Look what I found at Lowe's

[Bill D 1,908]

Found these at Lowe's.  Same belts as TSC, just different packaging.  The 86" I got was on clearance and is not being stocked anymore.  They had sizes from 87" to 109" in 1/2".  Not a lot of 5/8" belts that would be useful for our tractors.

[Brockport Bill 1,660]

wow -- looks like i need to go shopping tomorrow

[daveoman1966 3,745]

Most especially for the older Wheelhorse tractors, the geometry of these aftermarket belts may--or may not---be the same as OEM.  If the belt is too thin/thick or of different angles, it will not perfectly match the 'V' of Wheelhorse proprietary pulleys, resulting in premature belt failure/rollover or, much worse, wear out of the original 'V' contour of the pulley itself.  I also have to question the design flexibility endurance.  IMHO--- Although one might initially save a few bux with aftermarket belts, the OEM belts will last for DECADES.  About 4 years ago, I had to change the main #7478 belt on my 1972 Bronco 14...that had been in use since I got the tractor in 1983 or so. 1983 to 2019... that's 36 years (or more) on the OEM belt...  tuff to beat that.      

[Retired Wrencher 5,442]

It is always better to spend a few more dollars for the right belt. They just work better and shift better.

[Bill D 1,908]

6 hours ago, daveoman1966 said:

Most especially for the older Wheelhorse tractors, the geometry of these aftermarket belts may--or may not---be the same as OEM.  If the belt is too thin/thick or of different angles, it will not perfectly match the 'V' of Wheelhorse proprietary pulleys, resulting in premature belt failure/rollover or, much worse, wear out of the original 'V' contour of the pulley itself.  I also have to question the design flexibility endurance.  IMHO--- Although one might initially save a few bux with aftermarket belts, the OEM belts will last for DECADES.  About 4 years ago, I had to change the main #7478 belt on my 1972 Bronco 14...that had been in use since I got the tractor in 1983 or so. 1983 to 2019... that's 36 years (or more) on the OEM belt...  tuff to beat that.      

They had a brown deck belt for another brand that would work on a wheel horse as it was the same length.  It was $44.  Looked like the blade runner belts they sell at Napa.  It did have a different profile.   When it comes to drive belts for the 8-speed I definitely prefer OEM.  On hydros I'll run the TSC belts.

[Bill D 1,908]

6 hours ago, Brockport Bill said:

wow -- looks like i need to go shopping tomorrow

Got them at the Poughkeepsie Lowe's.  Not sure what they stock at the Highland store.

[squonk 41,037]

I use TSC and Napa belts all the time with no problems. The only belt I ever had issue with was a OEM WH belt on a 704. I find it hard to believe that Cecil Pond spec'd "Special pulleys and belts"  for his tractors.  He didn't make the pulleys and he didn't make the belts. I wouldn't be surprised that an OEM belt today is made by Gates. Wouldn't be surprised that Gates made them in the 60's too. Guess who makes NAPA belts... That's right Gates.

Edited September 26, 2023 by squonk

[kpinnc 11,908]

1 hour ago, squonk said:

I use TSC and Napa belts all the time with no problems. The only belt I ever had issue with was a OEM WH belt on a 704. I find it hard to believe that Cecil Pond spec'd "Special pulleys and belts"  for his tractors.  He didn't make the pulleys and he didn't make the belts. I wouldn't be surprised that an OEM belt today is made by Gates. Wouldn't be surprised that Gates made them in the 60's too. Guess who makes NAPA belts... That's right Gates.

 

Just a few short years back, there were threads on this site with plenty of folks putting down anything that wasn't OEM. Those "blue belts" were garbage according to some. Maybe so, but I've never broken one yet. While the OEM debacle was understandable to a point, a simple drive belt can keep a tractor in the shed while looking for the unicorn factory stuff. Back then, the jungle site and fleabay weren't so good either.

 

Now much of the OEM stuff is gone. Funny how times have changed in that what was once loathed is now treasured. I don't mean it in any way other than it is surprising.

 

And it's a good thing. These machines are still going strong, and quality at least appears to not have suffered for belts at least. That is all that matters to me. 

[Lee1977 6,647]

A few years back we were getting Toro belts made in Mexico. Been running TLC belts on my decks and the drive belt on my 520. I have destroyed a couple of set of Toro belts on my 16 then 18 Vanguard repowered C-120. If you didn't catch it right when the deck stalled it would rip them to shreds. You have a little more time to get the deck disengaged with the TLC belts. 

Edited September 26, 2023 by Lee1977