Author Topic: woodmizer blade tensioner (Read 4404 times)

Buck · « **on:** April 15, 2011, 07:31:32 am »

A small problem always pops up when i hit the road sawing. The blade tensioner on my lt40 gave out during a blade change yesterday. I have the parts located and will be picking them up this morning. Is there any difficulty in this rebuild?

ellmoe · « **Reply #1 on:** April 15, 2011, 07:38:37 am »

We just rebuilt ours yesterday. The only problem was those "too small" allen head screws. We could only get one out. I took the unit to a machinist to have the others removed. If you run into the same problem you may be able to loosen them by tapping with a small chisel. It was quicker for me to drop it off and have it done. I'll replace the screws with cap heads later. As for now,I coated the screws with "anti-seize".
Mark

Magicman · « **Reply #2 on:** April 15, 2011, 07:57:49 am »

That was a very simple rebuild. I didn't have anyone there to take any pictures, and my hands were too oily to fool with the camera. Refilling the reservoir with ATF took the most time.

I only rebuilt half of mine, the tightening side. The entire unit would have to be removed to replace the bandwheel side and mine wasn't leaking, so I let it be. The kit has the seals for both sides.

sparks · « **Reply #3 on:** April 15, 2011, 09:44:27 am »

Here are the rebuild instructions and the refill instructions. Hope this helps.

Magicman · « **Reply #4 on:** April 15, 2011, 10:27:54 am »

Here is a picture of a failed rubber seal. It had actually extruded between the piston and the cylinder wall.

Failed blade tensioner rubber seal.

This is my refill bottle with a tube spout.

I don't actually remove the threaded tensioner, just screw it all of the way out.

Refilling the reservoir.

Magicman · « **Reply #5 on:** April 15, 2011, 10:32:48 am »

Quote from: Buck on April 15, 2011, 07:31:32 am

A small problem always pops up when i hit the road sawing.

My blade tensioner failure actually prompted my Comfort Zone thread. It happen the week before I was scheduled to travel that 160 miles one way. If it had waited a week later, that $15 break down would have cost me big time.

Buck · « **Reply #6 on:** April 15, 2011, 04:57:31 pm »

Awe, I'm actually ashamed that I questioned this task. I think the phrase "So easy a caveman can do it" applies here.

And.... Thanks guys!

Magicman · « **Reply #7 on:** April 15, 2011, 10:10:27 pm »

But, your experience may help someone else to not fear jumping into an unknown maintenance item. We all learn from sharing our experience with each other.

Norm · « **Reply #8 on:** April 17, 2011, 08:51:45 am »

Mine needs to have this done, where are you guys finding the bottle with the long flexible tube at?

customsawyer · « **Reply #9 on:** April 17, 2011, 08:56:00 am »

When I had a LT40 I would just use the spray bottle that I used to lube the rail and chain. You will miss the small hole a bit but not enough to worry about.

Magicman · « **Reply #10 on:** April 17, 2011, 09:30:13 am »

Quote from: Norm on April 17, 2011, 08:51:45 am

Mine needs to have this done, where are you guys finding the bottle with the long flexible tube at?

Many parts stores have a display of the oilers at the checkout. I'll look and see if I may happen to have an (almost) empty one.

Norm · « **Reply #11 on:** April 17, 2011, 09:51:43 am »

Thanks for the offer MM but I don't want to impose on you. I'll have Patty look when she's there on Monday getting a battery for the 4 wheeler.

Chuck White · « **Reply #12 on:** April 17, 2011, 11:10:17 am »

Quote from: Norm on April 17, 2011, 08:51:45 am

Mine needs to have this done, where are you guys finding the bottle with the long flexible tube at?

Norm;
I just use a common plastic pepsi bottle.

I located some clear plastic tubing similar in size (1/8 inch or so) to the tubing on a bike or 4-wheeler battery vent!

I drilled a hole, slightly smaller than the tubing in the middle of the pepsi bottle cap and squeezed the end of the tubing and pushed it through the hole in the cap.

Once inside about ¼ inch I just flexed it a little and it expanded outward against the drilled hole.

Works great!

Norm · « **Reply #13 on:** April 17, 2011, 05:22:46 pm »

Thanks Chuck appreciate the help.

wwsjr · « **Reply #14 on:** April 17, 2011, 06:02:02 pm »

I use a large plastic syringe without the needle and a small piece of tubing on the end. Had some on hand that I use on the llamas and horses. Worked great for me.

Slingshot · « **Reply #15 on:** April 17, 2011, 09:58:17 pm »

Norm, check Patty's sewing room (if she has one). Sewing machine oil also comes in those
little bottles with the pull out flex spout.

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