Mustang67ford 234 #1 Posted March 18, 2022 (edited) Trying to replace the deck belt on a 42" RD; sounds like an easy task but not quite. The belt that was on it was not factory but seemed to fit well. Got a 106125 OEM belt and it seems just a shy too small to lift over and around the last pulley so do I have to put the belt in the pulley groove and twist it around? The belt is not quite 89". I didn't try forcing it on. Edited March 18, 2022 by Mustang67ford 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,119 #2 Posted March 18, 2022 21 minutes ago, Mustang67ford said: put the belt in the pulley groove and twist it around? Yes, that is the way to do it. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mustang67ford 234 #3 Posted March 20, 2022 On 3/18/2022 at 6:41 PM, 953 nut said: Yes, that is the way to do it. Thanks. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mustang67ford 234 #4 Posted March 20, 2022 Belt still won't go on. It a genuine toro belt and tag says it is 88.88". It is just a tad bit too small. Might need to just go with the aftermarket belt. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
76c12091520h 3,608 #5 Posted March 21, 2022 Pictures? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 7,302 #6 Posted March 21, 2022 You do know that the one pulley is spring loaded to keep tension on the belt? Is that pulley moving OK and does it reach the end of its travel keeping the belt from going on? The guides and tension bar wear out, so check them. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,119 #7 Posted March 21, 2022 89" is the correct belt, I just put one on my RD deck last week. Route the belt around the center, idler and right pulley then start the belt in the groove of the left (as you would view it from the seat) and use the blade for leverage to turn the pulley while the belt works the way on. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mustang67ford 234 #8 Posted March 21, 2022 (edited) Will get some pics. The idler pulley is good and I am reaching the end of the travel. With respect to needing to use the blade to twist the belt on, I didn't realize it would take that much force. I was expecting to be able to easily twist it on by hand once the idler pulley was pushed in. Will still post some pics before trying that. Edited March 21, 2022 by Mustang67ford 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,119 #9 Posted March 21, 2022 4 hours ago, Mustang67ford said: I was expecting to be able to easily twist it on by hand If the belt wasn't extremely tight it wouldn't drive the blades when cutting the lawn, the belt would just slip. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mustang67ford 234 #10 Posted March 22, 2022 Here are the pics. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
76c12091520h 3,608 #11 Posted March 22, 2022 Need to get that idler bar and bushings cleaned up, all that paint build up needs to go. Grab that belt, give it a turn and slip it on. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
biged77 113 #12 Posted March 22, 2022 I think you have the wrong idler. My recyler R542RC01 which looks just like yours has a 3 3/4" OD idler P/N 112425. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
76c12091520h 3,608 #13 Posted March 22, 2022 53 minutes ago, biged77 said: I think you have the wrong idler. My recyler R542RC01 which looks just like yours has a 3 3/4" OD idler P/N 112425. Yes,that too, good eye! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,119 #14 Posted March 22, 2022 (edited) On 3/20/2022 at 8:44 PM, 953 nut said: 89" is the correct belt, I just put one on my RD deck last week. Route the belt around the center, idler and right pulley then start the belt in the groove of the left (as you would view it from the seat) and use the blade for leverage to turn the pulley while the belt works the way on. Your belt routing is correct. The idler being 3/4" bigger results in the belt being 1 1/3" too short. I would suggest you buy a new idler rather than a new belt so next tine you won't have to go through the same ordeal. Once you get a 3 1/2 to 3 3/4 flat idler installed all you need to do is above. You may want to put a screwdriver where your left hand is to guide the belt as the leverage of the blade works the belt on. Edited March 22, 2022 by 953 nut fat finger 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mustang67ford 234 #15 Posted March 22, 2022 Great, thanks guys! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mustang67ford 234 #16 Posted April 1, 2022 Got the new idler pulley on, new belt fit. 3 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
