XH Timing Belts
XH timing belts are heavy-duty trapezoidal profile belts with a 7/8" (22.225mm) pitch, designed for high-torque, high-horsepower industrial drives. XH is the second-largest pitch in the ANSI/RMA trapezoidal timing belt system, positioned between H (1/2" pitch) and XXH (1-1/4" pitch). These belts are built for demanding applications including large conveyors, machine tools, printing presses, extruders, and heavy industrial power transmission equipment.
XH timing belts feature a trapezoidal tooth form and are constructed with neoprene (rubber) bodies, fiberglass tensile cords for high tensile strength and low elongation, and nylon tooth facing to reduce friction and extend wear life. The 7/8" pitch provides substantially more load capacity than H belts, making XH the preferred choice when H belts are undersized but a full step up to chain drive or gear drive is unnecessary.
XH Timing Belt Part Number Decoder
XH timing belt part numbers follow the standard ANSI trapezoidal format. The number before the profile code indicates the belt's pitch circumference in tenths of an inch, and the number after indicates the belt width in hundredths of an inch.
Standard Format: [Pitch Length]XH[Width Code]
| Part Number | Pitch Length | Width | How to Read It |
|---|---|---|---|
| 504XH200 | 50.4" | 2" (200) | 50.4" pitch circumference, XH profile, 2" wide |
| 630XH300 | 63.0" | 3" (300) | 63.0" pitch circumference, XH profile, 3" wide |
| 700XH400 | 70.0" | 4" (400) | 70.0" pitch circumference, XH profile, 4" wide |
| 560XH200 | 56.0" | 2" (200) | 56.0" pitch circumference, XH profile, 2" wide |
For XH belts, the pitch length portion of the part number represents tenths of an inch. To find the actual belt pitch circumference, read the digits before "XH" with a decimal point before the last digit. For example, 504 = 50.4 inches. The width code after "XH" represents hundredths of an inch: 200 = 2.00", 300 = 3.00", 400 = 4.00". Texas Belting can cross-reference XH belt part numbers from Gates, Continental, Bando, and other brands. Call 888-203-2358 or send us your part number for fast identification.
XH Timing Belt Width Guide
XH timing belts are available in several standard widths. Because XH belts handle heavy loads, they tend to be wider than smaller-pitch belts. Selecting the correct width is critical for matching the drive's torque requirements and the pulley (sprocket) width.
| Width (Inches) | Width (mm) | Width Code | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1" | 25.4mm | 100 | Lighter XH drives, lower torque applications |
| 2" | 50.8mm | 200 | Most common XH width, general heavy-duty drives |
| 3" | 76.2mm | 300 | High-torque conveyors, large machine tools |
| 4" | 101.6mm | 400 | Maximum standard XH width, highest load capacity |
If your application requires a width not listed here, contact Texas Belting. Custom or non-standard widths may be available depending on the manufacturer and lead time.
XH vs. Other Heavy-Duty Timing Belt Pitches
XH is the second-largest ANSI trapezoidal pitch. The table below compares XH to neighboring pitches and competing profiles to help you determine if XH is the right choice for your drive.
| Profile | Pitch | Tooth Form | Load Capacity | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| H | 1/2" (12.7mm) | Trapezoidal | Heavy | General heavy-duty industrial drives, compressors |
| XH | 7/8" (22.225mm) | Trapezoidal | Very heavy | High-torque conveyors, machine tools, presses, extruders |
| XXH | 1-1/4" (31.75mm) | Trapezoidal | Extreme | Largest trapezoidal drives, mining, heavy industry |
| 8M (HTD) | 8mm (0.315") | Curvilinear (HTD) | Heavy | Modern alternative for heavy loads with improved tooth engagement |
| 14M (HTD) | 14mm (0.551") | Curvilinear (HTD) | Very heavy | High-horsepower drives, closest HTD equivalent to XH capacity |
| Poly Chain GT Carbon | 8mm / 14mm | Modified curvilinear (GT) | Very heavy | Chain drive replacement, high-torque, narrow width advantage |
XH belts provide more load capacity than H (1/2" pitch) belts but are heavier and require larger pulleys. For new designs, many engineers evaluate 14M HTD or Poly Chain GT Carbon belts as alternatives that offer comparable torque capacity with improved tooth engagement and potentially narrower belt widths. For replacement on existing equipment, always match the original XH profile and pitch. See the Timing Belt Tooth Profiles Explained guide for a full comparison of all profiles.
XH Timing Belt Materials
XH timing belts are primarily manufactured in neoprene (rubber) construction. Due to the heavy-duty nature of XH applications, material options are more limited than smaller-pitch profiles.
Neoprene (Rubber) XH Belts
Standard XH belts are constructed with a neoprene body, fiberglass tensile cords, and nylon tooth facing. This construction provides excellent resistance to oil, heat, and ozone while delivering the tensile strength required for high-torque applications. Neoprene XH belts are the industry standard for replacement and new installations in general industrial environments.
HNBR and Specialty Compounds
For extreme temperature, chemical exposure, or extended-life requirements, some manufacturers offer XH belts in HNBR (Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber) or other specialty elastomers. These provide improved heat resistance (up to 250°F / 121°C) and better chemical compatibility. Contact Texas Belting for availability of specialty XH belt compounds.
| Property | Standard Neoprene | HNBR / Specialty |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Cord | Fiberglass | Fiberglass or aramid |
| Tooth Facing | Nylon fabric | Nylon fabric |
| Temperature Range | -22°F to +185°F | -40°F to +250°F |
| Oil/Chemical Resistance | Good | Excellent |
| Typical Service Life | Standard | Extended |
| Cost | Standard | Premium |
Urethane XH belts are not commonly manufactured in closed-loop form at this pitch size. For applications that require urethane construction, consider urethane timing belts in metric AT or HTD profiles as an alternative.
Common XH Timing Belt Applications
XH belts are specified where high torque and positive synchronous drive are required at moderate to low speeds. The large tooth pitch transmits substantial power without slippage.
| Application | Why XH Works | Typical Width |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy-duty conveyor drives | High torque capacity, no-slip synchronous operation | 2" to 4" |
| Machine tools (lathes, mills) | Handles high starting torque and intermittent peak loads | 2" to 3" |
| Printing presses | Precise registration at high torque, low maintenance | 2" to 3" |
| Extruders and plastics equipment | Sustained high-torque drive at moderate speed | 3" to 4" |
| Compressors and blowers | Reliable positive drive, eliminates belt slip under load | 2" to 4" |
| Lumber and wood processing | Withstands shock loads and debris exposure | 2" to 3" |
| Mining and aggregate equipment | Robust construction for harsh, high-load environments | 3" to 4" |
| Industrial mixers and agitators | Constant torque delivery without speed variation | 2" to 3" |
XH belts are not suited for high-speed, low-torque applications. For lighter loads, consider H (1/2" pitch), L (3/8" pitch), or HTD timing belts.
XH Timing Belt Brands We Carry
Texas Belting stocks and sources XH timing belts from the following manufacturers. We can cross-reference part numbers between brands to find the correct replacement belt.
| Brand | XH Product Lines | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gates | PowerGrip XH | Industry standard neoprene XH belts with fiberglass cord |
| Continental / ContiTech | Synchroforce, Synchrobelt XH | OEM replacement and heavy-duty industrial grades |
| Bando | Bando XH | High-quality Japanese manufacturing, strong OEM presence |
| Diesel Belting | Diesel XH | Cost-effective replacement option for standard XH drives |
| Megadyne | Megapower XH | European manufacturing, neoprene and specialty options |
Not sure which brand to specify? Texas Belting's team can help you match the right XH belt to your application. Request a quote or call 888-203-2358.
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