V-Belt Maintenance Tips

How to Diagnose V-Belt Failure

Snub Break Ply Separation

Cause
Cause
Split along pitch line indicating belt
Cover wear indicates slip. Clean break
ran over too small a sheave.
reveals sudden snap.
Prevention
Prevention
Redesign drive using sheaves of
Maintain proper tension on the drive.
proper size.

Ruptured
Distorted Belt Cause
Cause Ruptured cords in the plies.
Breakdown of adhesion or broken cords. Prevention
Prevention Check for rocks or tools falling into
Do not pry belts on drives. Check sheaves sheave grooves. Check tension.
for recommended diameters. Belts loose enough to twist in groove
can rupture cords.
Abrasion
Cause Worn Belt Sides
Foreign material and rust in sheaves wore Cause
away sidewalls, letting belt drop to bottom Misalignment. Grit or dirt. Normal
of groove. wear.
Prevention Prevention
Dust guards help protect against abra- Align sheaves. Replace belts as
sion. Tension must be maintained in dusty required.
atmospheres.

Oil Deterioration
Cause
Oil-softened rubber.
Prevention V-Belt Belt Section Minimum
Splash guards will protect drives against oil. Sheave Pitch Diameter
Although Classical belts are oil resisting, A 3”
excessive oil can cause some deterioration. B 5.4”
Classical C 9”
Cover Fabric Rupture D 13”
Cause E 21”
Cover fabric ruptured when belt was pried AX 2.2”
over sheave during installation. Classical BX 4”
Prevention Cogged CX 6.8”
Proper installation of belts by moving motor 3V 2.6”
so belts do not have to be pried into the Narrow 5V 7.1”
grooves. 8V 12.5”
Narrow 3VX 2.2”
Slip Burn Cogged 5VX 4.4”
Cause
Belt too loose. Belt didn’t move, friction
against sheave burned rubber. When belt Safety should be your number one concern.
finally grabbed, it snapped * Always turn equipment OFF before installing a belt.
Prevention * Every v-belt should have a proper belt guard.
Maintain proper tension on the drive. * Before installation, check safe speed limits for sheaves.
* Before installation, lock out the disconnect switch, control
Base Cracking valve or the like.
Cause * Wear gloves when inspecting sheaves to prevent injury from
Sever back-bend idlers. Improper storage. burrs.
Excessive ambient operating temperature.
Prevention
Check storage conditions. If back-bend idler
cannot be avoided, install idler for larger
diameter. Avoid ambient temperature over
140°.

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