BIRD™: Belt Installation and Rotation Device

When you’re in charge of safety, you’re in charge of protecting people’s lives. Especially in highly volatile environments like oil drilling, mining, construction, and manufacturing. One small oversight could shut down your operation—and cost you millions in lost production, downtime, or even someone’s life. At Gates, we take safety seriously.


That is why Gates has introduced the BIRD™, the Belt Installation and Rotation Device, which is a switchable magnetic clamp equipped with permanent magnets and is designed for attachment (by hand) to metallic sheaves and sprockets.

The BIRD is a specially designed, tightly compacted device, which creates a magnetic field that develops an incredible attractive force on ferromagnetic materials.




And just as the BIRD is a tool for safety, Gates recommends practicing safety when using this device. The BIRD may only be used to rotate metallic sheaves and sprockets. Proper use includes adherence to the start-up, operating, environment, and maintenance conditions specified by Gates. The user bears sole responsibility for understanding this operating manual as well as for the proper use and maintenance of the BIRD.


Please contact Gates Product Application Support at 303-744-5800 or ptpasupport@gates.com if you have any questions prior to using this device.

What is Draftguard®?

Draftguard® is an anti-rotation device typically used to stop ACHE fans from rotating backwards.    Reverse rotation can strain the motor system during start up and pose a safety hazard to maintenance workers; eliminating reverse rotation can improve safety and reduce maintenance.  

While Draftguard has typically been applied to ACHE fans,  it can be used in other applications to limit rotation to a single direction.  Draftguard can be mounted to the following bushings:

• 3020, 3525, 3535, and 4030 (TL style)
• E, F, and J (QD style)

A locking ring is also available to mount Draftguard in cases where it can not be mounted directly to the bushing.

 Learn more about Gates' Draftguard anti-rotation solution at www.gates.com/draftguard/.