QD Sheaves (Quick Disconnect)
Mounting: Quick Disconnect (QD) removable tapered bushing
Belt Sections: Classical A, B, C, D, E and narrow wedge 3V, 5V, 8V
Grooves: 1 to 12+ groove configurations
Product Lines: Multi-Duty, Light Duty QT, Super HC QD
Bushing Sizes: SH, SDS, SD, SK, SF, E, F, J, M, N, P, W, S
Brands: Gates, Continental/ContiTech
In Stock: Same-day shipping from Houston
QD sheaves are the industrial standard for V-belt power transmission in North America. The Quick Disconnect mounting system uses a removable tapered bushing that locks the sheave to the shaft with cap screws. This design makes installation and replacement significantly faster than fixed-bore sheaves because you can swap the bushing without removing the sheave from the shaft. One QD sheave can also fit multiple shaft sizes by simply changing the QD bushing bore, which reduces spare parts inventory.
Texas Belting stocks QD sheaves for every standard V-belt cross section: classical A, B, C, D, and E, plus narrow wedge 3V, 5V, and 8V. We carry single-groove through 12+ groove configurations for drives ranging from fractional HP fans to heavy industrial conveyors and crushers.
QD Sheave Product Lines
QD sheaves are manufactured in several product lines, each optimized for a specific duty level and belt section. The product line determines the groove geometry, material grade, and maximum speed rating.
| Product Line | Details |
|---|---|
| Multi-Duty QD | Sections: A, B, C, D, and combination grooves (e.g., B/5V). Grooves: 1 to 12+. The most versatile QD sheave line. Handles classical and narrow wedge belts in combination configurations. Cast iron construction. Used on HVAC, pumps, compressors, conveyors, and general industrial drives. |
| Light Duty QT | Sections: A, B. Grooves: 1 to 4. Lighter weight cast iron construction for applications under 5 HP. Lower cost alternative to Multi-Duty when the load is light. Common on small fans, blowers, and OEM equipment. Uses standard QD bushings. |
| Super HC QD | Sections: 3V, 5V, 8V (narrow wedge only). Grooves: 1 to 12+. Optimized groove geometry for narrow wedge belts. Higher power ratings per groove than classical sections. Preferred for new designs and drive upgrades where space or weight matters. |
QD Sheaves by Belt Section
| Belt Section | QD Sheave Notes |
|---|---|
| A Section | 1/2" top width. Multi-Duty and Light Duty QT lines. 1 to 6 grooves. SH and SDS bushings on smaller ODs. Common on light industrial fans, pumps, and appliances. |
| B Section | 21/32" top width. Multi-Duty and Light Duty QT lines. 1 to 10+ grooves. SDS, SD, and SK bushings. The most widely used classical QD sheave section for general industrial drives. |
| C Section | 7/8" top width. Multi-Duty line. 1 to 12+ grooves. SD, SK, SF, E bushings. Medium to heavy duty. Pumps, compressors, large fans, conveyors. |
| D Section | 1-1/4" top width. Multi-Duty line. 1 to 12+ grooves. SF, E, F, J bushings. Heavy duty. Large conveyors, crushers, mining equipment. Large ODs. |
| E Section | 1-1/2" top width. Multi-Duty line. Limited groove counts. F, J, M bushings. Heaviest classical section. Mining and quarry applications. |
| 3V | 3/8" top width. Super HC line. 1 to 10 grooves. SH, SDS, SD bushings. Higher power per groove than A section. Compact drives. |
| 5V | 5/8" top width. Super HC line. 1 to 12+ grooves. SD, SK, SF, E bushings. Replaces B and C in many applications. High efficiency. |
| 8V | 1" top width. Super HC line. 1 to 12+ grooves. SF, E, F, J bushings. Heaviest narrow wedge. Replaces D section in many drives. |
QD Bushing Compatibility
Every QD sheave requires a separate QD bushing to mount to the shaft. The sheave accepts a specific bushing letter size, and the bushing is ordered with the bore diameter that matches your shaft. This two-piece system is what makes QD sheaves so flexible for maintenance and inventory management.
| Bushing | Bore Range & Typical Sheave Use |
|---|---|
| SH | 3/8" to 1-1/8". Small A and 3V sheaves. |
| SDS | 1/2" to 1-5/8". A, B, 3V sheaves. Most common small QD bushing. |
| SD | 1/2" to 2-1/8". B, C, 5V sheaves. Popular medium size. |
| SK | 3/4" to 2-7/16". B, C, 5V sheaves. Medium to heavy. |
| SF | 3/4" to 3-3/16". C, D, 5V, 8V sheaves. Heavy duty. |
| E | 1" to 3-15/16". C, D, 8V sheaves. Heavy industrial. |
| F | 1-3/16" to 4-15/16". D, E, 8V sheaves. Large bore. |
| J, M, N | 1-7/16" to 8-15/16". Large D, E sheaves. Mining, aggregate, heavy plant. |
| P, W, S | Up to 12"+. Largest sheaves for extreme heavy-duty applications. |
Metric bores are available for most QD bushing sizes. If your shaft is metric, specify the diameter in millimeters and we will confirm the correct bushing. Browse all QD bushings.
QD Sheave Part Number Decoder
QD sheave part numbers encode the groove count, belt section, and outside diameter. Recognizing the format helps you verify replacements and cross-reference between brands.
| Example | What It Means |
|---|---|
| 2B50 | 2 grooves, B section, 5.0" OD. Multi-Duty QD. |
| 4C70 | 4 grooves, C section, 7.0" OD. Multi-Duty QD. |
| 1B5V68 | 1 groove B + 1 groove 5V combination, 6.8" OD. Multi-Duty QD. |
| 2-3V315 | 2 grooves, 3V narrow wedge, 3.15" OD. Super HC QD. |
| 4-5V1090 | 4 grooves, 5V narrow wedge, 10.90" OD. Super HC QD. |
| 3-8V1600 | 3 grooves, 8V narrow wedge, 16.00" OD. Super HC QD. |
Gates, Continental, and other manufacturers may use slightly different prefixes or suffixes. Send us any part number and we will cross-reference it.
QD Sheaves vs. Bored-to-Size Sheaves
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| QD Sheaves | Removable bushing. Fits many shaft sizes. Fast install/removal. 1 to 12+ grooves. All classical and narrow wedge sections. Higher cost but lower total cost of ownership on drives that need periodic maintenance. The industrial standard above 1 HP. |
| BTS Sheaves | Fixed bore with set screw. Bore cannot be changed. 1 to 4 grooves. A and B sections only (most lines). Lower upfront cost. Best for light duty OEM or cost-sensitive applications under 1 HP where the sheave is unlikely to be swapped. |
For a full comparison with sizing examples, see our Sheave Selection Guide.
Common Applications
| Application | Typical QD Sheave |
|---|---|
| HVAC fans/blowers | 1 to 3 groove, A/B or 3V/5V. SDS or SD bushing. Most common QD sheave application. |
| Centrifugal pumps | 1 to 4 groove, B/C or 5V. SD, SK, or SF bushing. |
| Air compressors | 2 to 6 groove, B/C or 5V/8V. SK or SF bushing. Higher service factors. |
| Conveyor drives | 2 to 8+ groove, C/D or 5V/8V. SF, E, or F bushing. Multi-belt for high HP. |
| Industrial exhaust fans | 2 to 4 groove, B/C or 5V. SD or SK bushing. |
| Crushers/screens | 4 to 12+ groove, C/D or 8V. E, F, or J bushing. Largest QD sheaves. |
| Agricultural equipment | 1 to 4 groove, A/B/C. SDS, SD, or SK bushing. Varies by machine. |
Brands We Carry
| Brand | Products |
|---|---|
| Gates | Multi-Duty, Light Duty QT, and Super HC QD sheaves. Full range of groove counts and ODs. Industry standard. |
| Continental | QD sheaves for classical and narrow wedge sections. Strong HVAC and industrial replacement selection. |
We cross-reference between Gates, Continental, Browning, Martin, Dodge, and other sheave manufacturers. Send us any part number and we will match it.
Related Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
What does QD mean on a sheave?
QD stands for Quick Disconnect. It refers to the mounting system where a removable tapered bushing locks the sheave to the shaft. The bushing can be installed and removed using cap screws without pullers, making maintenance faster than fixed-bore designs.
Do I need to buy the QD bushing separately?
Yes. QD sheaves and QD bushings are sold as separate components. This is by design: it allows one sheave to fit many different shaft diameters by choosing the right bushing bore. When ordering, you need both the sheave (which specifies the bushing letter size it accepts) and the bushing (ordered with the bore that matches your shaft). Browse QD bushings.
What is the difference between Multi-Duty and Super HC QD sheaves?
Multi-Duty QD sheaves have grooves for classical belt sections (A, B, C, D) and combination classical/narrow wedge grooves. Super HC QD sheaves have grooves designed specifically for narrow wedge belts (3V, 5V, 8V) with optimized groove geometry for higher power capacity per groove. If your drive uses classical belts, you need Multi-Duty. If it uses narrow wedge belts, Super HC is the better choice for new installations.
How do I find the right QD bushing for my sheave?
The sheave part number or product listing specifies which QD bushing letter size it accepts (SH, SDS, SD, SK, SF, E, F, J, M, N, P, W, or S). Once you know the letter size, select the bushing with the bore diameter that matches your shaft. If you are not sure, send us the sheave part number and shaft diameter and we will confirm the correct bushing.
Can I use a narrow wedge belt on a Multi-Duty sheave?
Some Multi-Duty sheaves have combination grooves that accept both classical and narrow wedge belts (for example, a B/5V combination groove). However, a standard classical-only groove will not properly support a narrow wedge belt. Check the sheave part number to confirm it includes combination grooves. For best performance with narrow wedge belts, use dedicated Super HC QD sheaves.
How many grooves do I need on my QD sheave?
The number of grooves must match the number of belts in your drive. Both the driver and driven sheaves must have the same groove count. More belts (and grooves) increase the power capacity of the drive. HVAC fans typically use 1 to 3 belts, pumps use 2 to 4, and heavy conveyors or crushers can use 6 to 12+.
Should I replace the sheave when I replace V-belts?
Not always, but inspect the sheave grooves each time you replace belts. Worn grooves (shiny, dished-out, or showing visible material loss at the sidewalls) will cause new belts to wear prematurely. Use a groove gauge to check wear. If the sheave has been through multiple belt replacements, the grooves are likely worn enough to justify replacement. Running new belts on worn sheaves is one of the most common causes of short belt life.
Can Texas Belting cross-reference QD sheave part numbers?
Yes. We cross-reference between Gates, Continental, Browning, Martin, Dodge, and other manufacturers. Send us the part number stamped on your existing sheave and we will confirm the equivalent in stock. Submit a part number or call 888-203-2358.
