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General Forestry => Sawmills and Milling => Topic started by: Trapper John on May 23, 2016, 03:09:53 PM

Title: 4 speed transmission to flat belt pulley
Post by: Trapper John on May 23, 2016, 03:09:53 PM
I plan to attach a 16X8 inch flat belt pulley to a chevy 4 speed transmission to run my Belsaw.  Has anyone tried attaching it directly to the transmission shaft?  Or should I support it with bearing(s)?  How would one align the bearing(s) to the transmission?  Any help greatly appreciated.  John
Title: Re: 4 speed transmission to flat belt pulley
Post by: ladylake on May 23, 2016, 03:26:34 PM
I don't think the output shafts on a tranny are designed for much side load and wouldn't hold up, if you use the tranny a pillow block bearing on both sides of the pulley would work, no side load on the tranny.  Steve
Title: Re: 4 speed transmission to flat belt pulley
Post by: Trapper John on May 23, 2016, 05:40:32 PM
Steve, It would be easier for me to transition from the transmission to a shaft if I used the U-joint already there, even if I don't need it.  Anything wrong with that?  John
Title: Re: 4 speed transmission to flat belt pulley
Post by: Ox on May 23, 2016, 05:50:32 PM
Automotive trannys can't take side loads on the shafts like ladylake said.  Just make believe the tranny is still in the vehicle and be sure it doesn't know the difference of what it's doing.  How about using the driveshaft directly to the saw arbor?  With u-joints in place, of course.  Is this what you were saying in your last post?
Title: Re: 4 speed transmission to flat belt pulley
Post by: ladylake on May 23, 2016, 06:11:16 PM
 For sure use the u joints, try not to angle too much.  I like Ox's idea, you should be able to get the right speed in one of the gears, transmissions are made to take the torque of the engine in any gear but keep a eye on the trans temp if you run a lower gear for a long time, might want to get hot .  Steve
Title: Re: 4 speed transmission to flat belt pulley
Post by: Kbeitz on May 23, 2016, 06:13:01 PM
I just did that...
I made a solid driveshaft with two piller block bearings with the pulley in the middle of the driveshaft.
Title: Re: 4 speed transmission to flat belt pulley
Post by: goose63 on May 23, 2016, 06:39:48 PM
This what Steve did

 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33477/DSCN0610~0.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1442320988) 

 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33477/DSCN0612~0.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1442321130) 

 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/33477/DSCN0611~0.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1442321162)

He has been runing it for 5 years now but it's a week end thing in the summer
Title: Re: 4 speed transmission to flat belt pulley
Post by: Kbeitz on May 23, 2016, 06:43:18 PM
It's hard to see because I have a shaft cover over it. But here it is...



 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/39553/DSC04247.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1464043382)
Title: Re: 4 speed transmission to flat belt pulley
Post by: squidboy51 on May 23, 2016, 07:00:19 PM
Kbeitz

Oh boy is that what I think it is....

Are you re-powering the Oliver track layer???

More pictures when you can, I am very excited to see your new build.

squid
Title: Re: 4 speed transmission to flat belt pulley
Post by: Kbeitz on May 23, 2016, 08:01:32 PM
Quote from: squidboy51 on May 23, 2016, 07:00:19 PM
Kbeitz

Oh boy is that what I think it is....

Are you re-powering the Oliver track layer???

More pictures when you can, I am very excited to see your new build.

squid

Yep... Allready go a link started...

https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,86981.0.html

Title: Re: 4 speed transmission to flat belt pulley
Post by: Trapper John on May 23, 2016, 08:40:15 PM
Ox,
The only way I could run a direct shaft to the arbor is if I ran it in reverse gear.  My reverse gear is 6:1 so I would have to run the engine (Chevy 250) at 3600rpm to get 600 rpm at the arbor.  So the plan is transmission to u-joint to bearing to pulley to bearing.  What is a good engine rpm to shoot for?  The Chevy 250 is rated 115 hp at 3600 rpm and I will run a 48" saw with 28 teeth. 
Title: Re: 4 speed transmission to flat belt pulley
Post by: BUGGUTZ on May 23, 2016, 09:12:57 PM
I was told my Chevy powered mill should run in second gear to get the right rpm range.
Title: Re: 4 speed transmission to flat belt pulley
Post by: Joe Lallande on May 30, 2016, 07:28:18 AM
Check out my Belsaw set up .  I converted the old flat belt system to V belts and pulleys.  Good luck.