Mitchell Crane Creates Alternative Drive System

Numerous concerns from scrap recyclers prompted Mitchell Crane to develop an improved crane belt drive system. The Houston-based company, whose primary business is selling new and used parts for hoisting equipment, experimented with several drives until it found a successful combination, which it named the Bandit Belt Drive System.

According to Don Mitchell, company president, many crane users in the industry noted that the sprocket, chain, chain case, and lubricating system in their equipment were subject to fail when least expected. So Mitchell found a solution.

This innovative system, which replaces the chain drive system and usually employs a 471 Detroit motor furnished by the customer, was developed in 1987, and was granted a U.S. Patent, #4,779,844, in 1988. At present, Mitchell says, there are more than 100 Bandit systems in operation in the United States; most are used in the recycling industry. And although the system was originally designed for a Link-Belt 98 crane, it is now available for use on cranes made by American as well.

“The main advantage of the belt drive system is the lack of downtime,” explains Mitchell. Other advantages include no oil use, which of course means no oil leakage. And since the system is in full view, problems that arise are said to be easily detectable. Plus, Mitchell adds, “As one can imagine, the rubber belt will never wear out the sprockets, so the only part that might need to be replaced is the belt, which takes 15 minutes to replace.”

Back in 1987, Mitchell began experimenting with several different drives, and a successful combination of belts, pulleys, and idlers was put into prototype with the help of Mike Buehler, Auto-Shred Industries, Pensacola, Florida. Buehler, who was previously with Maryland Metals Inc., Hagerstown, Maryland, installed the first few test belt drive systems. Later, Mitchell refined and upgraded the system to its present, patented form.

The lifetime of the belts ranges from one to three years, depending upon the operation, according to the company, and prices of the systems range from $2,400 to $3,700.

Numerous concerns from scrap recyclers prompted Mitchell Crane to develop an improved crane belt drive system. The Houston-based company, whose primary business is selling new and used parts for hoisting equipment, experimented with several drives until it found a successful combination, which it named the Bandit Belt Drive System.

According to Don Mitchell, company president, many crane users in the industry noted that the sprocket, chain, chain case, and lubricating system in their equipment were subject to fail when least expected. So Mitchell found a solution.

This innovative system, which replaces the chain drive system and usually employs a 471 Detroit motor furnished by the customer, was developed in 1987, and was granted a U.S. Patent, #4,779,844, in 1988. At present, Mitchell says, there are more than 100 Bandit systems in operation in the United States; most are used in the recycling industry. And although the system was originally designed for a Link-Belt 98 crane, it is now available for use on cranes made by American as well.

“The main advantage of the belt drive system is the lack of downtime,” explains Mitchell. Other advantages include no oil use, which of course means no oil leakage. And since the system is in full view, problems that arise are said to be easily detectable. Plus, Mitchell adds, “As one can imagine, the rubber belt will never wear out the sprockets, so the only part that might need to be replaced is the belt, which takes 15 minutes to replace.”

Back in 1987, Mitchell began experimenting with several different drives, and a successful combination of belts, pulleys, and idlers was put into prototype with the help of Mike Buehler, Auto-Shred Industries, Pensacola, Florida. Buehler, who was previously with Maryland Metals Inc., Hagerstown, Maryland, installed the first few test belt drive systems. Later, Mitchell refined and upgraded the system to its present, patented form.

The lifetime of the belts ranges from one to three years, depending upon the operation, according to the company, and prices of the systems range from $2,400 to $3,700.