3VX Cogged Narrow Wedge V-Belts
3VX Cogged Narrow Wedge V-Belts
3VX belts are cogged narrow wedge V-belts: 3/8 in top width, 40° included angle, and a raw-edge, molded-notch underside built to run in standard 3V sheave grooves. Texas Belting stocks 2,500+ 3VX sizes from our Diesel Belting and D&D Global lines plus Gates, Bando, Carlisle, Megadyne and PIX in Houston, TX.
Shop 3VX belts by type
On this page: Dimensions & decoder · Size chart · 3V vs 3VX · 3VX vs classical · Minimum sheave · Banded sets · XPZ/SPZ warning · Brand interchange · FAQ
3VX belt dimensions and part number decoder
Every 3VX belt shares one standardized cross section: 3/8 in (9.5 mm) top width, roughly 5/16 in (8 mm) depth, and a 40° included angle, built with raw-edge sidewalls and molded notches instead of a fabric wrap. The digits after the X give the outside length in tenths of an inch, so a 3VX500 is a 50.0 in belt.
| 3VX Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Top width | 3/8 in (9.5 mm; 10 mm nominal metric) |
| Depth | Approx. 5/16 in (8 mm) |
| Belt included angle | 40° |
| Construction | Raw-edge sidewalls, molded notches (cogs) on the underside |
| Groove fit | Standard 3V sheave grooves |
| Minimum recommended sheave OD | 2.2 in (wrapped 3V: 2.65 in) |
| Stock length range | 3VX250 through 3VX1400 (25.0–140.0 in outside) |
| Governing standard | RMA/ARPM IP-22, narrow multiple V-belts |
Decoding the number: 3 is the section (3/8 in top width), V marks the narrow wedge profile, X means cogged raw-edge construction, and the suffix is outside length in tenths of an inch per Texas Belting cross-reference standards. The suffix carries across constructions - a 3VX710 and a 3V710 are the same length in the same groove - though a few lengths appear in some brands' catalogs in cogged form only.
Common 3VX belt sizes
Stock 3VX lengths run from 25.0 in to 140.0 in outside in about 30 standard RMA increments. The table highlights common sizes with their IP-22 metric designations; every row links to live Houston inventory, and most lengths between rows are stocked too.
| Part Number | Outside Length | IP-22 Metric | Typical Drives |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3VX250 | 25.0 in | 630 mm | Compact OEM drives |
| 3VX315 | 31.5 in | 800 mm | Small blowers and fan drives |
| 3VX375 | 37.5 in | 950 mm | Small pump and compressor drives |
| 3VX500 | 50.0 in | 1270 mm | Mid-range HVAC and pump drives |
| 3VX630 | 63.0 in | 1600 mm | General machine drives |
| 3VX710 | 71.0 in | 1800 mm | Multi-groove pump drives |
| 3VX800 | 80.0 in | 2030 mm | Larger fan and blower drives |
| 3VX900 | 90.0 in | 2290 mm | Long-center industrial drives |
| 3VX1000 | 100.0 in | 2540 mm | Cooling tower drives |
| 3VX1400 | 140.0 in | 3550 mm | Longest standard 3VX length |
Need a length not on the chart? Browse all 3VX belts, or use the belt length calculator if you only know sheave diameters and center distance.
What is the difference between 3V and 3VX belts?
A 3V and a 3VX are the same belt section built two ways. The 3V wraps the body in a fabric jacket; the 3VX exposes raw-edge sidewalls and molds notches into the underside. The notches cut bending stress, so a 3VX turns smaller sheaves - 2.2 in minimum against 2.65 in for the wrapped belt - runs cooler, and carries higher published horsepower ratings in the same groove.
- Capacity: manufacturer tables rate 3VX above 3V at the same sheave diameter and speed, so a marginal wrapped drive often steadies out on cogged belts with no hardware change.
- Small sheaves: molded notches flex around a 2.2 in sheave that would fatigue a wrapped 3V rated for 2.65 in and up.
- Heat: notches add cooling surface and cut internal friction on high-speed, small-sheave drives where wrapped belts glaze.
Wrapped 3V is still the right call in a few places: clutching drives that deliberately slip the belt on engagement, where the sacrificial jacket outlasts a grabby raw edge; drives with back-side idlers, where the jacket protects the belt back; and dusty, abrasive service. Otherwise the 3VX is the default.
3VX vs classical A/AX belts: when to convert a drive
Classical A and AX belts measure 1/2 in wide by about 5/16 in deep; the 3VX packs its cord line into a narrower 3/8 in wedge that engages more groove per inch of width. Narrow wedge belts are published to transmit up to three times the horsepower of classical belts in the same drive space, or the same horsepower in one-half to two-thirds the space, per typical manufacturer ratings.
Convert to 3VX when you are already replacing hardware: worn A/B sheaves at rebuild time, a multi-belt drive you want to shrink to fewer strands, or a cramped guard. Keep classical when the existing sheaves are in good shape - A and B grooves are not 3V grooves, so conversion always means new sheaves - and on fractional-horsepower equipment. Conversions are a sheave-plus-belt package; see the sheave selection guide or send us the drive specs.
What is the minimum sheave diameter for a 3VX belt?
Published manufacturer tables list 2.2 in as the smallest standard sheave outside diameter for 3VX belts; wrapped 3V starts at 2.65 in. Below that floor the belt bends tighter than its cords tolerate, overheats, and cracks. We stock 240+ 3V wedge sheaves in Houston with matching bushings.
Whenever a 3VX drive eats belts, check the grooves before blaming the belt: shiny, dished sidewalls or a belt riding visibly low both shred new belts in weeks. Worn grooves also change effective diameter, quietly dropping tension and speed ratio.
Banded 3VX sets for whip, flutter, and turnover
Long-center and pulsating multi-groove drives can whip individual belts or roll them over in the groove. Banded 3VX sets join two or more strands on a common tie band so every strand stays upright and shares load. Brand formats differ for the same construction: Gates 3/3VX500 PowerBand, Bando 3-3VX500, and Carlisle R3VX500-3 all mean three joined 3VX500 strands. We stock 29,000+ banded V-belts; for shock loads, Gates Predator belts add aramid cords and a double fabric jacket.
Are 3VX and XPZ/SPZ metric belts interchangeable?
No. XPZ (cogged) and SPZ (wrapped) are the 9.7 mm metric cousins of the 3VX, built to DIN 7753 / ISO 4184, and they look close enough to swap. Under Texas Belting cross-reference standards, XPZ does not seat cleanly in 3V grooves: the metric groove is cut for a nominal 36° seat while the 3VX is a 40° section, so a crossed belt rides wrong and wears out fast.
If the sheave stamp and belt number disagree, run them through our belt cross-reference tool or send photos before ordering.
3VX cross-brand interchange
The 3VX section is an industry standard, so every brand's cogged narrow wedge line uses the same part numbers - a 3VX500 is a 3VX500 in every catalog below. Crossing brands means confirming the line, not translating the number.
| Brand | Cogged Narrow Wedge Line | Example, 50.0 in Belt |
|---|---|---|
| Gates | Super HC Molded Notch | 3VX500 |
| Bando | Power Ace Cog | 3VX500 |
| Carlisle (Timken Belts) | Power-Wedge Cog | 3VX500 |
| Diesel Belting | House cogged V-belt line | 3VX500 |
| D&D Global | House cogged line, singles and banded sets | 3VX500 |
| Megadyne | Wedge program, strong in banded sets | 3VX500 |
| PIX | Industrial V-Belt line, incl. banded | 3VX500 |
Interchange references are based on manufacturer-published equivalents. Verify dimensions before ordering.
Our Diesel Belting and D&D Global narrow cogged lines cover the standard lengths at everyday pricing, and the name brands ship from the same Houston shelves - browse the cogged narrow wedge collection or the full narrow wedge family.
3VX belt supplier in Houston, TX
Most stocked 3VX sizes ship same day from our Houston, TX warehouse, and cross-reference or drive-spec quotes typically come back the same business day. We supply plants, HVAC contractors, and OEMs across the Texas Gulf Coast and ship nationwide. Call (888) 203-2358 to confirm availability.
Common 3VX selection mistakes
- Substituting a 3L or A belt because the width looks right. A 3L shares the 3/8 in top width but is a shallower fractional-horsepower belt, and an A section is 1/2 in wide; neither seats correctly in a 3V groove.
- Measuring the inside of the belt. The 3VX number is outside length in tenths of an inch; an inside measurement orders a belt one or two sizes short.
- Mixing constructions on one drive. Wrapped 3V next to cogged 3VX load-shares unevenly; so do new belts next to used ones. Replace matched sets.
- Dropping an XPZ into 3V grooves. The 9.7 mm metric belt does not seat cleanly on the 3V groove angle; identify the sheave standard first.
- Ignoring the 2.2 in minimum sheave. A 3VX bent around an undersized sheave overheats and cracks at the notch roots regardless of brand.
- Reusing worn sheaves. Dished, glazed grooves destroy new belts; gauge the grooves at every belt change.
When to call
The chart and rules above cover routine 3VX replacement. Call for:
- Classical-to-3VX conversions needing horsepower checks and a sheave package
- Drives with sheaves under 2.2 in OD, heavy shock loads, or repeat belt turnover
- Metric-vs-imperial identification when markings disagree
- Matched multi-belt sets, banded conversions, or lengths outside 25.0–140.0 in
Call (888) 203-2358 or send us what you have.
Frequently asked questions
What does 3VX mean on a V-belt?
The 3 identifies the narrow wedge cross section with a 3/8 in top width, the V marks it as a wedge belt, and the X means raw-edge cogged construction with molded notches on the underside. The digits that follow give the outside length in tenths of an inch, so a 3VX500 is a 50.0 in belt. A 3V belt without the X is the same section in wrapped construction.
What is the difference between 3V and 3VX belts?
Cross section and length are identical; construction differs. A 3V is wrapped in a fabric jacket, while a 3VX has raw-edge sidewalls and molded notches that let it bend around sheaves as small as 2.2 in versus 2.65 in for the wrapped belt. Manufacturers publish higher horsepower ratings for 3VX in the same groove, and the notched belt runs cooler. Wrapped 3V still suits clutching drives and back-side idlers.
Can I use a 3VX belt in a 3V sheave?
Yes. 3VX belts share the 3V cross section and are designed to run in standard 3V sheave grooves; the notches face the sheave and do not affect fit. The same numeric suffix means the same length, so a 3VX560 replaces a 3V560 without changing sheaves or center distance. Check that every sheave meets the 2.2 in minimum diameter, and replace multi-belt drives as complete matched sets.
What is the smallest pulley diameter for a 3VX belt?
Published manufacturer tables list 2.2 in as the smallest standard sheave outside diameter for 3VX belts, compared with 2.65 in for wrapped 3V. Running below the minimum overheats the cords and cracks the notch roots, so measure the small sheave before converting a drive. If your drive turns a sheave smaller than 2.2 in, call us to review the layout before ordering.
Are 3VX and XPZ or SPZ belts interchangeable?
No. XPZ and SPZ are the 9.7 mm metric cousins of the 3VX, but under Texas Belting cross-reference standards XPZ does not seat cleanly in 3V grooves because the metric groove is cut on a different angle than the 40-degree 3VX section. Identify the sheave first: metric SPZ sheaves take XPZ or SPZ belts, and 3V sheaves take 3VX or 3V belts.
How do I measure a 3VX belt to find its size?
Measure the outside length: wrap a flexible tape or a string around the outside of the belt and read the total in inches, then multiply by ten for the part number. A belt that tapes 56 in around the outside is a 3VX560. Confirm the top width is 3/8 in so you are not looking at a 3L or A section; a worn belt measures approximate, so cross the old part number when you can.
When should I use banded 3VX belts instead of individual belts?
Move to a banded set when individual belts whip on long center distances, turn over in the grooves, or jump under pulsating and shock loads. The common tie band keeps all strands upright and evenly loaded. Individual belts remain the better choice for easy installation, lower cost, and drives with minor alignment issues, since a banded set is less forgiving of worn or mismatched grooves.
Related products and guides
Need help with a 3VX drive?
Send the belt number, sheave sizes, or a photo of the old belt. Our Houston team will confirm the size, cross the brand, and quote the match.
Request a Quote Call (888) 203-2358Last updated: July 2026