Bandit 250 chipper "eating" belts

[4CornersPuddle]

1998 Bandit has started tossing disc drive belts and/or flipping belts upside down. I've tried individual belts, both cogged and smooth, and banded, cogged 4 rib belts from a couple of different suppliers. I'm not religiously checking belt tension, so tension could be slacking at times. However, for years that didn't seem to matter. I try to line up sheaves with a straight edge when I adjust tension.

What should I be looking for? Once a belt is thrown or flips upside down, is it toast or can it be reinstalled? Present belts have only about 10 hours on them. Are economy belts really inferior for this application?

 

[ballisticdoughnut]

Take a very close look at belt alignment. Biggest problem with smoking belts has always been an alignment issue in my experience.

 

[capetrees]

Take a very close look at belt alignment. Biggest problem with smoking belts has always been an alignment issue in my experience.

Or maybe the one of the sheeves is off to one side?

 

[lone wolf]

Check pulley alignment with a long straight edge, are you tightening them up according to the book with a belt deflection tool? How about the pulleys, are they worn heavy, how many hours on machine? Do the belts squeal when chipping big stuff?

 

[ZinTrees]

make sure every sheave lines up perfectly, being out even a little will destroy belts in very short order

if I recall, there should be 3/8" deflection in the belts when you push the tool down through the shroud slot with 40-50lb of force, but this is just off memory and I don't have the manual with me at the moment

theres a lot of belt, and a lot of power, basically just pull them really tight, probably tighter than you think, and check the tension every time you start the chipper

if the belts slipped, there is a chance of "residue" on the sheaves, that has to be cleaned off, and if the belts slip any they are most likely glazed and trash, do not attempt to reuse these belts if you think they are glazed, you won't save any money

also make sure the bearings are good, and that the clutch assembly isn't loose and moving around on the back of the engine

 

[4CornersPuddle]

Thanks for all your thoughtful replies. I jumped back into the machine today after belts came off again yesterday when only run for an hour.
I'm finding the sheaves are slightly misaligned. Engine sheave is 1/16" forward of straightedge placed across disc sheave. But I'm seeing belts are a bit proud of the outer circumference of pulleys. These are 5/8" belts, but are noticeably wider than older belts I've removed and saved. Shouldn't the outer surface of the belt be about flush with the pulley? Maybe I need 1/2" belts? It seems to me that belts too wide for the pulley groove could lead to belt jumping and belt turnover?

 

[lone wolf]

Thanks for all your thoughtful replies. I jumped back into the machine today after belts came off again yesterday when only run for an hour.
I'm finding the sheaves are slightly misaligned. Engine sheave is 1/16" forward of straightedge placed across disc sheave. But I'm seeing belts are a bit proud of the outer circumference of pulleys. These are 5/8" belts, but are noticeably wider than older belts I've removed and saved. Shouldn't the outer surface of the belt be about flush with the pulley? Maybe I need 1/2" belts? It seems to me that belts too wide for the pulley groove could lead to belt jumping and belt turnover?

Sounds like you are on to something ,call Bandit and get tech support ! And I do think that it should be flush like you asked.

 

[ZinTrees]

just chipped a little at my shop and paid extra attention to the belts, the belts on my chipper run smooth while engaging the clutch, then get a hellacious vibration to them at idle, now, im on almost year 3 of running this chipper and I only ever tightened the belts the week I got it, never touched since and never had an issue from them

it's possible that your engine just rattles so much at idle that it damages belts? not sure exactly since belt drive's aren't my specialty but its an idea, my 4BT rattles a lot but its just the nature of them

 

[lone wolf]

just chipped a little at my shop and paid extra attention to the belts, the belts on my chipper run smooth while engaging the clutch, then get a hellacious vibration to them at idle, now, im on almost year 3 of running this chipper and I only ever tightened the belts the week I got it, never touched since and never had an issue from them

it's possible that your engine just rattles so much at idle that it damages belts? not sure exactly since belt drive's aren't my specialty but its an idea, my 4BT rattles a lot but its just the nature of them

They do shake up and down, and if they ever start to squeal, tighten them. I think he has the wrong belts in there.

 

[ZinTrees]

They do shake up and down, and if they ever start to squeal, tighten them. I think he has the wrong belts in there.

mine shake up and down, no squeal and they are tightened to spec, or atleast close enough

but yeah, belts should not extend past the side of a sheave, the tapered portion of the belt should stop at the edge of the tapered portion on the sheave