Atlas MFC Belt Won't Disengage

[greenman]

I've got a 4L350 on the motor pulleys. Doesn't seem to matter how much slack I give it, the belt always runs. It's supposed to slip when the lever is disengaged right?

Is there something I can put on the belt? Polish the pulleys?

Thanks.

 

[Ulma Doctor]

Hi greenman,
there may be residual friction even with a slack belt.
it's worse on a new belt because of the increased grip of new rubber, to sufficiently drive the headstock.
i would suggest turning off the motor when making adjustments, lubricating, or taking the mill in and out of back gear and the problem is no longer a safety issue

also when shutting down the machine for the day, release the tension on the drive belt to prevent stretching and static form memory from the pulleys

 

[wa5cab]

Right. If you make it a practice to do anything on the mill while the motor is running other than cut metal, sooner or later you are going to lose a finger, hand or arm. Or worse. Think of it as a Darwin Award tester. The belt tension lever is NOT a clutch.

 

[greenman]

That's fair. Just seems odd but certainly can be worked around.

 

[wa5cab]

A slack belt can't consistently deliver enough smooth torque to do useful work. But it can usually deliver enough to cut off a finger or break an arm.

 

[greenman]

A slack belt can't consistently deliver enough smooth torque to do useful work. But it can usually deliver enough to cut off a finger or break an arm.

Yea I meant the workaround will just be shutting the machine off. I've worked on and around gas powered machinery so I do have some concept of safety. Usually.

 

[wa5cab]

OK.

 

[greenman]

OK.

Appreciate your concern though! And thanks for all the help!