Washer belts breaking

[Lar Hylobates]

Thanks Chuckels,

So politically correct. I've posted that these monkeys can't operate them so many times I'm starting to feel racist.

They are great machines, but some people are afraid.

My 125's have all been snapping belts as in monthly for the past few months. 4 machines, 12-15 belts from three separate suppliers, even a few from wascomat.

Considering the double pulley option.

No answers as to why they break / burn.

[Rondo]

HL, Check your tension spring, when you lose the belts the springs fall off. I know this first hand, my 185 lost its belts after 2 1/2 years of over loads. I put on the new belts and noticed it was slipping in the beginning of the spin cycle. I popped the back off and found the spring laying on the floor.
The gen 6s have a super thick single belt on them, I priced one at $71, I hope it never breaks.

[Chuckels]

About the belt on wasco 125's ~ it is simply too large of a machine to have a single belt with the same width as installed on the 25 pounders. Wasco really skimped on this one and should be held to the fire for a fix. Ah, so thats why the wasco site is down... now they are not sponsors of a site that brings issues to their attention. Anywho, the 125's do come with a double pulley on the large drum side so all one has to do is get a double pulley for the motor side. OK > someone call wasco and see if they will supply a few of these for us all gen 5 125 owners and report back ASAP.

Chuckels,

PS. Yes the emerald series control panel is pleasing to the eye and if I had to look at a machine all day I would prefer them. I just have to wonder though when someone with a bag of dirty laundry turns tail out of my very nice store why when all else is equal to my comp would they leave after looking all glossy eyed at the control panel. I am sure that the nice panel keeps a fair amount of loyal customers though.

[Anonymous]

The 185's have 2 belts and the 245's have 5 belts, but the 125 only has one - and that is all it needs. I have 125's and 124's and almost never have to replace belts on these animals.

But while we are on the belt question I do have a question. I replaced the belts on a 185 this morning, both had broken. My attendant told me that it happened late yesterday. The machine was not overloaded, as she took the clothing out and put it in a 125 to spin out. SOOO, what would cause both belts to tear other than an overload. These machines are only about 2 to 3 years old.

[Rondo]

Kirby, I'll take a stab. I think one belt tears first and the machine continues to opperate for a while. I'll give you another tip, Use belt grip spray on the new belts each time you change them. I'll swear by the stuff, it will extend the life of the belts.

Kirby as I told HL check your spring tensioner on the 185. their is multible holes that can add more tension on the belts. You maybe should call Wasco's techs to see if more tension will help or hurt. I'll agree that you should get more than 2 - 3 years out of a set of belts on a 185, but that's all I got too.

[Anonymous]

Agree, that typically one belt breaks and gets caught in the path of the other and then it goes.

What is the spray you talk about, where do you get it and what does it cost. What exactly does it do? I ask because I thought belts were designed to actually slip a little when the motor first starts to prevent wear and tear.

[Chuckels]

We have 4 two year old Wasco 125's and every single one of them has burned up belts in less than one year for a total of two replacement sets. These are gen five machines single phase which may make a difference when tourquing up for extract. Sufficent size single belt as factory stock? I think not. There is way too much weight in the loaded 35# machine when laden with wet items for that narrow single belt to pull around. Well they do last about one year when getting 5-6 turns perday so perhaps with 3-4 turns it may last two years. Still this is not good enough when a simple double pully on the motor could have been installed at the factory for probably less money than I pay to replace the burned up belt the first time.

Chuckels

[Anonymous]

That's an interesting point about the single phase motor, I wonder if there is less stress from mine which is three phase. The W125 belts are almost identical to the W124, I wonder if people are having the same problems there. I have some W124's and I have only replaced one in the last three years.

[gkjvl]

I DON'T HAVE MUCH KNOWLEDGE OF THESE MACHINES BUT I DO HAVE EXPERENCE WITH MANY OTHER TYPES OF BELT DRIVEN MACHINERY. IF YOU ARE USE AN "OEM" SUPPLIED BELT THE PROBLEM IS PROBABLY NOT THE BELT, BUT IF YOU ARE USEING OTHER SOURCES FOR YOUR BELTS....MAKE SURE YOU ARE GETTING A "POWER RATED BELT" AND NOT A "FRACTIONAL HP BELT" . FOR EXAMPLE GATES MAKES BOTH...A FRACTIONAL HP BELT #2240 AND A POWER RATED #6824....BOTH ARE THE SAME SIZE BUT COST AND STRENGTH ARE VERY DIFFERENT. MOTION INDUSTRIES IS A LARGE NATIONAL DISTIBUTOR OF "POWER TRANSMISSION" PARTS SUCH AS BELTS, BEARING AND SEALS... INDUSTRIAL STUFF, GIVE THEM A CALL. THEY HAVE FAIR PRICES AND A HUGE OFFERING OF PARTS. I HAVE NO CONNECTION WITH THEM, I JUST BUY ALOT IN MY JOB.

[CharlieS]

WoW! I have 12 of these W125s. All were 3 years old when purchased, and I have run them for a year. None has broken a belt, and they do get loaded.

I have 3 phase power. Interesting hypothesis as to whether or not this makes a difference.

I do have another 125 at my other store. Single phase. Never replaced its belt in 2 years.

2 of my 3 185s have blown belts this year. I think when one goes, the other can't handle the double load and goes right behind the first.

However, if you are blowing belts, the tension spring questions are good, plus check your pulley alignment, pulleys for wear or other problems, are the pulleys getting wobbly, etc.

Charlie

[Rondo]

Belt grip can be purchased at any auto parts store. It does leave a tacky surface to the belts. I started using it on my older Maytag/Unimac 35s with single belts and the belts would last twice as long. Now I spray some on any belt I replace.

[PeterH]

In the existing store that I bought, I had 4 125's that averaged 42 turns a week each. In 3 years, I never had a belt break. 3-phase machines.

[Chuckels]

OK ya all, I am getting off my sick high horse now and will check out alignment, tension and belt type.

Chuckels

[Tini Bubbles]

This is a perfect answere to all on this one.

I installed 4 124s on the same date, two with name Brand belts, two from area belt supply Co'.

Within two weeks I noticed a slip on start up of Extract on just two machines. After 3 weeks customers frendged upon startup.
I replaced these belts that day with new ones like the others I have.

My problem with this statement is, The belts I bought from Wasco where garbage. Area supplier is the ticket.

Tini Stretched out:D

[CharlieS]

Okay Tini, I'll bite. Customers frendged on startup?

:)
Charlie

[Lar Hylobates]

My machines are three phase.

Belt tension spring, not sure of this. The motor weight is the tension I think on the 125. I just torque the new belts on from the top believe it or not. I slip it on as far as I can, then use a wire to "clamp" the belt to the pulley and rotate the drum to twist the belt on. They are always tight.

Andy (Laundryparts) can get the double pulley for the motor shaft. He needs the serial and model #'s. I haven't got mine yet...I can't really get to the lower rears of these machines without moving some serious machnery. I thought I'd look into access from the front. It didn't look promissing, but I need to look into it.