Belt tension strength.

[Tilaran]

I need a favor. Could one of you guys take a fish scale and measure the tension on your 2 x 72 three wheeler ? Or just guess ?
I need to order a spring for my home build cuntraption. The bungee isn't enough pressure. It stretches pretty good lifting a 20 lb weight. I'm guessing 50 lbs would be decent spring force but I don't want to start snapping belts either.
This side of the machine is 3" x 100" //16 x 3 contact wheel.
Just grab a fishing scale, hook it to the tension arm and giv'er a yank ! It would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[carbonsteel928]

I'm not sure how much it helps but I'm using a 40lb gas spring on my setup.

 

[Tilaran]

I'm not sure how much it helps but I'm using a 40lb gas spring on my setup.

That helps immensely. I'll go with 40 on the 1.5 x 50 side and 50 on the 3 x 100 side.
Thanks !
Doug.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Why not use a small air cylinder and make it adjustable? Just turn up the pressure with a small regulator and you get whatever pressure you need.

 

[Tilaran]

Why not use a small air cylinder and make it adjustable? Just turn up the pressure with a small regulator and you get whatever pressure you need.

Good Idea. I suppose I could make one.
Everything is closed here today ( Mothers day) but I'm going to take a run to a motocross shop with some plates tomorrow, unbox and compress some shocks !
12 x 12 x 1/4" steel is 10.20 lbs/s.f. I betcha I find something close in the 125 cc range ! 125 size bike. Kid 85-115 lbs. 40-50 lb per shock. Yup.