Your Cub Cadet Zero Turn mower uses a series of belts to connect the engine drive system with the blades. The deck belt is the primary means of accomplishing this, and it must be in good working condition to efficiently turn the blades. You should be able to see your deck belt simply by raising the deck. If your belt appears cracked or damaged in any way, it is time to replace it.
Step 1: Gather Tools
The good news is that Cub Cadet has made it remarkably easy for the average owner to change their own deck belt with minimal tools. With a screwdriver and socket set, you should be able to accomplish this task, although you may want gloves and paper towels as well.
Step 2: Removal
Before you can access the deck belt, you first need to remove the PTO belt. This is done by disengaging the PTO button and setting the deck to its lowest height. First, look for a belt keeper holding the belt on the idler tension pulley. If your model has a belt keeper, simply unscrew the two screws and slide it out of the way, and then release the tensioner pulley to slide the PTO belt off.
Next, you will need to remove the deck to pull the deck belt out. This is done by releasing the deck from the two J-hook brackets and sliding it out. Raise the mower back to its highest deck setting, and turn the wheels all the way to the right to slide the deck out. Once the deck is as far out as possible, you may need to move the wheels back to the left to clear the mower the rest of the way.
There will be several belt covers protecting your belt. You should be able to remove the covers with a screwdriver and set them aside. Underneath will be another series of idler pulleys. There is a lever to release tension from the right idler pulley, and you will unscrew the left pulley to remove the belt entirely.
Step 3: Installation
Installation of the new deck belt is the opposite of the removal process. Start by putting the new belt over the left idler pulley, and tightening the left pulley down. Then route the belt up and over the right idler pulley and secure the tensioning arm.
Reinstall the belt covers in the same orientation that they were removed and make sure that they are not going to rub against the new belt. Slide the deck back under the right side of the mower and turn the wheels to allow it back into position. Reconnect the J-hooks on the deck and put the PTO belt back on.
For more information about how to remove the deck and the deck belt from your Cub Cadet mower, consult your owner’s manual. If you’re in need of a deck belt, contact the trained staff at cubparts.com today for a full selection of deck belts, PTO belts, and other OEM parts for all of your Cub Cadet equipment. Or, if you know exactly what you need, you can look it up with the part looks up tool and have it shipped directly to your door across the US and Canada.