Browning V-Belt FAQ

1. I have a belt that squeals on start-up. Is this normal?
   No, your belt should not squeal on start-up. If you have a belt that is squealing it requires more tension. You should turn off the drive and re-tension the belt.
2. Can I use a "5L" in place of a "B" section belt?
   No, you should not use 5L and B belts interchangeably. Both the 5L and B belt have an approximate 5/8 top width. The 5L belt horsepower capacity is substantially less than a B section. The design life of 5L belt is 10,000 hours verses 25,000 hours for the B belt.
3. Do you have length tolerances on belts and also matching tolerances?
   Browning belts are equal to or better than the standards specified by the RMA. For exact tolerances contact EPT Application Engineering.
4. What is the maximum temperature that a V-belt can operate?
   A good rule of thumb is that for every 35-degree increase above 85 degrees you reduce your belt life by one-half. For best conditions a belt should operate between -35 to +140.
5. What V-belts do you offer as static conducting?
   All Browning Classical and 358 V-belts are static conducting.
6. What is the average life of a V-belt drive?
   Properly designed and maintained a Classical (A, B, C) V-belt drive will provide a design life up to 25,000 hours. The 358 (3V, 5V, 8V) belts will also provide a design life up to 25,000 hours. The FHP (3L, 4L, and 5L) belts will only provide a design life up to 10,000 hours.
7. What is the recommended shelf life?
   RMA Bulletin IP-3-4 R states the quality of a belt will not change significantly within eight years of proper storage. Proper storage would be temperatures less than 85 Degrees and relative humidity below 70%. Also there must be no exposure to direct sunlight.
8. Do you have a belt interchange?
   Yes, you can find a belt interchange on our website @ www.emerson-ept.com.
9. Are your belts manufactured in the United States?
   Yes, all Browning V-belts are manufactured in the United States.
10. When should the maximum and minimum tension values be used?
    You should only use the maximum tension value when installing new V-belts. Installing the drive and turn it on for a brief run-in period. After 15 minuets stop the drive and re-check the tension. Re-start the drive if it has retained the minimum belt tension. Re-tension the drive to the minimum tension if you are below this value.
11. Can I use belt dressing on your belts?
    No, we do not recommend using belt dressing. Under tensioning is the primary cause of belt squeal. This belt must be re-tensioned or in some cases replaced. If you use belt dressing although you have prevented the squeal the belt will continues to slip. This will cause heat and failure is not far behind.
12. Can I replace only one or two belts in a multiple belt drive?
    No, when installing new V-belts on a multiple belt drive you must replace the entire set of belts. Belt sidewalls will wear over time. To replace only part of the belts will require the new belts to handle all the horsepower due to the wear on the original belts.
13. On drives with multiple belts should I order a matched set of belts?
    All Browning Classical and 358 V-belts are Code 1 matched. Although the RMA does not specify that belts on multiple groove sheaves be matched, it is a good practice to follow. By using matched belts you can distribute the load evenly across all belts increasing the belt life.
14. Can I use belts from different manufactures on the same drive?
    No, different manufactures will place the cords in the different locations. The molds used by manufacturers are also slightly different diameters. This will cause the belts to be different lengths. By having different length and cord placement the belts will run slightly different speeds.
15. Why should I take the time to inspect a failed belt?
    Taking the time to look at the failed belt will give you an indication of why it failed. If you have a misalignment problem the belt will show wear on one side. A belt that is hard and brittle is due to heat this would typically be from a lack of tension. Another sign of belt slippage would be spin burns or glazed shiny sidewalls on the belt.