Is it OK to use aftermarket drive belts

[jake22si 5]

Is there much difference in an aftermarket belt? Also looking for some alternative part #'s for the drive belt on a 1981 C-125. The Toro store has 2 different listings. Dont want to break the bank for a new belt. Maybe gates or Napa. :hide:

[GlenPettit 1,717]

Is there a difference, yes! TORO/Wheel Horse uses Agricultural Belts which are a little heavier-duty than most belts, and the side angle is slightly different which usually lets you get 2

[Duff 206]

I've been running a Stens "blue" replacement on the main drive of my 312-8 and it seems to be wearing very well. Price was a little less than Toro. JMHO....

Duff :hide:

[kj4kicks 154]

OEM belts cost a little more, but last ALOT longer, and work better.

[DOC in Kentucky 178]

I have some original OEM belts that are over 12 years old and thought I would replace it due to its age. Took it to the dealer and he said "nothing wrong with this belt so why do you want to replace it, save your money" So I guess I will keep it til it starts slipping or breaks.

12 years??? :hide:

[linen beige 15]

I have some original OEM belts that are over 12 years old and thought I would replace it due to its age. Took it to the dealer and he said "nothing wrong with this belt so why do you want to replace it, save your money" So I guess I will keep it til it starts slipping or breaks.

12 years???

My 702 has what looks to be the original drive belt on it. It works fine after 46 years! I've had her loaded until the duals dug to the axles and never seen the belt slip. And I think my 1054A also has it's original belts. Both work fine after 43 years.

[Docwheelhorse 2,740]

Buy OEM, they last FOREVER.... Aftermarket give up (gates etc...) in 2-3 years...

My Commando's first belt lasted 22 years and the second one hasn't even hinted of trouble after 18..... Both Wheel Horse belts.

Tony

[curly 0]

I have used numerous Oregon Belts on equipment and they perform very well. I needed 1 in a hurry. 1 day went to the parts house acquired 1 after about 1 hours use it kept jumping off. Had stretched after got hot. Parts house belts are much cheaper but not nearly as durable as OEM's or original replacement belts. If it does not say replaces such OEM number I do not expect it to last.

curly

[oldandred 15]

true you want break the bank but you will have to buy a couple more belts and after it over the best is wheel horse belts

[Raider12 13]

I was thinking of ordering a new OEM belt to have when the day comes I have it on hand. The drive belt on my 1970 Raider 12 is at least 12 years old and still working great. I have tried a NAPA belt in years past but never liked the way it ran. Just my two cents! :hide:

[Sparky-(Admin) 23,110]

How much are you guys paying for aftermarket belts? Just curious cause WH belts dont seem to expensive for the amount of life you get out of them. I have bought a couple WH brand drive belts for my 8 speed tractors and their about $23 each from my local Toro/WH dealer. Are aftermarket that much cheaper ?

Mike.........

[HorseFixer 2,013]

I have used the green Gates Belts with no problem but the Jury is still out because I haven't been in this thing that long! I will pick up some Toro belts on my restorations and give them a try. I buy the good gates belts but thats because I pick them up from one of my vendors on the way home from work its pretty convenient. I guess I will hafta drive to South Bend 15 minutes south of me and give them a try! :hide:

[Craig Arndt 6]

Its not just how long the belt lasts, but the size of the belt. The ag belts I bought for my Wheel Horse from Napa were listed as the correct belt, but 1.5" too short. This caused a real problem grinding gears and shifting.

Wasn't until I bought the OEM belt that I saw it was a longer, wider belt.

The PTO belts I've gone through in 30 hours. Next one will be a Toro, they just last a lot longer than the Napa's.

[T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,599]

How much are you guys paying for aftermarket belts? Just curious cause WH belts dont seem to expensive for the amount of life you get out of them. I have bought a couple WH brand drive belts for my 8 speed tractors and their about $23 each from my local Toro/WH dealer. Are aftermarket that much cheaper ?

Mike.........

I always try and use OEM belts, but I thought I do some research on the drive belt on my C-125 Automatic.

OEM belt from SEPW (OEM part number 7473) - $21.21

OEM belt from Micalawn (OEM part number 7473) - $27.57

OEM belt from Parts Tree (OEM part number 7473) - $22.27

From Stens (part number 258-082) $38.18

Gates belt (part number 6982) from M&D Mower - $48.45

True Blue belt (part number 258082) from Sohars - $35.09 sales price $26.56

Hmm, prices are all over the place on the aftermarket, but still more than the OEM price in most cases. Even though this is just a random and not complete search, I have to ask.....So what are you saving?

[CasualObserver 3,411]

I'm with the OEM crowd here too, and I'd just like to add that if you work a horse... even though we're all touting the longevity and durability of OEM belts... occasionally they DO break and eventually they DO stretch. I find a little peace of mind in keeping an extra new drive and PTO belt for my chore tractors on the wall. If one breaks over a weekend... I don't have to wait 1-3 days to get it replaced... (and let's face it... when we're talking about winter work, we might not be able to wait even a day!) I only have to wait as long as it takes to get the belt guard off and back on, and I can buy a new one to put on the wall whenever I happen to be around my WH dealer. I don't do this for all my tractors... just the ones that work.

[wh500special 2,262]

I sing this song all the time, but if you want your local dealers to stay in business you might want to consider shopping there. They're not making much money on these parts sales, but if it keeps their doors open you might be better off in the long run.

Buy the Toro belts.

Steve

[bitten 134]

My toro dealer told me to go with the green gates because they hold up to bend over the idler pully better. Havent had to use it yet but thought I would pass it on what he said.

P.J.

[kj4kicks 154]

My toro dealer told me to go with the green gates because they hold up to bend over the idler pully better. Havent had to use it yet but thought I would pass it on what he said.

P.J.

That sounds like something a kid would say, that hasn't seen original belts go around that idler for 30 years.

[SteveG_CT 0]

That sounds like something a kid would say, that hasn't seen original belts go around that idler for 30 years.

This sounds quite familiar to what I usually hear from my local dealer. I've generally found that whenever they don't have a belt in stock they are extremely reluctant to order me one. The few times that I have insisted that they order me a Toro belt it has taken a few weeks before the belt actually comes in.

That being said, I have had good luck with the green Gates belts purchased from the local NAPA. I have some that I have been running for several years with no discernible wear other than the green color being a little lighter on the contact faces.

[Docwheelhorse 2,740]

Steve---what dealers in Connecticut are you going to? I can get belts in a week or less when my dealers weekly Toro order goes in....

Tony

[SteveG_CT 0]

Steve---what dealers in Connecticut are you going to? I can get belts in a week or less when my dealers weekly Toro order goes in....

Tony

Lately I've been going to Butler Power in West Hartford as it's the closest dealer to me that sells Toro equipment. I used to be able to get Toro belts through the local hardware store but they were finally driven out of business by the local Home Destruction store a few months ago. Butler has generally been pretty good about getting me parts but for whatever reason belts have been a problem.

[rustbucket 4]

here is the deadly quandry. what happens when there are no more OEM belts and all new old stock is gone? then all thats left is those low life short lived belts and i personaly use blue kevlar embued belts and have never had an issue with em.

[jake22si 5]

My C-125 lists 2 different belts. 7473 and 93-9809. Its an 8 speed model #01-12k802. ones $23 and the other is $36. Anybody know the difference? :hide:

[T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,599]

I just check Micalawn and the only drive belt shown for the C-125 is 7473. The 93-9809 from my limited research looks like it's for the 416-8. :hide:

[jake22si 5]

Found one on ebay for $20 with shipping. :banana: :hide: