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Drive belt for 48" Craftsman replaced with Gates B87 (Local Sears location had no OEM belts in stock). It seemed to fit fine but slips off in use. Is it too long? Is there something unique about the OEM belts?

smithkennethw said:

Drive belt for 48" Craftsman replaced with Gates B87 (Local Sears location had no OEM belts in stock). It seemed to fit fine but slips off in use. Is it too long? Is there something unique about the OEM belts?

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It's not the belt.
Did the old belt also slip off?

(( racing is the only sport that you need two balls ))

Carscw said:

It's not the belt.
Did the old belt also slip off?

(( racing is the only sport that you need two balls ))

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Thanks. The machine was bought second hand. The belt did not slip off. If finally broke after years of service. It was significantly shorter than the 90" belt recommended in the Craftsman manual.

If the shorter belt lasted years then that's what I would put back on it.
On my craftsman I have always ran a shorter belt.
I have found that the shorter belt last longer and does not slip when cutting thick grass.

Gates belts are a whole lot better than the craftsman belts.

(( racing is the only sport that you need two balls ))

Never replaced mine, but angle and depth does affect pulley fit, right?

motoman said:

Never replaced mine, but angle and depth does affect pulley fit, right?

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Craftsman is one of those mowers you can use cheap belts on.

Now not sure about the ones made in the past two years.

I pay $16:00 for mine and they work and last as good if not better than what sears sells

(( racing is the only sport that you need two balls ))