During pre-season machinery inspections, it is essential to check and adjust the condition of belts, as they play a crucial role in equipment operation.
In this article, we explain the four most common causes of belt failure and how to solve them, based on the experience of Optibelt transmission specialists.
Belt Breakage After a Short Period of Use
Causes
- Forced installation that has damaged the tension cord
- Seized or blocked drive system
- Foreign objects affecting the belt during operation
- Undersized drive system or an insufficient number of belts
Solutions
- Install the belt without force, following the installation instructions
- Identify and eliminate the root cause
- Install a protective guard
- Check the transmission ratios and redesign the drive sizing if necessary
Belt Failure – Excessive Sidewall Wear
Causes
- Insufficient static belt tension
- Excessive starting torque
- Worn pulley grooves
- Incorrect belt or pulley groove profile
- Incorrect groove angle
- Misaligned pulleys
- Minimum pulley diameter not respected
- Belt rubbing against or striking other components
Solutions
- Check the static belt tension and adjust it if necessary
- Verify the transmission ratios and resize the system if required
- Replace the pulleys
- Match the belt profile to the pulley groove profile
- Re-machine or replace the pulleys
- Align the pulleys correctly
- Increase the pulley diameter
- Remove interfering components
Belt with Abrasion, Cracks and Tears
Causes
Use of an external idler pulley whose position and diameter do not comply with manufacturer recommendations
Excessive belt slippage
Minimum pulley diameter not respected
Excessive heat
Excessive cold
Exposure to chemicals
Solutions
Increase the pulley diameter. Install an internal idler pulley on the slack side.
Retension the belt according to the installation instructions; check transmission ratios and resize the drive if necessary.
Observe the minimum pulley diameter requirements.
Remove the heat source, install shielding, and improve ventilation.
Warm up the belts before startup.
Shield the transmission system from chemicals.
Belt with Cracks – Strong Belt Vibrations
Causes
Undersized drive system
Shaft center distance significantly greater than recommended
High impact loads
Insufficient belt tension
Unbalanced V-belt pulleys
Solutions
Check the transmission ratios and resize the system if necessary
Reduce the center distance; install an internal tensioning pulley
Correct the static belt tension
Install a tensioning pulley
Balance the pulleys
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