Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Need to replace belts on my Ariens 8524.

They all look the same to me, and I don't want an inferior one.  What brand should I buy and should it be "improved" with notches in the V? 

Asking because it needs a belt every year or so.  I assume I'm buying junk, but never made note of what brand I've had.

Just get a heavy duty, power rated, kevlar reinforced one.

I have seen some Ariens OEM ones on amazon for basically clearance prices for like $3 with free shipping sometimes.

newtonian wrote:
Also, even a cheap belt should last more than a year where you live. Check the tension carefully, and make sure your pulleys are aligned.

Gates is a good brand - but I'm sure most manufacturers make multiple grades.

I replaced the belt on my cheap, used Craftsman single stage after the motor mount cracked, throwing the pulleys out of alignment and eating the original.   For a lark, I called Sears to see how much they wanted for a replacement belt.  The price was a ridiculous $38.99 plus $7.00 shipping.  Imagine!  Almost $46.00 for a 3/8" x 35" belt!  I found a suitable belt made by Goodyear for $6.00 at NAPA.  Not sure how long it will hold up with the extra horse power I'm squeezing out of the little two stroke Tecumseh so I bought a spare.   I repaired the engine mount and everything is solid again so that shouldn't have any effect on the belt.

Is there that much of a difference in belt quality between Sears OEM and the Goodyear belt to justify 7.5 times the price?    

Time to face this.... suggestions on OEM or aftermarket?

Don't want to install something that'll fail when needed the most and inevitably on a subzero day!

Repeat: make sure your pulleys are properly aligned and tension is correct.
If you have a Tractor Supply near you, they carry the kevlar belts - they'll be green or blue. Worth the extra few $, and if you don't get 10 years out of one of those you have a problem.

Thanks.  We'll be by one of those places during vacation. 

Their site doesn't show Ariens parts, so I guess I'll have to measure the belt or find the size specs to match.

Always one more thing, but that's OK.

newtonian wrote:
Check your Ariens manual / old belt for the OEM belt number.

Google Ariens+xxxxx.

Some of the results should give you the belt length, then just get a kevlar belt of the same size.

You might even find Amazon selling OEM belts for dirt cheap clearance.