Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
I have a Mahindra tractor with a 60” belly mower. The drive belt broke, and I could not find all the pieces, so I don’t know how long it was before it broke. I assumed, incorrectly, that Mahindra or one of the supply houses would tell me how long the belt is. NOPE, they will sell you a replacement belt (at well over $150) but they will not tell you the size of the belt. (Because then you could go buy one for a fraction of the cost).
Now, with 20/20 hindsight, it seems that I should have removed the belt before it broke and measured it. Then I could have at least known the size when the time to replace it arrived. Or maybe even ordered a spare before the original belt broke. Live and learn.
So, I turned to the internet and searched for the belt size. Others suggested the replacement size and even provided a Gates part number. I ordered one and installed it.
It is a bit tight, and I think I could have got by with one that was an inch longer. I made it work. The top width is correct, the V-dimension are right, it’s just a little tighter than I would normally run a deck drive belt. There is an idler pulley with a spring that supplies the tension, so there’s no adjustment available.
My question is: “Does anyone have experience with Gates Bladerunner Belts”? Will it stretch with some use?
I’m thinking about ordering a second belt that’s an inch longer, but I don’t want to do that if the one I have is likely to stretch a bit with time.
Now, with 20/20 hindsight, it seems that I should have removed the belt before it broke and measured it. Then I could have at least known the size when the time to replace it arrived. Or maybe even ordered a spare before the original belt broke. Live and learn.
So, I turned to the internet and searched for the belt size. Others suggested the replacement size and even provided a Gates part number. I ordered one and installed it.
It is a bit tight, and I think I could have got by with one that was an inch longer. I made it work. The top width is correct, the V-dimension are right, it’s just a little tighter than I would normally run a deck drive belt. There is an idler pulley with a spring that supplies the tension, so there’s no adjustment available.
My question is: “Does anyone have experience with Gates Bladerunner Belts”? Will it stretch with some use?
I’m thinking about ordering a second belt that’s an inch longer, but I don’t want to do that if the one I have is likely to stretch a bit with time.
