Few things are more disconcerting than a treadmill that skips during a workout. Intermittent skips can disrupt your concentration and in some cases, upset your balance. Unlike a slipping running belt that you adjust to continue working out, a treadmill that skips should not be used until the problem is identified and corrected.
Treadmill Basics
The running belt on your treadmill rides on rollers at each end of the running deck. On a motorized unit, the front roller, motor and drive belt are located under a cover at the head of the deck. Steel shafts at the end of each roller rotate in nylon bushings. A damaged or missing bushing can cause the shaft to bind and the roller to turn erratically. A manual treadmill has a weighted flywheel at the front roller that serves to maintain momentum once the belt is moving. In most instances, if a manual treadmill skips, a flywheel is damaged or broken. When motorized roller bushings are intact, the next consideration is the drive belt.
Drive Belt
The drive belt on a motorized treadmill must be correctly adjusted to turn the front roller consistently as you work out. If the treadmill skips at one speed and not another, or the belt operates normally before you step on, the drive belt needs to be adjusted. Remove the cover at the head of the deck and notice whether or not your treadmill has a roller that tensions the belt. Your service manual describes how to adjust the belt to the correct tension by repositioning the roller. If the unit doesn't have a roller, you loosen the motor mounts to adjust the tension of the drive belt.
Motors
Similar to all electric motors, treadmill motors have graphite brushes that ride against a copper shaft inside the motor casing. Dust and debris that accumulate under a treadmill can affect electrical efficiency, causing the motor to operate below the required output. As a result, the running belt can skip or otherwise operate inconsistently. Typically, the incline feature and running belt functions do not operate properly when a motor needs servicing or replacement.
Electrical System
Motorized treadmills require a consistent level of electrical current to power the systems effectively. A fault in the electrical system can cause the motor to operate below the required output and the treadmill might skip. Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet and check it for cuts or damage. Check the cord connection at the treadmill and make sure it's not excessively dirty. You can check the continuity of the electrical system with a voltage meter to determine if a problem exists in the console circuitry.
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