Softening/conditioning an old flat PTO belt

[KentT]

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to soften/condition an old flat-style PTO belt? I want to use one I picked up as a "deflector" on the back of my PT's rough-cut mower (see pic below). Because of the way it is made, I can't simply put chains on it like you normally would. So, I've been thinking of using a piece of a tire or something -- then I happened to see this old belt. I thought I might be able to bolt it to the back edge of the deck. Even if a blade should happen to strike it, it wouldn't be like chopping off chain links and sending them flying...

It's still pretty pliable, length-wise, but is getting stiff and somewhat brittle I'm afraid, when you try to bend it side-to-side. It must be at least 40-50 years old, and I'm not as limber as I used to be either.

Does anyone know what they used to use for "belt-dressing" on these old flat belts? Notice that I don't have to worry about it slipping, so it could even be oily, but I don't want something that would swell it/soften it too much...

Thanks!

 

[DieselPower]

Is it rubber or leather?

edited to add: Rereading your post I guess it's rubber. Stop by the local auto parts store and pick up a bottle of transmission stop leak additive. These additives are seal sweller, they soften and condition rubber seals and would probably work pretty good on a old rubber belt.

 

[KentT]

Is it rubber or leather?

edited to add: Rereading your post I guess it's rubber. Stop by the local auto parts store and pick up a bottle of transmission stop leak additive. These additives are seal sweller, they soften and condition rubber seals and would probably work pretty good on a old rubber belt.

Not leather. It's got some rubber in it as far as I can tell -- but it certainly has more woven cording than rubber. It's almost as if it is made of cloth... but there's something in the threads, for sure.

 

[DieselPower]

The stop leak would probably work to soften it up. Let it soak in the fluid for at least 24 hours. It takes the fluid a while to do it's magic. It will not do anything for the "cords" but it should soften up the rubber nicely.

 

[Soundguy]

As an alternative, stop at a truck stop and pick up a 4$ truck mudflap.. nice thick and heavy.. I made a brush deflector for my rotary mower with that and some hobby angle iron..

cheap and easy...

Soundguy

 

[KentT]

As an alternative, stop at a truck stop and pick up a 4$ truck mudflap.. nice thick and heavy.. Soundguy

I've checked a couple of truck stops here and they want $50 or more for a pair... and didn't have single ones.

 

[dwhobbs]

Check JC Whitney for single mud flap. Just bought one and think I paid $14 for it.

dwhobbs

 

[DieselPower]

What's your address? I got mud flaps coming out of my ears. Seriously, if you need one I would be happy to send you one free if you pay for shipping. I could even cut it down to whatever size you need if you like to lower shipping weight. Drop me a PM if interested.

Mike

 

[Soundguy]

Was that for one with chrome and nekkid' wimmin on it?

Seriously.. all the local truck stops and big truck parts stores have em for 4-6$.. just plain black thick rubber ones...

Mine cost me about 15$ to make including the perfed iron and 1/4" bolt hardware I bought from the bulk bin.

here are some pics..



Soundguy

I've checked a couple of truck stops here and they want $50 or more for a pair... and didn't have single ones.

 

[KentT]

As I recall, they were just heavy black rubber ones -- no chrome ladies or anything...

I'm going to do some more checking. Plus there's a local farm store that may have the rubber for horse stalls... I only need a chunk 48" x 6" or so.

The reason I was attracted to the old PTO belt was all the heavy cords in it....