This chart identifies solutions to common problems you may encounter if belt drives aren’t properly designed, installed or maintained. Once problems have been identified and corrected, your Bando belt drives will give you efficient performance and economical service.
Problem
Cause
Solution
Solution
Incorrectly placed flat idler pulley
Align idler on slack side close to driver
Worn or damaged grooves
Replace sheaves
Underdesigned drive
Redesign drive
Distance between shafts too long
Install idler
Tensile cords damaged from incorrect installation
Replace belts with a new matched set. Follow installation instructions on page 132
Belt lengths uneven
Replace with a new matched set of belts
Wrong type or cross section belt
Replace with correct belt
Belts too loose
Retension
Vibration and shock loads cause belts to jump and whip
Use Bando Combo
Debris in grooves
Clean grooves and protect drive with guard
Misaligned sheaves
Realign sheaves
Tensile cord broken from incorrect installation
Replace belts with a new matched set. Follow installation instructions on page 132
Incorrectly placed flat idler pulley
Align idler on slack side close to driver
Worn sheave grooves
Replace sheaves
Worn sheave grooves, belts bottom out
Replace sheaves and retension
Slippage
Retension drive
Sheaves too far out on shaft
Design error or obstruction problem
Redesign and place sheaves as close as possible to bearings
Bad bearings
Design error or poor maintenance
Redesign and/or maintain correctly
Sheaves too small
Design error
Redesign drive
Belt Turnover
Separation of cover Oil or grease plies. Soft, stick swollen side-walls.
Remove source of oil or gease and clean belts with detergent and water
Separation of cover plies. Dry, hard sidewalls. Cracked bottom
High temperatures
Remove heat source and/or improve ventilation
Cracked belt bottom
Sheaves too small
Redesign drive
Backside idler pulley too small
Redesign drive
Slippage
Retension drive
Excessive tension
Reduce tension
Objects hitting belts
Protect drive with guard
Belt ran off sheave
Check tension and alignment
Improper installation
Follow installation instructions on page 132 Undertensioned drive
Belt deterioration
Belt dressing
Extreme cover wear, worn corners
Belt rubs on guard
Never use belt dressing. Clean belt with detergent and water Align drive to give proper clearance
Broken belts
Belt cut on bottom
Dusty environment
Clean belt and protect guard
Clean rust from sheaves; Sheaves rusted; sheaves have sharp cor- file down sharp corners and burrs ners or burrs
Spin burns
Belt Troublehshooting Belt TroublehshootingGuide Guide
Cause
Vibration
V-Belts Short Belt Life Short life - no visible reason
Problem
Belt Stretch Equal stretch
Unequal stretch
Slippage
Retension drive
Slippage
Retension drive
Underdesigned drive
Redesign drive
Water or oil
Clean belt and protect guard
Underdesigned or overloaded drive
Redesign drive
Insufficient take up allowance
Check drive design manual
Misaligned drive
Realign and retension drive
Hot Bearings Overtensioned drive
Timing Belts Cracks on backing
Low temperatures
Increase temperature or check with Bando for special construction belt
High temperatures
Cool drive or check with Bando for special construction belt
Softening of backing
Exposure to oil
Remove source of oil or check with Bando for special construction belt
Tensile or tooth shear failure
Small pulley diameter
Redesign drive
Less than 6 teeth-inmesh
Increase teeth-in-mesh or use smaller pitch belt
Excessive load
Redesign drive
Misalignment
Realign drive
Excessive tension
Reduce tension
Small pulleys
Redesign drive
Excessive load
Redesign drive
Excessive edge wear
Misalignment or nonrigid centers
Realign and reinforce mounting
Excessive wear on tooth fabric
Overtensioned or underdesigned drive
Reduce tension or redesign
Noise
Tensile cord broken from Replace belts with a new matched set. Follow installaincorrect installation tion instructions on page 132 Belt Noise Slippage
Retension drive
Design error
Redesign drive
Improper Drive Speed
Refer to page 132 for proper V-belt installation.
134
To find an authorized BANDO distributor, go to www.bandousa.com or call 1-800-829-6612