Belt drive from engine to blade pulley

[Grower]

This issue was discussed some time ago and l was advised that a triple B section belt would do the trick quite nicely in that the question was asked would they do for the drive from the engine, a 24HP diesel to the blade. A 6" pulley is on the motor and it will be driving an 18" pulley to the blade. Would it be possible/impossible, advisable/non advisable to use a reasonably heavy cambelt type drive with a centrifugal clutch? Its just that l saw that Baker have a similar idea on one of their mills. Thanks again. The hydraulic pump still has to be driven from the engine yet as well.................... :P

[bandmiller2]

Grower,cambelts and their sheves[pulleys]along with centrifugal clutches are pricey items,although their nice their not really needed.Three "B" belts is nice but you can probibly get by with two ,three groove sheve  on the engine one to the hyd. pump,two to drive.For clutching you can either rock the engine or have an idler pulley to tighten the belts.When I built my bandmill I used an overcenter idler with a keeper that when released tends to brake the belts and stop the band from spinning.The reason I say two belts is enough is because of the size of your sheves 6" and 18".Frank C.

[Grower]

Well blow me over sideways Bandmiller! The pulley which came with the engine has 4 sheaves on it, a 1 A, a double B and a C. I hopefully wont have to get another drive pulley made now that we what you have told us. And you have also saved me a heap getting a triple B driven pulley made up that weighed like lead (the quote was $500), we will now only need the double B. That's one question I'm pleased to have asked. Have already made a throwout lever to engage/disengage the blade with. Sort of getting going again with the mill building but time being the ever present enemy..........

[bandmiller2]

Good news mate,that "A" groove should be enough for the hyd. pump, you don't need a large one.If you have a business around you that repairs electric motors check them most have a pile of take off used pulleys somewhere usally their cheap.Years ago I bought a whole pallet of assorted ones for 20 bucks must have been 1/2 ton.Frank C.

[eamassey]

If there is any problem about whether a given set of belts will handle the load---consult the published engineering data from the belt manufacturers.  I use an old "Browning" book---I am sure the data would now be available on line. 

But, if there is any question, give me the (1) Horsepower, (2) power source (elec, gas, diesel, etc), (3) RPM, (4) load --in this case I assume bandmill(?), (5) center-to-center distance, and (6) drive ratio desired--and I will specify the sheaves  ////OR/// tell me what sheaves you have available, and I will tell you if, and how well, they will work.

I am experienced in this area.

EAM