Vacuum Belt Types

The major types of vacuum belts are determined by their different shapes.

-As vacuum designs have improved over the years, new belt shapes have been developed to increase both their durability and their ability to transfer power from the vacuum's motor.

Round Belts-

-Tube-shaped round vacuum belts are the oldest type still in use today.

-Stretched between a vacuum's motor and its brushroll, round belts use their elastic tension to stay correctly positioned and transfer to power to the brush roller.

*Replacement Period: about 3-6 months (non-commercial)

Flat Belts-

-Flat vacuum belts are the the most common type of belt in use today.

-Flat belts have more contact area to the motor shaft and the brush roller than round belts, making them more efficient and slip-resistant.

-Like round belts, flat belts fit tightly in their position but continue to stretch with time and vacuum use.

-Most flat belts today are manufactured with tougher synthetic materials that make them more durable than round belts.

*Replacement Period: about 6-9 months (non-commercial)

Cogged Belts-

-These are also called "geared" belts. Cogged vacuum belts have a teeth along their inside side which fit snugly into a sprocket on the brushroll.

-This design allows the belt to transfer energy from the vacuum motor much more efficiently than older designs.

-And because geared belts are not installed or held into place with tension, they stretch much more slowly than round and flat belts.

*Replacement Period: about 1-2 years (non-commercial)

V-Belts-

-V-belts make a "V" shape as their width tapers in toward their inner side. They are very similar to the kinds of belts commonly used in lawn mowers and other small engine machines.

-Like geared belts, v-belts improve upon previous belt styles by increasing the contact area between the belt and the brush rollers.

-Specially shaped v-belts fit into a matching groove in their brushrolls, creating three contact surfaces. Like cogged belts, v-belts are not held into place with tension and they are often reinforced with additional strengthening materials.

*Replacement Period: about 1-2 years (non-commercial)

How to Match a Replacement Vacuum Belt

-Like with any other tool or machine part replacement, getting an exactly matching vacuum belt is critical to the performance of the vacuum.

-Every vacuum belt design specification and detail is engineered to deliver the right amount of tension and power to its matching model.

-Even the small differences between similar but not exactly matching belts can sharply affect vacuum performance.

Because vacuum manufacturers do not share a standardized naming system for vacuum belts, using your vacuum's model number is the best way to ensure an accurate belt order.

Using your vacuum manufacturer's naming system isn't a bad idea if you're familiar with it and know the number/name or your vacuum's belt, but relying on the vacuum model number simplifies all of that for many vacuum owners.