I recently bought a package of belts for the Decade 80. They are genuine Hoover #49258. They are so small and tight I am afraid to use them for fear of destroying the bearing. Does anyone have thoughts on this? Is there another belt # I should use, or just use an aftermarket belt? Is there a good quality aftermarket belt? I have even thought of using Eureka upright belts. Why are these belts so small? No one could possibly use these on a Convertible.
Bobby in Boston
Post# 140473 , Reply# 1 6/21/2011 at 13:56 (4,689 days old) by twocvbloke ()
Bearings are stronger than rubber, just stick 'em in and get 'er done... :P
When you get new belts, they are smaller than the ones you are replacing, that's perfectly normal, cos belts stretch over time, and end up getting too weak to do the job, so they slip and overheat and make your vac smell of burning rubber...
And if you used Eureka type RD belts, you wouldn't get anywhere, they're much larger, and therefore too slack for use in Hoovers, heck, I use Hoover Senior belts (same thing) in my Sanitaires cos they're better than the Eureka ones that just burn off in hardly any time, though that is only for Eurekas and Sanitaires that have Pancake motors, not Blender motors... :)
If the belts are ridiculously small, say about 3 Inches across, then you have mis-labelled Hoover Junior belts, but if they're bigger than that, then they are correct, they won't damage anything...
I agree with what David said. I've had some pretty stubborn Convertible belts in my day, as well. The 49258 belts are especially stubborn. Sometimes you can hook the belt around the motor pulley first, then pull the agitator into place. It's easier that way, when you have the agitator as a lever to pull the belt with.
I've also found that a good alternate belt to the 49258 belt is a 44783 belt. The 44783 is/was primarily used as a belt for commercial cleaners, but on some of the older Hoovers, they work a bit better, and have the tendency to stretch just a smidge more. I was told they have a bit more carbon in their overall makeup. You may have to go to a vacuum store and specifically ask for that part number, or order through a vac parts store online. They will have that part number, "44783" stamped into the side of the belt.
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