Ques. What is the chief objection to belt drive?
Ans. The large amount of floor space required.
Fig. 2,810.—Tandem drive for economizing floor space with belt transmission. Belts of different lengths are used, as shown, each of which passes over the driving wheel d of the engine, and then over the pulley wheel of one of the generators. In such an arrangement the belts would be run lengthwise through the room in which the machines are placed, and it is obvious that since the width of the room would be governed by the width of the machines thus installed, this method is a very efficient one for accomplishing the end in view.
Ques. How may the amount of space that would ordinarily be required for belt drive, be reduced?
Ans. By driving machines in tandem as in [fig. 2,810], or by the double pulley drive as in [fig. 2,811].
Ques. What is the objection to the tandem method?
Ans. The most economical distance between centers cannot be employed for all machines.
Ques. What is the objectionable tendency in resorting to floor economy methods with belt transmission?