| Unit | Size | Supported weight | Motor | Console | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sunny SF-T7643 Check Discounted Price | L:60.6" W:32.3" H:52.4" | 350 lbs | 2.5 HP, 0.5-6.0 MPH | Time, Speed, Distance, Calories, Countdown settings | Frame: 3 years Parts: 90 days |
The SF-T7643 is one of the newest treadmills for 2017 from Sunny Health & Fitness. It’s machine with basic features; as the title suggests, it’s made for walking, not for running. But on the other hand, it does have a sturdy construction and an impressive weight capacity for a walking treadmill.
Technical Details and Specifications
- Assembled dimensions: 60.6L x 32.3W x 52.4H inches (154L x 82W x 133H cm)
- Tread belt dimensions: 43.3L x 19.5W inches (110L x 49.5W cm)
- Assembled weight: 143 lbs (64.8 kg)
- Supported weight: 350 lbs (158.7 kg)
- Motor: 2.5 HP
- Incline: No
- Speed range: 0.5 – 6.0 MPH
- Console: Time, speed, distance, calories, countdown functions
- Extras: Tablet shelf, bottle holders
- Warranty: Frame 3 years / Parts 90 days
Frame & deck construction
To begin with, the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7643 treadmill features a folding deck. The folding mechanism uses a soft-drop hydraulic cylinder and assists you with lowering the deck. The machine is not extremely large, though. With the deck fully extended, it’s only 60.6″L x
32.3″W (110 x 49.5 cm), approx. 15″ shorter than a running treadmill, such as the AFG Sport 5.7AT, for example. However, with the deck folded up, its length is reduced by more than half. Also, being able to fold and lock the deck vertically facilitates vacuuming and cleaning under the deck.
Along with the actual footprint of the machine, it’s recommended to leave at least two feet of clearance on each side, and at least three feet of clearance at the rear. This way, in case you lose balance or fall, there’s a smaller risk of injuries.
The Sunny SF-T7643 isn’t an extremely heavy machine compared to other models, such as the 3G Cardio Elite Runner for example, which weighs approx. 386 lbs. (175 kg). However, with the frame fully assembled, it does weigh 143 lbs (64.8 kg), which offers fairly decent stability. On top of that, the front base of the frame integrates rubberized pads which enhance its stability and grip onto the floor.
Moving the machine isn’t too difficult. The base of the frame features rear and front wheels. The rear wheels are meant for stability, though. Only the front wheels should be used for relocating the unit, and when the deck is folded up.
The Sunny SF-T7643 treadmill is equipped with a durable tread belt, resistant to stretching. Since it’s a walking treadmill, the belt only offers an active surface of 43.3″L x 19.5″W (110 x 49.5 cm). It’s fixed on large rollers which integrate industrial quality ball bearings for smooth operation and a lifetime use.
The deck has an impressive weight capacity for a machine in this price range. It can support users up to 350 lbs (~159 kg). It integrates two small shock absorption elements on each side but does not have an advanced shock absorption system, such as the Horizon Adventure 5, for
example. It’s a walking treadmill, though, so the integrated shock absorbers should suffice. Differently put, a walk on this treadmill should have a lesser impact on your joints than a walk on concrete or asphalt.
The step-up height of this Sunny Health & Fitness treadmill is approx. 10″ (~25 cm). This being said, in order to avoid any issues, make sure that the ceiling in the room where you’ll be using the machine is at least 15″ (38 cm) higher than your own height.
Needless to say, most of the machine’s frame is made of steel. The cover of the motor and the dashboard that incorporates the control unit are made of heavy-duty plastic material. The side rail covers are also made of highly durable PVC, reinforced with aluminum bands. All the steel parts in the frame construction are coated with a corrosion resistant paint, dark gray in color.
Motor
As we’ve mentioned above, the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7643 is a walking treadmill. Thus, it is equipped only with a 2.5 HP peak power motor. This motor is not extremely powerful but for walking or light jogging is more than enough for this machine. It’s also equipped with a small flywheel to reduce vibration and deliver a smoother movement to the tread belt.
Evidently, since it’s a motorized treadmill, it requires being connected to a power circuit. A power cord is supplied with the unit, and the connector for it is at the front base of the deck. In case you’re wondering, this treadmill doesn’t have an incline system, so you cannot adjust the angle.
The motor provides speeds up to 6.0 MPH. The starting point of the belt is 0.5 MPH but up from that, you can adjust the speed in increments of 0.1 MPH. Therefore, you can easily match the belt’s speed to your pace, in order to benefit from a comfortable walking. You can also adjust the belt’s speed in increments of 0.5 MPH by pressing and holding the gradual speed adjustment keys. Also, there are buttons on the console for the quick selection of the speed settings 1, 3, and 5 MPH.
The motor itself doesn’t generate much noise when in use. Also, since you’ll mostly be walking on this treadmill, the cadence noise will be minimal.
Since it’s not a very powerful motor, it also doesn’t consume much. Therefore, you won’t have to worry about a considerable cost increase of the energy bill.
Console
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7643 walking treadmill is equipped with a basic console, featuring an LCD display with blue LED backlight. The unit’s display features several panels, thus, all the workout metrics are shown simultaneously, so you don’t have to use a SCAN
function to rotate them.
The display only monitors speed, distance, time, and calories burned. Distance and speed are only calculated in miles and MPH; there’s no option for having them in metric units. This treadmill doesn’t have EKG pulse sensors and the console is not telemetric. Therefore, if you want to monitor your heart rate during your workout you will have to use a separate device.
Since it’s a basic console unit, it doesn’t connect online for progress tracking. It also does not have preset workouts. But you can select countdown values for time, distance, and calories.
Finally, the console doesn’t have a sound system or cooling fan, but its dashboard does incorporate two large bottle/accessory holders and a small ledge above the display which can serve as a tablet holder.
Assembly and Maintenance
The bottom frame with the deck, belt, and motor, comes fully assembled. Therefore, you will only need to add the console masts and the console. This task is far from being complicated and shouldn’t take more than 30 min. Also, the manual provides excellent assembly instructions and the tools required for it are included.
When it comes to maintenance, the first aspect to mention is deck lubrication. The deck is not pre-lubricated, so you will have to lubricate it before the first use. A bottle of lubricant is included with the machine, and the manual provides all the instructions necessary to do this. The deck should also be lubricated after every 188 miles.
Other than deck lubrication, for maintenance, you should keep the belt clean to prevent any small objects or textile fibers to be drawn into the motor. Also, it’s recommended to periodically check for loose bolts and parts, and re-tighten them if it’s necessary.
The Pros
- Heavy-duty frame construction with a weight capacity of 350 lbs;
- Small footprint compared to other treadmills;
- Folding deck, space-saving design;
- Soft-drop, hydraulic folding system;
- Transport wheels;
- Two shock absorption elements on each side of the deck;
- Speed settings up to 6.0 MPH;
- Dual-action speed adjustment keys, allowing the gradual speed adjustment in 0.1 MPH and 0.5 MPH;
- Quick keys for the 1, 3, and 5 MPH speed settings;
- Low power consumption;
- LED backlit display;
- Countdown functions for time, distance, and calories;
- Accessory/bottle trays built-in the dashboard;
- Tablet holder included;
- Very easy to assemble;
- Little maintenance required.
The Cons
- No preset programs;
- No online connectivity;
- No incline;
- No pulse reading function;
- No sound system;
- No cooling fan.
Summary
The Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7643 is a basic walking treadmill, equipped with a 2.5 HP peak power motor with a speed range between 0.5-6.0 MPH. It features a basic console without workout programs, which shows speed, time, distance and calories burned. But on the other hand, it features a heavy-duty construction with a weight capacity of 350 lbs. It’s an excellent machine for walking or light jogging cardio workouts, muscle toning, recovery training and weight loss. And finally, although it’s a bit expensive for the range of features that it offers, its durable construction is definitely worth the extra buck.