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.

 

[Dr Dirt]

Yesterday, I picked up a Woods RM 48 for a whopping $100.00. I was expecting to have to change out most of the moving parts, to my surprise everything seems fine. My big question is; "what PTO shaft is used on this unit?" This one only has the "female" end or implement end. The tractor end is missing. I have the bolts all soaking in Fluid Film [ similar to PB Blaster ] I am going to give it a few days then open it up and see what's what. Everything seems to move freely. Does anyone know where I might locate or download a owners manual?

 

[ddoi]

I contacted Woods with an email and they sent a PDF of the manual:

Woods Equipment Company - Manual Request

The whole thing is too big to attach here but the page with the drive is attached.

 

[Dr Dirt]

I just wanted to thank you for posting regarding the Woods RM 48 belt! Although I have not yet installed the new belt, your advice will be taken!

 

[Rod in Forfar]

I just wanted to thank you for posting regarding the Woods RM 48 belt! Although I have not yet installed the new belt, your advice will be taken!

The diagram already in this thread will be a big help. I also discovered a trick to install the belt. I use a length of 1" web strap, doubled, so that I can pull hard on it with both hands. When the belt is almost in position I place myself at the right side of the mower, looking from the back. I thread the strap inside the belt by the right pulley, brace my feet against the mower body, and pull hard. The springs will groan, but allow you to stretch the belt over the pulley, and the job is done.