Snowblower/snowthrower belt

[Workingstiff]

Hope this isn't viewed as a "which oil is best " thread. But what brand of belts have you had the best luck with? I believe I'm running a Gates something or other.

[IHCubCadet147]

Originally Posted by Workingstiff

Hope this isn't viewed as a "which oil is best " thread. But what brand of belts have you had the best luck with? I believe I'm running a Gates something or other.

Usually whatever is the cheapest.

I don’t have a snowblower, but for mowing, I’ve had good luck with the gates belts. I recently came across this website, https://www.vbeltguys.com/, and have been ordering from there. Even with the shipping, they are usually cheaper than anywhere I can get them locally. They seem to be good quality, but I can’t really say how long they last, since I just started using them this past mowing season. None have failed yet.

[Workingstiff]

Thanks for the link

[charlie105]

The Gates 3V-300 is a “deep V” power transmission belt and the 300 means 30”. I am using the 3V-280,and it is 28”. They are available from 28” to 32” , and maybe larger. Had trouble with all the other belts I tried until I did some digging, and it’s the “deep V” configuration that was most likely the original design for the snow thrower drive belt. I happen to have a Gates, but it seems reasonable that the other manufacturers have the same design. I had been replacing, and adjusting my belts several times per season until I found the 3V series. That belt has been on the tractor for 8 years and has only been adjusted once at the beginning of each season. Hope this helps.

[Workingstiff]

Good to know!!!

[Workingstiff]

The link above has a multitude of vendors listening that size $5-6, there is a flat $7 shipping fee. Amazon was $15

[DSarow]

When you search and buy from a different suppliers, what is your main goal?Is it price or were you having problems with the other brand?

[Workingstiff]

Last year was my first year to run a snowthrower. I did go through a couple of TSC belts until I ran across the Gates. It seems to be much better. I may have went through a second one of those last year. I feel it had probably loosened up and was slipping. I try to buy locally at a Mom and Pop auto store. Been there since the early 80's

[spndncash]

Most of the non oem belts are not adequate for the power in a mower/blower/tractor implement application. They simply fall apart they cannot take the heat or the twisting. They are not rated for the hp and they rarely are the right length. Most cc and jd belts are in a fractional size like a 97.5 inch length instead of 97 or 98. A belt should NEVER bottom out in a V pulley. If it does bottom out either the pulley is worn out, you have the wrong cross sectional size or it’s a crap belt either worn out or made poorly. OEM is a B belt which is an industrial belt and a 5L is a fractional belt. Both have the same cross-section but the 5L cannot withstand the abuse of a mower. You can put a B in a 5L application as an upgrade but a 5L in a B application is going to fail fast. Scamazon sellers will list a 5L as a B but it is not worth saving the extra 10-20 dollars.

[Workingstiff]

GREAT info!!!!