Pto to deck belt issue 1450 & 42 inch QA deck

[sawdustdad]

I put a triangular 42 inch deck on my 1450. I am having trouble getting a drive (PTO to deck) belt to fit.

The expected IH 473462-R4 3/8" x 81" belt listed as correct is a couple inches too short. An 83 or even 84 inch belt fits better. Problem is I can't find a 3/8 x 83 belt and the 1/2" x 83" (and 84") belts rollover in the PTO pulley. I suppose due to being so wide they really don't seat down in the pulley groove.

What would cause the specified belt to be too short? The mule drive is not the tilted pulley version used on the 44A/50A decks. Same deck was used for years on my 108 without any problems.

Seems to me that the only variable is the distance the deck sits front to back on the lift frame, and that is controlled by the deck's rear hitch pins, all of which are original. So the frame/deck have not been modified in any way.

I've tried NAPA, Gates and a couple other belts in 1/2" x 83" and 84" (one from Tractor Supply is on there now) and they all roll over in the PTO pulley and eventually shred.

Can't really find any 3/8 x 83 belts anywhere, best I can find is a 10mm (about 2/5" or .4") belt which is close to 3/8" (.375"). Have not ordered this belt yet. It is pretty cheap. (https://www.vbelts4less.com/SPZ2120-..._p_173139.html)

Meanwhile I have ordered a 481099 R2 belt, 1/2" x 83" (deck belt for the 48 inch QA deck) to see if it might work better. If it doesn't I can always use it on my 48 inch deck.

This particular 1450 has a rebuilt K301 in it (hence the 42" deck since it runs like a 1250) and new OEM iso-mounts and frame rail mod. Runs good. Orgura PTO.

Really prefer the OEM IH belts, they seem to last the longest.

Any advice? What have I missed?

[R Bedell]

Cub Cadet has this: IH-140024-C1...... 3/8 X 83

[sawdustdad]

Originally Posted by R Bedell

Cub Cadet has this: IH-140024-C1...... 3/8 X 83

That sounds like the answer! How did you find that?

Just ordered a couple from ccspecialties. CCspecialties doesn't list size, but cubcadet.com does. $10 cheaper from ccspecialties.

And a third from Lew for a Lew price! (I like to always have a spare belt or two...)

[R Bedell]

How did you find that?

I made a Chart up years ago. It has three columns. (A) Part Number, (B) Size, and (C) Application. Then I sorted each column to get consecutive Part Numbers, from small to large size, and the application (ie: PTO, Tiller, Spindle, etc)

Went to my chart, looked for the size............and wha..la There it is.

[GERKS 149]

I have that same deck on my 1450 and it uses a IH 490489R2 belt. I think it’s a 3/8x81

[sawdustdad]

Originally Posted by GERKS 149

I have that same deck on my 1450 and it uses a IH 490489R2 belt. I think it’s a 3/8x81

I tried IH 473462 R4 (3/8 x 81). Can't get it on without the mule drive pulleys rubbing the front axle.

I'd sure like to find out why my particular situation is different. I'll have to measure the center pulley on the deck. Since I bought it used, maybe it's not stock? Can't think of any other reason. I have a couple other 42 inch decks. I need to go out and compare them to the one I'm using.

[Seanc]

Did you figure out which belt works? I am going through something similar with my 129 with 42” deck . I have ordered 2 different belts and both aren’t the same as the one that came off. I got a 490489r2 from v belts. it just showed up and it is 1/2” and the same part number from other companies offers the same belt but they’re 3/8 and a little longer?

Someone please help me find the right belt.

[sawdustdad]

Originally Posted by Seanc

Did you figure out which belt works? I am going through something similar with my 129 with 42” deck . I have ordered 2 different belts and both aren’t the same as the one that came off. I got a 490489r2 from v belts. it just showed up and it is 1/2” and the same part number from other companies offers the same belt but they’re 3/8 and a little longer?

Someone please help me find the right belt.

I haven't tried the new belts yet, but be aware that my 1450 takes a different belt than your 129. Here's the reference. I think it's best to get IH belts. They seem to last longer and fit better.

What is wrong with your 490489R2 belt? I assume it was a cross referenced belt? What brand is it? Order from ccspecialties.org. That's where I get (most of) my belts.

[Seanc]

The 490489r2 I got from vbelts is 1/2” x 80” and it’s way too short. I’m guessing that they hav the wrong specs for that product #. Also the belt I took off my cub originally was 3/8. I will probably call ccspecialties bc the website doesn’t give much detailed info on each item.
Thanks

[J-Mech]

I really do not understand the whole "can't find the right belt" crowd. (Sorry, Frank.)

If the size of belt listed by CCC/IH doesn't fit or doesn't match the "original" belt, then either the belt you are replacing wasn't the right one, or you have another issue.

Make sure the mule drive pulleys are the correct size. People replace them with random pulleys and sometimes they get the wrong ones.

When the belt is in and adjusted correctly, the pulleys will not be rubbing the front axle. (Seen this like a million times. I have tons of front axles with grooves cut in them from ding dongs who ran too short a belt.)

The belt needed for a particular tractor, or the deck belts can be found in the parts book:
https://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/...ad.php?t=24721

*** OR go look up the belt on your own***
Put in your tractor model number, choose "Attachments" and pick the deck you have. Pick the needed belt, then click "ad to cart" and it will give you a popup window and the size along with the part number.
https://www.cubcadet.com/webapp/wcs/...101&langId=-1#

If you buy a proper size belt from somewhere other than CCC and it doesn't fit, then either the brand's size differs from the original, or you have another issue. LOOK at the machine and figure out what the issue is. IT IS NOT HARD.