[KHodges]

Went to buy a deck belt for my 54C deck on my X748 today. the one that's on the mower is the second belt I've had, it's at least 5 years old. Tractor has right at 1425 hrs, so I've gotten good life from the belt (figure about 45% of that time on the deck belt).Belt still held good tension, but somewhere along the line a chunk got torn out of it and a split was starting to run back from the chunked out spot; just a matter of time before it got slung off.

Anyway, when I got the new belt from the parts department at my local JD dealer, where I bought the tractor, and went to the front counter to pay for it, I had to shell out $107, including the tax. NINETY FIVE DOLLARS for a single belt.

Wow.

 

[RoyM]

Yeah, JD is rather proud of their parts. :tango_face_crying: With part number in hand you may be able to get an aftermarket equivalent but it may not fit properly or last as long.

 

[rayjay]

Sadly, many dealers mark up their parts 15 to 20% over MSRP. In my instance I needed 8 or 10 pns, looked them up on my local dealer's JD parts site page, took this list to the dealer and the parts manager asked me where I got the prices from. When I told him right off his web site he laboriously adjusted the prices to match. The next time I just got a regular parts guy and he zapped me for the 15% even though I handed him my list. The next time after that I used Bombergers and got a good discount off MSRP.

 

[greenmachine]

This Web site is for a dealer network in Illinois and Indiana. Their prices on parts are very reasonable, and you get the same price walking into one of their locations as you do online.
https://www.greenpartstore.com

 

[KHodges]

If I'd had time, I'd have looked online for one, but the belt was about to fail and I have 5 acres needing mowing. My local dealer always gives me a fair deal, both on maintenance and parts. I've bought two machines from him (X748, GT235) as well as two Stihl chainsaws, weedeater and hedge trimmer from them. As for an aftermarket belt at a lower price, I figure you get what you pay for. I don't remember how much I paid for this belt last time I bought one (5 years ago at least), but I don't remember it being anywhere near this. When I commented about it, dealer mentioned the belt number they have listed is a different number from the one I had, although the belts are the same; maybe their source has changed and like everything else, prices have gone up for them as well.

I suppose that if this belt is as good as the others have been , I'll be 70 when I need another one, and the tractor will have over 2000 hours. Both of us will be up for a trade-in by then.

 

[mrbeef]

The 54C belt has always been expensive, at least the couple times I have looked them up. I looked through my notes and in 14 they were almost $80.

In most cases the Deere belt always last longer and performs better than the regular belts. I've tried a few and yet always come back to the Deere belts.

If you want sticker shock price out the belt for a 72 inch front mount deck... about fell off the stool. Haha or even better a combine belt... guy at the next counter bought a single belt and the total was $630!!

 

[REdington]

I was told 20 to 25 years ago that JD uses a different "V" profile than regular V belts. I tend to believe that as I have tried several different brands of belts (including the best from Gates) for the main drive belt on the mower on my old 140, and none of them lasted more than a season. With a JD belt I get several seasons out of them. Back then I was mowing over 5 acres every time I mowed too.

 

[Mike Milburn]

Deck belt for my Toro ZT is $60, one from a local belt supplier is $15. In my mind nothing but a rip off by the dealers, same as bearings etc.
Buddy of mine needed a belt for his Suzuki and he was stuck going to a dealer $50 for a FAE bearing I think he said it was A FAE bearing with the same numbers and same seals was $12 and change from a bearing shop. He reboxed it and took it back to the bike shop............Mike

 

[Cat385B]

In my experience, JD factory belts are worth every penny you pay for them.

 

[mrmagloo]

In my experience, JD factory belts are worth every penny you pay for them.

x2 - I have a crap local dealer too that likes to surcharge everything, so I shop on any part more than $5.

 

[Ridercoach]

I buy all my v belts from www.vbeltguys.com. Top stock quality belts at low prices. The cost of a drive belt for my 18 inch craftsman tiller $52.00 retail. From v-belt guys less than $20.00 shipped. Belts for farm equiptment, mowers, automotive, or industrial they have them.

 

[JBible]

If you bought the equipment from the same dealer you are buying parts from you should always ask for a discount on the parts. Anytime I buy a part I ask the simple question Is that the best price you can give me on that part? They almost always take 10% off just for asking. If it's a really crazy price for a part I make a face and ask Really? It's that expensive? You've got to do better than that. Then I just shut up and look at them till they offer me a lower price.

I have found these techniques work just about anywhere you are dealing with a parts counter or sales person. Unless they are directly tied to the transaction financially they will usually give you a better price. Also if you are a veteran you should always ask for a discount. Businesses love to give discounts of 5-10% off to veterans including John Deere.

Finally if you buy a lot of parts from any one place set up an account with them and you usually get a discount. I have cash accounts with lots of supply houses just for the discount when purchasing parts.

 

[wirlybird]

I have to agree with the others who say to use the genuine JD belts.

As an example I went to a local tractor place to get the belt that goes from the PTO to the deck on my 332 and the guy told me they don't stock JD parts but did advise I get the genuine JD belt because a non JD belt would not last very long in that application.

He said that the "twist" the belt has going from PTO though the mule drive to the deck while running would tear apart a standard belt.

I had to get a belt from him to get running while ordering the JD belt and sure enough the belt I got lasted the day before it flipped in the pullies and started to come apart. Good lesson. The JD belt has been on it for years now!

 

[Bmaverick]

I'll echo the Vbeltsupply.com as the GO-TO place to get belts on-line. This week is a HUGE SALE and getting on the website is tough right now. You can get belts in different options for materials and durability too! Not just the size(s).

Been using them for 10 years now.


888-291-5450 | VBeltSupply.com | [email protected]
Office Hours: Monday - Friday 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM (CST)

V-Belt Global Supply | 1409 N K Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57106 https://www.vbeltsupply.com

 

[Naplesjoe]

I never understood why some guys are so stuck on John Deere parts? Of course those made specifically for or by JD and are only available from them would require buying them. But belts? I've even seen a post about the superior light bulbs JD uses. Different angles on the belt? BS at best and if it were the sheaves are certainly not that precisely manufactured. My criteria is buy them where I stop. Most farm store carry a large assortment of belts and in my mind they are perfectly suitable for our precious JD lawn mowers. After all. we're not talking aircraft here when the issue of failure is likely to really spoil your day. Likely the main cause of failure of any belt is its environment. Many times wet, plenty of debris that sooner or later gets into things and causes belts to jump off their track, misrouting etc. Many John Deere mower decks (and others) have stops that limit the travel of the take up idler. This gadget in many cases causes more harm then good as it limits the amount the belts can pass debris through without deflecting it out of the pully's. Usually a cut or damaged belt is the result. I've found removing it causes no ill effects. But, in the end, I seldom can remember just how long ago I bought the belt that failed. (Or where I bought it) But I'm really sure it wasn't from the bandits behind the JD parts counter. By the way. If you have a tough time determining the proper length and width, most stores have gauges handy to determine what you need. If not, just cut it and measure the length. Keep in mind the dimensions published in the JD parts manuals are "effective" length, not the actual. Cut and measure and you will be fine.

 

[Bmaverick]

I never understood why some guys are so stuck on John Deere parts? Of course those made specifically for or by JD and are only available from them would require buying them. But belts? I've even seen a post about the superior light bulbs JD uses. Different angles on the belt? BS at best and if it were the sheaves are certainly not that precisely manufactured.

My JD-261 ran better on Kevlar lined belts from Vbeltsupply vs. the OE John Deere one. So, I can agree 100% with you on this.

AND

85+% of JD CUT tractors are YANMARS. I prefer to go and get a YANMAR part first before getting the 2X, 3X or 4X markup prices by JD for the identical same part. JD will markup, their distributors will markup and then the tractor store will markup. Wild eh?

I can take any YANMAR part, paint it JD green and get a premium price for it. Guess what, that's what these dealers and other folks are doing today and for the past 30+ years. Still wild enough for us end users?

I figure the people that push JD so hard are either loyalist to the brand or involved in getting financial gain telling folks to only use JD parts that are supplied as OE. Companies will sell the SAME PART for service to JD parts group and then sell right from their site with little of a markup. These suppliers need the tooling and process to pay off in a shorter time. If anyone has taken a business logistics course in college or business management classes in the distribution system/channels, this would be all very clear.

 

[mrbeef]

I never understood why some guys are so stuck on John Deere parts? Of course those made specifically for or by JD and are only available from them would require buying them. But belts? I've even seen a post about the superior light bulbs JD uses. Different angles on the belt? BS at best and if it were the sheaves are certainly not that precisely manufactured. My criteria is buy them where I stop. Most farm store carry a large assortment of belts and in my mind they are perfectly suitable for our precious JD lawn mowers. After all. we're not talking aircraft here when the issue of failure is likely to really spoil your day. Likely the main cause of failure of any belt is its environment. Many times wet, plenty of debris that sooner or later gets into things and causes belts to jump off their track, misrouting etc. Many John Deere mower decks (and others) have stops that limit the travel of the take up idler. This gadget in many cases causes more harm then good as it limits the amount the belts can pass debris through without deflecting it out of the pully's. Usually a cut or damaged belt is the result. I've found removing it causes no ill effects. But, in the end, I seldom can remember just how long ago I bought the belt that failed. (Or where I bought it) But I'm really sure it wasn't from the bandits behind the JD parts counter. By the way. If you have a tough time determining the proper length and width, most stores have gauges handy to determine what you need. If not, just cut it and measure the length. Keep in mind the dimensions published in the JD parts manuals are "effective" length, not the actual. Cut and measure and you will be fine.

This is a great point in some cases a belt is a belt.... I agree... I've used many other brands of belts without issue... however in general I have had better luck running Deere branded belts than other brands... and I have used Deere belts on non-Deere equipment... because the Deere belts were cheaper (it does happen surprisingly enough). I have yet to come across a belt that fits the variator system in the older gear drive Deere's that works as well and you can buy for equal or less cost.....

My JD-261 ran better on Kevlar lined belts from Vbeltsupply vs. the OE John Deere one. So, I can agree 100% with you on this.

AND

85+% of JD CUT tractors are YANMARS. I prefer to go and get a YANMAR part first before getting the 2X, 3X or 4X markup prices by JD for the identical same part. JD will markup, their distributors will markup and then the tractor store will markup. Wild eh?

I can take any YANMAR part, paint it JD green and get a premium price for it. Guess what, that's what these dealers and other folks are doing today and for the past 30+ years. Still wild enough for us end users?

I figure the people that push JD so hard are either loyalist to the brand or involved in getting financial gain telling folks to only use JD parts that are supplied as OE. Companies will sell the SAME PART for service to JD parts group and then sell right from their site with little of a markup. These suppliers need the tooling and process to pay off in a shorter time. If anyone has taken a business logistics course in college or business management classes in the distribution system/channels, this would be all very clear.

You have to price check all parts... particularly filters on Yanmars and parts on Kohlers. Two leading examples.... Deere branded oil filters are generally cheaper than the Wix, Fram, etc filters from an auto parts store. 4510 hydraulic filters are $45 at Deere.... $70-72 at Advance and O'Reilly Auto. Kohler head studs for the K series engines are cheaper at Deere than any other online supplier. There are also several Yanmar internals that are cheaper at Deere than through the Yanmar supplier and some are much more expensive. Those business classes also teach economies of scale and the benefits of buying in bulk.... Deere saves a lot of money by buying in bulk, passes these savings on while still making money.

 

[Walt 2002]

I buy Gates Belts for my rider from an oil supply house for less than half OEM price - $50 belt for $18.

Walt Conner

 

[Bmaverick]

This is a great point in some cases a belt is a belt.... I agree... I've used many other brands of belts without issue... however in general I have had better luck running Deere branded belts than other brands... and I have used Deere belts on non-Deere equipment... because the Deere belts were cheaper (it does happen surprisingly enough). I have yet to come across a belt that fits the variator system in the older gear drive Deere's that works as well and you can buy for equal or less cost.....



You have to price check all parts... particularly filters on Yanmars and parts on Kohlers. Two leading examples.... Deere branded oil filters are generally cheaper than the Wix, Fram, etc filters from an auto parts store. 4510 hydraulic filters are $45 at Deere.... $70-72 at Advance and O'Reilly Auto. Kohler head studs for the K series engines are cheaper at Deere than any other online supplier. There are also several Yanmar internals that are cheaper at Deere than through the Yanmar supplier and some are much more expensive. Those business classes also teach economies of scale and the benefits of buying in bulk.... Deere saves a lot of money by buying in bulk, passes these savings on while still making money.

Wix & Carquest filters for the Yanmars are at great prices from Rockauto.com ! Better than the JD branded filter prices. :tango_face_angel:

The other problem is, JD and Yanmar dealers no longer are able to supply parts, thus, a call into Hoye and Fredricks Imports allows getting parts from new or used with availability. Just have to know where to look. Many times, these parts are USA made vs. Asian as the demand is steady for them. Try finding parts for a 38 year old tractor these days.

:tango_face_grin:

 

[mowergene]

What I do is shop online. In the "search" I always include KEVLAR. Now I know I'm getting a good belt!