belt to short putting a 18 hp briggs in swamp fox

[Red Fox]

I'm putting a 18 hp vangard in a swamp fox we just bought and it looks like the belt that came with it is to short.
How do you find the right belt?

[brushcutter]

You should be able to "roll" the belt on, it should not just slip on. If you are sure the old one is too short, and you will not need it and can bring yourself to cut it then do so. Then wrap it around the pulleys like it should go, and measure the distance between the ends, add that measurement to the length of the old belt and that should give you the length of the new one. But first be SURE that the old one is wrong.

[broncofiresmith]

I just put a 23 vanguard in a swamp fox. I needed to move the motor back to get enough clearance for the seat to close. I had to get a longer belt. I will get the part number for you tomorrow, it may be a starting point.

[broncofiresmith]

The belt I used was a John Deere M150046

[Tomo]

Hi
Belt length for swamp fox
As we all know u need to move the engine rearward because of the seat clearance problem
My own situation
18 hp briggs v twin
shifted seat forward 1/2 inch
Remember the transmission slides forward for the chain adjustment which will drag the engine forward also
Allow for this
Move trans rearward with a correcltly adjusted chain
Then position engine to acheive plenty of seat clearance

variables
centre to centre distance of shafts
primary and secondary clutch diameters
eg
780 series salsbury group [770, 780 790]
clutch primary 7.25 diameter
780 series group model 770
clutch secondary 9. 7/8 inches [largest secondary available ]

Next measure
shaft centre to centre distance
eg 14.25 inch
49 inch belt gives 14.5 cen to cen distance Belts hard to find not by gates

eg14.75
50 inch belt is not made

eg 15.25
closest is a 15.85 cen to cen which is a 52 in belt

This was calculated for 1 3/16 belt width

Belts are sesitive to clutch sizes and seperation of engine and transmission distance
Gates appears to have the greatest range of belts
Options are use either 1 3/16 or 1 1/4 belt
Remember to shim adjust both primary and secondary clutches to get the best performance from belt used
belt sizes available
1 3/16 aprox 46 , 52 ,56 inches long
1 1/4 approx 46, 48 inches long

tomo