Better belting

Problem: What’s the best way to take care of belts?

Solution: Store your spare drive belts in a cool, dark area, preferably in their original shipping cartons, or hang them on properly designed belt racks or hooks. Belts can be damaged by coiling them too tightly or by bending them sharply.

Don’t allow belts to become contaminated by oil, grease or other chemicals. Don’t allow them to become wet or exposed to high temperatures or sunlight.

In use, a v-belt that is falling apart in layers could be a victim of oil, which weakens the compound’s bonds, making the belt soft, spongy and considerably weaker.

Mr. O’s thanks go to Gates Corp. engineers for these belt drive tips.