ProForm treadmill problems - help needed

We have a Pro Form Treadmill (780 I think) and we are starting to have problems with it. It feels like the motor is going out or something ... the belt seems to catch or something. It actually feels like I can stop the belt with my foot if I just press hard on it. This is dangerous of course, because as we run (or walk), the belt kind of stops for a split second. It doesn't happen every minute or two either ... I am talking about every step or so.

The troubleshooting of the treadmill says that it could be the belt being too tight or too lose. They recommend tightening loosing the belt by 1/4 turn of some screws. I tightened loosened them by a full turn (testing at 1/4 turn increments) and it hasn't improved it at all.

Has anyone seen this before? Am I just not tightening loosening it enough? Is there something else I need to look at? Is it worth it to have a 'specialist' come and look at it?

Thanks

Hi Darren: we did not have the same problem, but my .02 is that it's worth having the repairman come up if you use the machine enuff; our incline mechanism stopped working, & it is really important to my wife, so we did it, paid for it, & are very happy..... i know that's not much advice....... jeff

We purchased a ProForm 775 about six months ago. About 2 months ago we started having problems with ours, too. After about 45 minutes or so the treadmill would stop suddenly. After unplugging and waiting for about ten minutes or so, the treadmill would work again. This went on for a few uses with the running time being increasingly less. After three days it would only go for 20 minutes. With the warranty period being only a ridiculous 90 days and us not having the foresight to purchase an extended warranty from Sears, we are pretty much screwed. We have had a repairman come and replace the motor control board and the power supply board. We have adjusted and lubricated the belt. We have done everything ProForm has suggested with no luck. Neither they, nor Sears will do anything about it. My thought now is that I would never buy anything this company makes again. I think we were sold a lemon and then ignored by ProForm's pathetic customer service when we tried to get them to do something about it. Ditto for Sears for selling their crap and not standing behind it.

Chris Brown

I agree with you about poor customer service. I bought the treadmill in a garage sale type thing. I called Sears to see if they would come out and give it a 'tune up' and they were talking hundreds of dollars just to come out etc (more than I paid for it). Just trying to get a hold of them to tell me that was a pain too. I would call one number and they would forward me to another number who would forward me back to the original number.

I know if I have to replace this thing, I will not get a Pro Form.

Darren