QuestionQUESTION: Hello Mr. Bridgers-
I own a Craftsman garden tractor model #917.276010
I need to replace both the primary and secondary drive belts. The prices for these belts through Sears are quite high. Are there equivilent belts available through another source at a more reasonable price? Do you recommend doing so? Thank you.
ANSWER: Hello Scott:
I Do Not Use the OEMs Replacement Belts. I Use Industrial Belts from the Local Advance or NAPA Auto Parts Retailer. Go to this Site Addy, http://www3.sears.com/ and Enter the Model Numbers in the Upper Left Search Box and Click Go. Then Visually Verify the Equipment and Click Continue. From this Page you can View Diagrams or Parts Lists for you Equipment. Select the Ground Drive File. The Breakdown #56 is the Ground Drive Belt (part #137153). The Deck Drive Belt is Part #174368 and the Deck Belt is Part #180808. If you have the Length and Width of the Belts; You can Purchase an Industrial Belt from your Local Auto Parts Retailer. An Industrial Belt will Replace the OEMs Belts and Operate the Same as the OEMs Belts. The Belt Information Required to Purchase the Industrial Belts are: 1- The Ground Drive Belt is 83.5" X 1/2". 2- The Deck Drive Belt is 90" X 1/2". 3- The Blade Belt is 89" X 1/2". Take the Belt Information for the Belts you Require and Use it to Purchase Industrial Belts from the Auto Parts Retailer. Industrial Belts are the Same Type of Belts Used by the OEMs. The Drive Belt for this Mower Cost $11.97us at my Local Advance Auto Parts Retailer. They May have to Order the Belt, but Usually the Delivery Time is Overnight. If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem, I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Problem/question #1:
After removing the existing belts (purchased from Sears) I compared them to the "industrial belts" I purchased from NAPA (cost about $15 each). The Sears belts appear and feel to be much more heavy-duty. From my measurements, the Sears belts are 9/16" wide (the NAPA belts are 1/2" wide) and the Sears belts are 7/16" thick - even after much use (the NAPA belts are 3/8" thick brand new).
Problem/question #2:
After seeing the first problem, I thought I should confirm the length of each Sears belt. As I carefully measured around the outside of each used belt, the lengths were 87 7/8" and 89 3/16" (I double-checked my measurements). So obviously the 89" and 90" lengths are incorrect. Help! It seems that neither the width nor the lengths given were accurate. I very much look forward to hearing from you on this. Thank you in advance.
ANSWER: Hello Again Scott:
The OEM Belts are A Little Wider (1/16) and A Little Longer. The Reason for the Slightly Narrower Belt is it Sets Lower in the Pulley and More of the Belt Grips the Inside of the Pulley. That is the Reason for a Shorter Belt. The OEM Belt Measurements are as Follows: 1- Ground Drive Belt = 83 3/4 X 1/2. 2- Deck Drive Belt = 90 X .625. 3- 89 X .625. These Measurements are from Sears. I have Used the Industrial Belts from NAPA and Advance Auto Stores for Many Years and have Better Service from them than the OEM Belts. Don't Forget that the Old Belts are Used and Stretched. Hope this Helps.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hope this isn't a dumb question...but if I'm reading your response correctly, you say the NAPA belt sits lower in the pulley - that's the reason for the shorter belt. Yet the lengths of the used Sears belts are shorter (87 7/8" and 89 3/16") than the suggested belts (89" and 90"). What am I not understanding?
I'm surprised (but glad) you say the NAPA belts will last longer than the Sears belts given the more narrow width and thickness - they just look and feel lighter duty.
Thank you for tolerating my questions.
AnswerHi Again Scott:
No Worries. I have a Cross Reference Chart that Allows me to Cross Reference Almost All the Equipment Used in Yard Maintenance and Landscaping as Well as Construction Equipment that Uses Small Air Cooled and Water Cooled Engine. I Used the Model Numbers you Sent me, to Locate the Sears Replacement Number and then Cross Referenced the Sears Number to MTD Numbers (the OEM for Sears Riding Mowers) and then Got the Lengths of the Belts. Was the Sears Parts Numbers Correct with the Sears Numbers you have? That is Why I Included the Sears Numbers; to be Sure I had the Proper Cross Reference Numbers and Lengths. If you Place a NAPA or Advance Industrial Belt Into the Pulley Groove, you can See the Difference in How the Belt Rides in the Groove. Is the Industrial Belt you are Purchasing a Green or Blue Color Belt. If you can Get the Green Industrial Belt; it is a Slightly Better Quality. Ask All the Questions of Me you Want to. I am Here for That Reason. I Tell Questioners What I have Experienced Over the Past 35 Years in Regards to the Small Engine and Equipment Repairs. One Major Thing I have Noticed Over the Years is that a Machine has a Personality of Sorts. Each One has it Own Quirks. I have Yet to See Two Pieces of Equipment of the Same Make and Model Operate the Same. There is Always Something that Sets the Equipment Apart. I Used to Pay $35.00 or More for Belts and then I Talked to the Gates Belt Sales Representative and he Explained to me the Difference in the Belt Design and Told me a Few Tips Concerning Belt Care and Pulley Fit. One Other Thing. If the Deck is Not the One Listed, then the Belts will be Different. Using the Length you have Sent me; you would Most Likely Use 87 X 1/2" and a 89 X 1/2" Belts. If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem, I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
