Belt Drive Units

What is a Airboat Belted Reduction Drive Unit?

In 1989 Robert R. Eakin received a U.S. Patent for his invention which is the Airboat Belted Reduction Drive Unit. This drive unit is a belted transmission that was designed for airboats which will attach an automobile engine and the propeller. The belted drive unit allows the engine to achieve its maximum sustainable rpm's while turning the propeller at its normal rpm to increase thrust and reduce the noise levels. Century Drive Units Inc. continues today to manufacture the quality products that airboat users have come to expect and trust.

Airboats can use belted reduction drive units to increase torque. By using a 2 to 1 ratio belted reduction, the auto engine will rev up to 5,200 RPM's while allowing the propeller to turn at 2,600 RPM's for more torque and greater power. With this belted reduction drive unit you will get the maximum torque transfer to turn your propeller. An engine with a belted reduction drive unit will swing a bigger propeller, a propeller with more blades, and a greater angle of attack or (more pitch).

A wider, longer propeller turning lower RPM's will produce the same if not more thrust as a small propeller at high RPM's and produce far less noise. The key to a quieter airboat is to keep your tip speed as close to or under .6 mach.