Please Help!!! Need Belt For 36" Toro

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36" Toro ProLine Walk-behind It's an old one, 1993 or 1992. I need the belt that drives the blades. Its snapped today and after not having any work for this past week, I have 2 yards tomorrow. I scheduled the first one @ 10am, when she gets out of church. I need help. I went to local Home Depot and Lowes.... nothing. Although I did forget to take the old belt in when I went to Home Depot so they had nothing to match it up to. The mower model #30165 I think the part number for the belt I need is 51-4290. Not sure because the old belt has nothing on it as far as letters or number. I just did a few quick google searches with the info I have. I want to know where I can get this belt tomorrow morning in Metro Atlanta. Or maybe even somewhere that is 24 hours that I may be able to get it from tonight. TIA Desperate E.P.

[Steve]

Lawn care business tips

Could you use a car belt? Measure the length needed and go to an auto parts store?

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[Fresh Cut]

Originally Posted by Steve

Could you use a car belt? Measure the length needed and go to an auto parts store?

didn't think of that.

Might just work

[Steve]

If you need to, use some string and wrap it around the pulley to get a good measurement of how big a belt you need.

Let us know how it goes!

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I sped up to a 24 hour auto parts store here in metro Atlanta and the guy there had a tool to measure the old one. We matched it up.

I'm on my way out the door now. Tell y'all how it works later today.

E.P.

[Steve]

Oh great! Looking forwards to it!

Originally Posted by Steve

Could you use a car belt? Measure the length needed and go to an auto parts store?

this works but is normally only a short time fix since automotive belts are of a considerable lesser quality than power equipment belts.


good luck!!

Eli

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Originally Posted by SuperiorPower

this works but is normally only a short time fix since automotive belts are of a considerable lesser quality than power equipment belts.


good luck!!

Eli

Really?

Didn't know this. Thanks for the info. About how long can I expect to get away w/ the automotive belt that I put on?

Btw, I popped the belt that I initially bought trying to put it on. It was too short and wouldn't go on so I was trying to stretch it and ended up popping it.
Ran up to the local auto parts store and bought another one that was a tad bit longer, worked like a charm.

I would expect it to last no more than about 1/4 as long as an OEM belt or an aftermarket true-to-oem belt. Matter of fact the belts I prefer are supposed to be stronger than OEM and are made with kevlar cord. With an OEM or OEM replacement you would not have been able to break a new belt, maybe cut it with the side of the pulley but not out right break it.

Just bear in mind that automotive belts are designed to run a long time with very little load. Power equipment belts are designed to run a long time under very heavy loads and it is understood that you may be mowing along and hit a thick patch of grass or weeds frequently. I have a mower that I have used for several years and have mowed a lot of tall weeds with it. I have yet (knock on wood) to break a belt on it. I would have expected an automotive belt to have worn out(literally) or broken from the stress had I used one instead of the OEM/OEM replacement belt.

I would definitely buy a new OEM or OEM replacement belt in case this belt breaks. It is not a bad idea to carry a new belt in your truck/trailer or have one back at the house at all times.

Good luck
Eli

[Steve]

I haven't checked the prices in a while but how do auto belts compare with power equipment belts as far as price goes? Also what is the price difference between oem belts and generic ones?