Carlisle ultimax drive belt ?
- Thread starter saber1
- Start date
Yamaha Apex belts are very hard & last 5 or 6000 miles only cost $75 at most ....I only change because I think I should. Yamaha engines are smart make adjustments for warn belts so can't over rev like 2s engines. I never had a Yamaha belt break or seen one break on buds sleds. Go ahead & try non OEM belt but the softer the belt the faster the belt wears. To me Yamaha belts inexpensive & wear very well not one of the things I would want to buy from aftermarket suppliers. Just my opinion but up to you. Not sure why you are burning while loading? Lots of solutions for that and belt change would be last choice.
indy_500
Well-known member
Hard belt is not a good belt. They slip, get hotter, and beat up clutch sheaves. Sure they last a long time but they don't perform like they should after a short amount of time. I put 3500 miles on a Carlisle ultimax belt on my 99 xc 700 before selling it, didn't cause me an trouble plus they have a 1 year warranty.
True Yamaha belts do notch sheaves very close to hub but lots of HP & broad powerband output by Apex engine. We have never seen any performance drop off after many 1000 of miles of use of Yamaha belts as Yamaha has the belt tech matched well to their sleds.....just not something that needs updating. Upgrade Yamaha skis ,skid,carbides money better spent than belt. Could very well burn ultimax belt when loading too better to solve loading friction problem than slap on another brand belt & still bog & burn when loading.
No it is a friction issue with skis. Do you have slides on your trailer? Slides will greatly reduce friction to skis & carbides also protect trailer wood surface. You can also use ski protectors that slip on skis to reduce surface friction. I have seen so much friction at skis to trailer surface that a rider spins a studded track but does not move up the ramp. Also can get a head start come on hot power up a trailer ramp. Probably smoke any belt if you are stuck on a ramp & not moving & the clutch just can't overcome the ski pressure so you bog down & smoke belt trying to get moving again. I always come on hot but also have multi glide slides.
groomerdriver
New member
This is a good option for the Yamaha Vectors and is run by many Apex owners as well. The 8DN Yamaha belt is made out of a very hard compound so the belt lasts a long time but it is hard on the clutch sheaves. Because they are so hard they can have more slippage.
Are you really seeing smoke or just smelling a burning belt? Are your skis trying to go across wood on the trailer or do you have ski runners? I can't read what Whitedust is preaching to you (thank God!) but based on your response it might involve the condition of the clutches. One should always make sure that their clutches are clean and in good operating condition. New springs are cheap. Keep an eye on the ramps, buttons and other wear parts.
saber1
Active member
O yea there was smoke coming out have ski runners i was loading into 3 place trailer thru the front ramp and making that tight turn it got stuck and started to smoke could of caught on something i cleaned clutches after the fact so will see im going to go ahead and order a new belt anyway just to try and will use the OEM as a spare My Attak does the same thing so it might just be the way i load or loading maybe from back of trailer and then letting gravity help coming out the front might help
thanks everyone
thanks everyone
groomerdriver
New member
You MIGHT have put a small flatspot in the belt but you'll be able to feel that.
To you Mr Groomerdriver John's site rules: No Personal Attacks. If you disagree with someone, you can state your point, but attacking someone personally is off limits. Besides, it is of little interest to anyone on this site but you anyway! Even brand bashing can be considered a personal attack. There are too many ways one can do a personal attack, so I will not give examples. To be safe, think of it this way: If you do not have something positive to say about someone, then don't say it here!
saber1
Active member
just a follow up for those interested but after cleaning clutches and putting on the Ultimax belt i did some loading and unloading and to my surprise the Apex does not smoke the belt anymore.It also engages a lot smoother. whether it was the new Belt or clutch cleaning i would have to say it was the new belt .