Belt Failure Analysis

Symptom Possible Cause(s) Possible Solution(s)

• Pried onto pulleys • Ensure proper installation

• Extreme shock load • Confirm you have the proper belt
• Foreign object damage • Shield drive if possible
Broken Belt

• Replace belts
• Exposure to sun and heat
• Shield drive if possible

Cracking or Weathering

• Replace idler and/or pulleys

• Incorrect backside idler
based on the manufacturer’s
• Pulleys too small
recommendation
• Excessive temperature
• Protect drive from the environment
• Wrong belt for drive
• Confirm you have the proper belt
Top Cracking

• Excessive heat
• Sheaves too small
• Undersized backside idler
• Improperly positioned
backside idler
• Sheaves misaligned
• Improper or prolonged storage
Underside Cracking
• Replace idler and/or pulleys
based on the manufacturer’s
recommendation
• Protect drive from the environment
• Confirm you have the proper belt

• Remove obstruction
• Contact with an obstruction
• Ensure proper installation
• Pried onto pulleys
• Confirm you have the proper belt
Cuts or Gouges

• Misaligned pulleys
• Damaged tensile members
• Worn or incorrect pulleys
Edge Cord Failure
• Check alignment
• Ensure proper installation
• Verify belt and pulleys are
compatible
• Replace pulleys

• Improper tension • Properly tension

• Damaged or broken power • Replace belts
transmission cords • Ensure proper installation
Excessive Vibration

• Verify belt and pulleys are

• Improper groove spacing
compatible
• Worn or incorrect pulleys
• Replace pulleys if necessary
• Misaligned pulleys
• Realign drive
Joined Belt Band Separation

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Belt Failure Analysis
Symptom Possible Cause(s) Possible Solution(s)

• Stalled pulleys • Ensure pulleys move freely

• Under tensioned • Properly lubricate pulleys
• Plugged drive • Ensure proper tension
Localized Wear, Sidewall Burn

• Properly lubricate
• Excessive oil in contact with
• Clean pulleys and belt
the belt
• Replace belt after issue is resolved
Loose Cover or Swelling

• Over tensioned • Ensure proper tension

• Foreign object • Inspect pulleys
• Worn or incorrect pulleys • Replace pulleys if necessary
Ply Separation, Side Splitting

• Ensure proper tension

• Slippage
• Provide protection if possible
• Excessive dust
• Realign drive
Sidewall Wear

• Insufficient tension • Ensure proper tension

• Shock load • Confirm you have the proper belt

Squeal
• Wrong belt for drive
• Mixing old and new belts
• Mixing different manufacturers belts
• Misalignment
• Belt and pulleys incompatible
Stretch
• Confirm you have the proper belt
• Replace belt sets at same time
• Use same belts when
replacing sets
• Realign drive
• Verify belt and pulleys are compatible

• Rubbing against guard • Repair and/or replace guard

• Damaged idler • Replace idler

Top Wear

• Drive misalignment
• Realign drive
• Worn pulleys
• Replace pulleys if necessary
• Excessive vibration
• Ensure proper tension
• Shock load
Turn Over or Jumping out of the Pulley

• Belt bottoming out in pulley • Ensure you have correct pulley for
• Belt and pulley are not compatible the belt being used
• Debris in pulleys • Clean pulleys
• Worn pulleys • Replace belt and/or pulleys
Bottom Side Wearing

Quality Always Comes Through!

www.Q-power.com • 888.333.3210