Chain Life?

[Bw6]

Poly Chain

6x6, Gates makes "Poly Chain" as a direct replacement for just about any chain and sprocket. Their synchronous belts and matching sheaves are an excellent chain/sprocket replacement. The are basically maintenance free, but expensive. but with very good payback, especially with 250 hr chain life. Other qualities are light weight, and higher efficiencies.

In order to simplify the engineering/selection process they have free design software. If you are serious I would work with a Rep. in your area. Here is a link, browse their site for more info. Gates Belt/Sprocket Interchange Guide | Gates Corporation

[snafu6x6]

Bw6, where do you work? Sounds like you have some experience...

[rdr]

I think having to assemble the axles with belts presents a problem. Also the amount of debris, mud and everything else would cause issues with a belt drive system. How much is a new belt for a Harley?

wet belts don't work robbie

[tpg]

6x6, Gates makes "Poly Chain" as a direct replacement for just about any chain and sprocket. Their synchronous belts and matching sheaves are an excellent chain/sprocket replacement. The are basically maintenance free, but expensive. but with very good payback, especially with 250 hr chain life. Other qualities are light weight, and higher efficiencies.

In order to simplify the engineering/selection process they have free design software. If you are serious I would work with a Rep. in your area. Here is a link, browse their site for more info. Gates Belt/Sprocket Interchange Guide | Gates Corporation

The Gates Poly Chain is often used on Harleys.

Harley drive belt prices range from $100(Kevlar) to $200 Poly or rubber. Sprockets are aluminum.

I just checked mine and was amazed that it looked brand new with 15,000 miles.
Pulleys and belt showed virtually zero wear - never been adjusted(though it will soon for a new tire).

Harley belts are run open and subjected to water and of course mild dusting.

Granted I drive the Harley a lot differently than my GS/XRL/whatever but I never got more than 6k out of a chain and usually a lot less.(and that included a lot of lubing and adjusting)

tom

[Bw6]

Poly Chain

Snafu6x6, I retired from the Engineering World when I was 56, I'm 64 now and enjoying almost every minute. My hobby is AATV's I really enjoy the sport and the people involved in it. I'm happy to be out of the rat race, but as a Mechanical Design Engineer it did provide a decent living for my family (wife and 4 kids/dog)

Regarding the Poly Chain, every product has it's limitations, whereas this product is impervious to moisture, and will handle a "wash down" environment, it's not meant to run submerged in water, so if your tub fills up with water, via the seals or bearings then this is not a good application. It's great for shock loads, and I think it would be a great chain replacement in the right machine.

In my experience most of the excessive chain wear comes from shock loads, and in a way "self-inflicted" by the chain lub picking up dirt and sand making it an excellent "grinding compound". I was close to tying the Poly Chain, but went with the much cheaper chain alternative, maybe one day soon.

[rdr]

tpg i have a new max 4 and have hit mud holes hard and fast enought that my belt got wet splashed in from the back and it started to slip on the cluches and would not spin the tires . so i know with any water in the tub it would not pull . robbie

[Bw6]

Synchronous Drive

rdr, I don't want to belabor the point but the Poly Chain drives have a tooth profile somewhat like chain or like a type of timing belt. Your CVT belt depends on friction. Water splashing on the Poly Chain won't cause it to slip.

[6X6]

I first got the idea talking to a friend who has had more than a few blown motors, (Supercharged, not Ka-boom, ok, maybe a couple ka-booms) And thinking that the blower belt can handle the tremendous force of the blower, and the extremely rapid acceleration of the engine RPMs under this load with zero slip (of course, because it is a timed belt) and they last too. I don't have to worry about rust, so I don't have to worry about them getting wet, I didn't think that being temporarily submerged would actually affect them. I KNOW the belt can handle much higher RPM, and would last longer, and I THINK it's more efficient, BW6, am I correct on this? If so, $$ for the setup will go into the racer fund, I plan on making it FAST!

[rdr]

rdr, I don't want to belabor the point but the Poly Chain drives have a tooth profile somewhat like chain or like a type of timing belt. Your CVT belt depends on friction. Water splashing on the Poly Chain won't cause it to slip.

oh ok thanks learned something . robbie

[Bw6]

Chain vs. Poly Chain Efficiencies

6x6, The following efficiencies are the generally accepted norm in the industry. Roller Chain is 91 to 94%, Poly Chain is 98-99%. However chain efficiencies can drop dramatically by poor maintenance, mis-alignment, over tensioning etc.

Poly Chain will out last quality roller chain 3:1 and will outlast quality sprockets 10:1, but costs an average of 30%-50% more. Benefits are: quiet running, no maintenance, no tensioning, and clean. Horsepower is no problem, check out this vid:

[fulleraviation]

BW6,

When I read your post this song popped into my head:

When I'm 64 lyrics

When I get older, losing my hair, many years from now,
Will you still be sending me a Valentine,birthday greetings, bottle of wine?
If I'd been out 'till quarter to three,would you lock the door?
Will you still need me, will you still feed me,
When I'm sixty-four?

Hmm------mmm---mmmh.
You'll be older, too.Aaah, and if you say the word, I could stay with you.


I could be handy, mending a fuse, when your lights have gone.
You can knit a sweater by the fireside, sunday mornings, go for a ride.
Doing the garden, digging the weeds, who could ask for more?
Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I'm sixty four?


Every summer we can rent a cottage in the Isle of Wightif it's not to dear. We shall scrimp and save.
Ah, grandchildren on your knee, Vera, Chuck, and Dave.


Send me a postcard, drop me a line stating point of view.
Indicate precisely what you mean to say, yours sincerely wasting away.
Give me your answer, fill in a form, mine forever more.
Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I'm sixty four?

Have a great day guy's.

[Bw6]

I Remember it Well

Thanks Rut, Released in 1967 SPLH Band, aww the Beatles they were a sensation, I really enjoyed most of their stuff. Nice to reminisce. Highlights were first Solo 1984 Lazair Ultralight, J3 Kitten, and then the Cessna's, motocross, bikes, trikes, fast cars and now it's about going slow

[6X6]

BW6, Wow, both are more efficient than I expected, was expecting high 80 on chain and probably low 90's on poly. I think thats the next to last nail in the chain coffin And 30-50% more is not bad considering the lifespan, but the pulleys (Good Aluminum) I expect will be several times the cost of good hardened sprokets? even still the 10-1 lifespan would Much more than make up for it. OK, even just for the COOL factor, might as well, it's only money, right?

[6X6]

THANK YOU BW6! Downloaded the Gates Design Pro Last night, I will have this figured out in no-time!!! Now just getting the $$$ together, maybe a little longer I see it won't be cheap!

[Bw6]

No Problem

6x6, glad to help.