Spectrum belts

[Clutch Plate]

Im not completely happy with the black 4" Spectrum belt that AMF sells. The balls come back everytime so that is not the problem, the problem is the back of the belt is getting torn up really quick. It's as if the back of the belt is melting and the rubber is gumming up into clumps causing exessive noise.

I'm wondering if there is another vendor who makes a good belt. The original green belt was great. I would appreciate any leads.

thanks in advance

Mike

[craigchandler]

Re: Spectrum belts

at my current little install job, thats all i have on these spectrums.

the only real issue i have seen with them, is basically, the unit is too much like a surepik, urethane rail covers hate oil and the brakes need washing in hot water and lane wash, then scrubbed with a wire brush and then dried off

i know your having no problems with the running, as for the black belts, i am just crying for a distributor going back to good old rubber, the black belts that amf are using seem to glaze really quickly, in spectrum belts and BALL LIFT [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif[/img] belts

give me a c90 anyday and the original gates orange belt anyday

and if you offer me a vantage belt, i'll whip you with it

[8270 pinspotter]

Re: Spectrum belts

I've been having the same problem with the AMF belts. I've also got some that were too short. I mean you could barely get the thing on, and when you did the tension was so tight it broke the springs. Now, I'm not a real big fan of Vantage, but I did get a couple of their spectrum belt, and they are doing great. They grip the balls very well, and the back of the belt actually stays on the belt. Also a little trick I've been using for spinning balls in these lifts, for anyone that has this problem. Take a rail cover and cut a slit in it the whole way up. Then wrap it around the existing cover and you will not have anymore spinning balls. I've been doing this for years and it has saved me alot of headaches.

[AIR FORCE MECH]

Re: Spectrum belts

Love those spinners. I only have 12 lanes but I need six monkeys just to get ball calls...lol

I have the AMF belts as well and I'm having the same problem. I tried that trick with the double rail covers just last night and it worked great, I took a house ball and covered it in lane oil and the ball still returned every time. The double rail covers is the way to go...Save lots of $$$$$.

[Clutch Plate]

Re: Spectrum belts

I wanted to share the latest info about the problem with the Spectrum belt. I called Carl at AMF to discuss the problem. Little did I know he watches whats going on on Bowl-Tech. When he saw the problems we were having he immediately called a meeting with his people to correct this problem.

He called my center and asked me to send one of my bad belts in by Monday.

Kudos to AMF for this awesome Customer Service. Carl showed so much interest and care that it was a joy to talk with him. One last thing before I go: If anyone is having problems with any of AMF's parts please call Carl immediately, we will all benefit.

Mike

[Rep]

Re: Spectrum belts

Just out of curiosity, any one with Sure-Piks have that problem with the black belts? They grab the balls great but the "V" underneath wears fast for us, certain pairs we're putting a new belt in every few months cuz of the "V" wearing so thin the belt rides to the side and then totally off the top pulley. A little off topic as you guys were discussing Spectrums, but just curious

[Clutch Plate]

Re: Spectrum belts

Originally posted by Rep:
Just out of curiosity, any one with Sure-Piks have that problem with the black belts? They grab the balls great but the "V" underneath wears fast for us, certain pairs we're putting a new belt in every few months cuz of the "V" wearing so thin the belt rides to the side and then totally off the top pulley. A little off topic as you guys were discussing Spectrums, but just curious

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Rep, not sure about the Sur-Pik but the black ball lift belt I just put in is shooting rubber all over a pair of my machines. Carl at AMF said the black belts are rubber backed, and that they just went to the "v" belt (instead of cogged) and that they are canvased backed now.

[TheGMan143]

Re: Spectrum belts

The canvas backing must be to counter a problem we have been having with the shurpik lift belts:

Certain black belts (like the AMF "cogged v" black belts, and some of the Vantage belts shriek like a banshee when running... I threw 2 belts on a while ago, and within a day, they were screaming like crazy... loud enough in one case to be heard in the back. No problem with operation... they picked up balls without any hesitation or slipping. I checked and rechecked the lifts and found nothing wrong. When the black belts were replaced with blue ones (a Vantage belt if I'm correct), the noise stopped completely.

I found that the noise can be stopped by simply patting the back of the belt with a cloth that has a little talcum powder on it, or a pro-slide bag... doesn't hurt the operation of the lift, and at least gets it to shut the hell up until the league is over and it can be changed out.

It has to be something with the way the belt rides on the pulleys... I did notice that the V-groove of the noisy belts isn't as high as the others that run quietly... I was thinking that the tension warps the belt down as it rides on the pulley, and causes it to squeak... but it's just a guess.

We just got 2 of those canvas/fabric-backed belts... we'll see what they do.

[Clutch Plate]

Re: Spectrum belts

[quote]We just got 2 of those canvas/fabric-backed belts... we'll see what they do.[quote/]

G, please keep us posted on the new style belts, shouldn't take long to tell if they work better than the cogged.

[Clutch Plate]

Re: Spectrum belts

Originally posted by 8270 pinspotter:
I've been having the same problem with the AMF belts. I've also got some that were too short. I mean you could barely get the thing on, and when you did the tension was so tight it broke the springs. Now, I'm not a real big fan of Vantage, but I did get a couple of their spectrum belt, and they are doing great. They grip the balls very well, and the back of the belt actually stays on the belt. Also a little trick I've been using for spinning balls in these lifts, for anyone that has this problem. Take a rail cover and cut a slit in it the whole way up. Then wrap it around the existing cover and you will not have anymore spinning balls. I've been doing this for years and it has saved me alot of headaches.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I just recieved a Vantage Spectrum 4" belt. It is built a lot like the old AMF green belt except it is black. The top has good grip and the back side will definetly stay in tact. I installed it a week ago. I think its a keeper.

Just thought you guys would like to know. [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif[/img]

[jez]

Re: Spectrum belts

i have Mendes ball returns, the blower fans are crap, but, all i have done to the actual ball returns is change 2 snapped drivebelts on 12 months, both due to people jamming the ball returns with plastic bottles thrown down the exit hole. MAGIC!

mendes bumpers are a pain in the arse, the masking units are boring but extremley well built, never seen one of their pinspotters, but they got the ball returns RIGHT!