Yay! For Accu-Link Belts!

[Stan Disbrow]

Hi,

I probably ought to have mentioned these years ago because some of our crawlers have issues with getting a new fan belt on due to the prop shaft for the hydraulic pump.

Acculink belts are made to length as they have individual links which snap apart / together. They also can be threaded into place and assembled. Nice.

I was reminded of these because my lathe speed selecting drive belt packed it in. A big piece popped out and, bump, bump, bump. To replace it, two shafts with several pulleys on each have to be removed. That's a lot of roll pins to push out, not lose, and then get back in. Unlike a drill press or a milling machine, the lathe buries all this inside a framework which is the headstock (not handily on top). Ugh.

So, I immediately recalled how my Toolmaker father used to deal with these. Acculink belts. Finding one was easy. Harbor Freight. One over in Sanford about 15 miles away. They carry the A belts in 5 foot lengths. Costly, yes. $33. But worth it as it made the belt job way, way easier than the 'normal' way.

Hey, Lavoy, old buddy: You ought to carry these. Way handy!

Stan

[77 Ford]

What's the life span of these segmented belts? I've seen them a few times but never used one myself.

[Stan Disbrow]

Hi,

At least as long as normal belts. They are of better construction. Just cost quite a bit more. But, when they save hours of work getting them on, they are really worth it.

Stan

[77 Ford]

I will have to keep them in mind, thanks for the idea.

[Stan Disbrow]

Hi,

And, again!

My 2005 x495 diesel garden tractor get an Accu-Link belt for the water pump and alternator. This is saving me a bunch of effort to replace it.

The engine in in this backwards. The water pump to the rear and the flywheel forward. They send power from the center of the crankshaft pulley to the hydrostatic transmission input. To change the worn belt, I have to drop the belly mower, then get the tractor up in the air so I can get under, then decouple the driveshaft.

Or, I can cut the worn OEM belt off and thread a new Accu-Link belt on and save all that trouble.

Anyone need a new OEM fan belt for an x495? I bought a spare when I bought the machine. I have spares for many things on hand like that. Sort of my own parts store for things I own. Not going to use it now.

Ironically, if my lathe belt hadn't crapped out whilst making an NLA part for something else, that would never have reminded me of these belts my Dad used to fix lathes and the like. And, I'd be in my shop this morning working in 'blue air'.

Stan

[gus]

Something else came to mind about these belts. Put one on a table saw. It greatly smoothes up the saw's operation.