friction belt drives w/ link belts???

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dracothered

New Member
Jul 25, 2012
973
1
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Howell, MI.
Is it possible to make a friction style primary drive with a link belt instead of the traditional V-belt? You know the type with a tension pulley that lets you engage or disengage the primary drive.
 

bigbutterbean

Active Member
Jan 31, 2011
2,417
3
38
Lebanon, PA
If you're describing what I think you are, then the engine idles by allowing the belt to slip the clutch. I am not sure if this is necessarily the best setup, because the belt will wear faster this way. But it should be able to be done.
 

dracothered

New Member
Jul 25, 2012
973
1
0
Howell, MI.
The set up I am talking about has two pulleys and a idler pulley that has a hand lever system that lets you engage it or not engage it.
 

Ludwig II

Well-Known Member
Jul 17, 2012
5,071
783
113
UK
Look up Zenith Gradua and Rudge Multi. Manually controlled variable ratio belt drives from the 1900s.