mower belt for charger after mule drive upgrade

[Ed Campbell 1]

I just performed the mule drive upgrade on my 1969 charger 10 as is shown here and it went well except my hood support is about 1'8" narrower than the front hitch I had is wide. I installed a 1/2" solid plate and it pretty much fit as it should once it was extended out like that. I had an 86" belt on hand which also fits my 42" deck which I hoped would work, as that is what is called for with some newer decks and this belt arrangement, but it was about 8" short of reaching, (one way), My guess is using the 86" belt for a trial, I am going to need a belt that is 102" which is easy enough, I thought I would ask what others may have gotten to use properly with the new setup? Thanks, Ed

[roadapples 6,983]

Sorry I can't help, but

            

[Ed Campbell 1]

Thanks roadapples, I have stopped by this web site for many years, and have owned the tractor since the early 80's. I will do a trial fit using rope tomorrow, and probably do a trial fit of a 102" depending on how the rope check looks. I will post pictures and other info when I am finished with this job.

[953 nut 55,113]

6 hours ago, Ed Campbell said:

I will do a trial fit using rope tomorrow,

Tractor Supply is good about returns. Once you have a rope measurement just buy one from TS to try out, if it fits you are golden, if not you are getting closer.

[peter lena 8,587]

@Ed Campbell, agree with @953nut , on going tractor supply for belts , another thing I  do is to use the store frame belt rack area to get the exact  size to size fit . when trying to match up a previous belt problem , using the measurement numbers on the belt card , were no help. until I put belts side to side on , a metal rack end  , letting me overlay exactly what I needed , recently did that on a PTO MUEL DRIVE BELT , let me get a kevlar belt to replace an existing worn belt , perfect fit match , and most important , the belt snugs up at the start of adjustment dial wheel. pete 

[Ed Campbell 1]

I got 102" with a rope check, but a 102" belt would barely fit over the snout of the pulley. A 105" ended up being an easy slide on fit with everything relaxed and I am just breaking in the belt now with mild tension. The belt is slapping around some like that, but I will readjust it after an hour or so. If the pictures attach, you can see the front hitch I got is wider than the hood support is wide, and it is also built with the axle pivot point off center. I had to make a small notch on the right upright even with the 1/2" spacer, but it ended up pretty good I think.