log splitter project

[brightspark]

best way to measure belt length is using some string if your just going to use a jockley pulley to tension it . wrap string round pulleys and get the jockey wheel and pull in the string till your at your desired length then just measure or take string in and match belt to length. heres the tensioner on my saw but its only fixed under tension. yours will need to be slacker and use a lever to tension belt

 

[pete23]

I use a tape measure. wrap it round as the belt would sit, that's your measurement, then I add a bit on for the mechanism you are thinking of if want one. method has worked well for me, measured all the belts for my lathe, and 6 belts for a college project and they all came out the right size

cheers, did think about using a bit of string and taking it to the place that sells belts.

just need to think of some leaver mechanism to push the belts in, any thoughts???

 

[Bill Edwards]

To get the belts take the whole machine to a local bearing/belt supplier who will come out into the carpark with a load of belts until they find the right one.
Failing that use some string/band to get a rough idea of the size needed and ideally take a pulley to them so they can give the right type (section).
Take belts on the understanding that they'll swap them when you come back and say 'a bit bigger please'. They should be happy with this.

As to the mechanism for tensioning, get an idler (flat) pulley hinged so it can be moved to engage the belt by use of a lever. You'll need to either lock the lever in place somehow or use a strong spring to keep it in the right place - I suggest this method.
Use the spring so that it works in both actions - holds it off but also holds it on to keep the right tension. You'll want to be able to adjust the tension by securing the spring at one end with a threaded bar that can be tightened up.

As to disengaging the belts make a piece of sheet metal that closely fits round the bottom pulley (gravity will be helpful here, don't try it on the top pulley). You'll want a few mm gap, I'd guess around 6mm. When the belts are slackened they will push against the guard which holds them away from the pulley providing full disengagement without it actually touching the pulley which would cause rubbing.

 

[pete23]

brightspark beat me to it!!!

 

[pete23]

some pics???

 

[brightspark]

a 2 foot piece of bar with jockey wheel fitted about 6inch up hinged at the bottom and a locking pin at the other end with handle on it .that will give u plenty of leverage for tension

 

[Rig Pig]

You will struggle to get 16 to 20 hp over a twin belt drive! But I seriously doubt you will need than much power I would be tempted to fit a much smaller engine. Don't forget to ask for a matched set of belts - unmatched sets are not the same length and will slip / fight each other.

 

[Shox Dr]

You will struggle to get 16 to 20 hp over a twin belt drive! But I seriously doubt you will need than much power I would be tempted to fit a much smaller engine. Don't forget to ask for a matched set of belts - unmatched sets are not the same length and will slip / fight each other.

The belts they use on spindle moulders are only 1.5mm thick, and about 60mm wide, and they can take 20hp+ it amazes me how they take it

 

[Bill Edwards]

Yes that engine will be capable of turning the pair of belts into smoke without even working hard...
However, the screw being used and the little shaft and bearings are the same as would be used with a little electric motor and probably couldn't withstand the full power of that engine either. The belts are probably better being few in number and not too tight as it doesn't look like there is a shearpin or slip clutch anywhere. That could easily be changed though, but I'd just leave the belts to be the safety margin. Chances are it'll never jam or give any kind of issues, but the belts should be set to avoid the whole thing from disintegrating.

 

[Rig Pig]

Flat belts can transmit a lot more power than a v belt, it also depends on the amount of wrap that the belts have

 

[brightspark]

what rpm is the motor and final reduction speed at spindle ??

 

[pete23]

what rpm is the motor and final reduction speed at spindle ??

motor runs at 3000rpm(but can be adjusted) speed at the spindle is going to be about 900/1000rpm, but I do have a bigger top pulley if needed.

 

[pete23]

well the finished product, finaly got there! had a few teething problems but think there sorted now.

the petter is running just of tick over, put a nice bit of straight grained timber on it and the engine tone don't changed, put a gnarly nasty bit on and you can just here it working.

a good test for it this weekend as ive a few ton to split.

 

[Bill Edwards]

You got something sorted to disengage the belt drive then?

 

[pete23]

You got something sorted to disengage the belt drive then?

no, absolutely nothing as yet.

 

[brightspark]

no, absolutely nothing as yet.

just brute power and belt slip

 

[pete23]

just brute power and belt slip

lol, live life on the edge,