502 with k181 Drive Belt Question

[DouglasParker 14]

I’m sure someone else is running this setup tried searching and haven’t found anything different. For the most part says it takes a 70” belt nope no way I’m guessing 72” or 73” anyone else running a setup like this that can confirm belt length. 
thanks in advance for your time.    

[squonk 41,104]

Does the tractor have the original engine? Pics would be helpful.

[wallfish 16,997]

Since a 70" belt is the correct belt length for those tractors, the engine change to an 8hp Kohler changed something. Just add a longer belt if that's what it needs and will work with clutching

 

Edited August 21, 2022 by wallfish

[squonk 41,104]

Why didn't I realize the 181 isn't original? 

[Pullstart 62,851]

What size is the pulley on the K-181?  Using my stock pulley on my K-181 equipped 502, I run a stock belt.

[ri702bill 8,319]

Would be the same as a 702 IF the pulley diameter is the same  as a 7 hp.....

[DouglasParker 14]

I’ll go measure pulleys on motor and trans plus clutch idler I can get a 70 on it but it’s so tight there is no room to mover pedal

[DouglasParker 14]

measured with calipers engine pulley 1.5” Id  clutch tensior pulley 2” Id  transmission pulley 3” Id 

[wallfish 16,997]

You should turn that engine pulley around so the groove is tighter to the block and it will line up better with the others. That should give ya a little more.

The frame F plate looks tight to the trans but make sure there aren't any repairs that space it out or that it's not cracked which is a common occurance

Try loosening the engine bolts and slide it back as much as possible then tighten

IDK if all of that is enough but something is a miss.

The original Techumseh would've had an engine plate under it to raise the crank PTO shaft so the 8 hp Kohler bolted directly to the frame should put it exactly where that one was.

 

[DouglasParker 14]

Just slapped engine pulley on for show in the picture  I’m gonna get a longer belt tomorrow the 70” the pedal is all the way like it’s pushed in so my dilemma is do just 1” longer or jump to 2” longer that way the pedal will have alot of play, just not sure if 1” gives a lot, I don’t like the guessing game my 1276 all belts fit like they should my c120 and 520 all no problems just this thing smh and on a side note noticed the head gasket was leaking I thought no problem I have a extra gasket, head bolt by exhaust snaps off spent few hours dealing with that and then my gasket is for a k30 I give up for the week mess with it more next weekend. 

[wallfish 16,997]

7 minutes ago, DouglasParker said:

I have a extra gasket, head bolt by exhaust snaps off spent few hours dealing with that and then my gasket is for a k30 I give up for the week mess with it more next weekend.

HEY, did we go to the same school? LOL

If you have a tractor supply store near you, buy'm both. Use the one that fits the best and take the other one back later (when ya break something else and need a part.)

[Thompson1276 256]

14 hours ago, DouglasParker said:

I’m sure someone else is running this setup tried searching and haven’t found anything different. For the most part says it takes a 70” belt nope no way I’m guessing 72” or 73” anyone else running a setup like this that can confirm belt length. 
thanks in advance for your time.    

I’m running a 72 on my 1276 but 73 was too loose and 72 still dosnt feel right yet but my pulley has a small dent that’s lifts it up a 1/2 inch it was a Kevlar belt make sure you also get a Kevlar belt they will stretch if you don’t but it was 3/8 by 72

[wallfish 16,997]

3 hours ago, Thompson1276 said:

I’m running a 72 on my 1276 but 73 was too loose and 72 still dosnt feel right yet but my pulley has a small dent that’s lifts it up a 1/2 inch it was a Kevlar belt make sure you also get a Kevlar belt they will stretch if you don’t but it was 3/8 by 72

 

WH did not use 3/8" drive belts so yours should be a 1/2" wide belt for 1276. Maybe that's the problem you're having with it. Any damage to the pulleys can cause erratic shaking so that may be why it doesn't feel right to you. Hydros like yours don't use clutching or a pedal like the manual trans on this 502 does so technically you shouldn't feel much of anything. The tension idler or mechanism holes for the fasteners can get worn and allow for some shaking but going through it thoroughly to " tighten things up" and make any necessary repairs should take care of most of that. They do tend to vibrate the tensioner a little

[DouglasParker 14]

.

Edited August 22, 2022 by DouglasParker

[DouglasParker 14]

Well 72” was way way to big. I rekon tomorrow I’ll try to fit a 71  Idk maybe I got a mismarked 70” the first time but it would be a first for me 

[Thompson1276 256]

18 hours ago, wallfish said:

 

WH did not use 3/8" drive belts so yours should be a 1/2" wide belt for 1276. Maybe that's the problem you're having with it. Any damage to the pulleys can cause erratic shaking so that may be why it doesn't feel right to you. Hydros like yours don't use clutching or a pedal like the manual trans on this 502 does so technically you shouldn't feel much of anything. The tension idler or mechanism holes for the fasteners can get worn and allow for some shaking but going through it thoroughly to " tighten things up" and make any necessary repairs should take care of most of that. They do tend to vibrate the tensioner a little

Prob explains why the old belt was torn sat in the groove perfectly in transmission but not fully on the engine pulley 

[Thompson1276 256]

18 hours ago, wallfish said:

 

WH did not use 3/8" drive belts so yours should be a 1/2" wide belt for 1276. Maybe that's the problem you're having with it. Any damage to the pulleys can cause erratic shaking so that may be why it doesn't feel right to you. Hydros like yours don't use clutching or a pedal like the manual trans on this 502 does so technically you shouldn't feel much of anything. The tension idler or mechanism holes for the fasteners can get worn and allow for some shaking but going through it thoroughly to " tighten things up" and make any necessary repairs should take care of most of that. They do tend to vibrate the tensioner a little

Mine used the parking brake spring tension as the tensioner to tension the belt as gown but yeah that’s the old belt the new one was about a good 4 -6 inches higher 

[953 nut 55,221]

7 hours ago, Thompson1276 said:

parking brake spring tension

You have an automatic transmission, the one in question is a gear drive transmission, Wheel Horse didn't offer an automatic in 1962.

[Thompson1276 256]

1 hour ago, 953 nut said:

You have an automatic transmission, the one in question is a gear drive transmission, Wheel Horse didn't offer an automatic in 1962.

Hooks the same as my Sears that is a 6 Speed Split accept the tensioner is. Near the engine not transmission and upsidedown spring tension wise it tensions upwards