10 SERIES
OM-00652
PAGE B - 9
INSTALLATION
excessive power loss and possible bearing failure.
Select pulleys that will match the proper speed ra
tio; overspeeding the pump may damage both
pump and power source.
Do not operate the pump without the
guard in place over the rotating parts.
Exposed rotating parts can catch cloth
ing, fingers, or tools, causing severe in
jury to personnel.
V‐BELT TENSIONING
General Rules of Tensioning
For new V‐belts, check the tension after 5, 20 and
50 hours of operation and re‐tension as required
(see the following procedure for measuring belt
tension). Thereafter, check and re‐tension if re
quired monthly or at 500 hour intervals, whichever
comes first.
Ideal V‐belt tension is the
lowest
tension at which
the belt will not slip under peak load conditions. Do
not over‐tension V‐belts. Over‐tensioning will short
en both V‐belt and bearing life. Under‐tensioning
will cause belt slippage. Always keep belts free
from dirt, grease, oil and other foreign material
which may cause slippage.
Tension Measurement
Correct v‐belt tension can be achieved using a V‐
belt tension tester and Table 1 or 2. Use the tables
to find the V‐belt size (cross‐section), the smallest
sheave diameter, the belt type for your application.
The corresponding deflection force required for
new or used belts is shown opposite the RPM
range of the pump.
Belt Span
Deflection
Figure 5. Belt Tension Measurement
The ratio of deflection to belt span is 1:64 for both
ASA and metric units. Therefore, a belt with a span
of 64 inches would require a deflection of 1 inch at
the force shown on the Tables for your particular
application.
For example, if the span as measured in Figure 5 is
32 inches (813 mm), the V‐belt cross‐section is C,
the smallest sheave diameter is 8 inches, the pump
speed is 1250 RPM, and the belts are uncogged
Yy‐T type, then 11.5 lbs. of force on the tensioner
should show 1/2‐inch (12,7 mm) of deflection.
A tension tester is available as an option from Gor
man‐Rupp (P/N 29513-001). Other tension test
ers are available from your local belt/sheave dis
tributor, and work on a similar principal.
To use the Gorman‐Rupp tensioner, measure the
belt span as shown in Figure 5. Position the bottom
of the large O‐ring on the span scale of the tension
er at the measured belt span. Set the small O‐ring
on the deflection force scale to zero.
Place the tension tester squarely on the belt at the
center of the belt span. Apply force on the plunger,
perpendicular to the belt span, until the bottom of
the large O‐ring is even with the top of the next belt,
or with the bottom of a straight edge laid across the
sheaves.
Read the force applied from the bottom of the small
O‐ring on the deflection force scale. Compare this
force with the value shown in Table 1 or 2 and ad
just the tension accordingly. Note that the
tension
for
new belts is
higher than that for
used belts
to
allow for expected belt stretching.
Do not
over‐ten
sion used belts to the higher deflection forces
shown for new belts.
