Different types of forklift drive belts
Types of V-belts
Made from a rubber compound (natural rubber NR, polyurethane PU, chloroprene CR, HNBR, EPDM, etc.), V-belts are commonly used in engines to drive parts like the fans or the water pump. The belt’s ‘V’ shape fits into the groove of the pulley, resulting in great traction and preventing it from falling off. V-belts also enable high-speed movement and last a long time.
- Raw-edge Cogged V-belts (REC): A rubber V-belt that’s reinforced with tension cords. The sloping sides are cut off so you can clearly see the drawstring. The rubber profile is cogged under the drawstring, making these belts suitable for small pulleys.
- Raw-edge Plain V-Belts (REP): The difference between a REP V-belt and a REC V-belt is that the rubber profile under the drawstring is full. This makes it suitable for pulleys with large diameters.
- Wrapped V-belts: Encased in heavy-duty fabric, wrapped V-belts are highly resistant to chemicals, heat and oil. The fabric offers an extra layer of protection for the tension cords, which means the belt keeps working for longer.
- Powerbands or Kraftbands: A powerband consists of two or more V-belts that are held together by a robust back cover. This greatly increases traction. Powerbands are often used in situations where an individual belt would be prone to slipping or escaping the pulley grooves.
V-ribbed belts
This is a belt with several V-shaped ribs that run the length of the belt. It combines the flexibility of a flat belt with the high-power transmission of a V-belt. V-ribbed belts come with different profiles such as PH, PJ, PK, PL, PM and in different sizes.
Timing belts
The timing belt synchronises the rotation of the crankshaft and the camshaft. For diesel engines, it also synchronises the injection pump. This enables the engine’s valves to open and close at the proper times during each cylinder intake and exhaust stroke. Having a synchronised system is very important; it prevents the piston from hitting the valves.
Round belts
Round belts are often called endless drive belts or endless round belts. Made from polyurethane, these drive belts have more elasticity than rubber belts. They’re calibrated to suit different temperatures and levels of fuel resistance.
Our range includes forklift drive belts from the following brands:
Optibelt - Bando - Dayco - Gates - Goodyear -Ausa - Balkancar -Linde - Jungheinrich - Hyster - Still - Mitsubishi - Nissan - JCB - Caterpillar - Crown - Komatsu - Kalmar - Clark - TCM- Hangcha - Manitou - Yale - Fiat - Steinbock- Atlet - Toyota - Tailift - Heli - Daewoo - EP Forklift - Fenwick - Halla -Hyundai -Lansing - Unicarriers - Utilev -Yang
Tips and tricks for your Forklift's drive belts
- Keep belts clean: Dirt and grease reduce the lifespan of a drive belt. Luckily, this problem is easily avoided by wiping the belt with a rag or dry cloth. If oil or grease is splattered on the belt, clean it with soap and water, making sure to wipe it completely dry afterwards. All belts and belt pulleys should be properly aligned: This enables the drive belts to operate smoothly.
- Check the pulleys and bearings: After stopping the engine, check if the pulleys are hot. Improper lubrication, or a belt that’s too tight or loose, can cause hot pulleys. To solve this issue, add lubricant to the pulley or make adjustments to correct the tension.
- Maintain proper belt tension: Belts that are too loose slip and cause extra wear and tear. Belts that are too tight add extra stress to the bearings. That’s why it’s always important to select the correct V-belt and install it properly. Be aware: A lot of belts now come pre-tensioned to immediately fit the machine. This is handy, but make sure you check the tension within the first 24–48 hours and modify it if necessary.
- Replace pulleys and belts at the same time: If a brand-new belt is placed onto a worn pulley, it can reduce its lifespan by as much as 50%. As a general rule, when the pulley wall is visibly worn, a replacement is due.
- Don’t mix old and new belts on the same drive: This can lead to a range of troubles, including non-uniform tensioning, a reduced lifespan for new belts and reduced power transmission of the drive.
Quality forklift drive belts, approved by our strict quality control department
Our quality control department follows strict standards to ensure only quality forklift drive belts make it onto our shelves:
- Sourcing and rating suppliers: New and existing suppliers face regular quality assessments. We thoroughly test the quality, packaging and overall reliability of each product.
- Sample testing: All samples received from suppliers are subjected to in-depth quality testing.
- Checks and storage: Incoming parts are measured and tested against specs for the specific part, as well as technical data, technical drawings and sample testing reports. Once approved, the part is given an internal code and label, individually packed and then stored in our warehouse where conditions such as humidity and temperature are constantly monitored.
Learn more about out quality control department.
TVH: the best place to buy forklift drive belts
- Large supply in stock and ready to ship – all the forklift drive belts you need.
- First-class quality control and material analysis – ensures high standards for all our forklift drive belts.
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More Information
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