Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers

[dadohead]

V-belt characteristics vary based on their application and construction. Is the belt to be used for clutching? Full load start/stops? Does it see mis-alignment? (like rotary mower primary drives). The loading and the specific application determines belt construction and final tension.

Polyester cords stretch. Aramid cords dont. Wrap molded belts offer smoothest engagement; raw edge belts can carry higher loads. The scale on a tension gage considers nothing of importance.

Belt drives need 3 things to transmit power:

• Sufficient sheave size
• Sufficient belt wrap
• Sufficient tension

Loss of any one of these three leads to slippage, heat, and failure. Proper belt wrap is easy on a 2 sheave drive; both pulleys give the belt approximately 180 degs of wrap. Most manufacturers cheese-out on sheave size: larger sheaves are expensive. They can spec them down to a bare minimum and get through the warranty period ok. The manufacturers described in this thread have left tension completely up to the customer. Smoke a belt? "Well, YOU didn't tension it right." Don't put up with this! Carefully review the design before you buy their products.