With a fouled drive belt, it will be pretty hard for Cub Cadet RZT-S riding mower owners to do much of anything next time the lawn needs to be trimmed. The drive belt is easily one of the most important pieces of equipment within the mower itself, and occasional replacement is necessary in order to make sure the mower drives easily and efficiently on all kinds of terrain. The process of removing and replacing the drive belt is actually pretty easy, but equipment owners will need to follow a step-by-step procedure to make sure that the part is removed without damaging other pieces of the mower, and inserted properly so that it stands up to rigorous equipment use in the future.
Safety First: Things to Keep in Mind Before the Replacement
Safety should be the top priority of any RZT-S mower owner starting a drive belt replacement. Without careful preparation, this process could lead to serious injury. To properly prepare for replacement, allow the mower’s engine to cool off if it was recently engaged. After the engine has cooled off, disconnect all spark plugs and properly remove the mower deck as described in chapter 7 of the owner’s manual. While removing the deck and performing drive replacement procedures, ensure that the mower is on a flat and level surface, that all bystanders have cleared the area, and that there is good ventilation on hand. Remember to always test drive new equipment in a small, accessible area after replacement to guard against defects during regular use that might lead to injury themselves.
A Step-By-Step Guide to Removal and Replacement of the RZT-S Drive Belt
Drive belt replacement is a straightforward process, highlighted by a few simple steps that allow the belt to be maneuvered around pulleys and safely released from the equipment. For easier work and replacement, make sure that the mower deck has been safely removed from the equipment and set aside, exposing key parts and making it easy to complete the job in just a few moments’ time.
Step 1: Prepare the Mower
Remove the deck following the operator manual’s procedure, and then use wood blocks or other supports to lift the rear of the mower. This will allow for easier access to key pulleys and other controls that hold the existing drive belt in place.
Step 2: Remove Left and Right Drive Belt Guards
Two of the key pieces keeping the drive belt in place are the left and right drive belt guards. These can be removed with a 7/16-inch wrench, which will be used to loosen the nuts that hold the belt guards to the mower’s underside. The same wrench size is needed for both guards, which can be set aside along with their corresponding nuts as replacement proceeds.
Step 3: Remove the Rear Drive Belt Guard
A rear guard is also used to keep the drive belt in place. This guard requires a 3/8-inch wrench, unlike the left and right guards mentioned earlier. As with the left and right guards, set this one aside along with its corresponding fasteners.
Step 4: Prepare the Pulleys for Belt Removal
The brake de-clutching rod must be disconnected from the idler pulley bracket at this point in the replacement process. Next, remove the idler pulley tensioning spring and then loosen the bolt that the idler pulley spins on. The bolt should be loosened just enough to allow the drive belt to pass through on its way out of the mower.
Step 5: Remove and Replace the Drive Belt
With the idler pulley assembly properly prepared for belt removal, carefully weave the belt around the pulleys and snake it out of the equipment. Follow these steps in reverse to carefully insert the new drive belt into the equipment. When properly inserted, perform a test drive to ensure proper functionality and safety.
Adjustments: A Brief Look at How to Avoid Replacement with Minor Fixes
Adjustment of the drive belt can help it last a bit longer in regular use, and prevent replacement that can take up additional time and resources. Adjustment procedures are actually pretty easy, and require just a few steps.
1. Release the parking brake, remove the mower deck, and remove the bow tie clip from the ferrule that sits at the end of the mower’s brake linkage.
2. Remove that ferrule from the idler bracket.
3. Adjust the ferrule appropriately so that it lines up perfectly with the back of the bracket and slides without catching on the spring or pulling it in either direction.
4. Connect the ferrule to the idler bracket in the proper position.
5. With this process completed, test drive the mower without the deck installed to check the belt’s integrity and the mower’s safety. If the test drive doesn’t produce any problems, reinstall the deck and resume normal operation of the RZT-S.
Get RZT-S Mowers OEM Replacement Parts at CubParts.com
Whether it’s a new RZT-S riding mower or the OEM replacement parts that make regular maintenance a bit easier and hassle-free, CubParts.com can help. The website features a parts search tool that can narrow down the available options by equipment type, model number, part number or the engine manufacturer associated with a given piece of Cub Cadet equipment. OEM quality means that parts like a new drive belt stand up to Cub Cadet’s quality standards and will keep equipment operators going strong for many years to come.