The most important part of a treadmill is its belt, but the most fragile---and frequently broken---parts of the treadmill are the rotators that move the belt. Also known as rollers or pulleys, rotators are responsible for holding the belt in place and moving it at speeds in excess of 12 miles per hour. Treadmill rotators are susceptible to a number of hazards, including decreased belt tension, poor lubrication practices and dust.
Step 1
Keep the treadmill well dusted, and make sure to vacuum underneath the treadmill when possible. Dust can get on the rotators and weaken its grip on the treadmill belt. This is particularly important if your treadmill model requires the rotators to be oiled.
Step 2
Oil the treadmill periodically. Whether the rotators themselves need oil or not, oil helps the belt run smoothly. If you run out of oil, the belt can catch on a surface, potentially throwing it off its rotators.
Step 3
Keep the belt tension tight. You can check this by ensuring there are always 2 to 3 inches of slack between the belt and the platform. If the belt needs tightening, remove the flywheel cover and tighten the tension bolts on the rotator with a screwdriver until you achieve your desired tension.
Step 4
Never manually move the belt along the rotators. This can cause the belt to slip over the lip of a rotator, causing even greater damage when you unknowingly turn on the treadmill.
Things You'll Need
- Vacuum cleaner
- Oil
- Screwdriver
- Wrench or Allen key
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