New Drive Belt - Too short or needs break in?

[squonk 41,681]

I've had issues with the OEM belts. You think Toro makes their belts? I doubt it

 

I have no troubles with either TSC or Gates (Napa Green belts)

 

The big problem lies where a tractor calls for say a 5/8 X 82 and the owner buys a B-82 which is actually an 85" belt with a high profile. A 857 for example takes a 1/2" X 70" belt and an A70 is 71" long.

 

When buying after market belts stick with "4L " for 1/2" and "5L" for 5/8.

 

I sold hundreds of belts during my time at Napa. I was store rep that sold to the L & G shops in the area. Never did I ever hear of any issue using the Gates made belts on any make of machine. 

[ebinmaine 68,986]

2 minutes ago, squonk said:

Never did I ever hear of any issue using the Gates made belts

 

Agreed. 

Gates has been excellent.  

 

I use the Wheelhorse belts purely because of cost and convenience. 

I can buy an OE belt for LESS than an aftermarket one. And TSC around here....... 

 

For the mid 60s tractors I use Stens blue. Never an issue.  

 

 

 

[Ed Kennell 39,290]

My go to belts for quick local purchase and easy return and refund.    I never had an issue on hydros or gear drives.

 

                                         Huskee Blue Aramid   5/8 X 82      $26.99

[Bill D 2,021]

10 hours ago, Ed Kennell said:

My go to belts for quick local purchase and easy return and refund.    I never had an issue on hydros or gear drives.

 

                                         Huskee Blue Aramid   5/8 X 82      $26.99

I tried using a 5/8"x 83" on a 94' 416H.  It was just a little to long and the belt would touch at the idler pulley when running. OEM belt is 114895.  I'm guessing it's 82.5"?

[ebinmaine 68,986]

5 hours ago, Bill D said:

I tried using a 5/8"x 83" on a 94' 416H.  It was just a little to long and the belt would touch at the idler pulley when running. OEM belt is 114895.  I'm guessing it's 82.5"?

 

There are listings that put it at 82.95. 

If the aftermarket belt was a little thicker then it would certainly have potential for problems.  

 

 

[ebinmaine 68,986]

16 hours ago, squonk said:

I've had issues with the OEM belts. You think Toro makes their belts? I doubt it

 

I doubt that as well. Too expensive to make right and too easy to outsource. 

 

Do you recall when your belt issues happened? 

I'm just curious to know of it was around the time that the belts changed from the old black to the modern brown ones. 

 

 

 

[Brockport Bill 1,749]

9 hours ago, Bill D said:

I tried using a 5/8"x 83" on a 94' 416H.  It was just a little to long and the belt would touch at the idler pulley when running. OEM belt is 114895.  I'm guessing it's 82.5"?

https://outdoorpowerinfo.com/belts/wheel_horse_belts.asp?fbclid=IwAR30E10elLLRa8PlrLjmGTcqSvqLUTNkx01uBu4Kp-fUgu5zy0AW0xHBZOM

 

here is suggested web site to add to everyone's "favorites" bookmarks on computer -- its great resource for cross referencing belt sizes with part numbers !!!!!

[Brockport Bill 1,749]

9 hours ago, Bill D said:

I tried using a 5/8"x 83" on a 94' 416H.  It was just a little to long and the belt would touch at the idler pulley when running. OEM belt is 114895.  I'm guessing it's 82.5"?

belt 114895 is listed as 83 x .656

 

belt 7473 is listed as 82 x .656

[Bill D 2,021]

16 minutes ago, Brockport Bill said:

belt 114895 is listed as 83 x .656

 

belt 7473 is listed as 82 x .656

Unfortunately the TSC belts are just a little too long for the Onan powered hydro.  They fit fine on Kohler powered machines.

[squonk 41,681]

4 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

 

I doubt that as well. Too expensive to make right and too easy to outsource. 

 

Do you recall when your belt issues happened? 

I'm just curious to know of it was around the time that the belts changed from the old black to the modern brown ones. 

 

 

 

Last OEM belt I used was 2010 on the 704 I had. Belt chirped and felt jumpy. Replaced it with a NAPA 4L700W

[ebinmaine 68,986]

56 minutes ago, squonk said:

Last OEM belt I used was 2010 on the 704 I had. Belt chirped and felt jumpy. Replaced it with a NAPA 4L700W

 

Ahh. We've never even seen one for a 1/2" wide OE.  All BBT's belts have been aftermarket. 

 

 

Have you used the 5/8" width?

[squonk 41,681]

9 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

 

Ahh. We've never even seen one for a 1/2" wide OE.  All BBT's belts have been aftermarket. 

 

 

Have you used the 5/8" width?

That 704 belt was the last OE I tried. 

[OutdoorEnvy 1,652]

Well we have officially resolved the issue.  It was the belt width.  New TSC belt functions perfect.  It measured in at .620" wide.  Perfect 5/8" would be .625 and it was close enough to work fine.  I put in some clearance comparisons with the old belt below.

 

 

Much better looking already! 

 

 

I measured the closest clearance to the bottom of the shifter plate for reference on clearance.  First is the V-Belt Guys one that was too wide at .70" It was 2.3" from the shifter plate

 

 

The TSC Belt measured 1.8" from the shifter plate.  It probably had 3-4 inches more travel than the other belt.  It functioned just fine over about 20 mins of driving.

 

 

Thanks for everyone's help and input!  This really makes keeping these rigs going much easier with the support of fellow members!