Russell leaves the party – Traxcavator 955 12A

Very nice photos! Smooth operation. Under steam, how many hp does the Russell have? GWH

I still can't believe how those traction tractors can run a 30 ft long belt and not have it wip and fly off!! :jaw:

Watching Andrea power that threshing machine was truly awesome! I guess the belt alignment and tension is critical?

[quote="dpendzic"]I still can't believe how those traction tractors can run a 30 ft long belt and not have it wip and fly off!! :jaw:

Watching Andrea power that threshing machine was truly awesome! I guess the belt alignment and tension is critical?[/quote]

I don't think alignement and tension is critical. I think the theory is that the pulleys are ever so slightly convex in profile, counterintuitively this make the belt stay centered by causing it to 'steer' itself away from the edges. (At least that's how I understand it) Maybe like train (railroad) wheels, they and the track are profiled to make the wheels stay central - the wheel flanges are just there to make you and me feel happier and as a 'last resort.'

What I like to see is when the belt has a 180 degree twist so that the pulleys turn in opposite directions. Now how the belt stays on when it's having a fight with itself mid-span is beyond me!

Julian

[quote="Julian"]I don't think alignement and tension is critical. I think the theory is that the pulleys are ever so slightly convex in profile, counterintuitively this make the belt stay centered by causing it to 'steer' itself away from the edges. (At least that's how I understand it) Maybe like train (railroad) wheels, they and the track are profiled to make the wheels stay central - the wheel flanges are just there to make you and me feel happier and as a 'last resort.'

What I like to see is when the belt has a 180 degree twist so that the pulleys turn in opposite directions. Now how the belt stays on when it's having a fight with itself mid-span is beyond me!

Julian[/quote]


Here is my 60 on the thresher with the twisted belt

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHmMxvJHizM

We have a baler that uses a flat belt that we use to bale the straw. Back in the seventies they were using it at a local show and couldn't keep the belt on. An old timer told them to take a roll of duct tape and make a few wraps on the center of the pulley to make it concaved as you suggest. Never had any problem with the belt coming off after that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GldeLcVnpJY

[quote="Jim Sixty"]Here is my 60 on the thresher with the twisted belt

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHmMxvJHizM

We have a baler that uses a flat belt that we use to bale the straw. Back in the seventies they were using it at a local show and couldn't keep the belt on. An old timer told them to take a roll of duct tape and make a few wraps on the center of the pulley to make it concaved as you suggest. Never had any problem with the belt coming off after that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GldeLcVnpJY[/quote]

I like that self powered bailer, I'm guessing that the bales are tied off by hand with steel wire? An old chap once told me about bales tied with wire but I'd never seen it done before. I guess you have to take care with timing as you feed the hay/straw in at the top, get it wrong and you've a snapped pikel or worse the handle could smack you in the chin and bring a tear or two to the eyes 😞

Julian.

Very nice photos! Smooth operation. Under steam, how many hp does the Russell have? GWH

Bill, have you been working the 955 or does the bucket have a fancy silver paint job?

I still can't believe how those traction tractors can run a 30 ft long belt and not have it wip and fly off!! :jaw:

Watching Andrea power that threshing machine was truly awesome! I guess the belt alignment and tension is critical?