Work machine with belt tensioning system and method

A work machine for reducing wood infeed material comprising:

• a drive motor mounted to a frame, the drive motor including a drive shaft to which a drive sheave is attached;
• a rotor including a driven sheave and a plurality of cutting tools configured for reducing the wood infeed material;
• a belt operably engaged with the drive sheave and the driven sheave to facilitate rotation of the rotor;
• a belt tensioning system mounted to said frame comprising:
• an idler pulley connected to an idler arm;
• wherein said idler arm includes a first end and a second end;
• wherein the idler arm is pivotably connected to said frame at said first end, and said idler pulley is rotatably mounted to the idler arm at said second end;
• an actuator directly connected to the idler arm through a hinge, the actuator being configured to move the idler arm so as to adjust a degree of engagement between the idler pulley and said belt;
• and
• an electronic control system comprising:
• a computer processor configured to receive one or more sensor signals representative of a tension of said belt, determine a value for said tension based on the one or more sensor signals, compare the value to one or more belt tension criteria, and provide a control signal to said actuator if the value does not meet said one or more belt tension criteria, the control signal controlling actuation of the actuator;
• and
• one or more sensors in communication with the computer processor, the one or more sensors configured to generate said one or more sensor signals.