Mower Deck Belt Assistance

[BHpa 7]

Hi all,

 

I've got an old 310-8 model Toro Wheelhorse.  My mower deck is a  37" rear discharge.  I'm struggling to figure out exactly what belt size I need for the deck itself.  I downloaded the chart from another thread but am having trouble navigating it.  I can't seem to find a serial number on the deck itself and have no clue what year it is.  The trick is that the tractor is a second hand machine from my dad's cousin and the deck was something picked up from someone else so they aren't necessarily the same year.

 

I just put a new belt on last night since I had one break the other day, but I'm never sure if I got the right size or not.  It was an incredibly tight fit and I don't want to damage anything by having too small or too loose of a belt.  Any pointers on how to figure out exactly what I need?  

 

Thanks!!

 

 

[nylyon-(Admin) 7,825]

Lookup the deck model number in the manuals area, the belt will be listed in the manual description 

[BHpa 7]

Thanks, though I can't seem to find anything on the deck resembling a model number.  No serial numbers or any numbers at all that I can find. 

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,383]

Might be a 36" width of cut? Click on the picture in this link

 

[BHpa 7]

oh.  Do you measure cutting width or the whole width of the deck?  If it's just cutting width then yeah, I guess it's a 36.  Sorry for my ignorance. 

[nylyon-(Admin) 7,825]

2 blades or 3? I am not aware of a 37” RD deck, 36 and 42” RD yes, but not 37.  Assuming it’s 36” your belt is likely 

Drive belt 102741 (1/2" x 96.6") or (Gates replacement BladeRunner 6638BR 17/32" x 96.75")

[pfrederi 18,547]

Take a picture of the deck

 

[Handy Don 13,622]

1 hour ago, pfrederi said:

Take a picture of the deck

And post it here 😉

[Brockport Bill 1,888]

a 37 is a side discharge with 2 spindles above the deck --

 

there are 2 rear discharge models --

 

one is a 36" with 3 blades and only one front roller in the middle of the front of the shell - --

 

the 42" rear discharge has 3 blades  - and 3 front rollers one in the middle and one on front of the shell but at 10 and 2 oclock

 

measurement models are width of cut not the shell measurment

[Brockport Bill 1,888]

if in fact the mower deck is 36 inch rear discharge??? - its likely 05-36mr ---- with an end number of either 01 up to 05 -- from beginning of 1980s to about 1990 or '91

 

the 36 inch rear discharge deck on partstree.com and toro parts online indicate belt # 8411 - approx $25

 

if you look at the 36 inch rear in the photo you will see the location where the decal would be

[Brockport Bill 1,888]

when you say the belt you bought is a "tight fit" be mindful the belt has tension from the tension bar and its spring riding on the idler pulley----------------------

 

as an fyi Belt #8411 is 77 inches by 1/2 --  therefore you can remove belt and measure with cloth tape measure -- or use piece of string to mirror belt oval and determine correct length.

[Brockport Bill 1,888]

just for clarification  - - you said belt for the "deck" -- which is info i provided for the deck itself -- the belt for the pto mule drive belt would be different info which nylyon admin provided earlier in the thread

[BHpa 7]

Thank you all so much, this is incredibly helpful.  Picture posted below, but yes, given the pictures above it's a 36" - 3 blade.  I must have measured wrong.  

 

Given what you all have said, it's no wonder the belt was really tight.  I was putting a 76" belt on there. Looks like I need a 76.5 or 77".  To get the 76 on I had pull the tension bar and spring all the way just to get it even close.

 

Thank you so much!

 

Also, please don't judge me for the sad state of my mower deck.

[Handy Don 13,622]

5 hours ago, BHpa said:

Nothing wrong with a deck that shows it been worked. That'll be just fine once you put the pulley cover back on.

Go mow!

[Brockport Bill 1,888]

good luck -  we all keep learning and benefit from others experience and info sharing -- cosmetic looks are nice but of course the equipment operating as it should is what's most important.

 

key issue is to keep underneath clean from debris build up so blades cut well and discharge the clippings well - and to oil the underneath of deck shell to avoid clippings sticking -- and to wash underneath deck end of season then oil underneath surface before winter storage - and of course to prevent rot of the shell - then the obvious to keep spindle bearings lubricated (or replace )  - and be sure you remove belt periodically to test the pulleys that they each turn freely - also examine the slot of the torsion bar - - those wear and need a replacement sometime over the life of the deck - I use leaf blower after each mowing to clean loose grass/dirt etc -- and power wash underneath every 4-5-6 mowings - - and avoid cutting wet grass to prevent clogged shell -- have fun !!