Utility machinery and associated reversible feeder mechanisms

摘要

A drive mechanism for utility machinery is disclosed. The mechanism includes a driver wheel and a driven wheel that are coupled by means of an endless flexible band trained around outer rims of the driver and driven wheels. The driver wheel is adapted to transmit drive to the driven wheel in a forward direction F along a loaded side of the band. The mechanism further comprises an idler wheel that runs on an outer side of the band and applies an inwardly directed tensioning force to the band on a run of the band that is unloaded when forward drive is being transmitted. A reverse driver is positioned between the idler wheel and the driven wheel on an inner portion of the side of the band that is unloaded during forward drive. The reverse driver is adapted to selectively provide a reverse drive to the band.