CPeter James]

For what it is worth, my PM66 does the same thing. Playing with the tension does change the start up and shut down noise, but it is a fine line to find the exact place where there is neither and it cames back as the belts stretch.

CPeter