I have an old ride on lawn tractor. I broke the drive belt for the mower. I took the belt in to replace it at the local UAP and we measured it at 87" we both thought it had stretched out so he looked on the computer for a 86" no such luck but there was an 85" made just for Craftsman tractors $ 30 taxes in.
I struggled with this 200 lb mower deck for 3 days 2hrs at a time on and off 7-8-9 times, the most awkward, heavy & misshaped thing to move under the tractor with brackets that catch and block its movement in and out. Lifting with one hand and trying to put pins in place with the other while lying underneath the tractor. There was no way I could get the belt on and all pins in place. I kept at it trying different methods I thought would help with no success. Today I saw a guy that works on mowers and he said todays belts don't stretch like the old ones so for $30 more he sold me another belt. I took it home and installed it twice, I had to take it off again to adjust the tension control arm. nothing goes easy. 3 days struggling with the wrong sized belt. fk.
So I finely get the belt on and I can't start it. There's now more tension on the drive shaft that my battery won't start it. Even jump starting it, cleaning the cables tightening everything down woo woa woo woa I need more amps to turn the engine over now. Does it ever end? lol without smoke I'd be beating my wife & cats & kicking the washer dryer lol not really but fk I had to vent... I know thcfarmers not a tractor repair forum. What was it Kramar said " serenity now serenity now " time for more meds. lol