Where do you buy your mower belts?

[hitmanharleyk]

I had to buy a deck belt for my 48" Husqvarna and I first priced it a the dealer ($70 or so) and then a local Lawnmower shop ($56). What struck me as odd was before the dealer handed me the belt he took the cardboard sleeve off of it, basically he didn't want me to know the make or wanted to give me as little info as possible so I carried it around to the local industrial supply place (Bearings and Drives) and they checked it out. They sold me a Kevlar belt for $29 out the door, I put it on the mower and it has worked perfectly, the $70 belt is hanging on the wall as a back up and a reminder!
The local lawnmower shop where it was $56 has a big sign over the parts counter that said "no returns accepted on belts" , I asked about it and the owner said he didn't want to sell a belt and then have it returned after it was measured and ordered cheaper from somewhere else.

Buying mowers from dealers is a advantage over the big box stores, but parts can be had for much cheaper prices if you shop around. Most make $50 plus dollars a hour for labor and then they mark up all parts 100% to make even more.

 

[john higginbotham]

I GET MY BELTS FROM BEARING SUPPLY... 29 .OO FOR THE LAST ONE:thumbsup:

 

[Rivets]

You have to be careful when buying non OEM belts. They may be the same length but have a different grip angle or different depth. I would use a non OEM belt if the belt has to change direction. I have use them when I have short straight line situations (re:snowblowers) on the cheaper units and have had no problems. I have a friend who works for an industrial supply chain, who has tried many different belts, which I have installed on his JD G110, have not found one that works as well as the OEM. I wish they would because I hate the price of JD belts.

 

[Lawnranger]

I have made several purchases from Tulsa Engine Warehouse dot com and have been pleased with most everything. Competitive prices and free shipping on orders over $200.00.

 

[hitmanharleyk]

You have to be careful when buying non OEM belts. They may be the same length but have a different grip angle or different depth. I would use a non OEM belt if the belt has to change direction. I have use them when I have short straight line situations (re:snowblowers) on the cheaper units and have had no problems. I have a friend who works for an industrial supply chain, who has tried many different belts, which I have installed on his JD G110, have not found one that works as well as the OEM. I wish they would because I hate the price of JD belts.

If you go to a place that sells industrial belts and knows what the are doing, they know how to get you the right belt. Alot of time the mower shops are selling you the same belt you can buy at a very inflated price, why else do the pull the cardboard sleeve off before giving it to you? They don't want you to have the details on the belt. I only use the kevlar models, basic industrial belts probably wouldn't handle the start stop of a mower as good.