Nylon pulleys are used in various applications, including lawn equipment and production environments, due to their heat and corrosion resistance, lighter weight, and lower cost. They offer back pressure to lift or support loads and are easier to replace than other types of pulleys. Nylon sheave options include standard nylon, glass-reinforced nylon, and various bearing constructions.
A nylon pulley is a grooved wheel manufactured from nylon plastic resin. In terms of sheaves and conveyors, a nylon sheave performs the same function as metal and wood sheaves, offering back pressure to help lift or support loads. Typically, such pulleys are used where small heat and corrosion resistant pulleys are required for moderate loads or high speeds. Some instances where nylon pulleys are common include roller conveyors, belt-driven equipment, dumbwaiters, and some types of lawn equipment.
Lawn mowers, for example, often use a nylon wheel mounted on metal bearings to act as pulleys for drive belts. With such a nylon pulley, the groove is wider, with a flat surface to accommodate a belt, rather than a rope or string. The heat generated by lawn mowers due to increased speed and friction requires pulleys constructed with parts other than metal to prevent heat-related damage and injury. The heat resistant properties of a nylon pulley allow it to withstand higher speeds, without deforming like wooden or metal pulleys, making it useful in a number of applications. The lighter weight and less expensive replacements further reduce manufacturing, shipping and end-user costs for such equipment.
Production environments and machines also use nylon pulleys where appropriate. Wood pads are too porous to be used near certain chemicals. Metal pulleys are more expensive, not to mention corrosion and metal fatigue in certain environments. Choosing nylon pulleys in such environments allows for less expensive equipment, lower maintenance costs, and better performance in certain machinery. Provided the manufacturing process does not include chemicals known to attack nylon or fiberglass, a nylon pulley has a longer service life than one made from wood, metal, or other composite materials.
Replacing a nylon pulley is also usually easier than replacing other types of pulleys. Machinery and other equipment fitted with nylon pulleys do not need time to cool before replacement, as nylon resin and glass-infused nylon do not conduct heat as readily as other materials. Similarly, most nylon pulleys with metal bearings are infused with lubricant or oil at the time of manufacture, offering additional protection from heat buildup or conductivity. Conveyors and other pulley-driven equipment run smoother due to the greater consistency in the manufacture of the nylon pulleys.
Nylon sheave options include standard nylon plastic resin, glass-reinforced nylon sheaves, and various bearing constructions. For example, lawn mower pulleys are typically made of glass-reinforced nylon molded around powdered sintered metal. Bronze bearings are also common, with oil-immersed bronze bearings capable of withstanding higher loads, speeds, and temperatures than standard machined ball bearings.
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