Isnt the first one, wont be the last. I recently acquired a Carter administration era John Deere 210 lawn tractor. It shredded the belt that runs from the engine PTO to the mower deck. Using the greatest invention of mankind, the internet, I did a search on how to change the belt. I got a direct hit from weekend freedom machines.com forum on how to do it (a very simple, 10 minute job). The forum post even referenced the JD belt part #.
Went to the local JD dealer with the part number. Told the middle aged man at the parts counter I needed Belt XYZ for a 210 lawn tractor. To his credit, instead of just taking my word for it, he began checking his computer to confirm this was the right part #. After clicking around on his computer for 5 to 10 minutes, he told me Belt XYZ is not referenced as a part for a 210. He DID NOT however tell me what he thought was the correct belt . Instead he showed me a parts diagram that was somewhat difficult to read and was very poor as far as describing the various belts on the tractor. From the cryptic diagram, we guessed we needed Belt ABC. I said ?go ahead and sell me both belts, hopefully one is correct and I will return the incorrect one?. Well you guessed it, the belt on the parts diagram was too short and Belt XYZ fit perfectly. Why is a post from some backyard mechanic better than the counter parts guy? There, now I feel better.
Went to the local JD dealer with the part number. Told the middle aged man at the parts counter I needed Belt XYZ for a 210 lawn tractor. To his credit, instead of just taking my word for it, he began checking his computer to confirm this was the right part #. After clicking around on his computer for 5 to 10 minutes, he told me Belt XYZ is not referenced as a part for a 210. He DID NOT however tell me what he thought was the correct belt . Instead he showed me a parts diagram that was somewhat difficult to read and was very poor as far as describing the various belts on the tractor. From the cryptic diagram, we guessed we needed Belt ABC. I said ?go ahead and sell me both belts, hopefully one is correct and I will return the incorrect one?. Well you guessed it, the belt on the parts diagram was too short and Belt XYZ fit perfectly. Why is a post from some backyard mechanic better than the counter parts guy? There, now I feel better.