Belt tension measuring system and method

A method of checking belt tension of a belt extending between two or more pulleys, the belt having an upper surface and a span between the pulleys, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a reference indicator defining a reference position relative to the upper surface of the belt in an undeflected state;
• providing a force/probe assembly having a proximal end, an opposed distal end, and length defined therebetween, the assembly being operable to measure a force applied to the distal end;
• positioning the distal end of the force/probe assembly on the upper surface of the belt at a midpoint of the span;
• applying a force generally perpendicular to the upper surface of the belt using the force/probe assembly;
• either:
• deflecting the belt a predetermined distance, as determined by a change in position of the force/probe assembly relative to the reference indicator, and measuring the force applied generally perpendicularly to the outer surface using the force/probe assembly;
• or
• deflecting the belt using the force/probe assembly until the force applied generally perpendicularly to the upper surface is equal to a predetermined force, and measuring the deflection of the belt, as determined by a change in position of the force/probe assembly relative to the reference indicator;
• and
• determining the belt tension based on the force and distance during the deflecting step;
• wherein during the deflecting step, the length of the force/probe assembly remains the same.