Features of belts
Modern Gates products are distinguished by high quality and affordable prices. 100 years ago the first timing belt was produced. Over the course of a century, Gates has mastered the production of belts not only for vehicles, but also fully supplies agricultural machinery with high-quality products. The company operates its own center for scientific research.
Developers and manufacturers have taken into account the conditions in which their products must operate:
- high speed mode;
- wide range of temperature fluctuations;
- exposure to oils.
The procedures for replacing the belt on different engines differ from each other. For technically difficult cases of belt replacement, Gates issues instructions; the presence of such instructions is indicated on the box with the belt.
The instructions themselves can be found on the company’s official website.
The manufacturer approaches the production process with strict demands regarding quality, strength and safety. Gates timing belts have the following characteristics:
- special ingredients are introduced into the raw materials to provide protection against various factors affecting product wear;
- glass fiber is used in a rubber shell;
- silent operation is ensured by tight adhesion of the teeth profile to the gears;
- There are spare parts and tool kits for organizing repair work;
- Product protection against counterfeiting is organized at a high level.
Features of Gates timing belts
Gates has a century-long history of development. In 2021, it will be 100 years since the first V-belt rolled off the production line. The company survived such a long period of time for a reason. Just having our own research center speaks volumes. Today it is the largest supplier of belts for cars and agricultural machinery, not only for conveyors, but also for spare parts.
When it comes to timing belts specifically, Gates offers products with strict requirements for quality and reliability. After all, timing belts operate at high speeds over a wide temperature range, while being exposed to oil. So, the features of Gates timing belts include:
- the use of nitrile in a synthetic material with increased wear resistance and protection against oil and aggressive environments;
- the use of fiberglass in the cord, spirally placed inside a rubber shell;
- a variety of tooth profiles that precisely align with the gears and ensure tight grip and silent operation;
- the availability of a variety of repair kits, including not only a tension roller, but also a special tool, and additional spare parts necessary for replacement, for example, pumps;
- good protection of products from counterfeiting.
Advantages and disadvantages
Thanks to the high quality of its products, Gates has ensured its steady popularity among buyers and users of timing belts. The list of advantages is huge:
- high wear resistance;
- The products fulfill the entire required warranty period with a reserve, and it is necessary to take into account special extreme operating conditions (aggressive environmental conditions, temperature intervals);
- the precise fit of the teeth and the properties of the material used provide conditions for quiet operation;
- The presence of glass fiber in the materials creates extreme tensile strength.
The biggest disadvantage is the strong desire of many manufacturers to counterfeit products and produce counterfeit products . But a hundred years of experience allows manufacturers to protect their goods from good quality, but still fake. Therefore, consumers receive not only Gates timing kits, but also other products of the required quality. Methods for protecting commercial products have been developed here.
How to distinguish a fake from the original?
Most major brands try to protect their belts from counterfeits in several ways. Moreover, for many companies they are similar, so the example we gave can be used as a basic universal recommendation. Of course, there are some special methods of protection against counterfeiting, but they often need to be considered not just for a specific brand, but even for a separate type of belt. For obvious reasons, it is impossible to go through all possible options, so we will limit ourselves to a general example.
Distinctive features of genuine Gates belts
- Fonts and quality of markings on the belt - on fakes the font is usually bolder and unclear.
- The markings on most models of original belts are located in repeating rows with the obligatory part of the marking extending beyond the boundaries of the belt, since the material on the reverse side is marked before cutting to width. If it seems that the belt was individually marked, then this almost always indicates an unknown origin of the product.
- A sure sign of a fake belt is blurring of small marking symbols along the edges. The original has clear contours across the entire width.
- The color of the markings on most belt models is always white (with the exception of the Delta series, as in the illustration above, and individual elements on Micro-V models), the paint is durable and does not rub off if you rub the surface with your finger.
- Differences in the texture and quality of the working and reverse surfaces. The working surface of the Gates belt is matte, textured with a clearly noticeable roughness. Fake belts usually have a glossy sheen, especially noticeable between the teeth, and feel like plastic.
As you can see, the first signs of unoriginality of a product can be noticed without even opening the packaging and simply taking a close look at the quality of its production and printing or even the design of the packaging, since counterfeit manufacturers often do not have time to release batches of belts in a timely manner when updating the design of the original packaging.
Three main ways to distinguish an original from a fake
In order to protect the Gates timing belt from counterfeiting, the original was provided with distinctive packaging.
There are three main methods for checking the originality of Gates belts.
- Checking the 14-digit alphanumeric product packaging codes. This package code looks like this: This code must be entered on the official website of the Company.
- The company's products are protected by a QR code (for products manufactured after July 2015). This code allows you to check using the Mobile application on your smartphone. You need to scan the code in the TecIdentify app or Neoreader app.
- The company also uses tesa PrioSpot® labels to protect its products. This protection is verified as follows: This code is unique for each package. Can't be repeated.
- The label shimmers with rainbow colors, the moving digit repeats the last security digit. As you move the viewing angle, the last digit changes up and down.
- Checking with a magnifying glass. You must ensure that the 10-digit code appears under the Gates logo. Its last 4 digits must correspond to the security code, as well as the last four digits of the letter code.
And also characteristic of the original:
- bright red, rich, even color;
- the year of manufacture matches on the packaging and on the belt itself;
- image of the manufacturer’s website address on the black stripe of the packaging;
- technical information about the belt is pasted;
- on the side surface there is a characteristic structure of letters (uneven);
- The packaging box is made of pressed cardboard and has a rough gray surface on the inside;
- the packaging is sealed;
- The label inside the box indicating the installation date and mileage comes off well.
Gates. How to distinguish an original from a fake?
PowerGrip® Kit Packaging
Both packages are so similar that just by looking at them it is difficult to determine which is the real Gates and which is the fake. Only upon careful examination can you notice that the Gates packaging box is made of thicker cardboard, and the quality of printing on it is higher than on a fake. There is even a hologram pasted on the box with the fake, and both holograms are very similar in appearance. However, the fake one is shorter than the real one by about 1 cm and flew off easily like an autumn leaf...
Open the box. Now you can clearly see how the original differs from a fake! Inside the original box there is a special plastic form for storing products. Fake rollers and belt are simply packed in plastic bags.
Let's compare the markings on the belts. On the original belt, the markings, as expected, are slightly cut off. And the belts themselves differ noticeably in appearance.
The back of the box has been completely changed - color, font size, layout.
Sides: Same changes as the top side of the box. The inscription is more compact, the Gates logo does not have an ellipse. The logo in the new version is placed on the left side.
Completely redesigned side
Now the boxes are glued, which ensures higher packaging reliability. In the old version, the box was sealed with the original sticker to prevent it from opening accidentally. In the new version this sticker is no longer needed.
Label: The final label layout has not yet been finalized, so there may be some differences in: • font size • logo size and clarity • improved depiction of the belt drive diagram, etc. • an installation instruction designation that will no longer be printed on the label if the kit is installed using the general instructions (the instructions are only printed if the kit is installed using the special instructions). These items will be approved soon. The label is clearer and contains new symbols. The production date code is now printed on the label - in our case the date code is 2524531B for kit K015521. This code consists of the order number (252453), the last digit indicates the year (1), and the letter B stands for the month (“B” stands for the second month of the year = February).
New mileage sticker: • improved quality • modern design • silver backing
Gates, a leading manufacturer of belt drive systems, takes all possible measures to prevent or stop the sale of counterfeit timing belts under its name. In compliance with MAPP (Manufacturers Against Pirated Products) standards, Gates has decided to triple its efforts to help installers and retailers verify the authenticity of the Gates timing belts they purchase.
Since July 2015, Gates has assigned each package of PowerGrip® timing belts a unique code. The new labels allow you to verify this unique code in three (3) ways with a triple security marking that will help distinguish genuine Gates belts from counterfeits.
The belt packaging is printed with a unique 14-digit alphanumeric code that can be entered at gates.com/original to verify the authenticity of the product.
Alternatively, you can scan the QR code, which will help you understand whether the product you are looking at is fake or genuine. To do this, you need to install special applications on your smartphone or barcode scanner.
Last but not least, the PrioSpot® holographic sticker has been added to the range of anti-counterfeiting measures. This sticker is difficult to counterfeit because it includes several security features. Its appearance makes it easy to determine the authenticity of the product.
Counterfeit products harm the brand image and endanger the life of the end consumer. The physical risks associated with the use or installation of counterfeit parts can cause damage of the highest value.
The use of counterfeit auto parts threatens the safety of consumers because it can lead to injury to drivers, their passengers, and auto mechanics.
The Belgian company Gates is one of the largest manufacturers of timing belts. Factories are located in Belgium, Spain, Scotland, France, Poland and other countries. Gates timing belts are very popular in the automotive market. In this article we will figure out why.
Product Variations
The company provides almost all variety of automobile brands and models with reliable products. To make it easier for customers to select belts, Gates offers the use of detailed catalogs developed by the company. Here it is easy and simple to select the necessary part. If the consumer wishes, you can find a worthy analogue of the product or purchase a set of special tools for performing installation work.
The company offers owners of passenger cars belts that are completely equivalent in quality to the original ones, equipped with rollers, as well as elements for sealing and other components related to the timing belt.
Complete set of timing belts
The drive system largely ensures the safety of the vehicle. The failure of one element of the system may well lead to the failure of other parts. Therefore, timely replacement of belts and all tensioning devices ensures the safety and flawless functioning of the entire propulsion system of the car. PowerGrip® Kit Plus are ideal for solving such problems. You can purchase special PowerGrip® Kit Plus with additional rings that serve to seal and drain oil or a water pump, making it possible to replace all critical timing drive mechanisms. The company produces and supplies original equipment with a high quality guarantee.
Analogs
The most popular company whose products are in high demand among customers is Gates. Similar products are supplied to retail chains from manufacturers Contitech and Dayco. A domestic manufacturer in Balakovo supplies car owners with belts at an average price. Bosch and Lemforder also produce similar products at an affordable price. You can learn more about analogues in this article.
High quality products that can be purchased at an affordable price are in demand and popular among drivers. This is consistent with Gates products.
