Toro Model 20333 Motor Swap With Donor Motor From Toro Model 20043 - Parts Compatibility Issues?

[Blaine B.]

Hello and I hope you'll enjoy this small project. I recently acquired a free Toro Recycler model 20333 circa 2012-2013 with a bad 6.75 horsepower Briggs & Stratton motor and swapped on a 6.0 horsepower Briggs & Stratton motor from a Toro Super Recycler model 20043 circa 2000.

I have run into 2 issues thus far. The Toro model 20333 originally had the blade brake system which uses 2 belts, one for the blade since it is not direct drive and one for the Personal Pace system. The crank on the 6.75 horsepower Briggs & Stratton is different than that on the 6.0 horsepower Briggs & Stratton so essentially I have to "demote" the model 20333 to a model 20332.

Problem 1 and the most important problem: The Personal Pace drive belt from the Toro model 20333 is too tight and under constant tension so the lawn mower always wants to run away. Subsequently, the Personal Pace drive belt from the Toro 20043 is too loose and even when adjusting the Personal Pace drive cable to maximum tension it isn't even tight enough to get any movement at all. Do you have any suggestions in regards to a belt that will fit properly? If anyone has done a motor swap like this before from such different eras, please advise.

Problem 2, not the most important: I do not have a functional engine brake cable as none of the cables I have are the right length, they're all too long, either the engine brake cable from the Toro model 20043 or the blade brake cable from the Toro model 20333. Does anyone know which engine brake cable I should use that will work properly?

If anyone is interested I have uploaded 2 videos to YouTube so far. Beware of vulgar language!

Part 1:

Part 2:

 

[Blaine B.]

Would it make my life any easier to take the Honda motor off of the Toro Super Bagger model 20192, install that on the Toro Recycler model 20333, and take the 6.0 horsepower B&S motor and transplant that onto the Toro Super bagger deck instead?

 

[Blaine B.]

I believe I have located the correct engine brake cable that has the proper connections on both ends. Toro part number 115-8437. Fits Toro model 20332 which is the same mower minus blade brake/walk away system. Ordered for $16.30.

I have also searched for a variety of Toro Belts and have found the following information regarding drive belt dimensions;

Toro model 20333 AND model 20332 drive belt; 33-1/4" length, 3/8" width = TESTED AS TOO SHORT!
Toro model 20043 drive belt; 37" length, 3/8" width = TESTED AS TOO LONG!
Toro model 20017 AND model 20073 drive belt; 35" length, 3/8" width = ORDERED FOR $7.33. WILL TEST!
Toro model 20192 drive belt; 32" length, 3/8" width = OBVIOUSLY TOO SHORT!
Toro model 20331 drive belt; 32-3/8" length, 3/8" width = OBVIOUSLY TOO SHORT!

I will report back with results. If anyone has any commentary or suggestions in the meantime, feel free!