Question on old Wheel Horse belt deflection

[ray 10]

I have a 71 800 Special that I'm restoring, and wondering if anyone knows about how much of a v belt deflection is allowable. The manual says to use an 89" belt but this was too loose and slipped in 3rd gear. Right now I have a 1/2 x 88", and although it doesn't slip, it seems like an inch to an inch and a half belt deflection. I thought about going with a even shorter belt, but will have to remove the engine to install the belt, and I am assuming that this shouldn't be the case with an outside tensioner. I'm kind of new to Wheel Horse, and sort of comparing this to other tractors and automobiles, and I think that all the pulleys are to specsifications.

[rmaynard 15,718]

The parts list calls for a 101137 belt, 1/2 x 89". Unless you have it installed incorrectly, or the pulleys are the wrong size, that should be the correct belt.

[JimD 3,345]

Check to see if your belt tension-er is returning to the fully engaged position. Sometimes the clutch pedal doesn't return all the way,indicating that the spring could be weak or incorrectly installed. Look for the simple fixes first. If you are like me and you're restoring a tractor sometimes it takes a bit of thought to remember exactly how it goes back together. I'm terrible about taking pics to document the process.

[ray 10]

Considering that I just purchased this tractor, I have no real way of knowing if the pulleys are original, if any adjustments were made to the clutch pedal, or if any parts were replaced at all. This all makes sense, thanks.

[KC9KAS 4,741]

to Red Square!

[Don1977 604]

That tractor came as a 3 Speed and a Hydrostic The Toro site list two drive pulleys and two transmissions pulleys. If a pulley was changed it possible that they could have got the wrong one.