Replacing fan belt on the BX23MLB

GerryG

New member

Equipment
BX23MLB
Oct 31, 2026
3
1
1
North Georgia
I bought a used BX23MLB and found the fan belt broken when it was delivered. I took the broken belt with me and purchased the Kubota part number match, and went to all the trouble getting it over the driveshaft only to find out it's too small. It will not go over all three pulleys, even with the alternator as loose as it will go.
 

North Idaho Wolfman

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L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
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Sandpoint, ID
I'll bet you dollars to doughnuts you got a fan belt for a BX23S and not a BX23D.

Wrong #, BX23S Fan Belt 16883-97010

Right #, BX23D Fan Belt 16241-97010

Unless you have the alternator upgrade kit then the belt number changes.
 
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Bee-Positive

Well-known member

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BX1880, Cab, FEL, Tooth Bar, MMM, QH, Ballast Box
Nov 16, 2022
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Amsterdam, NY
Yup-a-ronney

BX23S = 3/8 x 35 1/2
BX23D = 3/8 x 37 1/2

Side note - I've seen up to a 1/2" deviation (35 - 35 1/2) in length in the ones for my BX depending on brand.
 

GerryG

New member

Equipment
BX23MLB
Oct 31, 2026
3
1
1
North Georgia
I'll bet you dollars to doughnuts you got a fan belt for a BX23S and not a BX23D.

Wrong #, BX23S Fan Belt 16883-97010

Right #, BX23D Fan Belt 16241-97010

Unless you have the alternator upgrade kit then the belt number changes.
Thanks for the reply.
I just bought it, and when I got home, I found the belt missing. I looked in the shop manual for the part number to go to the store. Turns out I have a BX23MLB instead of an BX23S, and the motor is a 905 instead of a 902. I don't think the alternator is original.
I took a string and tied it around all pullies and marked it at the midway point of the alternator adjustment arm. I'll go to the store tomorrow.
 
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GerryG

New member

Equipment
BX23MLB
Oct 31, 2026
3
1
1
North Georgia
Measure the length of the old fan belt and the new fan belt to see if they are the same.
I should have looked under the hood when I bought it! The guy at the parts store laid the old belt over the new belt and it looked the same. So, I guess the previous owner did some magic I'm unaware of!
I wrapped a string around the pullies and marked it, to go back to the store.
 
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