Lo Boy mower ID

[AndyinWA]

Hi all, looking for a little assistance identifying the deck on my Lo Boy. I "think" it is a woods 42, but I do not know which variant. The belt broke and I am having a heck of a time finding a proper length belt for it. I measured the broken belt at 148" but can not find anything close to that length. Thanks in advance for any help!

Andy

Sorry for the poor photos below, but it looks close to this one found elsewhere on this site.

[tmays]

Actually I think that may be a Woods 44LB. If it is, then it's only the second one that I have ever seen. The other one is under my 154

Edit: reread your post and see that one pictured is not yours. I believe the one pictured is actually mine!!! But it's a pic before I got it, right Harold? You will have to post pics of your mower. Looks like you have pics posted of two different mowers. Top one is mine

[AndyinWA]

Any chance you have a I.D. or O.D. measurement of your belt? Better yet, a part number?
Thanks for the prompt reply,
Andy

[tmays]

I think I might have part number at home. May be later this evening before I can check

[gitractorman]

Keep in mind, with those 42 mowers, the belt is not fully tensioned until the deck is lowered into the cutting position. When you raise the deck, it loosens the belt, just because of the way the deck angles up so much in the front. It won't be as drastic on a number series lo-boy, but will still be enough that you need to watch how you install and setup the initial tension on the new belt. You should raise the deck up all the way, loosen the two adjustment pulleys in the rear of the hanger, install the new belt, then lower the deck to where you want to cut and then put pressure on the two rear pulleys (usually a crow bar to push down on the pulleys will work) and tighten the two rear pulleys up. At that point the belt should be tensioned properly.

[tmays]

Woods part number for a 44LB mower is 18372 Googling that sent me to usabearingsandbelts.com which said it is a 5/8" x 151". I have never bought one. Still using belt that was on it. When I get a chance, I will see if I can find number on one I have

As far as tensioning belt, I do as previous feller posted does. However, manual instructs you to position idlers and move deck forward or back for proper tension. Sounds like too much trouble to me

[AndyinWA]

Well doesn't that make sense? That would completely explain why i kept throwing the belt before it broke. Was trying to cut some tall grass so I had left the deck all the way up, first time mowing not level. Thanks for all the input folks, I appreciate it.
Andy

[tmays]

Do you have shim on right idler bracket? Part number 21 in pic

[Eugene]

I measured the broken belt at 148" but can not find anything close to that length.

Take the old belt to your local auto parts store. Ask for their premium belt. If not in stock, next day.

New belt will probably solve your belt throwing problem. Try the new belt before making "adjustments" to the mower.

[gitractorman]

I did the exact same thing first time I had a Woods 42 on a cub. Went out to cut some tall grass and tried mowing with the deck raised up. It also threw the belt a few times. Then I took a closer look and noticed how the belt was nicely tensioned when the deck was down level, but loose when up in the raised position. Lowered the deck down and mowed my 2 acre lawn with no problem, never threw the belt or even stopped once. Did almost run over a small tree when I pushed the clutch in but didn't hit the brakes and the force of the mower just pushed the tractor along. Learned a lot of things about that mower that day!!

[AndyinWA]

Thanks for all of the replies on this, the diagram sure looks like my belt and if measuring the OD that looks spot on. Belt on order, here's to hoping!