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Kevlar Belts

This is a public forum to discuss Eagle related technical issues. If you are having a problem with your Eagle, this is the place to find help.
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luvrbus
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Kevlar Belts

Post by luvrbus »

Anyone ever use Kevlar belts on the fan drive of a Eagle (the 2 long belts) ?
jcb
Posts: 95
Joined: Mon Nov 26, 2012 10:37 am
Bus Model: 1981 Eagle Model 10

Re: Kevlar Belts

Post by jcb »

I'm doing it now. I'll let you know how it works out.
Jim Cummings
1983 Model 10
8V71
Auto Trans
Tour Bus Conversion Ex-Senator Coach
http://www.thejimcummingsband.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
proudeagle10
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Bus Model: Pipe Creek, TX
1980 model 10
DD 8V71 Allison 740
S B Hyd. Shiftier
Location: Pipe Creek, TX

Re: Kevlar Belts

Post by proudeagle10 »

I'll ask the dumb question. What is a "Kevlar Belts" Is it a brand name? :?
AL Moreno
proudeagle10
1980 Eagle 10
DD 8V71 Allison 740
S B Hyd. shiftier
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beltguy
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Re: Kevlar Belts

Post by beltguy »

Kevlar belts are a type of belt.

Most V-Belts have polyester tensile members and they do fine for almost every application. Some belt vendors have a line of Kevlar belts. The Kevlar is stronger and does not stretch. However the stretch of the polyester belts allow 2 or more V-Belts to work together a bit better (self-matching). Also, Kevlar belts still need re-tensioning since the belts, and to a lesser degree, pulleys wear slightly.

If you can find Kevlar belts in the size you need for the fan drive, they will probably be pretty expensive.

I went with standard polyester construction.

Jim
Jim Shepherd
Evergreen, CO
'85 Eagle 10 with Series 60 & Eaton AutoShift 10 speed transmission SOLD
2005 Dodge 2500 with 5.9 Cummins and 6 speed manual 2022 Sunset 28 foot trailer
Bus Project pages: http://beltguy.com/Bus_Project/busproject.htm
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Email: eaglesinternational.email at gmail.com   NOTE this email box is only for general correspondence related to the forum and not technical advice.  Technical questions will not receive a response.
jcb
Posts: 95
Joined: Mon Nov 26, 2012 10:37 am
Bus Model: 1981 Eagle Model 10

Re: Kevlar Belts

Post by jcb »

Still haven't used the Kevlar Belts I purchased. Just re-strung the existing belts that "looked good". Bad move.....ended up on the side of the road after they flipped off in 90 degree weather. Have to go back where its parked on Monday and put the Kevlars on, and hope for the best. See my new post/help request on the Forum.
Jim Cummings
1983 Model 10
8V71
Auto Trans
Tour Bus Conversion Ex-Senator Coach
http://www.thejimcummingsband.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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luvrbus
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Re: Kevlar Belts

Post by luvrbus »

I installed a set of Kevlar belts about a year ago on Dennis's model 10 he says they are doing good the price was cheaper than regular belts I paid 25 bucks each from Tractor Supply for the 2 long belts
jcb
Posts: 95
Joined: Mon Nov 26, 2012 10:37 am
Bus Model: 1981 Eagle Model 10

Re: Kevlar Belts

Post by jcb »

I just drove 250 miles on 89 x 5/8" Kevlar belts, purchased at Family Farm and Fleet for $26.00 per. They can also be purchased at TSC. Just so you know....they are likely Mower Belts. Mower belts are designed for a couple of thousand hours on a mower, and are under an incredible amount of stress throughout their lifetime. I chose these, because when you are in immediate need....you don't have time to jicky-jack around with "ordering". These belts are readily available. Now, you should read and consider the statements that Jim Shepard has made on this subject.....because he has had a lifetime of belts........but I believe this to be another option that certainly will help you in a pinch, or maybe for a permanant solution. I'll let you know how they last, and I also purchased spares.........but so far, they are golden. They sit great on the pulley's, stretch tight, and certainly give the impression of consistency. Kevlar seems a good alternative from "classic" belts.............if only from the technological aspect.
Now go and drive that bus!
Jim Cummings
1983 Model 10
8V71
Auto Trans
Tour Bus Conversion Ex-Senator Coach
http://www.thejimcummingsband.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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beltguy
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Re: Kevlar Belts

Post by beltguy »

As you probably saw, I bumped up a couple of old threads on Eagle belts to the top. In one, it lists an old Gates part number, and that belt would be 11/16 by 89 1/4 inches.

I am pretty sure that the industrial belt that will work on the fan drive is a B86 or BX86. If you go that route, the BX86 belt is a much better construction.

Does anyone have the part number for the Kevlar belts from Family Farm and Fleet or TSC?

In every belt thread I participate in, I always warn about worn sheave/pulley grooves. That area gets a lot of dust and dirt. The easiest way to check for really bad wear is to look at the bottom of the groove. If it is polished, the sheaves are worn out.

Jim
Jim Shepherd
Evergreen, CO
'85 Eagle 10 with Series 60 & Eaton AutoShift 10 speed transmission SOLD
2005 Dodge 2500 with 5.9 Cummins and 6 speed manual 2022 Sunset 28 foot trailer
Bus Project pages: http://beltguy.com/Bus_Project/busproject.htm
Blog: https://beltguy.com/Travelogue/
Email: eaglesinternational.email at gmail.com   NOTE this email box is only for general correspondence related to the forum and not technical advice.  Technical questions will not receive a response.
jcb
Posts: 95
Joined: Mon Nov 26, 2012 10:37 am
Bus Model: 1981 Eagle Model 10

Re: Kevlar Belts

Post by jcb »

Update: Kevlar belts I put on 3 years ago still doing well. I did have to re-tighten a bit this year, and I plan on replacing them in the spring, but so far so good. Look to my earlier posts for the size, but looking good at this point. FYI
Jim Cummings
1983 Model 10
8V71
Auto Trans
Tour Bus Conversion Ex-Senator Coach
http://www.thejimcummingsband.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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beltguy
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Joined: Wed Oct 08, 2008 4:39 am
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Bus Model: 1985 Eagle 10 with Series 60 and Eaton AutoShift 10 speed transmission (SOLD)
Location: Evergreen, CO
Contact:

Re: Kevlar Belts

Post by beltguy »

Jim, thanks for the update. Kevlar belts would not be my first choice since they do not stretch. Some stretch is good for two reasons. First of all, it lets the belts adjust a bit so they run as a matched set. Secondly, the stretch that we put in the belt when we tension it, is what keeps the belt tension at a reasonable level for a longer period of time.

The kevlar belts that many folks sell are aimed at agricultural type equipment. That kind of equipment often has spring loaded idlers and that keeps the tension where it should be.

All that said, many folks report good results with kevlar belts.

Jim
Jim Shepherd
Evergreen, CO
'85 Eagle 10 with Series 60 & Eaton AutoShift 10 speed transmission SOLD
2005 Dodge 2500 with 5.9 Cummins and 6 speed manual 2022 Sunset 28 foot trailer
Bus Project pages: http://beltguy.com/Bus_Project/busproject.htm
Blog: https://beltguy.com/Travelogue/
Email: eaglesinternational.email at gmail.com   NOTE this email box is only for general correspondence related to the forum and not technical advice.  Technical questions will not receive a response.
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