anyone tell me when i should be checking my belt on a 04 500?i plow snow too.what belt should i use for a replacement?

 

according to the manual, you should be checking your belt at least once a year or when the need arises, i.e. feels like it is slipping, etc. Not sure on the part number for the 500, but someone here should know....I know some people run aftermarket belts by Dayco and others, but I stick with the factory belts....

 

im still running stock belt on an 02 scrambler

It doesnt have the top end it used to but it still works fine.

Im not sure which I will replace 1st,,,,,the stock belt or the stock tires.

maybe same time

 

elkbow you should try running the dayco HP belt its like night and day difference, there is so much more grab, but a little bit more wear and tear on your clutches

 

The dealer told me a belt should last about 4000 miles under normal use (low range when mudding and hauling loads) I changed mine at around 2000 miles and could not tell the diff between the old and new. I went through the search for gates and goodyear part #s and went to an aftermarket shop to buy one or the other. The guy selling parts said he would sell me what I wanted but I would be happier with the stock belt from the dealer(WTF?!?). I plow snow with my SP too and plan on getting a new belt every couple of years whether I need it or not. I am also curious how to tell if a belt is worn without taking the cover off? On the old snowmobiles I have had when the belt is worn I noticed more speed and less power.

 

I know the bigger Polaris's are rough on belts....I could smell mine smoking when I was running over 10000 feet in altitude and through deeper snow. I carry a spare in the front storage compartment. I'll look into the dayco's....don't need to wear down parts prematurely though, since I ride alot by myself and long ways from civilization....

dave

 

a belt will last as long as you want it to. what i mean by this is that if you are an aggressive rider, constantly gunning it from a dead stop, riding through mud up to the fenders in high range, stopping on hills and then taking off again in high range, it will kill a belt. i know a guy with a 700 sportsman who got no more than 300 miles out of his belt because of high load situations in high range. you have to shift into low range. me and my dad both ride 2003 sportsman 500 h.o.s and i can get about 500 or 600 miles out of my belt and he can get about 1000 to 1200 out of his. technique is everything. i also took off my EBS because i hated it. its just a simple clutch change. that increased my belt life quite a bit. i put about 750 on this belt and have had no problems whatsoever. so there you go.

 

actually the more you gun it off the line the less change of belt slip there is.. due to the pinch from the clutch

 

less slip indeed. but more stretch. belts do stretch under more load. i know.

 

cell phones!! lol jk did u ever look into those dayco belts elkbow