what's new in: Belts & hoses

Dec. 1, 2005
Getting the longest life out of your truck's belts and hoses is pretty straightforward. In a nutshell, start by buying products from a reputable manufacturer. Follow up by regularly checking your belts and hoses for wear and replacing them routinely to avoid over-the-road failures. Gates Corp., the inventor of the V-belt, offers a variety of Green Stripe branded belts to suit every fleet's application

Getting the longest life out of your truck's belts and hoses is pretty straightforward. In a nutshell, start by buying products from a reputable manufacturer. Follow up by regularly checking your belts and hoses for wear and replacing them routinely to avoid over-the-road failures.

Gates Corp., the inventor of the V-belt, offers a variety of Green Stripe branded belts to suit every fleet's application need. The company says its newest engine belt, the FleetRunner, is made with proprietary rubber compounds designed to prolong service life while resisting failures due to the effects of engine heat.

The rubber compound, Gates adds, allows the FleetRunner to retain its flexibility on drives subjected to extended high operating temperatures without hardening, cracking and ultimately failing. Fibers built into the belt improve stability and reduce belt turnover, while also lessening premature failures due to drive misalignment. The rubber compound also resists deterioration from ozone and water-based coolants.

Gates engineers have identified another early failure problem that results from belts “jumping” or “flipping” out of their pulley grooves. The manufacturer says this problem isn't necessarily due to an inferior belt, but could be the fault of an incompatible pulley assembly. Fleets should be sure the pulley assemblies match the belt being used.

Gates also offers a wide variety of heavy-duty Green Stripe hoses for conveying coolant, air, steam, water, oil, fuel and other fluids. The company says its new coolant hose is made of a special rubber compound that provides the long life of a silicone hose without the premium price.

The manufacturer notes that in addition to providing an excellent seal, the rubber compound offers low water permeation and requires less maintenance. By providing a better bond to stems and connectors, the company explains, the Green Stripe hose greatly reduces cold coolant leaks and EPA concerns for coolant seepage at maintenance facilities and parking areas. It maintains a 50/50 coolant concentration for a longer time because of its resistance to water permeation through the hose wall, which also means the radiator does not need to be topped off as frequently. The Green Stripe coolant hose is also fully compatible with today's environmentally safe and long-life coolant products; its temperature range is from -40°F to +275°F.

Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. offers fleets a variety of belts and hoses through its aftermarket division. Its PD cam drive belts feature Goodyear Wingprene synthetic rubber that the company says provides the strength, shear resistance and environmental resistance needed for a long, dependable life.

The facing of the pulley side of the PD cam drive belt, Goodyear notes, is a specially woven fabric that has been chemically treated to reduce pulley friction and tension members are made with high-strength synthetic cords that resist shrinking and stretching. The Wingprene synthetic rubber used in the PD cam drive belts facing and backing has exceptional oil, abrasion and ozone resistance to protect the load-carrying cords, says Goodyear.

The manufacturer also offers a complete line of Matchmaker brand V-belts designed for every truck application as well as Hi-Miler truck fan belts, both of which feature Goodyear's Vytacord tension members to resist shockload failure. Vytacord, the company explains also has low stretch properties to ensure uniform performance over the life of the belts.

The manufacturer's Hi-Miler heater and radiator hoses are constructed with Goodyear's Versigard rubber and Flexten cord reinforcement. According to the manufacturer, this combination creates a hose that can go from engine overhaul to overhaul without replacement and yet costs 60% less than a silicone hose.

ACDelco also carries a full line of high-quality truck belts and hoses. All belts are constructed with state-of-the-art manufacturing processes, the company says, using only high-grade materials to ensure long service life, eliminate noise, reduce tension loss and solve problem drive applications.

The company says its premium hoses for coolant and heater applications are manufactured with specially blended materials to resist electrochemical degradation, the leading cause of hose failure. ACDelco also offers bulk hoses for transporting fuel, oil, air, vacuum and water, and heavy-duty hoses for radiator, heater, air and vacuum brake, and silicone turbocharger applications.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CIRCLE NUMBER ON REPLY CARD:

ACDELCO
www.acdelco.com

FAIRVIEW FITTINGS & MFG.
www.fairviewfittings.com

GATES CORP.
www.gates.com/fleet

GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER
www.goodyearbeltsandhose.com

About the Author

DEBORAH MCGUFFIE

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