Standard belt for 42" Deck Ariens Mower too long?

[jcstein]

I've got a 9360600 Series Ariens Riding Mower with a 42" Deck.
The belt is supposedly 954-04060 which is a 1/2" x 95.5" belt.

If I put a 1/2" x 95.5" belt on the mower its too loose. The blades will spin, but it takes a while for them to get up to speed and in grass they stop. A 95" belt is too tight, engaging the deck the blades spin but the blade brake isn't disengaged there isn't enough movement in the mechanism to disengage the brakes on the spindles.

I thought the belt must just be old and stretched, so I purchased a new one. No luck, its too long. Obviously, something is wrong. Aside from being a little dusty with some rust in places the deck seems to be fine. The spindles spin freely with no wobbles, both guide pully's spin freely with no wobbles.

Aside from trying to find a 1/2" x 95.25" belt, which I have been unable to find, what are my options?

 

[Rivets]

Belt number should be Ariens 21547188 V-Belt. Your belt may not have the same angle, which is riding to low in the pulleys.. Also check to see if the pulleys are in good condition and the tensioner arm is moving freely.

 

[Tiger Small Engine]

Belt number should be Ariens 21547188 V-Belt. Your belt may not have the same angle, which is riding to low in the pulleys.. Also check to see if the pulleys are in good condition and the tensioner arm is moving freely.

There is no way a 1/4” or 1/2” deck belt is making that much difference. Is it a manual blade engagement, or has a PTO switch? Do you see a way to adjust the belt tension? There usually is.

 

[jcstein]

Everything is moving freely. Ordered what I hope to be the actual Ariens belt 21547188. Hopefully its just that the 'this replaces this belt' was wrong.

 

[sgkent]

I saw a video not long ago where a the belt was having issues because I think it was that the brake mechanism was too worn, and it threw the belt geometry off. Don't know if it would apply to this model or not. I'll post the video in case it is applicable to the idler and pulleys on yours.

 

[Rivets]

I’ve seen it many times that a belt which is the wrong size, too long or short, wrong angle, cause problems which I would not expect. That’s the reason why I always use OEM belts unless I have no other choice. Yes, I’ve seen OEM belt that are the wrong size.