Properly installing new belts

The longevity of your transmissions depends largely on the installation and proper maintenance of your belts. By following these best practices, you can significantly reduce downtime and production stoppages in your facilities.

Here are the main best practices for installing belts:

Securing your work environment

  • Always switch off the machines and padlock them. Perform a start test.
  • Place the transmission elements in a safe position.
  • Dress appropriately for the task (PPE).
  • Remove the safety guard and make sure to replace it appropriately after the work.
  • Declutter your work environment and delimit the work area.
  • Following the work, carry out quality control by measuring the vibrations.

Install new belts

Clean and visually inspect the condition of the pulley grooves. Wear can be measured with the help of a pulley gauge (intervention during downtime).

Measure shaft deflection and pulley runout with the help of the dial gauge, tolerances should be within standard.

Check applicable tension and deflection per manufacturer’s specifications. Always refer to the chart provided by the manufacturer according to the type of belt, either trapezoidal or notched (intervention during downtime).

Aligning the pulleys

Make sure that the pulleys are correctly aligned with the help of a laser device (intervention during downtime).

In order to achieve proper alignment, it may be necessary to adjust the position of the pulleys on the driveshaft. It is imperative to tighten the bolts with the recommended torque using a torque wrench.

TYPE QDBOLTTORQUE
(LBS-FEET)
JA
SH-SDS-SD
SK
10-24
1/4-20
5/16-18
5
9
15
SF
E
F
3/8-16
1/2-13
9/16-12
30
60
75
J
M
N
5/8-11
3/4-10
7/8-9
135
225
300
P
W
S
1-8
1 1/8-7
1 1/4-7
450
600
750
TAPER
LOCK TYPE
QUANTITYDIMENSIONTORQUE
(LBS-FEET)
1008
1108
1210
1215
2
2
2
2
1/4 x 1/2
1/4 x 1/2
3/8 x 5/8
3/8 x 5/8
55
55
175
175
1310
1610
1615
2012
2
2
2
2
3/8 x 5/8
3/8 x 5/8
3/8 x 5/8
7/16 x 7/8
175
175
175
280
2517
2525
3020
3030
2
2
2
2
1/2 x 1
1/2 x 1
5/8 x 1 1/4
5/8 x 1 1/4
430
430
800
800
3535
4040
4545
5050
3
3
3
3
1/2 x 1 1/2
5/8 x 1 3/4
3/4 x 2
7/8 x 2 1/4
1000
1700
2450
3100
6050
7060
3
4
1 1/4 x 3 1/2
1 1/4 x 3 1/2
7820
7820

Adjustment of the key

To adjust the key, measure and check the correct key length, using the applicable formulas (intervention during downtime).

Adjusting a square key

Adjusting a rectangular key

Check the tension applied 24 hours after installing a new belt (intervention during downtime).

Note :
This information is given for reference only. It is based on the experience and know-how of Spartakus Technologies and assumes prior consultation of the manufacturer’s specifications.

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