Belts and sheaves are specific to an application and the choices seem, almost, limitless. Our page content here will deal with the "V" belt types of product and their application. The types discussed will be V-Belts & Sheaves, Premium V-Belt, Cogged V-Belt, Banded V-Belt, Narrow V-Belt, and Light Duty - FHP V-Belts.

V-Belts & Sheaves - V-Belts are the standard method of power transmission used in industry today where a set speed, different from the driven speed, is required. The combinations seem endless and selection difficult. To add to the confusion, the "V" belt category includes "Conventional" V-Belt styles that we're all used to such as the "A", "B", "C", "D", & "E" sizes.

Premium V-Belt - Then these "Conventional" sizes come in a "Premium" belt with manufacturers using the "AP", "BP", etc., designation to distinguish between the Standard and Premium belts.

Cogged V-Belt - Still one more variation of a "Standard" belt is the "Cogged" belt where the inside of the belt has cogs or teeth (so to speak) which allows the belt to be more flexible and wrap around smaller diameter sheaves to give a wider range of drive ratios than a conventional "A" belt and some 25% to 30% more HP capability. 

Banded V-Belt - As the name implies, this, in simplest terms, is a quantity of the same size V-Belt, banded together to be used on a system requiring 3, or 4, or 5, etc. etc. belts on a multiple belt application. These are not actually individual belts "glued" together, but a multi-V belt designed and manufactured with a common back belt. This design allows for equal "stretch" of the belt, equal tension, and a smooth back surface. 

Narrow V-Belt - The newer, "Narrow" series of V-Belts have done wonders for the HVAC market. These belts have a smaller profile, steeper side angle, higher HP capability (per cross sectional area) and because of the smaller profile are less weight. The "Narrow" series are designated by the following sizes..... "3V", "5V", and "8V". These belts also come in the "Cogged" version and the "Belted" version.

Light Duty - FHP V-Belt - Then there are the Light Duty (FHP - Fractional Horse Power) Belts, which come in sizes like "2L", "3L", "4L", & "5L". These are the traditional sizes used in HVAC work and are still a major presence in the market. Maybe the proper terminology would be "The Workhorse" of the HVAC market.

Finally, we have sheaves to match all of these belts. Sheaves come in "Bore to fit" types as well as those that use a "Tapered bore Bushing" for those times when you're not sure of the shaft size or simply wish to have the convenience of being able to use the sheave in some other application at a different time, by simply buying a different tapered bushing.