How-To Guide :: Soft Serve :: Replacing Belts 

Spaceman Soft Serve machines utilize motors to drive a pulley which turns a belt attached to a gearbox. The belts need to be replaced on a regular basis when they begin to show signs of wear.  Spaceman recommends replacing these belts once per year.  Certain Soft Serve machines will use a double-belt system for each flavor.  On these machines, both belts should be replaced at the same time.  This article will go over the steps to replace the belts on your Soft Serve machine.  For information on replacing pulleys, please see the SS: Replacing Pulleys article.

Required Tools

1. Flathead screwdriver
   
2. Metric hex driver or allen key set
   
3. Metric or Adjustable Wrench set
   
4. Insulated Needle Nose Pliers
   
5. Clamp-style Amp Meter
   

1. Turn Power Switch to Off and unplug the machine from the wall.
   
2. Follow the instructions in the Operator Manual to properly drain, disassemble, and clean the machine.  

3. Using a flathead screwdriver, unlock all panel locks remove the rear and side panels from the machine.  All panel locks are quarter-turn and should turn inward to unlock, they do NOT require significant force to unlock. For floor-standing machines, generally only the top panels need to be removed.  
   

4.  Using needle nose pliers to pinch the tensioning post on the motor bracket, and an adjustable wrench or socket, loosen the tension on both motor mount springs to loosen the belt tension.
   
5. Remove the belt(s) from the pulleys and set aside.
   
6. Verify the pulleys and bushings on the motor and the gearbox to ensure they are tight and inline.  If they are not inline, please see the SS: Replacing Pulleys article for information on adjusting pulleys.
   
7. Install the new belt on the pulleys.  If the belt is too tight, loosen the spring tensioning bolts further until the belt easily installs on the pulley.  Ensure the belt is vertically aligned and make pulley adjustments, as necessary. 
   
8. Check belt tension.  There should be approximately +/- 0.5 inches of play in the belt.  
   
9. Using needle nose pliers to hold the motor tensioning shaft and an appropriate wrench or socket, tighten the motor mounting springs until the belt tension is set correctly. 
   

10. You should be able to turn the belts by hand freely without binding or noise.  To test the motor functionality, plug the machine back into power.  Place a clamp meter around one of the black power wires, and press in the contactor that drives the motor.  The motor should turn on and read approximately 1.0 Amps or less for 220V machines, and approximately 4.0 Amps for 110V machines with no load.  If the amp-draw is too high, loosen the belt tension slightly.  Unplug machine from the wall before continuing.
    
11. Reinstall electrical box covers, and side panels. 
    
12. Follow Operator Manual to Lubricate, Assemble, Sanitize, and add product to the machine.