What is better bigger pulleys or smaller, where both provide the same ratio? For example, do you prefer 8" and 4" or 6" and 3, both choices are obviously 2:1"? I would guess that smaller is better to reduce the belt and idler speeds and to reduce weight, especially rotating weight. But if it is too small it will slip. If that is true, then what is the smallest pulley you would put on a say a 20 HP. Does the faster belt speed help or hinder sliping the clutch for a smooth take off? George Herrin said that he uses A belts, and I have to assume that is to reduce weight, so George, did you minimize the size of the pulleys too?
I am upgrading to a transmission from a transaxle. What is better, faster transmission speed or slower? For example, do you prefer 6/4 pulleys and 15/54 sprockets, or 4/4 pulleys and 15/36 sprockets where both sets of pulleys and sprockets have the same total ratio but the first choice makes the transmission spin faster than the second?
I care about noise. I hated the noise the transaxle setup made due to the belts spinning at nearly 10k RPM at the input to the transaxle. My assumption is that I can minimize that type of noise, by dropping the speed of the belts and chain. I haven't seen, much less heard, a trans w/chain drive setup but I assume the chain is relatively quiet, so my guess would be to make the two pulleys small and the same size, say 4" and 4", then make the sprockets small too say 7 and 16 teeth.
jt