Replacing B57's

[AdamT]

How many hours are you averaging between replacing your B57's, or if you use a different belt on your mill?

What are some signs of them needing replacing?

Thanks!

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

Adam, I have a little over 800 hours on my LT40. I just put new belts on mine.
However I did have to put new bels on at 203 hours due to a blade breaking and chewing the belts up.

Personally I think its an inspection thing. Keep them clean and watch for the rubber peeling on the edges or other wear.  They should give you long service.

If you travel, keep an extra belt or 2 for emergencies.

I saved my old belts just in case I need them to get by one day. You never know.

[terrifictimbersllc]

Signs? Cuts and bands almost touching metal wheels.  Keeping them clean and rotating them should keep them evenly worn and pretty flat.

[Bibbyman]

 

  

Worn out.  Blade running on wheel.



 

New belt installed. 

I've tested a number of belts for Wood-Mizer and none lived longer or worked better than the Goodyear belts special made for Wood-Mizer.

[Magicman]

I have never had a belt to wear out or flatten because they are cut by blades breaking long before that.  I guess that I get a couple of years out of them.

[pineywoods]

I see no need to change them until the blade's about to touch the steel wheel. I'm with Bibby, the goodyears made for woodmizer will outlast anything I have found. Cheap belts are no bargain...

[AdamT]

Thanks guys!  I guess my belts are still good. They're the originals with just over 500 hours on them. My blades do not touch the wheels.

Is that the only indicator of when its time to replace belts, or are there other reasons to replace them?  That and a broken blade chewing up a belt I can understand too.

[Chuck White]

I remove the sawdust from my belts everytime I change the blade!

Wood-Mizer recommends rotating (switching sides) the belts every 50 hours!

The band should always be at least 1/8 of an inch away from the steel wheels!