32” Heavy Duty Tiller for Simplicity 725

[dince]

Can anyone tell me the diameter of the idler (pulley) on a 32” Tiller, please?  It’ a while since I dismantled mine, and I’m trying to work out where the three idlers I have are meant to go.  One for the tiller and two for the 725 Garden Tractor.  I’m much better at dismantling than I am at re-assembling!

Edited June 28, 2020 by dince

[Bill725]

You can download the Owners Manual & IPL from Simplicity's website using Mfg No. 990174. It has the sizes of the pulleys in the BOM.

[dince]

Bill725, many thanks for your reply and advice, however, I’m a bit “stumped”!  Do you mean the Simplicity Manufacturers website, which I cannot find, or one of the other user group websites, like Facebook?

[dince]

Woops!  I have now found the Simplicity web site, but alas, while pulley and belt sizes quoted, I cannot find idler sizes.  

[PhanDad]

Sometimes you can go on a "treasure hunt" to find the part info you need.  I use Jack's Small Engine old search box found here:

https://www.jackssmallengines.com/searchdb2.cfm

Enter the old part number and it will give you extra info like the diameter of pulleys (sometimes).  

If not, it will show the pulley on a 1" square grid so you can get some idea of the diameter.  

For instance, for Idler Pulley "V" for your tiller, the original item number was 108386 (from the combined operator/parts manual) enter that number at Jack's and you'll get:

You'll find the latest part number is 2108386SM and sometimes you'll get an alternative aftermarket match(s).  So for the Stens alternate (#280214) you'll see this:

And under the "specifications" tab you'll fine this:

Height	1"
ID	3/8"
Material	Steel
A	3 3/4"
B	3 1/4"
C	3/8"
E	7/32"
F	7/32"
H	N/A
K	3/4"
V	1"

So you notice the ODs are different by about an inch.  But many time the lip of OEM Simplicity idlers are higher than the aftermarket equivalents.  So the effective diameter (when the belt rides) is probably about 3-1/4" on the Simplicity pulley.  

Happy searching!  

 

[dince]

PhanDad, what a great lesson!  Thank you indeed.  Unfortunately, for the US manufacturing economy, I will seek out my needs here in Australia.  The US Postal Service usually charges more than the parts cost!  

[PhanDad]

30 minutes ago, dince said:

I will seek out my needs here in Australia.

I understand that for sure.  

It's all about getting info, hopefully correct, and matching it up as best you can with those mealymeters you use.    

 

[dince]

Now, PhanDad, you have struck me with a new word!  I don’t know as to whether I should be elated, or offended!!!  LOL!

What are “mealymeters” that I (might) use?

[PhanDad]

54 minutes ago, dince said:

What are “mealymeters” that I (might) use?

I've never seen any personally, but I understand you get 25.4 mealymeters per inch.  

 

[dince]

Ah yes! Now I’m with you!  That would be a metric inch you are referring to!  I think you ought be careful, because when I found my 725 Tractor, it had UNC, UNF, metric and Whitworth nuts and bolts on it.  Must have on it when it sailed down to Aus!  The PO, an Australian, can’t have changed any original nuts and bolts.  How do I know, you might well ask?  Because, there was nothing held on with hay string or wire, the typical fasteners an Aussie would use!