71_Bronco 1,072 #1 Posted May 14, 2020 (edited) Want to get a new drive belt for my '68 Commando 8 (model 1-4831). From the original manual, the belt should be part number 1575, which corresponds to a 1/2" wide belt, 70" long. Parts Tree has this belt, and has it listed as part number 9691, which looks to have the same dimensions. Kinda a pain in the butt that Toro / wheel horse kept changing numbers on parts like this, but I digress. When looking up this belt, I can pay a wide range of prices, for all different kinda of belts, with all kinda of claims. From "premium quality synthetic rubber", to "Kevlar reinforced", to plain "V-Belt". I tried doing a search, but couldnt really find anything on what material would be best. I tried finding an OEM / NOS belt on eBay, but no luck, all aftermarket. Is there anything I should be looking for / wanting in a drive belt? Or should I just run down to my local Tractor supply and buy the cheapest one? Thanks! EDIT: Found OEM belts. Was looking for "Wheel horse 9691", should have been looking for "Toro 9691". Edited May 14, 2020 by 71_Bronco 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 27,502 #2 Posted May 14, 2020 I personally use Kevlar belts on all of my tractors. I have had good luck with the Husky brand belts from Tractor Supply Company. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,042 #3 Posted May 14, 2020 I like the Husky belts from TSC too. Two of my tractors use a 5/8" drive belt and I tend to stick with OEM for them but I'm thinking a Kevlar belt would work just as good. The TSC's around here have an excellent inventory of belts and I've never failed to find the right size. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,775 #4 Posted May 14, 2020 I'll third the TSC belts ….never had any problems as long as the clutch setup is right. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tom2p 2,394 #5 Posted May 14, 2020 (edited) not sure about the particular belt for your tractor - but the belts my 312 and 416 tractors use are molded / wrapped belts drive PTO to deck deck / rotary true high quality OEM Toro / Wheel Horse belts are wrapped / molded I've had low quality 'OEM' belts that were not molded / wrapped - they were best suited for a trash can I can get 10-20 years of service from good high quality Toro / Wheel Horse OEM belts and I can barely get 6 hours of service from a low quality 'OEM' belt - on the same tractor / pulleys etc Edited May 14, 2020 by tom2p Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,022 #6 Posted May 14, 2020 TSC or Napa Green belts (Gates) The only time I ever had an issue with a belt it was OEM! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tom2p 2,394 #7 Posted May 14, 2020 (edited) 25 minutes ago, squonk said: TSC or Napa Green belts (Gates) The only time I ever had an issue with a belt it was OEM! fairly recent - or years ago ? many of the current 'OEM' belts I've seen are of lower quality - there are better aftermarket options the days are gone when you could purchase an OEM belt with 100% confidence Edited May 14, 2020 by tom2p Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,022 #8 Posted May 14, 2020 Bout 8 years ago. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tom2p 2,394 #9 Posted May 15, 2020 (edited) 2 hours ago, squonk said: Bout 8 years ago. made in US ? made in Mexico ? I had not purchased a belt in well over 10 years - and was very disappointed with many of the current 'OEM' belts I was able to get a couple of old / true OEM belts that have name and number stamped on the belt (as opposed to print) - but they can be a challenge to find Edited May 15, 2020 by tom2p Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tom2p 2,394 #10 Posted May 15, 2020 also an eye opener to check out the current made in Mexico Champion spark plugs low quality embarrassing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee1977 6,642 #11 Posted May 15, 2020 2 hours ago, tom2p said: also an eye opener to check out the current made in Mexico Champion spark plugs low quality embarrassing I though Champion spark plugs were low quality for the past 25 years. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,042 #12 Posted May 15, 2020 12 hours ago, tom2p said: made in US ? made in Mexico ? I had not purchased a belt in well over 10 years - and was very disappointed with many of the current 'OEM' belts I was able to get a couple of old / true OEM belts that have name and number stamped on the belt (as opposed to print) - but they can be a challenge to find You tweaked my curiousity. When I purchased my 2005 Classic GT in 2009 I replaced the drive belt with an OEM. I bought two of them, one for the tractor and one for a spare. The spare is still in the bag and I just checked it out. Made in USA and the number is stamped on it. I thought is was a bit odd in the fact that it is white but the one I put on the tractor is still going strong after 11 years so no complaints. I wonder what I'd get if I ordered the same OEM number now Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tom2p 2,394 #13 Posted May 15, 2020 55 minutes ago, Racinbob said: You tweaked my curiousity. When I purchased my 2005 Classic GT in 2009 I replaced the drive belt with an OEM. I bought two of them, one for the tractor and one for a spare. The spare is still in the bag and I just checked it out. Made in USA and the number is stamped on it. I thought is was a bit odd in the fact that it is white but the one I put on the tractor is still going strong after 11 years so no complaints. I wonder what I'd get if I ordered the same OEM number now the old OEM off-white belts with the small black section with number stamped on it are extremely durable and will go a long long time unfortunately some of the more recent OEM belts are not even close in terms of durability Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tom2p 2,394 #14 Posted May 15, 2020 10 hours ago, Lee1977 said: I though Champion spark plugs were low quality for the past 25 years. agree - you make a good point I've ridden motorcycles for around 50 years - and never had a champion spark plug in one bike not one ( NGK and ND primarily ) cars ... ? ... decades ago it was AC ... more recent NGK or ND ... etc Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
moe1965 737 #15 Posted May 15, 2020 I found out the cheapest is not always the best just make sure if you're using a belt for a drive make sure it is a fractional belt other style belts cannot handle the load Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
