Why ATV Belts Often Fail

When To Replace It?

Did you know that in 2020 there were 56,789 new ATVs sold in Canada? With a growing number of people wanting to experience adventures in off-road terrain, the number of broken ATV belts has also increased.

A broken ATV belt is a common issue that affects most ATV drivers. It can be frustrating and even dangerous which is why knowing how to prevent the damage is vital.

Let us take a closer look at ATVs, their belts, and how to prevent this common issue.

What Is an ATV Belt?

An ATV belt is a Continuously Variable Transmission, or CVT, drive belt. On any four wheeler, the drive belt transfers power from the engine and directly affects your ATV's performance.

A CVT belt is a type of V belt. This means that the side of the belt is what will be doing most of the work, like treads on a tire do. The faces of the sheaves provide traction, which is why the angle of the belt's sides much be compatible with the faces of the CVT.

Types of ATV

There are different types of ATVs and each one can have more or fewer vulnerabilities in its belt and clutch system. Let us look at some of the options.

Sport ATVs

These four wheelers are made for speed. They have powerful engines, excellent handling, and long-travel suspension, all on a light frame. They are built for swerving and sliding, allowing you to handle any kind of terrain.

Utility ATVs

Utility ATVs, also called UTVs, are made for the working man or woman. They range from 800cc to over 1,000cc in engine size, making them a perfect machine for towing and managing cargo. UTVs do very well in farm settings.

Recreational ATV

These ATVs are comparable to a golf cart in size but they have the same power as a sport ATV. Their engine is even more powerful since they are designed to carry cargo as well as passengers. Recreational ATVs also have the best travel suspension of all of the options.

Youth ATV

A youth ATV has an automatic transmission so that younger people do not have to worry about gear shifts. They tend to not have much travel suspension and can only handle about 100 pounds of weight.

How Often Should You Change ATV Belts?

If you do minimum upkeep and have a branded belt, you can expect it to last a substantial amount of time. In the best conditions, belts can last between 3000 to 5000 miles.

If you ride on the weekends for fun, you will want to replace the belt every three years. If you ride for more than 8 hours a week, however, you will need to change the belt every year.

If you are an ATV racer, you want to check the belt after two or three races.

How Does an ATV Belt Work?

The belt and clutch system have to manage a few things at the same time. It has to transmit the power the engine creates through the belt. The clutch grips the sides of the belt and squeezes to accelerate the ATV and all of the weight it is carrying. While that is happening, the belt is also rotating quickly to spin the secondary clutch.

At the same time, the belt has to shift up and down in both clutches to handle changes in load. The belt manages to do all of this in temperatures that range from minus 30 degrees to 200 degrees.

Why ATV Belts Fail

There are many reasons why your ATV belt may fail. Let us dive deeper into the most common causes of failure.

Bad Driving Habits

This is perhaps the most common reason ATV belts fail but it is also one of the easiest to fix.

Aggressive engagement RPM can cause tensile cord breaks, which means the belt is torn in two. Most of the best quality drive belts are reinforced with aramid or carbon cords, but you still want to be cautious in your throttle applications.

Repeated shock-loading or excessive belt speed can cause the belt to break into many small pieces, and if you leave the ATV idling for long periods of time or use wide-open throttles, you can cause what is known as hour-glassing. It means uneven wear on the belt.

Bad Maintenance

Not taking care of the drive belt is something that can cause a world of trouble. One of the most common issues you may see is "chunk-out".

This happens when a belt is not installed properly, causing it to fracture. Some of its ribs can fall out and force you to have to replace the entire thing.

If you see cracks between the belt's cogs, this can mean the belt is too old or that it was bent in cold weather. If you see cords appearing on the edges of the belt, this can also mean it was not installed correctly.

Clutch Issues

If your clutch is not aligned correctly or if it is not tuned correctly, it can cause belt disintegration. Remember that if you have made changes to your ATV like adding weight, changing tire style or size, you need to re-align the clutch.

How Do You Know Your ATV Belt Is Bad?

If you see that your ATV has lost some of its performance speed and power, this can be a sign you need to replace the belt. If you smell rubber burning, then that, too, can be a sign that the belt is heating and not cooling as it should be.

Check the clutch sheaves. If there is a sort of black haze on them, this is belt residue from slippage and you need to address the issue. You may also notice that the ATV is not starting smoothly but instead jerking about.

How to Prevent ATV Belt Failure

You want to minimize the bad driving habits that can impact the belt negatively. Avoid leaving the ATV idling or in gear for a long period of time and make sure your gear ratio selection is the right one. The best thing you can do is place the transmission in neutral.

Be sure to align the clutch, especially if you have made changes to the ATV in weight or tire size. You also want to maintain the belt, making sure not to bend it or pry it as you install it and be sure to have a spare with you in case of emergencies.

Never twist the belt to try to store it!

Keep Your ATV in Great Shape

By paying attention to your ATV belt, you can enjoy the off-trail rides you want.