197253 - has anyone compared OEM and aftermarket belt width with calipers?
 

I replaced a 197253 deck belt recently and started wondering about something. Most catalogs list the same OEM number, but some publish slightly different specs for what should be the same replacement. That made me curious whether anyone has actually measured a genuine OEM belt against a few aftermarket versions after they've been run for a season. While checking compatibility I came across this OEM cross-reference page: click here. Has anyone here ever measured actual belt width after a few hours of mowing, or noticed one brand sitting deeper in the pulley than another?

Belt width and length have standards that are set.

An inexpensive belt,or a "will fit" belt will not last as long
as an oem belt
That said, a good quality aftermarket belt will also last.
Just off the top of my head, Goodyear "insta power" is a quality belt, there are others,but not cheap scamazon or local hardware belts.
Some of the best/long lasting belts I've had over the many decades were made for John Deere, cub and Scag,
if you are needing a belt for a furnace blower, yes a local ACE or other hardware belt is fine.

If one needs a belt that is doing 1/4 twists or back side idlers, and high heat like most lawnmowers, you get wht you pay for.
Also a belt that has grey wiskers that has been in a warehouse or on a dealers hook for many sesons are like putting 10 year old "new" tires on your vechicle, most of the "good" has evaporated over the years.