Replacing Multiple V-belts

Sometimes, only one V-belt fails on a drive that uses multiple V-belts. So, should all of the belts be replaced if only one of them fails, or can just the failed belt be replaced?

The answer is that all V-belts on a multi-groove drive should be replaced at the same time and with belts from a single manufacturer.  Mixing new and old belts or belts from different manufacturers will create a situation where the belts do not evenly share the load. This can lead to premature belt failure and uneven wear of the sheave grooves.

Who to Call

Have you ever found yourself in a position where you need support for a particular Gates product but aren't sure how to get a hold of the correct department?  Below is a list of the various groups within Gates that can best address your product questions or concerns.

• For help regarding industrial belts and sprockets including drive design assistance please contact the Industrial Power Transmission Product Application Engineering group at:

• PTPASupport@Gates.com or 303-744-5800

• For help regarding automotive and transportation applications including lawn & garden, recreation vehicles, and industrial fleet vehicles please contact our Automotive Product Application group at:

• APATeam@Gates.com or 303-744-5651

• For help regarding fluid power products including hydraulic and fluid transfer hose, connectors and couplings, and crimpers please contact the Fluid Power Product Application Engineering group at:

• FPPASupport@Gates.com or 303-744-5070

• For help regarding specialty metal components including custom sheaves and sprockets, specialty materials, and non-stock bushings please contact the Made-to-Order Metals group at:

• MakeMyMetal@Gates.com or 800-709-6001

Balance and Rim Speeds

Gates stock sprockets and sheaves are all given a static balance up to 6500 feet per minute.  This number is a rim speed, not an RPM.  The maximum RPM a particular sprocket or sheave can achieve is also affected by it's diameter.  The larger the diameter, the higher the rim speed, and if you exceed the 6500 ft/min limit, you need dynamic balancing to the particular speed you are trying to achieve.  Dynamic balancing is not a stock offering, but Gates does have a department called Made To Order Metals that can help you source specialty balanced metal.  You can get a hold of MTO Metals by phone at 1-800-709-6001, or by email at makemymetal@gates.com

Not sure what your rim speed is?  Use our free design software to have it calculated, or the equations below.

Here's what you need:

Diameter (inches)
RPM

First  calculate perimeter (inches): Pi * Diameter or 2 * Pi * Radius

Then calculate rim speed (feet per minute): Perimeter * RPM / 12

Don't Mix and Mismatch Your Pulleys and Bushings

All Gates pulleys and corresponding bushings use mounting screws with imperial threads. Even bushings with metric bores use imperial threads so they can still work with our pulleys. Buying bushings with metric bores from other suppliers may not work with Gates pulleys because they could have metric threads. To avoid this issue always source parts from your local Gates distributor.

Temperature Ratings and the new Super HC XP

We frequently get asked about the temperature capacity of our V-belts.  We actually have a chart in our Heavy Duty Drive Design Manual that shows the temperature ratings for our standard line V-belts.  However, our new product line, Super HC XP has an even wider temperature rating of -60F to 250F!

Belt Identification

Did your Gates industrial belt last so long that the label is no longer legible? If you have no record of what belt is used in your application then the Gates Belt ID Chart is a great resource to identify your belt. Once you know the belt type you can find the part number using our Industrial PT Catalog or online catalog.

Replacing 8YU Type Synchronous Belts

We occasionally receive requests to provide belt interchanges or recommend replacements for synchronous belts identified as 8YU.  The 8YU drive system was originally developed by Unitta, a Japanese company in partnership with Gates, for use in the automotive industry.  The system was later commercialized for industrial type usage and introduced to Asian industrial markets. 

The 8YU system uses a unique belt tooth and sprocket groove form that is not interchangeable with other industrial synchronous belt drive systems.  There are no standard belts, available from Gates or other manufacturers, that can be used in 8YU type sprockets. Replacement belts must be 8YU type, and can be obtained either from OEM equipment manufacturers or from Unitta directly.

For further information, feel free to contact Gates Product Application Engineering at 303-744-5800 or at ptpasupport@gates.com.