The V-belt should ride __________ in the groove with its top near the top of the sheave; the V-belt does not touch the __________ of the sheave.

• A. high
• B. middle
• C. low
• D. bottom

Answer: (A)

In a V-belt drive, how the belt sits in the groove matters for tracking, wear, and how power is transmitted. The belt should ride high in the groove, with the top edge near the top of the sheave. This position makes the belt’s sidewalls contact the groove walls effectively, creating the wedge action that grips the pulley and keeps the belt centered during operation.

If the belt were lower in the groove and touching the bottom of the sheave, contact would shift toward the bottom, increasing wear on the belt and groove and potentially causing misalignment or slippage. Riding high helps ensure proper belt-to-groove engagement and reduces bottom-edge contact, so the belt lasts longer and runs true.