Yes it is more than just word of mouth. I spoke personally to one of the engineers at Denver snow show and he said I was 100% correct on the design. I know if you called and spoke to them they will tell you the same. Been using there belts for the past 5 1/2 years this way and they work perfect.
This is taken from the Poly Chain design manual.
Use of idlers should be restricted to those cases in which they are functionally necessary. Idlers are often used as a means of applying tension when the center distance is not adjustable.
Idlers should be located on the slack side span of the belt drive. General size recommendations are listed for inside grooved, inside flat, and backside idlers. In some cases, such as high capacity drives utilizing large sprockets, idlers as large as the smallest loaded sprocket in the system may be more appropriate.
This is taken from the Poly Chain design manual.
Use of idlers should be restricted to those cases in which they are functionally necessary. Idlers are often used as a means of applying tension when the center distance is not adjustable.
Idlers should be located on the slack side span of the belt drive. General size recommendations are listed for inside grooved, inside flat, and backside idlers. In some cases, such as high capacity drives utilizing large sprockets, idlers as large as the smallest loaded sprocket in the system may be more appropriate.
