SCAG Blade Belt Question

[RI Chevy]

I have a SCAG 36" Walk Behind. I only got 50 hours on the blade belt that was brand new from the factory. A big chunk was taken out of the belt. I got a new belt and replaced it. My question is how tight to make the tensioner. The manual says 1/2" for ten pounds of pressure. How do I measure this?
Any help is greatly appreciated.

Also should I get more that 50 hours on a OEM SCAG blade belt?

 

[Canadian farm boy]

I always adjust v belts by feel. There are some pretty fancy tools out there you can buy if you want to.
I believe you should be able to measure your belt tension with a fish scale and a tape measure

 

[RI Chevy]

If you could give me a guestimate, how tight should be sufficient?
And what would cause a belt to have a chunk taken out?

 

[RI Chevy]

Is tighter better than loose? Or is a little loose better than being to tight?

 

[Canadian farm boy]

As for why the chunk came out I can't say for sure. Maybe you got a stick or something in there at one time or maybe the pulleys aren't quite aligned idk.
When I check a v belt tension I usually just push/pull with moderate force on the belt at about center of its largest span between 2 pulleys. I look for about 1/2"-3/4" deflection. It really is just kind of a "feel" thing.
To loose and you'll burn up your belt prematurely.
To tight and you could damage bearings and wear out your belt.
If your unsure maybe try the fish scale method first and then you'll know for next time and then you can maybe use the "feel" method.

 

[RI Chevy]

Ok. Thank you very much for the info.