Seems odd that the JD belts aren't working for you properly. My 110, 212, and 216 all worked well after I adjusted them all with OEM belts.

 

Hello PA318, I have what I have and experienced what I experienced. The variator on my tractor is in fine shape, well lubed and performing as needed with other belt specs, as I stated. The JD belts I bought do not work on it. Still searching for the ultimate belt for that tractor of mine. Thanks for the input but I will search further.

 

Napa belts won’t last long at all. JD uses a specific angle different than anyone else. If you have a problem with the Variator, it’s 99% sure to be wore out or needing of lube.

 

The variator is not "wore out" or "needing of lube". Pretty basic stuff, thank you. This as above stated on the longevity of NAPA AG belts could be very true though. The inner windings and robust look outer weave look of the JD belts are the best of the lot I looked at although the angles of the V belt from JD and the width did not fit the variator on my tractor. No performance on the spec. JD belts. TBA on these NAPA belts. Untested by me over time but I agree with the above, go with spec. first if you can. On not such a robust looking NAPA belt the jury is out for longevity and I will run them out. My variator works well with those more narrow NAPA belts.

 

Moved this to JD L&G for better response. 🍻

 

You might find when under a load that the difference in the angle of the belt might cause belt slippage,I don’t recall the angle but JD belt is proper angle,if it works for you then that’s what you need to use,I don’t recall anyone doing the comparison,I just put the JD belts and go.

 

Hi biker3777. The data is not available on whether the drive belts side angles for a garden tractor should be perfectly parallell to the variator pulley angles. That seems logical, designable, but that is not a fact in all pulley belt systems I have seen. Sometimes a greater angle of the belt side to the pulley face increases friction on the pulley face as the belt must compress/flex into the lesser angle of the pulley and not bottom out. TBA on this. I am looking at this in my application. How does this apply to your experience with belt driven motorcycle rear drives? Do the belt side angles perfectly match the pulley face angles and the belt bottoms out on the pulley seat? Advise please.

 

Hello PA31. Thank you for the reply. Yes, the results of the test were for performance, not for manufacture source. I am also sceptical, as was another long time owner in PA, of the longevity of smaller width, and less robust looking belts that work well here. I am also measuring the angles of all of the V belts to the top line flat on the belts used. My first impression of the angles of the JD belts is that they do not match the angle of the pulleys on the variator. The belt V to flat top is a much greater angle, thus riding on its corners. Perhaps that is the way it should be. I will publish what I find. TBA. Thanks for the input. Keep it coming. This also seems an area that is not well recorded in JD's history. It would be nice to find an original drive belt from that era and measure it's angles and make up. JD does not say that what they sold me is what they provided in 1978. I am also looking for belts from another vendor in a .50 or .55 width with a nice robust industrial weaving of steel thread and nylon. Smaller widths ride the pulleys I have in and out much better than wider ones. I am not impressed with any JD source I have for any parts for these older units. No knowledge or care for the older tractors parts or the owners of them are given over the counter in this Cali area. Sad. Chinese garden tractors for sale everywhere by JD. Global trade.

 

My experience with JD OEM belts is different, they tend to be of better quality and outlast all other brands. And I have tried other brands with kevlar belts. We do run into trouble with the current JD people not knowing the older tractors very well, and I get beat up by the JD staff every time I go in to maybe upgrade to something from this century! I just tell them that maybe after 2025 I'll consider it, the machine hasn't really proven itself till it's at least got a quarter century running.

 

I have no idea on the motorcycle question,mine have driveshaft but bikes with belts are toothed belts and non side belt application.

 

I have had 200 series tractors for several decades, and in my experience, the JD belts are the best. They worked perfectly fine for me, and the 'other' belts (non-JD) would only last a season or two, before needing replacement again. I spent the money on the JD belts, and those are still on the tractor, almost ten years later....... (of course, I don't use it much any more.....)

 

im looking at a JD 212, dont know the year, new Kohler engine. it is missing the side panels, but works and runs well, it comes with the snow blower and tiller but no deck to cut grass. where can i find affordable side panels for my future JD 212? and where to find affordable deck to cut grass, so i could employ this JD all season long, running a (small time) snow removal business in the winter and cutting my customers lawn in the summer. when i get photos i will get help and post them. thanks John Deere Forum.

 

Side panels pop up on Craigslist and sometimes eBay. Some owners take them off and lose them and then sell the tractor, other people find them later and resell 🤷‍♂️. Mower deck is going to be perhaps a little more challenging, I see fewer of those for resale. Also beware the older 200s if mowing in tight spaces or many obstacles. Their turning radius is not ideal for that.

 

Hi pink toe beater

affordable parts and accessories for John Deere is a contradiction in terms.....I would look for something that is not going to require a shopping trip to get the basics...something that has what you need...keep looking, I am pretty sure you will find a decent deal on a tractor that includes some accessories

 

Parts for a 200 series are readily available on Ebay all the time. Keep an eye on Market Place and Craiglist in your area, you are most likely going to run into some that may make good donor units for little to no investment.

 

did not know about Ebay, Thanks OG, this will make my search much easier now, John Deere Forum helpful place to go.

 

When I needed parts for my 110, 212, and 216 I asked my dealer (yes, my cousin as well) if he had any parts machines I could pull used parts from. They did and I paid very little for the parts I pulled off those machines. Not sure if your dealer does that, but mine did for any customer that needed them.

 

will not hurt if i ask my local dealer, good lookin out OG. the Tractor looks old, missing panels and a deck to cut grass, but it works good, comes with a tiller and a 37A snowblower. but the newer 301 Kohler motor, is where i have my eyes on the prize. the tractor by the way is 1k (USD). let me now what yall think about the price, thanks.

 

We know that JD's North of the border are more expensive but that seemed you weren't getting much for that amount.