estimating belt length

[sask 0]

Hypothetical question (well, not really, since I have had this problem in the past and will likely have it again in the future). Does anyone have any tricks to accurately estimate the length of a drive belt required between two or more pulleys, particularly when there is a drive engage pulley that is used to tighten (engage) and slacken (disengage) the drive mechanism? This could be for transmissions, mowers, whatever, but when there is no old belt available to compare to. I have found that this gets tough with longer belts, and I don't usually feel like ordering three or four belts just to make sure one fits. Pat

[ka9bxg 3]

If you can't x-ref the proper belt, use a piece of rope.

[ka9bxg 3]

Use a large size rope about the width of the pulley or you can use just the mesuring tape around the pulleys.Will give a very close size.

[sask 0]

Thanks for the input. I have used ropes before, but I often seem to be out by an inch or so on longer belts and end up having to order a second belt in. It may be that I have used a rope that was not quite the correct diameter, and didn't sit in the pulley at precisely the same position the belt would.