For any operation, including the mining sector, unscheduled breakdowns are one of the main challenges that affect production. To reduce the odds of breakdowns, mines need to ensure their equipment and components are geared towards their operations’ requirements.

Application-specific fluid power and power transmission solutions company Gates Industrial Europe’s product range is a key component in the cycle of eliminating unnecessary downtime, says Gates sales manager Louis Matthysen.

Gates produces several drive belts to support conveyor applications. Customers are able to experience immediate reduction in downtime resulting in improved operational profits as a result of service-free products backed by expert advice and guidance from Gates application engineering.

Some of the power transmission products the company offers include Predator and Quad power belts, as well as Mini Poly Chain GT Carbon.

The heavy-duty Predator V-belt is an excellent problem solver that performs well in harsh environments and in extremely demanding applications where standard V-belts have performance issues. The belt offers “at least 40% higher” power ratings than equivalent Super HC belts. Through eliminating the need for constant belt retensioning, this service-free belt helps to reduce maintenance and downtime.

Its double fabric cover offers extreme abrasion and wear resistance along with improved rubber compounds, which provide oil and heat resistance.

“Gates Predator V-belts are the market’s leading heavy-duty V-belts and unique in their extreme robustness and high load carrying capability.”

The Predator belts have the highest power density of any V-belt and virtually zero stretch because of the use of high-strength, high modulus aramid tensile cords.

The belts were manufactured in a Gates manufacturing plant in Legnica, Poland, and can be exported.

“The belts have already had great success in crushing plants for hard rock mining,” adds Matthysen.

For Gates Quad-Power 4 bandless V-belts, the company has used innovative minimal-stretch cord technology which results in them being maintenance free.

Gates’ new generation of service-free ethylene propylene diene monomer belts are designed to extend product life, eliminating costly downtime for retensioning, repair and replacement.

“Unlike conventional belts, the Quad-Power 4 V-belt does not suffer from severe tension decay in the first hours after installation. Consequently, the belts have no run-in period nor any required retensioning,” explains Matthysen.

The Quad-Power 4 V-belt is manufactured at a Gates manufacturing plant in Nevers, France and can be exported.

In addition to the Predator and Quad-Power V-belts, Gates also offers the synchronous Mini Poly Chain GT Carbon. This compact polyurethane belt opens up new opportunities in the design of conveyor drives, as well as an alternative to roller chains.

The special carbon fibre tensile cords provide an excellent power carrying capacity. In addition to that, the flex fatigue life of carbon is exceptional, and its high-impact strength withstands shocks and surge loading.

“Showcasing the advantages belts offer over chains, Mini Poly Chain GT Carbon does not require lubrication or tensioning and is characterised by low noise levels even at high transport speeds. “The special construction is highly resistant to aggressive influences such as dust, oil and chemicals,” concludes Matthysen.