Correct belt for Encore?

[JoeKarpowski]

Good morning, all....

I have an older model Encore Pro-Series 32" walk-behind, model #32B100, serial #30682. A guy down the street has fallen on hard times and is cutting yards to make $$$ while he waits to hear from a prospective employer, but he only has a 22" push mower so I'm going to give him the Encore once it's ready. I am having trouble finding the correct blade belt. The Encore part # I found is 323003. However, that belt is 5/8" x 81". The belt that came off the mower is only 1/2" and about half as thick as the 323003. I have adjusted the tensioner as far in as I can, but the thicker belt will not allow the pulley to move far enough to engage the blades, I can only move the handle forward about 1/2 the distance needed to get the blades to engage. I cannot find a part # for the thinner, 1/2" belt. Other than that, the mower is ready to go. Any ideas, besides putting the old belt back on? TIA

 

[StarTech]

What is outside circumference of the old belt? Someone may changed the flat idler to a none spec one. But with the old belt OD should be able to convert back to the B (5/8) belt. But according Encore the B78 belt is the correct belt.

Also measure the new belt you got as I have belt spec'd is not the belt you get. I had lots problem with belt being shorter than spec'd. I just had that problem on a JD last week where the JD was to 141.7" but the new belt from JD was only 139"

 

[JoeKarpowski]

What is outside circumference of the old belt? Someone may changed the flat idler to a none spec one. But with the old belt OD should be able to convert back to the B (5/8) belt. But according Encore the B78 belt is the correct belt.

Also measure the new belt you got as I have belt spec'd is not the belt you get. I had lots problem with belt being shorter than spec'd. I just had that problem on a JD last week where the JD was to 141.7" but the new belt from JD was only 139"

Good point, I will check that when I get home from work. Thanks!