Good to have spare parts "on the shelf"!

[Dale Finch]

I was mowing yesterday with one of my '55 Cubs with a Woods 42 when the belt came off. I put it back on, but it came off again. Went back to my shed for tools to remove belt, where I saw it was cut, and luckily I had a SPARE! Put that on, but when I went to continue mowing...yep! Popped off again!

I checked all the pulleys to see if maybe a chunk of the old belt was stuck in one...nope. When I tried tightening the belt, I saw the deck shift in a strange way. Looked more closely and saw the real problem:

The culprit! A missing mounting bolt & bushing!

My spare had it's complete mounting hardware!! Back in business!!

Luckily, I had a spare Woods 42 and it had the bolt, nut, washer, lock washer AND the necessary bushing still on it. Transfered those to the mower I was using, and VOILA!! The belt worked fine and I was able to finish my mowing!!

[Don McCombs]

I believe those bushings are still available from Woods.

[Dale Finch]

They are. I even have a new set at home in the parts bins, but it was sure handy having some here so I could finish mowing!

[NJ Farmer]

Dale even with a cut belt it shouldn’t have fallen off I would check the tension because it was probably slapping around which caused it split.
I would definitely replace the belt and buy a spare for the future.

NJ Farmer

[Dale Finch]

Dale even with a cut belt it shouldn’t have fallen off I would check the tension because it was probably slapping around which caused it split.
I would definitely replace the belt and buy a spare for the future.

NJ Farmer

Yes, as it turned out, I believe the split was CAUSED by the mower mount bolt being missing!! The deck was able to wobble, and I hadn't noticed it at first. I already have another spare belt...it sure saves time having spares on hand!!

[k hutchins]

I was raised by depression era parents, my dad being in construction and farming. He taught me "anything still useful you throw away today you'll have to buy again some day". My wife accuses me of being a hoarder, but unless it's truely worn out or broken beyond repair l'll hang onto it.

[NJ Farmer]

I tend to agree with the post above. Even though tractor belts have splits or breaks in them I use them until they fail completely but I ALWAYS have a spare one around. However I don’t follow this procedure with my trucks or cars…when I see a belt starting to crack I replace it ASAP because I really don’t want be be on the side of the road in the middle of the night in a rainstorm changing a belt! You never know when their time is up but always at the wrong time!

NJ Farmer