Attex 400 Chief drive belt recommendations?

[RocketHurricane]

My 400 Chief has a Dayco hp3012 belt on it but this belt seems fairly loose. On flat ground it seems to work ok, but when trying to go up a steep hill when you have no momentum built up it feels like no power is getting to the wheels. I don't notice any belt squeal, but the tires are not spinning even though the engine is running strong.

What drive belt are other 400 Chief owners running?

[Toys4Me]

Thats the same belt my 440 chief uses.

[hydromike]

Have you slid the engine mount back to tighten the belt at all? There are six (7/16?) carriage bolts that loosen up under the engine, then you slide the engine mount back and tighten the bolts back up.

[jpswift1]

A Dayco 1078 belt will do the trick. That's what I'm using.

[thebuggyman1]

A max 1078 interchanges with a HP3012.

http://www.daycoproducts.com/daycoweb.nsf/dayco%20to%20max%20and%20ultimax%20interchange.pdf

And for dimensions.
ATV and Snowmobile Belts - by Dayco

[Don]

That should be the right belt unless someone has changed the driven clutch to a smaller diameter unit. I've run into that before and the belt is fine when it's new as long as the engine's all the way to the rear, but as soon as the belt wears at all, there's no way to adjust it.

[thebuggyman1]

In that case, a HP3013 would be a better choice. It is 1/2" shorter (motor and trans 1/4" closer together).

[RocketHurricane]

Could T20 bands out of adjustment also result in difficulty going up a steep slope from a stop or slow entry speed? I recently had the T20 apart and the bands/drums looked good, but not sure if it is adjusted properly. Or should I focus attention on belt/clutch for this type if issue?

[thebuggyman1]

Could T20 bands out of adjustment also result in difficulty going up a steep slope from a stop or slow entry speed? I recently had the T20 apart and the bands/drums looked good, but not sure if it is adjusted properly. Or should I focus attention on belt/clutch for this type if issue?

Your engine is not bogging down, and the RPM's remain high during the attempt? That would indicate slippage, either in the belt, or internal to the t-20. Are you pushing forward on the sticks?

[RocketHurricane]

Sticks were forward and I don't think it was bogging down but in the heat if the moment I may have missed that. Next time we run it we will try and observe in more detail what is going on when this starts happening. We should be able to look through the engine cover vent to see what the belt is doing at least.

One question on the operation of the T20. When in forward gear, with the sticks fully forward, should there be any slippage of the bands on the planetary drum that drives the output? In other words, can you use the laterals to feather in power or braking based on pressure either forward or backwards, or are they just "on power" when forward, and "full braking" when pulled back?

[amphibious drew]

Fully engaged there should be no slipping. You can feather the pressure on the sticks as well as throttle for
making maneuvers.

[thebuggyman1]

When in forward gear, The sticks MUST be pushed forward with moderate to high pressure. On flat, hard ground it only takes minimal pressure, but add a steep incline and the bands will slip. Pulling back slightly or just releasing pressure will allow the trans to slip and reduce forward momentum. Most turning will actually be done this way by "feathering" the sticks and reducing the drive to one side, or even applying light braking to that side.
I guess to answer your question: The bands have infinitely variable drive/slip/ lite brake/full brake capability.

[RocketHurricane]

Your engine is not bogging down, and the RPM's remain high during the attempt? That would indicate slippage, either in the belt, or internal to the t-20. Are you pushing forward on the sticks?

I have not had a chance to drive it (been out if town), but my brother has. He said the motor does bog down when trying to go up a steep incline. It's like the clutch system is in high gear. Does this indicate a possible issue with the either or both the primary and secondary pulleys?