From the Shop: They drive the world
1 Nov, 2006 By: Harry Smith Landscape ManagementThe lowly power transmission belt: It seems crude and low-tech, but if you look closely, it's just about everywhere.
There are v-belts, flat belts, hexagonal belts, toothed belts, cogged belts and even belts that do the impossible and run in oil. For all their hard work, though, belts are frequently touted as a liability. You may even hear a salesperson say proudly, "There are no belts in the drive system." Or, "We have eliminated the belts from the blade drive."
Are they that problematic — no.
John Deere offers The Fundamentals of Service, an excellent series of instructional books. One of the books in this series is Belts and Chains. Quoting from this book, "Power efficiency is 94% to 98% after break-in." You obviously cannot fault belts for efficiency. This is at least 10% to 15% better than hydraulic drive system efficiencies.
Belts like a clean machine
So what about other accusations leveled at these frictional drives? Most "problems" boil down to a lack of preventive maintenance.
For example, most belts hate grease and oil. Belts can slip and overheat if they become greasy. Some belts will even deteriorate if oil- or grease-soaked.
Belts require periodic maintenance and inspection. We have all been guilty of hanging out at the Zero Maintenance Club. Ignoring maintenance requirements and waiting for something to break is false economy.
Belts must be inspected and maintained. A total failure of a belt drive system will never equal the cost of a failed hydraulic system. This difference in cost over other power transmission systems is the primary attraction of belt drives.
Folks, belts do drive everything everywhere. They're cheap, they're efficient and frequently, for certain applications, they're still the best design solution. Just remember the rules: Keep belt systems adjusted and clean. If a belt slips, find out why.
Also, don't just coat a slipping belt with belt dressing. Belt dressing is not a solution, and no reputable belt manufacturer will recommend it. Belts are transmitting more power around the world than any other system. They do the job.
— The author is turf equipment professor at Lake City Community College, Lake City, FL. Contact him at
smith@lakecitycc.edu.
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