The belt drives are usually classified into the following three groups:

1. Light drives. These are used to transmit small powers at belt speeds upto about 10 m/s,as in agricultural machines and small machine tools.

2.  Medium drives. These are used to transmit medium power at belt speeds over 10 m/sbut up to 22 m/s, as in machine tools.

3.  Heavy drives. These are used to transmit large powers at belt speeds above 22 m/s, asin compressors and generators.