OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions On Ride On Mowers Questions On Ride On Mowers Frames Belt Size, Measuring Belts & Trouble Shooting

1.Belt Size

3L,4L,5L � These models represent the outside width of the belt. 3L = 3/8 inch, 4L = 1/2 inch, and 5L = 5/8 inch. The width and the angle on the side are what drives the belt in the pulley. Therefore using the wrong width can cause serious belt and pulley issues. Also using a belt with a different angle will cause problems. There are styles of belts, such as straight "V", HA, AA, B. All these different styles correspond to the angle on the belt. Refer to your owner's manual for the correct belt width. Our 3L, 4L, 5L belts are listed by length.

All belts have a part # stamped or printed on the belt. This allows you to identify the belt and select the correct replacement. Occasionally, the manufacturer's part # will differ if the replacement part is from a different manufacturer. Usually they can be cross-referenced and a correct replacement provided. In the event that the numbers are missing from the belt, the correct part can be found if you have the Manufacturer's model I.D. number off the piece of equipment.



2.How to measure a belt

To measure a belt you will need three things. A measuring device (tape measure, yardstick, etc......), a marker, and the old belt. To begin draw a reference line on the outer diameter of the belt.

Then take the measuring device and measure from the line all the way around back to the line. This will tell you the overall length of the belt. Also measure the width, most belts are going to be in 1/8 inch increments such as 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 5/8, and 3/4 fort the width.

The majority of belt manufacture are going to produce a belt by whole inch sizes and not by fraction lengths(such as 85"or 86" not 85 5/8"). The only way to get a fraction length belt is original equipment manufacture(oem) or after-market replacement such as rotary, steins, laser, or thermoid.

If the old belt is not present you can use a 3/8 or 1/2 inch diameter rope. The only pitfall to this is it is not as accurate. When using a rope you run the rope around the pulleys the same direction as the belt would run. This will give you the overall length. Measure the rope and add 1 to 2 inches to the over all length of the rope. This is because the rope will ride lower into the pulleys than a belt would. You also have to measure the width of the v-pulleys(not the flat idlers) where the belt rides. By measuring the rope it gives you the length of belt that you need and by measuring the pulleys it gives you the width of belt that you need.

Below is a PDF file that you can use to trouble shoot belt problems.