Link belts?

[BurtB 88]

Did a quick search but didn't find anything. Has anyone tried using link belts?

 

They allow you to make a belt any length you want, dampen vibration and squeal, relatively cheap, durable, if you blow a link you just pop in a new one. If you have an assembly like a spindle that it goes around, you don't have to take anything apart to put it on. Some say they're not great for clutched applications, but others don't have any problems. I've used them on lathes and drill presses with good results.

 

Will be adding mule drive to front of my GT-14 this week per Daveoman. Looking at belt options and thought of this.

 

Edited August 26 by BurtB
typo

[ebinmaine 67,397]

10 minutes ago, BurtB said:

relatively cheap,

 

What's your source there? 

 

We had one here that came in on a machine.  Interesting concept but the cost was WAY higher than a proper belt.  

 

I can definitely see using one as a repeated shop tool for finding the correct belt length.  

[BurtB 88]

6 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

 

What's your source there? 

 

Not sure if I'm allowed to link, but Amazon has 25' of the 1/2" green version for $51.00. Free shipping but we have Prime. They are a little pricier than traditional belts, but the price has come way down in the last few years.

Edited August 26 by BurtB
typo

[ebinmaine 67,397]

6 minutes ago, BurtB said:

 

Not sure if I'm allowed to link, but Amazon has 25' of the 1/2" green version for $51.00. Free shipping but we have Prime. They are a little pricier than traditional belts, but the price has come way down in the last few years.

 

 

That's a very good price. Much much cheaper than a few years ago.

[BurtB 88]

6 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

 

 

That's a very good price. Much much cheaper than a few years ago.

 

Think I should try it?

[squonk 41,051]

I think they pretty much suck. To replace the hydraulic belt on my Power King you either have to remove the engine or the trans. Not really a hard job. A lot of PK guys use a link belt. They work fine for the small pump operating the 3 point lift. But try it on the bigger pump operating a loader and they burn right up. 

Edited August 26 by squonk

[Ed Kennell 38,114]

I have zero experience  with them, but have my doubts they would work with the Wheel Horse drive systems where back side idler pulleys and belt retainers are used.

[ebinmaine 67,397]

26 minutes ago, BurtB said:

 

Think I should try it?

 

Just now, Ed Kennell said:

I have zero experience  with them, but have my doubts they would work with the Wheel Horse drive systems where back side idler pulleys and belt retainers are used.

 

 

 

 

 

I would only use a link belt as a temporary sizing opportunity. But what I've been doing for the last few years is try to get a rough measurement and buy five belts. Return the four that I don't need.

[BurtB 88]

Fair enough. Just about worth loading it on the trailer and taking it to the store to try different belts.

[peter lena 8,604]

@Burt B, think those link belts , at best is a simple open  pulley to pulley , horses have too many idler / and back side  contact areas , making a train wreck .  be very careful with any intended use , having your self  pulled into  a drive  is , terrible , pete

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Ed Kennell 38,114]

1 minute ago, BurtB said:

Fair enough. Just about worth loading it on the trailer and taking it to the store to try different belts.

Just use a hank of rope to get a rough measurement.    Then go to TSC and like Eric says,  buy five belts and return the four that don't  fit for a full refund.

[ri702bill 8,311]

Here goes - ....

They are directional for transferring power. They stretch and have a lower load carrying capacity than regular flat or V belts of comparable size.... and they are noisy.

Ofter used as Mike said to replace a belt that is captured on at least one end by bearings ( think gear drive decks or South Bend Lathe).

 

Good to detetmine OAL sizing and 1 step above using a pair of pantyhose as an emergency fanbelt on an old 6 cylinder !!  

Edited August 26 by ri702bill

[squonk 41,051]

I can hear it now as the tin Lizzy grinds to a halt. " Ok ma, we need you to contribute to the ride home! " 

[ri702bill 8,311]

I actually DO have a similar story when the vacuum hose on my Chevy 210 broke off during a gully washer and the vacuum wipers stopped while parked under a flooding overpass... 

Actully "R" rated, not something I would openly post on the Forum......  could be worth a PM tho.....

[ri702bill 8,311]

6 hours ago, squonk said:

I think they pretty much suck. To replace the hydraulic belt on my Power King you either have to remove the engine or the trans. Not really a hard job. A lot of PK guys use a link belt. They work fine for the small pump operating the 3 point lift. But try it on the bigger pump operating a loader and they burn right up. 

 

Yup, they do indeed sucketh...

[Pullstart 62,831]

9 hours ago, ri702bill said:

1 step above using a pair of pantyhose as an emergency fanbelt on an old 6 cylinder

I had an ‘81 VW Rabbit with the 1.6L diesel in it.  Real gem it was!  The V belt blew and I had a bale of hay in the back.  I used the twine to get it going, bought a new V belt and had all the tools in the car for a test to see when the twine would finally broke.   Well, when it did break, it sucked up into the timing belt and blew the engine 

[ri702bill 8,311]

2 hours ago, Pullstart said:

I had an ‘81 VW Rabbit with the 1.6L diesel in it.  Real gem it was!  The V belt blew and I had a bale of hay in the back.  I used the twine to get it going, bought a new V belt and had all the tools in the car for a test to see when the twine would finally broke.   Well, when it did break, it sucked up into the timing belt and blew the engine 

 

So close, and yet, so far...... You probably did it a favor. 

[Lee1977 6,655]

They use to be fairly good belts when punched out of a rubber conveyor belt and held together with metal pins. That looks to be plastic with very little grip.