Sparky-(Admin) 26,195 #1 Posted August 14 What are you guys doing with old belts? Throwing out? Storing (forever!)? I have this pile of belts, have no idea what Wheel Horse or mowing deck (or maybe my one Craftsman??) they were for originally. I should just toss em tomorrow at the transfer station…it’s just so dang hard …been collecting them for no reason for 20 plus years. If I have swapped out the drive belt on one of my gear drive machines you can bet the old one was stretched/slipping, seems ridiculous to have them here taking up space. So again, what are you all doing with old belts? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 80,188 #2 Posted August 14 If a belt has obvious signs of wear - it's trash. Period. I did have a few used belts saved aside for those occasions of instant need such a broken drive belt with no spares... Then I bought spares. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 20,464 #3 Posted August 14 I'll take any good ones. Don't toss them out and bring'm to Zags I do all kinds of nonsense things around here and prefer to just grab one off the shelf vs going out to buy them. It's good to have one of those long belts around to start other engines from a tractor PTO. 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 26,195 #4 Posted August 14 18 minutes ago, wallfish said: I'll take any good ones. Don't toss them out and bring'm to Zags There yours John!! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg854 13,285 #5 Posted August 14 I've kept some belts that were worn, but, not worn out for emergencies. Didn't want to have a bunch of new belts hanging around that I might never need. The tractors I have had belts replaced if they showed any signs of wear. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 46,857 #6 Posted August 14 1 hour ago, Sparky said: Throwing out? Storing (forever!)? A hoarder that has 5 spare 8 speeds and 30+ spare tires should have a couple hundred spare belts. Store em forever. 1 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 12,754 #7 Posted August 14 If properly ID'd, there are good enough to measure & match for a new replacement. Yes, I do keep the prevoius WH drive belt and the Ariens SnoThro belts - just in case.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ol550 869 #8 Posted August 14 Have any Amish or Mennonite in the area? They would most likely be happy to have them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 68,327 #9 Posted August 14 2 hours ago, Sparky said: old one was stretched/slipping, I have always heard that belts don't stretch, they just wear down. I hang on to a few long belts of both 1/2 and 5/8 in the event I'm doing a project where the factory belt isn't going to work. Cut the old belt, put it on and pull up the slack, once you figure the length is right use some tie wire to join the two ends and give it a try. Now you have a proper belt to take to Tractor Supply to measure and match up 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 46,857 #10 Posted August 14 2 hours ago, wallfish said: I do all kinds of nonsense things around here Most of my "custom" builds are designed to use an existing belt from my stock. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 68,327 #11 Posted August 14 Just now, Ed Kennell said: Most of my "custom" builds are designed to use an existing belt from my stock. HOARD Fixed it for you. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 20,464 #12 Posted August 14 5 minutes ago, Ed Kennell said: Most of my "custom" builds are designed to use an existing belt from my stock. Me too Ed Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 20,464 #13 Posted August 14 It's also good to have a long belt around to use for measuring for a new belt. Mostly custom stuff. But it's also a lot faster than looking stuff up online too. I have a cut deck belt that is wrapped around the pulleys and just marked. Measure that length and there's the new belt length. 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 46,857 #14 Posted August 14 2 minutes ago, wallfish said: It's also good to have a long belt around I keep long belts to drive other equipment off the PTO. Like hydros in non running tractors, meat grinders, ice cream freezers, air compressors, gen sets, etc. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sqrlgtr 3,669 #15 Posted August 15 I keep all mine ifn that aint damaged like yous say may need a 1/2"-1" longer belt fer sumin. if they are damaged in any way they go straight to the trashy can, got to much junk laying around all ready 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Retired Wrencher 6,909 #16 Posted August 15 (edited) 12 hours ago, Sparky said: Good man John. Edited August 15 by Retired Wrencher Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Retired Wrencher 6,909 #17 Posted August 15 Can you recycle belts? Instead throw them in the trash. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 26,195 #18 Posted August 15 1 hour ago, Retired Wrencher said: Can you recycle belts? Instead throw them in the trash. Good question? Here we recycle cardboard and glass and plastic. No rubber. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 47,833 #19 Posted August 15 Recycle belts by bringing to the show with a free sign. If you don't go to the show, sneak them into a neighbor's garage! 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 46,857 #20 Posted August 15 12 minutes ago, squonk said: Recycle belts by bringing to the show with a free sign Yep, some cheap hoarder will scarf em up. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeM 10,134 #21 Posted August 15 19 hours ago, Sparky said: Throwing out? bite your tongue! I have one tote for A belts and one for B belts. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
