Anybody using Kevlar fan belts on your bus the reason I am asking they want a 165 bucks a set (2) for the Gates belt 5/8 x 90 inches for a Eagle fan drive, I can buy the belt in Kevlar for 40 bucks a set will Kevlar belts last ? I don't want to strand this guy on the highway
Are you comparing buying a Gates Kevlar belt with another brand Kevlar belt? I have no first hand experience, but my short bit of research seems to say that the Kevlar belts will stretch less but do not necessarily change the recommended life span.
As you are concerned about sending someone else out on the road, I would tend to stay with the standard Gates belt or equal since you know that they will do the job. Even if the Kevlar belts seem to be better, if it fails you could get blamed for experimenting rather than giving your customer something you know is dependable. Further, there is the same issue about using off brand belts whether they are Kevlar or not. It's difficult to know what is as good as what. A trusted brand may take advantage of that trust by charging a premium price, but it also may just be better. I am very much attuned to finding a bargain on parts, but even I don't gamble on some stuff.
So far so good on the belts. 721 miles yesterday and 652 planned for Sunday Tension feels good even with dumping powers steering fluid on them because our hose got to rubbing on the fan pulley. We will monitor and report back on the results.
Dennis
That's good Dennis I been worried about those belts all I can find out from the belt guys they are good and the price is right ;D you covered some ground Thursday with the old girl with very little problems, tell the family hi we miss you guys
I retired from the Saw Mill industry, working for a machinery manufacture. High HP in extreme conditions. Kevlar belts are used almost exclusively for Feed drive for from 30 up to 1000 HP. Gates is the most common brand because of the quality of their product. I buy them for my Garden Tractor through Applied Industrial, a Nation wide industrial supply. They out last the conventional belts by at least times 2. I will buy them for my Eagle when they need replacement belts.
You are lucky Tom those belts for his Eagle were off the wall from Tractor Supply
Made it home a short time ago, 584 miles today and no problems with the belts. We covered a total of 1305 miles. I will double check the tension and inspect for any unusual wear. Worst thing that happened on this trip, the car in front of us threw up a rock and chipped our windshield, passenger side. Dammit!
Bummer you should have taken the new windshield in the shop it will end up getting broke out there ;D so we have a winner in the bus great news