I have tried to replace the upper drive belt on my 2003 Bolens Lawn tractor and the MTD OEM replacement belt from Lowe's is a thicker belt. This causes the belt to not seat into the pulleys correctly. Is there another belt I should be using. The MTD website shows this part number as 754-04002.

Please help.

The up to date part # would be , 954-04002. But either # is the same belt.

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Originally Posted by MOWERMAN2468

The up to date part # would be , 954-04002. But either # is the same belt.

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Yeah, I did end up figuring that one out, but it still does not explain the diifference in the belt thickness.

I held up the two belts side by side and both of them are marked with the same part number, however the new belt is wider and the V is thicker. The new belt will not fit completely into the groove on both pulleys - variable speed and Transmission. I do not see how it is humanly possible to route the belt around both. The old, "skinny" belt fits with about a finger-width space left in the pulley groove.

Why would the belts not match up identical if the new one is supposed to be an OEM replacemtent. Very frustrating. :confused:

The old skinny belt is - skinny because it wears off - the level of two pully on my Bolen are not at same level and so the wear and tear cause it to wear off too early - I have to replace it almost every year... and yes when putting in the belt looks thicker but when wear off it looks skinny