240 garden tractor with 38" deck

[bjr]

This old tractor has had a twin cylinder B&S swapped in. So it's been Modified from OEM's standards. The mower has been running fine for several years. Having said that the problems I'm now having is deck blade belts and the deck drive belt length. According the parts Lookup I'm suppose to have a 66" deck belt. I installed a 66" belt and could not get the Deck Drive belt tensioned (very loose). I'm having issues getting correct belt lengths for the deck drive and the blade to blade deck belt. The blade to blade belt has to be the correct length as to get the engine to deck belt tensioned properly and now the parts books are not giving me correct information. Has anyone else ran into belt length issues with the 38" deck? Belt nightmare need help. bjr

 

[beenthere]

What is the Deere part number you are using for the belt in question?

 

[bjr]

M82462 Shows to be 66" and when I put a 66" belt on the deck pulleys it made the tensioner so tight it couldn't compensate the engine to deck belt tension. The deck belt size that used that would allow the engine to deck system to work was 71". I've not measure yet the engine to deck length. When I last work on the mower the deck belt kept coming off the pulleys. I'm gonna pull the deck clear out from under the tractor to inspect the spindles and tensioners to see if I can tell what in the blazes is happening. I've just not had the time to mess with it the last couple of days. bjr

 

[beenthere]

M82462 Shows to be 66" and when I put a 66" belt on the deck pulleys......

Do you mean when you put the M82462 belt on, or when you put a 66" belt on, i.e. that is not that part number? Just asking for clarity here... thanks.

 

[bjr]

That's the part number I found on the Deere parts site for the 38" deck. The three belts are M82462, M117608, & M71026. They are for the Deck, engine to Deck & the traction belt. I was busy taking off a flat baler tire tonite and might have a chance to pull the deck off the Garden Tractor tomorrow nite. You are correct in I tried to put on a 66" belt and was too tight. bjr

 

[beenthere]

I'd suggest buying the John Deere part no. for your deck. Don't expect a non-Deere belt to have the right make-up and specs to do the job.

I found that out years ago (70's) when I had a Wheel Horse and tried substituting a non-Wheel Horse drive belt. Didn't work, and many have learned the same with sub'ing non-Deere belts.

 

[Richard001]

Well if you have a non-stock engine I would guess that you would have to use a non-stock belt length. Can you find a part number on the old belt and just get another one of those?

 

[beenthere]

Good point Richard001. I missed that "swapped in" engine comment in the OP.

 

[bjr]

It was a pretty good designed swap in that they seemed to have centered to new engine over the original hole and they used original pulley and electric clutch (I've rebuilt this engine once already, so I've had it off the frame). So I think those lengths are nearly the same. I may have to do as suggested above and buy OEM parts as the specs show the JD belts at about a 1/16" wider not the 1/2" of a "A" belt. Maybe tomorrow will be the day I actually get to work on the mower. bjr

 

[beenthere]

You kept dodging that question about OEM belt, and it doesn't pay to substitute on OEM belts.

Get the genuine Deere part and let us know if that also does or doesn't work.