Go to-
http://www3.sears.com/
Enter 917.25940

It lists one belt
L581 BLT STD325810 (6474H) $ 22.49
I believe it's the drive belt.

Click the link for some Google results. I think you might find the deck belt at one of the "other" tractor forums.

IF you can find the number on the deck, I "might" be able to help.

Here is a link that might be useful: Belt

According to the Sears parts site, the traction belt is a 5L 81" (6474H). The deck is not shown. Is there a model # for the deck? I just know it's a long one. . .

www3.sears.com

Thanks - this is already more helpful than Sears was.... 81" sounds plausible.

I know the length of the internal deck belt (87-1/2"), what I'm after is the belt that goes from the engine to the deck, also the main drive belt (engine to transmission).

The deck itself is 917 253250.

Aha!

The sears parts site ww3.sears.com, plus this one

http://www.geocities.com/sware56920/Belt_Conversion.html

contain the secrets that sears was unable to tell me over the phone. Thanks for steering me right.

Mickey (roserobin's other half)

It appears-
V-BELT, CENTER TO OUTER MANDRELS 3716R (Gates 6887)
1/2"x87"
V-BELT, MOWER MAIN DRIVE BELT 3555R(also available at Sears)
5/8"x103" (Gates B100)??

Gates 6981 for the belt in my first post.
No Guarantee on the Gates#'s- My catalog comes up with them, but????
Do those seem reasonable?