Where to buy a 147.1" AC Snowblower Belt?

[Guest]

I need a very, very, very long belt for my 36" snow blower on my AC 914 tractor. The old one is in bad shape. The local AC dealer wants my first born child in exchange for the belt. Is there a place online that I can buy such a long belt?

[CarlH 441]

I purchased a Gates 146" belt for use on my 7016H snowblower. When the adjustable pulley is moved to the closest position (and in the correct hole) it is snug but seems to work fine. Carl

[Guest]

I wish my AC deal only wanted $50 for it. They are famous for adding extra charges but hidding what it costs them. Clark

[Brent_Baumer 5]

You mean you don't think $50 is reasonable?? I've looked around before and couldn't find one. Does anyone know who makes the belts for Simplicity? If you could find that out you might be in business. What really bites is when you forget to change the spring loaded idler pully position from the mower "ear" to the thrower "ear" and destroy a brand new $50 belt. Brent

[PatRarick 1]

There was a good discussion on belts, just a short time ago. I have searched the site, and cannot find it right now. My personal experience is that if a belt makes a straight run, and/or is easily changed, you can get by with the cheaper belts. If the belts must make bends, twists, etc., and/or are hard to replace, you are better off with the factory belt. I think that $50 is fairly reasonable for a belt of this length, particularly when you consider that it is a factory belt, so you know that the quality is there. Consider finding this belt for $25, and it lasts half as long as the factory belt. You still have $50 invested, plus you have the down time and labor of installing the second belt. Pat

[SmilinSam 4,245]

I just paid $58.25 to my local dealer for one. Does that make anyone feel better?

[Guest]

I bought one from a sponsor's web site this afternoon. I'm paying about %60 of what the local deal wants. I'll be very unhappy if there is no snow this winter. (only about 1-2 inches so far in NC Iowa)

[jpw 0]

was approaching $70.00 with local dealer on belt went to gates for $22.00 works fine for now need to add snow load to really test it. does anybody ( i.e. dealer members) have an explanation as to why there is such a large difference between dealers on pricing of the same parts???? i have a dealer 5 miles away and one 24 miles away seems the farther i go the cheaper the parts get. hummm

[Kent 436]

I'm not a dealer, but IMO, it's because the dealers are given total flexibility is setting the prices, though the costs to them may be the same... The same holds true in the automotive industry. 1) Some dealers focus on making money on selling new equipment, and their parts aren't marked up that much... but try getting help or advice from them, especially when trying to locate 25-30 year old parts. 2) Some dealers focus on making money on parts & service, so their parts are marked up quite a bit, so that their labor prices appear more reasonable. 3) Some dealers who focus on making money on parts & service will give a price break on parts if they do the work, but not if you going to.... 4) Some dealers make a fair markup on both parts and labor... so that neither really look too far out of line. This is not to imply that any others use "unfair" pricing, but that they are focusing on making their money (via markup) in different ways.... Bottom line is that all dealers have to make money to stay in business -- this includes covering the costs of labor (including employee insurance and other benefits like vacation), the physical building (including needed tools & equipment, rent, utilities and maintenance), and their inventory of parts or "whole goods." Many people don't understand what it costs a dealer to have a large inventory of either parts or new equipment on hand. Either they're borrowing part of the money to cover that inventory and paying interest on it, or they've got cash tied up in that inventory that could be making money if it was in the bank or invested elsewhere. In the computer services industry, we call this the "cost of money" since it is certainly a factor in establishing prices. IMO, most lawn and garden dealers are FAR more reputable than the automotive dealers, since they must survive in a highly-competitive market, especially when considering the recent trend of Sears ever-widening product line, Scotts (JDs) at Home Depot, Snappers at Walmart, etc. If they try to "rip-off" their local customers, the word will soon get out and the consumers will go elsewhere.... In comparison, the only significant competition to an automotive dealer is another dealer who's facing similar issues.

[jpw 0]

Theoretically, every dealer has the acumen to determine what is best for his business. The dealer closest to me admits to adding 10% to the list price of Simplicity parts. Based on that price, I pay 6% state sales tax. The dealer also charges for phone calls and shipping. I typically receive parts 2-3 weeks after placing order. Jack’s Small Engines (a club sponsor) claims to offer a 10% discount off list price. There is no sales tax on internet orders. Jack’s offers free shipping on orders over $100. I typically receive parts ordered from Jack’s 3-5 days after placing order. Last year, I ordered and paid $268.23 for parts from my local dealer. Checking the same parts on Jack’s online database, my total cost would have been $194.57. Parts I have received from Jack’s are genuine, in sealed bags or boxes marked Simplicity-AGCO Allis-Baker. Since I invested in manuals, I know exactly what parts I need. Plus, I prefer having the ability to order parts 24/7 rather than only during someone else’s business hours. As for belts specifically, I’d rather pay $50 for a belt of the proper type and exact fit than hunt for and pay $25 for one that may or may not be just as good. What can I say? I don’t dislike or resent my Simplicity dealer. But, guess where I purchase my Simplicity parts?