Silly question....Motor

T

Tin.Man

Joined
Sep 5, 2010
Messages
876
So I have a kmg, with a 3 step pulley, the baseplate etc. When I change speeds, I loosen the 4 bolts move the motor forward a little, take the belt off, change speed, pull motor back 1/4-1/2 inch i suppose, tighten 4 bolts, and begin again.

Their has to be a better way. Do I have my belt too tight, should I be able to hand change the belt without loosening the 4 bolts bolting the motor to the plate??

Appreciate any help.
 
Can't you set up your motor on a hinge so that the weight of the motor is all it takes to keep the belt tight enough ? Frank
 
You should be able to move the belt between pulleys without having to loosen the motor. Work it off the smaller step first then position on the larger wheel of the next step then work it onto the smaller matching step and you should be good to go.
 
Frank not a bad idea, will play with it.

Barry- So should the belt be a little looser?

Thanks for the replies so far gents
 
Push the belt with your thumb towards the pulley you want to swap to.At th same time turn the rotating assy. one way or the other .I use the belt to do this.As you turn the assy. the belt will walk to the next pulley.
Eddie
 
Simplest way is like Frank mentioned. If the belt slips add some wieght to the motor base. I used a step before a VFD and still have the hinge setup on mine. Another thing that helps the grinder run smooth and keep slippage down is a link belt.
 
Yes a little looser. When I ran the pulleys I had the belt just loose enough to be able to move it. Did it slip some when I leaned on it really hard yep but being able to quickly change speeds was more important than a little slippage. And it was rare I leaned in hard enough to make it slip, usually it was me trying to get that last little bit out of a worn belt.
 
I've never had to loosen a motor to change position on step pulleys. That'd be a pain!

Set it up looser, belts don't need to be that tight.
 
Awesome guys thank you!

Getting tired of wrenching that damn motor loose and tight to change speeds ha.
 
Don Hanson III said:
I've never had to loosen a motor to change position on step pulleys. That'd be a pain!

Set it up looser, belts don't need to be that tight.
Click to expand...

Yep, people go nuts on belts sometimes, it really isn't necessary unless you're trying to hit a specific drive torque spec.

Either way, I agree, I'd have taken myself out back several times over the years if I'd had to loosen the motor mounts to change step pulley speeds!





If anyone does experience slipping problems, McMaster-Carr sells a spray-on belt dressing, it dries like tacky rubber. It helps the belts to grab tight and also helps to prevent squeaking.

The most important thing is to use a new, soft, grippy belt. Old ones that are dried out or varnished over from use will be much more likely to give problems.
 
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