Shifting the Cone Pulley Belt and Adjusting

the Belt Tension

On the South Bend Underneath Belt Motor Driven Lathe

SHIFTING THE CONE PULLEY BELT

1. Raise the belt release crank up to position "B" as shown in Fig. 3 on Drawing No. 2500. Stop the
lathe so that neither motor nor spindle are rotating. The belt can now be shifted from step to step
on the cone pulley with one hand.

CONE PULLEY BELT TENSION IS IMPORTANT

1. The cone pulley belt should be fitted wiih the smooth side toward the cone pulley and just tight
enough to transmit the required power without slipping. Glued belts should be used, also rawhide
or gut laced belts operate satisfactorily. Tension on belt should not exceed ten to twenty pounds
which will permit the lathe tool to take a heavy cut. Too much tension on the belt will cause loss
of power, excessive wear on the bearings and shorten the life of the belt.

INCREASING CONE PULLEY BELT TENSION

1. Place belt release crank in position "C", Fig. 3. Adjust screw E", Fig. 1 outward, that is, by turn­
ing to the left. This permits the cone pulley cradle to hang more heavily on the belt and increases
the tension. When screw "E" is set for proper belt tension, lock the screw in place with lock nut
"D", Fig. 1.
2. Adjust knob, "G" until belt release crank returns to position "C", Fig. 3, so that when the crank is
closed from "C" to "A" the entire motor drive unit is locked tightly against adjusting screw "E".
Do not adjust too tightly. About five pounds pressure should be necessary to push the crank from
position "D" to position "A” when correct adjustment has been made on knob "G".
3. Set screw "E" has been omitted on some sizes of lathes. The cradle assembly being spring bal­
anced, otherwise adjustment of belt tension is the same as described above and the same care
should be exercised not to get the belt too tight.

DECREASING CONE PULLEY BELT TENSION

1. Set the belt release crank in position "C", Fig. 3. Adjust screw "E", Fig. 1 inward, that is, by turn­
ing the screw to the right until the proper tension is obtained on the belt. Lock screw "E" with lock
nut "D". Adjust knob "G" until the belt release crank returns to position "G", Fig. 3, and so that
about five pounds pressure is required to close it from position "C" to position "A". Lock knob
"G" with lock nut "F".
2. If the cone pulley belt should be too loose so that adjustment provided by knob "G" is not suffi­
cient, the belt should be shortened by cutting out a piece not more than 3/4" long and resplicing
the belt. Adjustments are then made the same as for a new belt.

FITTING A NEW CONE PULLEY BELT

1. Set the belt release crank at position "C", Fig. 3.
2. Raise the cone pulley cradle up to the limit with adjusting screw "G", Fig. 1. Be sure that belt re­
lease crank will travel from "A" to "B" in Fig. 3 without binding. If necessary drop the cradle
slightly so that the crank will work free.
3. Cut new belt'of proper length to reach around upper and lower cone pulleys. See book "How to
Run a Lathe' for correct method of cutting, gluing or lacing new belt.
4. With the belt glued or laced and in position with corresponding steps of the cone pulleys make ad­
justments for proper belt tension as outlined above.
5. The belt release crank should be up in position "B" when gluing or lacing a belt to provide suffi­
cient slack for working.

ADJUSTING THE MOTOR "V" BELT TENSION

The "V" Belt which connects the motor with the lower cone pulley shaft is adjusted by moving
the lock nuts on the adjusting screw, "L", Fig. 2, until the proper tension is secured. The "V" belt
should be just tight enough to transmit the full power of the motor without slipping. Keep oil off of
flat leather belt and "V" motor belts. Oil takes the life out of rubber belts and also causes them
to slip.
SOUTH BEND LATHE WORKS