Ryobi bt 3000 table saw belt installation diagram

The BT3000 actually has TWO v-belts! Here's a link at the end of this solution to an exploded diagram. Basically you have a major disassembly, but it really isnt that complicated.

More great info on the BT3000 is available from the web site http://bt3000.com/

I have a BT3100 saw, and it is a good tool, but does require attention in maintenance procedures, but Ryobi did outline the necessary steps in their manuals. The above website also has the owner manual if you need one.

1. Unplug saw
2. Remove the blade
3. Lower mechanism all the way to the bottom
4. Flip over saw and lay on it's top
5. Remove the blade guard panel opposite the motor
6. Unbolt the motor assembly and remove the belt cover
7. Replace the broken belts
8. Re-assemble (be careful not to cross-thread the bolts in the aluminum housings!)

Https://www.amazon.com/BELT-BT3000-RYOBI-RIDGID-662329001/dp/B000P8OWM4

Gillespie Photography5.0 out of 5 stars Work great, but difficult to get mounted. Not as painful as others have suggested though.
Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2015Verified Purchase

I purchased a used BT3000 saw this past month and after a good cleaning, I noticed the belts were almost worn through. Rather than using it for a few weeks before they completely wore out, I decided to do a complete tear down and install new belts. The motor does use two, so be sure to order two belts...

Install: Its easiest to flip the entire table (not stand) upside down. Every guide I found says the same thing. It will take 20 minutes to remove the hardware needed to get to the saw, which isn't as long as some reviewers have stated. Getting the belts threaded is the difficult and somewhat frustrating part. Others have suggested boiling the belts in water for around 5 minutes before install. I tried walking the belts on by hand, which didn't work. I then tried using a small flat pry bar... which also didnt work. I then got an actual spoon from our kitchen... and it worked the first time.

Put the belt around 1/3rd the way on the top cog. Hold it there with your left hand. Using your right hand, stick the spoon through the belt, and grip the largest cog's first thread with the tip of your spoon. Then, slowly rotate the spoon/belt either way, depending on your position. I started with the spoon closest to me and rotated clockwise.

After 2 or 3 inches of travel, the belt should be mounted. From there, you'll need to push the belt onto both cogs by applying LOTS of force while spinning the cogs. The first belt needs to be almost touching the motor casing. Do the same for the second.

Conclusion: All in all, it took me around 3 hours from start to finish. Knowing now that I should have started with an actual spoon, it would be a 1.5 hour job with the correct power tools. After putting everything back together, the saw is working great. Has full power on hardwood rips. The most frustrating part is getting the belts threaded. Removing the screws is the easy part. The belts are also expensive for what they do. My guess is the cost is going to continue to rise as this saw gets older and older. From the looks of it, they use to be $10 a piece, but now are nearly $25... making total replacement around $50.

Lastly, if you have the BT3000, you should really do the shim fix. My saw was very difficult to slide up/down, but after attaching the shims to the motor guide with some silicone, they don't slide around anymore. I also used a dry lube (bike chain teflon) to help the shims slide better. Grease will only collect dirt and grime and wear out again.