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General Forestry => Sawmills and Milling => Topic started by: Andy White on January 30, 2013, 08:33:47 PM

Title: Loose Bandwheel Belts
Post by: Andy White on January 30, 2013, 08:33:47 PM
I had a small sawing job for a neighbor on Friday, so after checking the mill, I decided it was time to change bandwheel idler and drive belts. After the parts man at the auto parts house said he had no sawmill belts, I called Neil at Woodland Mills for the part numbers. After a short discussion he said he would send me a new set that they were testing out.They are a bottom cogged belt by Gates. He said if I needed them sooner, to go to the auto parts store and ask for a BX77 and a BX58 by Gates. I installed them and noticed the idler belt looked too big. After measuring the outside circumference the old one was 60" and the new one was 61". I started to reinstall the old belt thinking that the new one would never work. Then for kicks, I left it on to see what would happen. The mill has never run smoother, no slipping, no viberation.and no sawdust under the belt. It really didn't look right, but it sure did work. I am glad I'm still learning about things I thought I knew.   Andy

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Title: Re: Loose Bandwheel Belts
Post by: tyb525 on January 30, 2013, 08:36:01 PM
I've never seen a belt run that loose, but Woodmizer belts are a little loose. Not that loose though.
Title: Re: Loose Bandwheel Belts
Post by: Slab Slicer on January 30, 2013, 08:37:01 PM
The band wheel belts on my LT 15 look about the same when installed. I like the belt set up. It beats having a set of wheels crowned after they wear.  :)
Title: Re: Loose Bandwheel Belts
Post by: Chuck White on January 30, 2013, 08:41:40 PM
The LT40 blade belts are about the same as far as looseness goes.
Title: Re: Loose Bandwheel Belts
Post by: bandmiller2 on January 30, 2013, 08:53:19 PM
You can go tightie or loosie boath work well,I've run boath but prefer tight its handy if you can scorce your belts local. Frank C.
Title: Re: Loose Bandwheel Belts
Post by: GeorgeK on January 30, 2013, 09:03:08 PM
My LT40 belts seemed real loose at 10 degrees F outside. But it just came from service so figured it was right and it runs like a champ also.
Title: Re: Loose Bandwheel Belts
Post by: Okrafarmer on January 30, 2013, 09:15:56 PM
I just replaced the belts on my LT-40HD and they are quite loose. At first I thought the auto parts store messed up on the number, but they seem to go just fine.
Title: Re: Loose Bandwheel Belts
Post by: hamish on January 31, 2013, 07:50:16 PM
Bizarre that they recommended a BX series belt over the crowned B series.

At least they were Gates, cant get any better.
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