SS16 Need Good Deck Belt

Just found this site and have a question? I have a 74 ss16 that goes thru part store
belts in a couple hours use. Had this and 68 ss12 for about 25 years. The 16 was
bought new as garden tractor, never had a deck under it. Took 42" deck off 12 after
motor slung a rod. Have always had trouble with deck belt, some may last 6 months
most dont. I know it takes a B100 5/8X103. Have another mower now for yard work.
Having to put the ss16 back into service mowing around pond and pasture fences
because the motor on my tractor that i use for bushhogging is blowing oil out terribly
(maybe stuck rings or hole in piston). Is kevlar a good option?
Thanks
Tim

HI
WELCOME TO THE VINTAGE SEARS SITE. YOU DIDN'T SAY WHICH DECK OR SIZE YOU HAVE, ASSUMING IF YOU HAVE BEEN USING 103" BELTS I HAVE AN IDEA OF THE DECK.SOME OF THE OLDER DECKS USED A SMALLER CENTER DRIVE PULLEY AND SMALLER MULE DRIVE PULLEYS SO YOU COULD USE A 103" BELT, BUT WAS MARGINAL SHORT, OK THE BEST BELT BAR NONE IS ROTARY 7649 KEVLAR WRAPPED 104", SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET AT ANY MOWER SHOP, IF THEY DON'T SELL ROTARY PARTS THEY SURE NEED TO CHECK INTO IT.
HAVE A GREAT ONE
JIMMY
IN SOUTH GEORGIA

Thanks for the reply. This ss16 is not all original. I took the 42" flat top deck from a 68 ss12 and put on the ss16, has factory pulley for ss12. I put a mid 80's 16hp onan on it and motor is about 1 1/2" forward of original location using stock crank pulley for ss16 onan. The forward location of motor may account for length difference. Its done great for these many years except for the motor to deck belt.

64 , throw my three cents in , i've had great luck with stens true blue belts . i've had these on both ss12 and ss16 mule drives . > tim

Wanted to check back in with yall and say that i bought a rotary kevlar belt. I have treated this thing terribly and its still going strong. What the tractor can push over its spun the deck and cut.
Thanks

Well the Rotary brand belt gave up the ghost this morning. I have mowed over a lot of stuff (shumack trees & privet bushes as big as a half dollar) that you shouldnt even get close to much less mow over. Its done great and I am going to buy another.