Rear Finish Mower Woods RM48 belt size

[jefflove]

I recently purchased an Iseki TX1500f 17 hp tractor, along with a Woods RM48?? finish mower and a rear blade. Unfortunately, both the tractor and the blade have been painted black, so it is difficult to see original details. I tried both, and love them, but ended up chewing and breaking my mower belt. The mower is fairly old looking, and the only way that I could identify it, was after extensive research online to find similar models. I am still not sure what exact model it is, excepting that it is 48" wide, 3 blade, belt driven, and looks very similar to a Woods RM48. It is a PTO driven, 3 pt, older mower. Also, due to the poor recolor job, I am unable to locate a model number or belt diagram. I ran a string around the pulleys, based on the Woods RM48 Belt routing chart, and found the pulley placement to be the same, and the belt length to be 125". However, I want to be sure and order the right belt. Any help with this would be appreciated. I took some pictures of the mower, but due to the recolor, it is difficult to identify.

[evan price]

Howdy, I have an RM48 on my Satoh. I just replaced the belt myself. The factory Woods belt is 5/8" x 124.1" long. The Woods part number is 26840. Buying a factory Woods belt will cost about $75 the local dealer wanted $80 plus tax and shipping!
I found the best deal with shipping was from a company online

Welcome to VBELTS4LESS™ - Division Of Belarus Tractor International

I got two belts with shipping for about $75 total. I bought two because the shipping was the same for two as one, and now I have a spare. They are PIX belts and seemed to be good quality.

For the belt routing diagram, look in my signature line for a link to Woods manuals free download online. That's where I got my RM48 manual. When I went to put it on it was a PITA at first then it sort of suddenly just worked. It will make more sense when you do it yourself. Remember to give a good greasing to all the spindles and the PTO drive also!

Good luck!

ETA: Woods rivits a metal ID tag on their machines, the RM48 was on the side of the yoke supporting the PTO shaft and flywheel pulley.

[jefflove]

Thank you Evan. This is very useful information. I looked for an ID tag, but couldnt find one, so perhaps it was lost over time. I was able to find a belt at a local NAPA store, (B122), which is exactly 125", so I am going to give it a try, to see if it will work, as it would save me having to order online. If I am unable to get it to work, I will order from the site that you recommended.

There are so many sub-models for the rm48, that I am not sure which manual is the right one, but most all of them have the same belt routing diagram, so I will use it tomorrow to install the belt. Thanks again.

[2458n]

I have found in the past that when a belt is made to be 124.1" long there is usually a reason. Have you done the metric conversion? Without modification I would question if the tension has enough movement to take up the extra length. Small riding mowers can be very picky. John deere and Craftsman come to mind.

[jefflove]

Okay, so after much fighting with a 125" belt, I finally concluded that the belt was too short. A few pictures and a trip to 2 different Woods dealerships, revealed that my mower is a Woods RM48 YM-2, which takes a 126.7" belt. Got a 127" belt from NAPA, and set it, Tried the mower, and it runs and works great. Tested the belt a few times during mowing, and no apparent damage or slippage, so I am hoping that it should work fine. Hopefully, the .3" will not be a huge factor, especially, because NAPA is right across, and the belts are cheaper there than any place I found online.

Also greased up the mower, downloaded a manual, sharpened the blades, and hopefully, we should have no more problems for a while.

[gje800]

I have attached a photo of a RM 48 belt diagram. It is also located on the inside panel of the mower.

[ddoi]

Gates Hi-Power II Belt B124 (21/32" x 127") fits my RM48. ... got one from O'Reilly for $32.99. If you can wait, they're available on-line for about $22 shipped. I had a hard time getting it on with the idler spring in place. So, I took off the spring and used a nut and washer instead to give enough travel to position the pulley so the belt could be put on. I ran it for a short time w/out the idler spring, then adjusted the tension. After the belt had been used a couple times and stretched, it was easy to reinstall the idler spring etc.

[ddoi]

Here are a few pictures to explain the previous post.

... required sockets:



Idler pulley and pointer with limited travel to left (right when on tractor):



Next is nut and washer to temporarily replace pointer and spring:



Nut and washer in place with idler at far left of travel range so new (short) belt can easily be installed:



... after taking up slack/tensioning belt:



Belt tensioned for temporary use:



After belt stretches, loosen idler pulley bolt, re-tension belt, re-tighten idler pulley bolt, remove nut and washer, install pointer and spring, loosen idler pulley bolt, tension so pointer just clears idler pulley per Woods manual, and re-tighten idler pulley bolt.