Twisted Belt Drive

[klicky96]

Hey guys, i'm planning on putting my 18HP Vertical Shaft Briggs OHV Engine on my Kart. I was going to use a twisted belt design. I know this will decrease my speed, that is why i'm using a more powerful engine. I want to put a manual release tensioner on the belt so that, if i need to, I can rev the engine without the kart jerking around. Any ideas on how i might do this?

 

[r_chez_08]

Ragb? It may be cheaper and easier in the long run. And if you can find two bevel gears then you could make one.

 

[karl]

You cant tension the belt when its twised well, like r chez said a right angle gear box is a good option. Also, you will wear out belts faster when twisted.

 

[jamyers]

How about modding a riding mower transmission?

I've seen one with a welded-up differential, the left trans "axle" (now output shaft) gear/chained to the kart axle, the right trans "axle" was had a brake disk mounted on it. NOT very compact, however...

 

[klicky96]

I don't want to spend the money on a right angle gear box. Things are expensive nowadays ha. and i've thought about using 2 separate belts, one from the motor to a pulley(the one i want to tension) and on from the pulley to the axle(twisted).
Also, the problem with the riding mower tranny, it doesn't get the speed i'm looking for. plus, if you put too much power into it, it will shatter the gears on the inside. I actually tried that, it didn't work too well. I was riding one moment, the next, i'm on the asphault, my rear axle is in the grass.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Some mower trannies are better than others. For that matter, you're better to use a mower transmission, rather than a transaxle.

You can set up a jackshaft to use a separate belt for tensioning, but I'm not sure how well the twist will work out for you.

 

[JDblazer]

I have an older John Deere 70 lawn tractor with a twisted belt. It's 20" from the the engine pulley to the first pulley. Your going to need a lot of room for that setup. There is a tensioner on that belt. Once that 18 hp kicks in at a decent rpm you better be holding on. Good luck with your project.