Tips on Tensioner Usage

• Tensioning that is too tight causes excessive chain, belt and bearing wear
• Tensioning that is too loose allows belt slippage or chain vibration, causing wear or loss of horsepower
• Idlers should be located on the slack side of the drive
• The use of idlers on the back of Vee belts causes reverse bend, and can reduce the life of the belt. However, when inside idlers are used, the arc of contact is reduced and allowance must be made for horsepower loss
• The U.D.T. flanged flat face idler pulley can be run on the inside or outside of belt drives, and will produce no additional wear on the sides of Vee belts
• Chain idlers should be run on the outside of the chain
• Idler sprockets should have at least 3 teeth engaged with the chain
• Idlers, when used on the outside of the drive, should be located approximately 1/3 of the center distance from the pulley or sprocket
• Idlers, when used on the inside of the drive, should be located approximately 1/3 of the center distance from large pulley or socket