Buying Belts by Size

Do you really need an OEM Belt?‍

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It used to be common for mower manufacturers to use standard industrial belts. The mower manufacturer may have said their mower used an A62 belt. A = 1/2” & 62 = 62” long. And it was common for lawnmower dealers to stock industrial belts by size, allowing customers to say, I need a 1/2” x 62” belt, and the parts counter staff would go grab an A62. 

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So why can’t we do that today? 

You still can buy belts by size at some places like NAPA. But most mower manufacturers are now designing their belts according to the application, with extra reinforcement and characteristics that are not accounted for in basic belt dimension specs. Some even offer two different belts that fit their same mower deck that look the same, but one costs more and lasts longer. 

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In other words, even if you can match the dimensions perfectly, the materials inside the belt may not perform and last like the original. We regularly have customers say they have tried industrial belts and they just don’t last like their OEM (original equipment manufacturer) belt. Selling belts that don’t last leads to unhappy customers. 

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That’s why most mower dealerships don’t stock industrial belts by size anymore and only stock manufacturer belts by OEM part #. And since the belts are designed for a specific application, the manufacturers usually don’t disclose the dimensions. Without dimensions, the belts naturally get organized by part #, which makes it difficult to even find a belt by a specified size.

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There is nothing keeping customers from measuring their belt and buying an industrial belt that’s close to the right size. We recommend buying the specific OEM belt designed for the mower you own. If we are not a dealer for the brand mower you have, then we will be happy to point you in the direction of a dealer for your brand.

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B T South Parts Dept |  https://www.btsouth.com/parts

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