Critical Tips for Industrial and Manufacturing Professionals and Consumers

The failure of the belts in your industrial pulleys can cause significant downtime in your operations. Therefore, if your plant machinery depends on belt pulleys, you must ensure that the units are in good condition. In general, damage to these high tension belts will necessitate replacement because of the high operational demands in industrial environments. However, if the issues are discovered early, the underlying problem causing the deterioration can be addressed. Here are simple tips for inspecting the belts in your pulley system for long-term performance.

Check for Cracking

Belts are made using rubber materials, so they are flexible and smooth. Unfortunately, they can become brittle and begin cracking. This problem usually occurs along the underside of the belts. Therefore, if you do not inspect your belts regularly, you might miss the signs of deterioration. Keep in mind that ignoring cracks can be disastrous. The brittleness of the belt will cause significant inefficiencies. Moreover, over time, the belt might fail completely and even break. The primary cause of cracking of belt pulleys is exposure to high temperatures. Heat is a common problem in industrial sites with heavy machinery. If the cracking is a result of an overheating incident, consider replacing the belts with alternatives that have higher temperature limits. For example, some synthetic rubber materials work well in extreme heat.

Evaluate Belt Softness

The belts in your industrial plant machinery should be supple but tough. However, they should not become soft, swollen or soggy. The belts should be free of these deformations that affect the appearance and size of the unit. If you notice that your belts are not fitting around pulleys like they used to, they might be swollen. Continued use of the compromised products will increase the risk of an accident because of structural weakness. This type of problem often arises from the accumulation of water, oils, grease and other contaminants on the belt. If the rubber is swollen, replace the old belts. Moreover, plan for regular cleaning to prevent a recurrence.

Listen for Unusual Sounds

Finally, inspect your belts if you notice strange sounds coming from your belt pulleys during normal industrial operations. Squealing is the most common noise emitted by malfunctioning pulley systems. This issue is often accompanied by belt slippage and even a burning smell. Fortunately, these problems can be resolved by correctly tensioning the belt. Check the instructions for installing the belts and re-tensioning. Also, ensure that your chosen belt is suitable for the pulley system. 

Reach out to a manufacturing company to order new belt pulleys if you need them.