New Hoses and Belts

Jiles · Oct 3, 2014

With a group of friends last night, I was asked the question why new belts and hoses don't last as long as original?
Over the years, I have found this to be true. One example is when I decided to change the still good V belt on my Case backhoe. The machine is old and it apparently had the worn original belt. I had the hydraulic pump off so I decided to install a new belt. Case dealer only had one belt in stock so I left the old belt, tied out of the way as insurance. I used the machine for about two years and the new belt broke!
I simply reinstalled to old belt and it is still working after three years.
I have found this to be true with many water hoses as well. You can have a Gates belt or hose and you can replace with exact number and they will go bad before the original old hoses that were not replaced!
Anyone know why??

Anonymous-0 · Oct 3, 2014

Maybe they ain't made as good as original equipment

Alan K · Oct 3, 2014

I'll second that. Things are made cheaper to be competitive so something has to give.

Jiles · Oct 3, 2014

(quoted from post at 19:11:00 10/03/14) Maybe they ain't made as good as original equipment

Evidently!

Jiles · Oct 3, 2014

(quoted from post at 19:13:19 10/03/14) I'll second that. Things are made cheaper to be competitive so something has to give.

This is not a new problem. I have encountered this many times, even back in the 60s&70s with automobiles!

Mike M · Oct 3, 2014

I have noticed that too.
I usually would replace belts and hoses when doing a water pump job. Last time on my pickup it had around 170,000 miles on it. Hoses looked good and were original to a 1996. I said to heck with it I'm not going to change them as I bet anything I bought would not last. Sold the truck a few years later anyhow.
Years ago I changed the fuel lines on a dual tank gas Chevy of 1978 vintage. Well it wasn't too long and the new hoses looked all cracked up. I still had the old originals laying around so I stuck them back on.

merlynr · Oct 3, 2014

I've no idea how old the hoses on my H are but they've never been changed since I've owned it(1973).

Steve@Advance · Oct 3, 2014

As far as belts, it's probable the pulleys are worn, the surfaces are no longer flat, causing the sides of the belt to not fit perfectly as when new. Name brand belts "should" be equivalent to factory though.

Hoses are another story. There are many grades of hoses. Sadly the cheap junk sells, while the good stuff sits on the shelf or never gets manufactured because people won't buy it.

Look at the end of a hose, the reinforcing threads are what makes the difference. The more the better.

Another factor is the quality of the rubber. I don't know how to tell good from bad. There is a difference. I bought a set of acetylene torch hoses from Ebay, in 2 years they rotted to the point of leaking!

rusty6 · Oct 3, 2014

They made good belts years ago. I have a fan belt
on my Cockshutt 40 that I picked up from the
ground on a construction site where they had just
changed belts on a big Terex dirt scraper. That
was in 1972. That belt still has traces of Terex
green paint on it and still runs the gen and water
pump on the old Cockshutt. Amazing !

Dick2 · Oct 3, 2014

The snowblower that we had would pop the belt about every other week. Finally I called a belt & bearing distributor and asked if they had a replacement belt of the same size in an INDUSTRIAL belt.

Ordered 2 belts, put one on and kept one for a spare. Five years later I sold the snowblower and still hadn't used the spare belt.

I often suggest that before you buy a replacement belt, check with a belt & bearing distributor to see if the same size Industrial belt is available. It will save you money and aggravation in the long run.

37chief · Oct 3, 2014

Probably made in china. Stan

notjustair · Oct 3, 2014

It's the same with wiper blades. Without fail, the best and
longest lasting wiper blades have always been the factory
originals. I've spent tons of money on the "best" ones - not any
better than the cheapies.

I feel the same way about points. I have had my grain truck for
years and never cracked the distributor. I figure the old points
that are in it are better than any Chinese replacements.

New Hoses and Belts

Jiles

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Anonymous-0

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Alan K

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Jiles

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Jiles

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Mike M

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merlynr

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Steve@Advance

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rusty6

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Dick2

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37chief

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notjustair

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