Re: Gates Timing Belts

Les, Gary, et al:

At 06:56 PM 2/19/01 +0000, you wrote:

>2. At 4000 rpm, 3mm belts can take about 2.2 horsepower (35 lb-in)
>BUT this only applies with wide belts and large pulleys.

Note the 35 lb-in here. This small belt carries 2.2 HP but only 35 lb-in
torque at 4000 rpm. This is nearly linear (at lower speeds), it will carry
1.1 HP at 2000 rpm.

>3. Belt length is also a factor. Shorter belts can't take as much
>torque as longer belts. (Don't ask me why, it seems kind of
>unintuitive - but it works).

I've always thought this was for life. A longer belt, everything else
being equal, will be bent fewer times going around the pulleys than the
shorter belt. Since the longer belt is flexed fewer times it will last
longer. I think the Mfg adjusts power ratings to account for this.

Hugh Currin
Klamath Falls, OR