Belt work

[Steve Adams]

Now that the IHC LA 3-5 we have restored is now running quite well, I would like it to do something other than sit there idling away all day. we have some oddball pieces of equipment sitting around that we would like to belt up to, but have zero experince with this sort of thing. can anyone offer some basic info on belting to use, distance between engine and equipment etc. This engine came with an optional 10" pulley so it will run things rather fast. Also, did belt run equipment generally come with some type of unloader so you could start the engine or did they use clutch pulleys? And, I am looking for a magneto for my IHC 6M igniter that isn't running yet.

[Jebaroni]

Well, generally, you will be looking for transmission belting as it is called in the industry (as opposed to hay baler belt and the like). As far as distance between engine and machine, the closer the two are together, the tighter the belt has to be. AS the machines get farther away and the belt gets longer, the belt is heavier and the weight from it sagging in the middle holds it on the pulleys better so it can be slacker. It's a give and take that can be set up according to your needs. Most of the larger engines had a clutch pulley but generally, you can find ways to start a smaller engine by riggin up the machine so that it has no load on it and once things are going, start actually using the machine. Kinda like starting a corn sheller with no corn in it, or a water pump that is kinda dry. Belting is available from most places that do large scale industrial hydraulic hoses (not your local farm equipment dealer or NAPA). Hope this helps.

Jeb