which brand of deck belt ?

[canucklehead]

I did a search and was surpirsed I couldn't easily find this topic.

I have a JD 430 with a 120" double V-belt on my 60" deck. JD wants $90. I see PIX belts, and Stens belts for about half that price. I've seen in the past some people say the OEM belt is better. I know on my old LT 155 I went through belts like crazy, no matter what brand i used.

so has anyone tried a Pix or Stens? Good or bad? These mfrers claim to meet or exceed OEM standards, quality, etc... Kevlar, blah, blah, blah.

thanks

 

[KENSFM]

I would go with the JD belt. It may be more money, but JD belts are very high quality and most are made with a slightly different angle than aftermarket replacements. Make sure all of your spindles and takeup sheaves are free turning and the belt tension is correct. How long did the old belt last?
Ken

 

[canucklehead]

still have old belt and I just tensioned it. mower is cutting great. when I cut ugly heavy deep/long grass, I smell the belt (this is overworking mower and it is working hard to cut).Normally I try to not let field get that long, but things got out of control and I'm trying to keep it at a normal length.

i wanted to keep a spare belt on hand. I know old one is stretched a little. tensioner wasn't even touching belt when I took deck off.

how do you set proper tension? i pushed up on tensioner roller and pried slightly with a small pry bar, about the same as I'd do an auto belt tension. There was an inch or so of belt deflection. my spindles turn easy with belt off.

 

[ctlguy]

Probably about all you can do for a adjustment. The old timers would say slober some belt dressing to handle slippage for what its worth. Typically the Deere belt is the best, I have used pix belts in many applications and even their kevlar versions. Not always any longer lasting but sometimes the price difference makes it worth it. Not that it matters but pix is still kind of JD as they own a portion of A&I. I think they come from India??

 

[oldyellr]

Belts don't stretch. The sides wear down, so they sit deeper in the pulleys and have less tension, hence they slip and wear more. $90 is an awful lot for a belt. Go to a local industrial supply and see if they can match it, preferably with a Kevlar belt.

 

[canucklehead]

thanks for the replices.
I know on our belt drive ATV the wear spec is always width, so that makes sense. PIX belt is pretty reasonably priced, and Kevlar.

 

[oldyellr]

When I first went to my local industrial supply place looking for a replacement mower belt, the first thing the guy asked was whether the belt made any reverse bends with an idler tension pulley on the back. If so, a Kevlar belt was recommended because the regular black ones would not stand up very long to the reverse flexing. I've always used Kevlar belts unless one wasn't available at the time and I needed to finish mowing.

 

[canucklehead]

is the JD belt kevlar? they hold up pretty good.

 

[RickB]

thanks for the replices.
I know on our belt drive ATV the wear spec is always width, so that makes sense. PIX belt is pretty reasonably priced, and Kevlar.

I would not be afraid of a PIX brand Kevlar belt. I am starting to sell them in favor of OEM Woods belts and the quality seems to be equal at 1/2 to 2/3's the price.

 

[Missouri Lad]

I went thru 17-54" John Deere mower deck drive belts, which cause a big dent in my wallet. I got smart and search on line and found the Stens belt from the PTO to the deck drive pulley for $23.70 ea. I ordered three. That was two years ago, and I'm still on the first of the three belts. I'm amazed that something is wrong here as I was using three or four John Deere belts a season. If you like to know where I ordered these Stens from, let me know.