Well, the belt chunked today as I was trying to get some of the leaves off the yard prior to this big rain tonight.. A 6 inch piece of the inner V rubber just parted from the cord. Gone in a mask of smoke and squealing rubber.
Went to the FLAPS and used the belt measuring device to size a replacement. The identification on the back worn off and no longer readable. The old belt measured at 87" So I bought a 5L X84 Gates. Counter man indicated that was the right Gates number for the 87" length.
Nothing doing! Too short! The belt just went on the pulleys with the actuator lever in the disengaged position and the adjustment rod fully shortened. ;-(
Made the drive back and got the belt an inch longer. Compared it to the old belt in the measuring device and it sure looked a good match. BUT, NOPE! still too short to allow the blade drive engagement mechanism to go over center.
I'll go back tomorrow and get an 89" length . Third time is the charm, but this feels like DeJa Vu all over again.
The 5L 89" length appears frequently under the SCAG brand in the reference so kindly posted by tomplum. SCAG being where Mighty-Vac ended up.
Main Belts Sizes Reference
If they weren't near $40 each I would buy two ;-) I will nail the sleeve to the wall this time, as well as write the belt size information on the underside of the belt cover where it won't get rubbed off.
The only thing I can figure is that the belts bed into the pulley grooves and make a "short belt" measure long.
And for those comments on idler pulley condition, all are fairly new and the bearings run smooth and quiet.
Now if only new belts would mend the rusty deck ;-)
