Belt Info Posted -- How Valuable Is It?

[Kent]

I've just added a 19-page belt reference to the Parts section (courtesy of Bob Tiarks). See the link below.

It contains the part # and belt length for 1981 and earlier Simplicity lawn and garden tractors, walking tractors, implements, snowthrowers and lawnmowers. Using the part #, you can also determine the correct belt cross-section.

It was a tedious, pain in the @%$ to get formatted -- my question is -- how valuable is it to you? I'm trying to add parts and service info that I think may be of the most value to the most people. I could esily spend years trying to add individual parts or service manuals for specific tractors or implements, and still not get them all, so what's the value of a consolidated reference like this? Have I wasted the hours spent in scanning, formatting and editing?

Your feedback would be appreciated....

Kent[A href='http://www.simpletractors.com/parts/belts/belts.htm']http://www.simpletractors.com/parts/belts/belts.htm[/a]

[tej]

Kent, The belt reference is great. For those times when you can't buy OEM knowing the length and size of the belts will be very helpful. This is the kind of info we need for keeping these old jewels running. We appreciate all your hard work on this site. Tim

[tej]

Very valuable - thanks for all the work

[Guest]

Kent, Sharing knowledge is never a waste of time, I and many other do apprecate the very hard work you and many others put into this site, Thankyou very much polo

[B-Man]

Great resource!! I have just replaced the gear drive belt and mower belt last week, on my 4212 Simplicity.

NOTE: A lot of the original part numbers have been superceded with new ones now.

[tej]

Hey Kent - when you get all the info done I think you should put it on CD-ROM and market it to dealers! Or won't it fit on 750 megs? :)

[Al]

Jeff said it all. If you don't have the supercedes, this fall when things slow down, I'll try to gather some info and later model info. Thanks again for a great job. LEAD ON, Al

[Al]

I know nothing about the belt you are talking about, but I do know that Simplicity parts are not as high as some of the other brands we deal with, and are higher than some. One thing I would like to explain is why old parts get high. We had a Simpicity part that was about ten times what a similar part # was. I couldn't believe it. I called the factory and asked if they had make a mistake in printing the price list and gotten the decimal in the wrong place. They got back to me and said the price was correct. When they made this particular part they made 10 pc. It is for a 9020 tractor and they would never make any more based on sales history. The part is machined, surfaced ground, hardened and coated. The setup time for the machines, the run time, the teardown time added together divided by ten parts put this part at 30.00 if they had made 1000 the set up and teardown time would have been the same and only the run time would have changed. The cost would have came down to a little over 3.00 each. Anything you buy, the volume you buy or build affects the cost. When volumes go down, and inventory turn ratios go down the costs go up accordingly. This is why older slow moving numbers cost more than current fast moving numbers. In addition the interest, insurance and accounting costs on slow turning merchandise accumulate as it lays there.
At one of the engine schools a couple of years ago we were told to get prepared for a lot of numbers to be eliminated in the next 2 or 3 years on the older engines that don't meet emmissions. Since they will no longer be able to use the tooling for new engines, the cost to have it around for parts runs will cause them to discontinue many of these parts as soon as the volume starts to drop, and the parts they do build for them are probably going to go up significantly. These are things that are basic economics, and that the dealer has nothing to do with. Let me assure you that we are sometimes in shock when we order things and get the invoices also. It is not my intent to be offensive, I only would like to explain that things are often more complex than they seem on the surface. I certainly do not mean to offend anyone. If I have I appologize. Thanks for the opportunity to comment.
Al

[Fred]

Al, you are right on the point with your answer. I too have been dismayed on occasion by old parts prices, but common sense and a little business experience says that you are correct. Neither the manufacturer nor the dealer can sell a part at cost, "just because it's too much", and remain in business. And your relating of their explanation of short-run manufacturing costs is EXACTLY how it works in industry. Whomever needed (probably one piece of) that part and all others after that (who can draw from the other nine) should be glad that the company was willing to produce it "one more time". MANY companies wouldn't bother!
Fred

[Les]

Yeah why not just make a cd and give it to all dealers then they can really screw ya on prices when the poor schmuck customer needs something old.60 bucks for a belt is sure fair makes me sick.