S&L Introduces New PISTA® Synchronous Belt Drive Option for Grit Chambers

Thursday, April 2, 2026

LENEXA (Kan.) – Smith & Loveless Inc. announces the new PISTA® Synchronous Belt Drive, an advanced drive option engineered for all PISTA® Grit Chamber systems. Designed to simplify operation and reduce maintenance requirements, the PISTA® Synchronous Belt Drive offers a new alternative to traditional oil-based gear drives with a durable synchronous “toothed” belt system that improves reliability while lowering ongoing operation and maintenance demands.

The PISTA® Synchronous Belt Drive eliminates the oil bath associated with gear drives, removing the need for oil inspection, filling, replacement, and disposal. By transitioning to a grease-lubricated synchronous belt design, operators can avoid common issues associated with oil-based systems, including overfill concerns and routine oil management tasks. The drive utilizes a robust toothed belt constructed from HNBR rubber and high-tensile strength carbon fiber core, providing long-lasting tension stability and reliable power transmission with significantly reduced maintenance frequency.

Designed for both new installations and existing systems, the PISTA® Synchronous Belt Drive is available as an option on new grit chamber systems and for a retrofit onto existing PISTA® Grit Chambers because it uses the same anchor bolt pattern as traditional PISTA® drives, including the PISTA® INVORSOR®, PISTA® VIO, PISTA® 360™ with V-FORCE Baffle, and PISTA® 270™.

In addition to reduced maintenance, the drive includes several operator-friendly enhancements. These include a new automatic greaser for the slewing ring, and multiple inspection ports that allow operators to easily access and monitor the synchronous belt for routine checks.

By incorporating durable synchronous belt technology, the PISTA® Synchronous Belt Drive helps wastewater treatment facilities reduce maintenance time, improve operational reliability, and lower long-term operating costs across PISTA® Grit Removal System installations.

To learn more about the PISTA® Synchronous Belt Drive and the complete line of PISTA® Grit Chamber systems, visit www.SmithAndLoveless.com. A new 2-page bulletin is available for download by request.

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