Damaged, worn or dirty sheaves will substantially reduce belt life. Nicks or gouges can cut the belt, dirt in the grooves can abrade the belt and oil can attack the belt materials. Worn grooves will allow the belt to bottom out, slip and become damaged.

Select the proper sheave groove gauge and template for the sheave diameter. Insert the gauge in the groove and look for voids which indicate dishing or other uneven and abnormal wear. Besser Company offers a belt and groove gauge, part number 112541.

Place a new belt in the sheave groove. The top of the belt should be flush with the outer diameter of the sheave. If the belt top is below the outer diameter of the sheave, the groove is worn.

Each brand of V-belt has different performance characteristics. Drives will not deliver the power or service expected when a mix of belt brands is used.

Always replace complete sets of V-belts with new V-belts, even if only one or two appear worn or damaged.

Do not attempt to assemble two or more used V-belts for a set. They will not perform as expected.

Reusing V-belts where matched sets are required will substantially reduce the life of the drive.

NOTE: Torque team belts (joined belts) provide the benefits of the joined principal as well as a wider team. A matched set of a two-belt and a three-belt torque team will provide service equal to five single belts in a team. Sheave wear is very important to long life for any V-belt, but critical for torque team belt applications. Worn sheaves will destroy joined belts very quickly.

Do not use belt dressings of any kind. Certain dressings are meant to build a tacky surface, but only interfere with proper belt and groove fit as any other foreign material would. Other types attack the belt rubber and fabric to make it tacky. This actually accelerates the time to failure. If belts slip or squeak, the problem should be identified and corrected.

BELT TENSIOMETER

Ideal belt tension is the lowest tension at which the belts will not slip at peak load conditions. Under tensioning of belts can result in belt slippage and can shorten belt life. Over tensioning of belts could shorten both belt and bearing life.

Check belt tension frequently during the first 24 to 48 hours of "run-in" operation. The average deflection force for Vibrapac concrete products machines equipped with a Bescodyne Drive is 12 pounds and for Dynapac concrete products machines it is 10 pounds.

No. 106666 Belt Tensiometer

Posted 31 July 2000