V-Belt Sheaves
Sheave Types: QD (Quick Disconnect), Bored-to-Size (BTS), Adjustable Speed
Belt Sections: Classical A, B, C, D, E and narrow wedge 3V, 5V, 8V
Grooves: 1 to 12+ groove configurations
Materials: Cast iron, ductile iron, steel
Brands: Gates, Continental/ContiTech
In Stock: Same-day shipping from Houston
V-belt sheaves (also called V-belt pulleys) are the grooved drive wheels that guide and grip V-belts in power transmission systems. The sheave groove angle, depth, and pitch diameter must match the belt cross section for the drive to transmit rated power efficiently. A mismatched groove causes belt slippage, accelerated belt and sheave wear, wasted energy, and shortened drive life.
Texas Belting stocks V-belt sheaves in three main construction types: QD (Quick Disconnect) sheaves for medium to heavy industrial applications, bored-to-size (BTS) sheaves for light duty and OEM use, and adjustable speed sheaves for applications that require variable output speed. We carry sheaves for every V-belt cross section we stock, so you can source matched belt-and-sheave sets from a single supplier.
Shop by Sheave Type
Sheave Types Compared
Choosing between QD, BTS, and adjustable speed sheaves depends on the duty level, mounting requirements, and whether you need variable speed output. This table summarizes the key differences.
| Sheave Type | Details |
|---|---|
| QD Sheaves | Mounting: Removable QD bushing. Grooves: 1 to 12+. Sections: A, B, C, D, E, 3V, 5V, 8V. Duty: Medium to heavy industrial. Fixed speed ratio. One sheave fits many shaft sizes by swapping the bushing. Used on HVAC, pumps, compressors, conveyors, fans. |
| BTS Sheaves | Mounting: Fixed bore with set screw. Grooves: 1 to 4. Sections: A, B, 3L, 4L, 5L. Duty: Light to medium. Fixed speed ratio. Bore is set at purchase. Used on small fans, blowers, light pumps, OEM equipment. |
| Adjustable Speed | Mounting: QD or fixed bore (varies). Grooves: 1 to 2 (adjustable pitch). Sections: A, B, 3V, 5V. Duty: Light to medium. Variable speed ratio by changing pitch diameter. Used on HVAC air handlers, fans, machines needing speed tuning. |
Matching Sheave Grooves to V-Belt Sections
Every V-belt cross section has a corresponding sheave groove standard. Using a sheave with the wrong groove angle or depth causes the belt to ride too high or too low in the groove, which leads to slippage, uneven wear, heat buildup, and premature failure on both the belt and sheave. The table below maps each belt section to its correct sheave groove.
| Belt Section | Sheave Groove & Notes |
|---|---|
| A Section | Classical A groove. 1/2" top width. Light to medium duty. QD and BTS sheaves available. |
| B Section | Classical B groove. 21/32" top width. General industrial workhorse. Most popular QD sheave section. |
| C Section | Classical C groove. 7/8" top width. Medium to heavy duty. QD mount only. |
| D Section | Classical D groove. 1-1/4" top width. Heavy duty drives, large fans, crushers. QD mount. |
| E Section | Classical E groove. 1-1/2" top width. Heaviest classical section. Mining and quarry. QD mount. |
| 3V | Narrow wedge 3V groove. 3/8" top width. Higher power density than A section. QD mount. |
| 5V | Narrow wedge 5V groove. 5/8" top width. Replaces B and C in many applications. QD mount. |
| 8V | Narrow wedge 8V groove. 1" top width. The heaviest narrow wedge section. Replaces D in many drives. QD mount. |
Sheave Part Number Decoder
V-belt sheave part numbers follow a standard format that tells you the number of grooves, groove type, and outside diameter at a glance. Understanding this format helps you verify replacements and cross-reference between brands.
| Example | What It Means |
|---|---|
| 2B5V68 | 2 grooves, B + 5V combo section, 6.8" OD. Multi-section sheave. |
| 3B50 | 3 grooves, B section, 5.0" OD. QD mount. |
| 1C70 | 1 groove, C section, 7.0" OD. QD mount. |
| 2AK30 | 2 grooves, A section, 3.0" OD. BTS mount. "K" = BTS series. |
| 1VP50 | 1 groove, variable pitch, 5.0" OD. Adjustable speed sheave. |
| 4-5V1090 | 4 grooves, 5V narrow wedge, 10.90" OD. QD mount. |
Not all manufacturers use identical naming conventions. Gates, Continental, and other brands may use slightly different prefixes or suffixes. If you have a part number and are not sure of the equivalent, send it to us and we will cross-reference it.
Bushing Compatibility
Most QD sheaves require a separate QD bushing to mount to the shaft. The sheave and bushing are sold separately, which allows you to match one sheave to multiple shaft sizes by choosing the appropriate bushing bore. When ordering a QD sheave, you need to know the sheave size and the shaft diameter to select the correct bushing.
Common QD bushing sizes used with V-belt sheaves include SH, SDS, SD, SK, SF, E, F, J, M, N, P, W, and S. The bushing letter indicates the overall size (flange diameter and length), while the bore is specified separately. Our Bushing Selection Guide walks through how to identify and size QD bushings step by step.
BTS sheaves do not require a bushing. The bore is machined to size at the factory and the sheave mounts directly to the shaft with a set screw and keyway.
Brands We Carry
| Brand | Products & Known For |
|---|---|
| Gates | QD, BTS, and adjustable speed sheaves. Multi-Duty, Super HC, and Light Duty series. Industry standard. |
| Continental / ContiTech | QD and BTS sheaves for classical and narrow wedge sections. Strong HVAC and industrial replacement selection. |
We cross-reference between all major sheave manufacturers including Gates, Continental, Browning, Martin, and Dodge. Send us any part number and we will confirm the equivalent in stock.
Common Applications
| Application | Typical Sheave & Belt Section |
|---|---|
| HVAC fans and blowers | QD or adjustable speed sheaves. A/B section or 3V/5V. Often 1 to 3 grooves. |
| Centrifugal pumps | QD sheaves. B/C section or 5V. 1 to 4 grooves depending on HP. |
| Air compressors | QD sheaves. B/C or 5V/8V. Higher service factors require larger pitch diameters. |
| Conveyor drives | QD sheaves. B/C/D section or 5V/8V. Multi-groove for higher HP drives. |
| Industrial exhaust fans | QD sheaves. B/C section or 5V. Often 2 to 4 grooves. |
| Crushers and screens | QD sheaves. C/D section or 8V. Heavy-duty, large OD sheaves with high groove counts. |
| Small OEM equipment | BTS sheaves. A/B or 3L/4L/5L section. 1 to 2 grooves. Set screw mount. |
| Agricultural equipment | QD or BTS sheaves. A/B/C section. Varies by machine type and HP. |
Related Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a QD sheave and a bored-to-size sheave?
A QD (Quick Disconnect) sheave uses a removable tapered bushing that locks the sheave to the shaft. This makes installation and removal fast because you can swap the bushing without pulling the sheave off the shaft. A bored-to-size (BTS) sheave has a fixed bore machined at the factory and mounts with a set screw and keyway. BTS sheaves are simpler and less expensive, but the bore cannot be changed. For most industrial applications above 1 HP, QD is the preferred choice. See our Sheave Selection Guide for more detail.
How do I know what size sheave I need?
You need three pieces of information: the V-belt cross section (A, B, C, 3V, 5V, etc.), the number of grooves (matching the number of belts in your drive), and the outside diameter (which determines the speed ratio). If you are replacing an existing sheave, the part number on the sheave hub will tell you all three. If you are designing a new drive, use the speed ratio formula: driven sheave OD divided by driver sheave OD equals the speed ratio. Our Sheave Selection Guide covers sizing in detail.
Can I use a narrow wedge (3V/5V) sheave with a classical (A/B) belt?
No. Classical and narrow wedge V-belt grooves have different included angles and depth profiles. A narrow wedge belt will not seat properly in a classical groove, and a classical belt will not seat properly in a narrow wedge groove. Using the wrong combination causes slippage, heat buildup, and premature failure of both the belt and sheave. Always match the sheave groove to the belt cross section exactly.
What QD bushing do I need for my sheave?
The sheave part number or product listing specifies which QD bushing size it accepts (SH, SDS, SD, SK, SF, E, F, J, M, N, P, W, or S). Once you know the bushing size, select the bushing with the bore that matches your shaft diameter. The bushing and sheave are sold separately. Our Bushing Selection Guide explains how to identify and size QD bushings.
What is an adjustable speed sheave used for?
An adjustable speed sheave (also called a variable pitch sheave) lets you change the effective pitch diameter by moving the sheave flanges closer together or farther apart. This changes the speed ratio of the drive without swapping sheaves or adding a variable frequency drive (VFD). Adjustable speed sheaves are commonly used on HVAC air handlers, fans, and machines where the output speed needs periodic tuning. They are not designed for continuous speed variation under load.
How many grooves does my sheave need?
The number of grooves on the sheave must match the number of belts in your drive. A single-belt drive uses a 1-groove sheave, a 3-belt drive uses a 3-groove sheave, and so on. Both the driver and driven sheaves must have the same number of grooves. More grooves (and more belts) increase the power capacity of the drive, which is why heavy-duty applications like large pumps, compressors, and crushers often use 4 to 12+ groove sheaves.
Can Texas Belting cross-reference V-belt 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. You can submit a part number here or call 888-203-2358.
Do I need to replace the sheave when I replace the belt?
Not always, but you should inspect the sheave grooves when replacing belts. Worn grooves (shiny, dished-out, or with visible material loss) will cause new belts to wear prematurely and reduce drive efficiency. A simple wear gauge can check groove condition. If the sheave has been in service for multiple belt replacements, groove wear is likely and replacement is recommended. Running new belts on worn sheaves is one of the most common causes of short belt life in industrial V-belt drives.
