Raw-Edge vs Wrapped V-Belts - Agricultural Belts Manufacturer

14 Jul.,2025

 

Raw-Edge vs Wrapped V-Belts - Agricultural Belts Manufacturer

In , the first rubber V belt was born. From this time on, the v-belts became standardized through trade and manufacturing associations. During the same period, the types and models of V belts were expanded to accommodate a wider range of applications. Traditional or wedged, wrapped or toothed, and the many materials used throughout the process make up an impressive list.

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The main point of this post is to compare raw edge v belts to wrapped v belts. Before we begin to analyze the pros and cons, it would be helpful to know a little more about how these belts work.

Wrapped (or smooth) v-belts

The wrapped belt can be considered a standard V-belt. The term cladding comes from the fabric that covers the inside of the belt, giving it a very uniform look and feel, as well as a fairly quiet running characteristic.

The purpose of wrap is twofold. The fabric provides wear resistance, making the belt more durable. The contact between the belt and the wheels is constant and can occur at very high speeds. This additional protection prevents contamination and wear of the belt and pulley, allowing the belt to run longer before it wears out to the point where it cannot properly transfer the required power.

Another benefit is that the belt slips, which is critical in applications that require it. While the triangle belt may seem counterintuitive in skidding in the wheel, it can prevent significant damage. The covered belt is more prone to slip than the original belt when a spike in torque or a sudden change in drive speed causes the belt drive to react. In most cases, the belt will break before it can transfer power back to the gearbox or motor, so the belt’s ability to slide is a safety factor.

Finally, the fabric coating has high oil resistance. The original belt may become clogged with contaminants and absorb moisture. This will cause the belt rubber to expand and cause fracture.

Raw-edge (or cogged) v-belts

The bottom of the Raw-edge belts has gears, giving up the fabric wrap on the outside of the belt, leaving the interior material exposed to the side. The belt has a higher coefficient of friction and now holds the pulleys better. This increased grip means that the raw-edged belt transmits more horsepower at higher speeds, in some cases as much as 30 percent more.

Increased power is a substantial benefit of this type of belt. There are other benefits worth mentioning. The raw-edged belts, due to the inclusion of gears, are better wound around the smaller wheels. These belts are also cooler when operating at higher speeds and generally have better temperature resistance.

V-belt similarities

The V-belt operates through the mechanical advantages of the wedge. Once the belt is installed and properly tensioned, its tension can move huge loads and achieve very high speeds. One type of belt, called a wedge-shaped V-belt (3V, 5V, 8V), has a greater wedge effect in the wheel grooves than a traditional V-belt. This means that the tension increases and the power increases.

The operation of all v-belts is similar. However, details such as tension levels and how much power they can transmit will vary. These numbers will vary depending on the application and the type and model of the individual belt. All traditional belts (A, B, C) will have the same contact Angle as the above wedge belt.

V-belt structures are also mostly universal. It has a rubber layer on top and bottom. Between these two layers, further surrounded by damping rubber, is the tension rope. The rubber compounds and rope materials used will vary by manufacturer and model. For example, polychloroprene layers and polyester ropes are common. Manufacturers use aramid fibers in more punitive or high-output applications (think Kevlar).

How the wrapped sideband and the original sideband start to differ is completely outside the band.

What’s the difference?

The main difference between V belts and wedge belts is the profile shape. As their names suggest, V belts feature a V-shaped profile with tapered sides, whilst wedge belts have a wedge-shaped profile.

Wedge belts take the lead when it comes to load carrying capacity, thanks to their ability to transmit more power than a V-belt of the same top width. This makes wedge belts more suited to industrial applications with higher load carrying requirements, or where drive space is limited.

V-belts are usually the belt of choice in applications where load requirements are light or where there is the drive space for multiple belts to be used. This is due to their low cost and high levels of efficiency.

Which is better? Smooth or cogged?

Generalizations or generalizations are problematic because there are always exceptions to the rule. After reading the last section about raw-edge belts, some of you may find their answer obvious. However, the cost of the raw-edge belts is higher than wrapped belt, so the fewer grooves in the wheel, the lower the cost for a transmission that runs only one belt. For the same reason, a single groove wheel also does not provide any reduction in weight, with no additional benefit to the overhanging load of the bearing.

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Some of the inherent benefits of the raw-edge belt (increased power, smaller edge, quieter operation) still apply to a single grooved wheel, but with fewer additional benefits. We cannot overemphasize the importance of the ability of the sash to slide more easily inside the wheel.

Everything You Need To Know About V-Belts - Megadyne

V-belts are belts with a trapezoidal cross-section. Like other types of belts, they are used to transmit power or torque from the driving component to the driving component. Their design facilitates gripping onto the roller components (i.e., pulleys) during operation, decreasing the risk of slippage and increasing the consistency of the system’s output.

Types of V-Belts

These components come in numerous variations, each of which offers unique characteristics that make them suitable for use in different applications. Examples include:

  • A Type V-belts with a top width of 1/2 inches
  • B Type V-belts with a top width of 21/32 inches
  • C Type V-belts with a top width of 7/8 inches
  • D Type V-belts with a top width of 1 1/4 inches
  • E Type V-belts with a top width of 1 1/2 inches

The following article provides an overview of V-belts, outlining their operating principles, the types available, and their design and selection considerations.

How Do V-Belts Work?

The key components of a standard wrapped V-belt are as follows:

  1. Base rubber compound. The rubber material forms the bulk of the V-belt and acts as a shock absorber during operations.
  2. Tensile Members. Tensile members, commonly referred to as "cords" are embedded in the rubber, giving the V-belt its strength and capability to transmit power.
  3. Protective covering. The textile cover guarantees the right grip for power transmission and protects the rubber from frictional damage and external contaminants. 

Altogether, these components allow wrapped V-belts to perform their function as intended—i.e., transmitting power and torque from one pulley to another by friction-based means.

Design and Selection Consideration for V-Belts

When designing and selecting a V-belt for a system, there are numerous factors to consider ensuring the chosen component demonstrates the correct performance characteristics. Some of the key considerations to keep in mind include:

Application

The environmental and operating conditions to which the V-belt will be subjected significantly influence what type would be ideal. Some of the factors to consider include operating speeds, intermittent or continuous operation, misalignment tolerance, layout (e.g., serpentine or quarter turn), transmitted power, belt efficiency, and exposure to harsh conditions (e.g., extreme temperatures, abrasives, ozone, and oils). Depending on what factors are critical, industry professionals may choose from a wide range of light-duty or heavy-duty, industrial V-belts.

Profile

V-belts have several profile (i.e., cross-section) options. While all of them feature the basic trapezoidal shape, each one has different dimensions. The main industry standards are:

  • Classical. This standard was developed in the s. It now comes in six sizes (A, B, C, D, E and Z).
  • Narrow. Compared to the classical standard, this standard has more steeply angled sidewalls, which enhances wedging and load-carrying capacities. It comes in three sizes (3V, 5V, and 8V).
  • Metric. This standard complies with international standards (e.g., ISO and DIN). Also, the Classic belts have international standards (DIN ) making it suitable for machinery belts employed in other countries. It comes in many sizes (XPZ SPZ, XPA SPA, XPB SPB, XPC SPC, 10X, 13X, and 17X).
  • Fractional Horsepower. This standard is used for V-belts designed for light-duty applications. It comes in four sizes (2L, 3L, 4L, and 5L).

These profiles are also available in raw-edge cogged to enhance or add specific performance characteristics.

V-Belts From Megadyne

At Megadyne, we have extensive experience supplying power transmission belts, accessories, and systems to customers in countless sectors, including commercial and consumer appliances, construction, and heavy industry. Our V-belt offerings include:

Rubber Wrapped V-Belts

Designed and constructed for superior performance with high durability and tensile strength. Benefits of Our rubber-wrapped V-belts:

  • Belts designed for use in light-duty to heavy-duty systems;
  • Durable in tough environments (enhanced resistance to abrasion, oils, heat, ozone, and wear);
  • Available in a wide range of lengths and sections.

Rubber Raw Edge V-Belts

Ideally suited for high-speed, compact drives. Benefits of Our rubber raw-edge V-belts:

  • Higher power with a more compact drive;
  • Greater flexibility to allow for smaller pulleys;
  • Eliminates slippage and increases efficiency which increases energy savings;
  • Oil and heat resistant;
  • Static dissipating;
  • Designed to withstand chemically aggressive environments, ageing, ozone and UV rays.

Banded V-Belts

Benefits of our banded V-belts:

  • Fabric/Neoprene Top Band;
  • Eliminates belt whip and twisting;
  • Ensures smooth and consistent operation;
  • Minimizes vibration;
  • Enhances stability and prevents the belt from coming off the drive.

Linked V-Belts   

 Benefits of our linked V-belts:

  • Save labour and costs by offering easy installation on hard to get to V-belt drives;
  • Superior strength, durability and quick easy assembly to keep equipment up and running;
  • Easy “No Tools” assembly, can be assembled to any desired length;
  • Ideal for mobile service vehicles, carry one roll of link belts instead of a large inventory of multiple belt sizes.

For additional information about our V-belt products available in your area, contact us today!

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Wrapped V Belt.