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Single Point Lesson - V-Belt Maintenance 101

This document provides guidance on v-belt maintenance best practices. It outlines key rules for ensuring proper alignment using tools like sheave laser alignment and span sonic tension meters. Over-tensioning belts is identified as a primary cause of failure, reducing bearing life by 10% with just 10% over-tensioning. The document also details common failure modes like tension loss, tensile break, and cracking from temperature issues. Proper storage is emphasized to maximize belt life.

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Pablo Scott
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161 views4 pages

Single Point Lesson - V-Belt Maintenance 101

This document provides guidance on v-belt maintenance best practices. It outlines key rules for ensuring proper alignment using tools like sheave laser alignment and span sonic tension meters. Over-tensioning belts is identified as a primary cause of failure, reducing bearing life by 10% with just 10% over-tensioning. The document also details common failure modes like tension loss, tensile break, and cracking from temperature issues. Proper storage is emphasized to maximize belt life.

Uploaded by

Pablo Scott
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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S IN G L E P O IN T L E S S O N

V- BELT
M A INTEN A NCE 101
B Y R IC K Y S M IT H , C M R P

In Partnership With:
The Maintenance Community by UpKeep
V - BELT M A INTEN A NCE 101 R.SMITH | 02

Reference: Belt Drive Preventive Maintenance Manual by Gates Corporation

V- Belt Maintenance is a requirement if you want to ensure optimal belt drive performance.
This process requires proper maintenance and discipline to ensure effective belt operation
and a long service life. When coupled with a regularly scheduled maintenance program, belt
drives will run relatively trouble-free for a long time. Remember this: “Life of the v-belt
begins with Installation”.

General Rules: (i f you want to stop V-Belt failures)


1. Ensure proper alignment of sheaves both parallel and angular using a sheave laser
alignment tool.Do not use a straight edge or string if one expects optimal life from your V-
Belts.
2. Use a span sonic tension meter to measure deflection and tension of a V-Belt. To
determinedefection and tension required go to your belt manufacture.

3. Another tool to use is simple tool to measure tension and deflection using a tension gauge.

4. WARNING: Over-tension of belts is the number one cause of V-Belt Failure. 10% over-
tension of V-Belts result in a reduction of bearing life by 10%.
5. Use Infrared for identifying over tension. Use vibration analysis for loose or damaged
belts andstrobe-lights for operator or maintenance craft inspections.
6. Upon installation, new belts should be checked for proper tension after 24 hours of
operation using a strobe light or tachometer. Failure to execute this process on critical assets
could result inV-Belts not meeting expectations of the end user.
7. Tighten all bolts using a torque wrench and proper torque specifications.

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2.

V - BELT M A INTEN A NCE 101


5 R.SMITH | 03

8. One option is to mark the back side of the V-Belt Guard in Yellow with 2 marks in black which
is the expected deflection as the V-Belt rotates. (no shutdown required) As part of Operator
Care works great because in most cases an operator walks past the V-Belts and checks
“Good” or “Bad”in most production organizations.

Failure Modes experienced on V-Belt Drives:

Tension Loss, Caused by:


Weak support structure
Lubricant on belts
Excessive sheave wear
Excessive load
Sub-minimal diameter (see chart)

Tensile Break, Caused by:


Excessive shock load

Improper belt handling and storage prior to installation (crimping)


First end, last out checkout for V-Belts
Belts should be stored in a cool and dry environment with no direct sunlight. Ideally, less than
85˚ F and 70% relative humidity.
V-belts may be stored by hanging on a wall rack if they are hung on a saddle or
diameter atleast as large as the minimum diameter sheave recommended for the belt cross
section.
When the belts are stored, they must not be bent to diameters smaller than the minimum
recommended sheave diameter for that cross section and not store hanging from a hook.
Belts may be stored up to six years if properly stored at temperatures less than 85˚F and
relative humidity less than 70%.

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V - BELT M A INTEN A NCE 101 R.SMITH | 04

If the storage temperature is higher than 85˚ F, the storage limit for normal service
performance is reduced by one half for each 15˚F increase in temperature. Belts should never
be stored above 115 degrees F.
Belt Cracking, Caused by:
Extreme low temperature at start-up (see chart above)
Extended exposure to chemicals or lubricants

Recommended Baldor V-Belt Troubleshooting Guide. Go to the following for download:


library.e.abb.com/public/b76576ebc903091785257b44006cba6a/MN4002_4002-
310.pdf

Questions or comments: [email protected].

Checkout my website at: www.worldclassmaintenance.org

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