Staying on top of maintenance and repairs will extend the life of your Cub Cadet riding lawn mower and keep it operating like new. Small repairs, like changing the deck belt on your lawn mower, are imperative and aid in your mower’s ability to cut grass efficiently. Here’s how to change the deck belt on a Cub Cadet riding lawn mower.
Before performing any maintenance on your Cub Cadet lawn mower, refer to your operator’s manual. It lists required maintenance, safety information, and instructions for your machine. Maintenance instructions vary by model, so depending on your riding lawn mower model our instructions may vary slightly.
First, position your lawn mower for deck belt replacement by parking the mower on a flat, level surface. Turn off the engine, remove the ignition key, and disconnect the spark plug ignition wire to prevent accidental starting.
Raise the deck height to the highest position and place wooden blocks under each side of the mower deck. Lower the deck height to the lowest position, lowering the mower deck onto the blocks. Pull the J hooks from the left and right side to release the deck from the hangar brackets. Remove the wooden blocks from under the deck and pull the click pin out of the front deck hanger rod.
Remove the belt keeper rod and the deck belt from around the mower’s engine pulley. Raise the deck height to the highest position, this time turning the front wheels to the left. Slide the mower deck out from under the machine.
Remove the belt cover from the outer pulleys and unlock the idler spring. Remove the nut and bolt that secure the deck’s idler pulley with the belt keeper. Use a 3/8 drive ratchet in the square hole of the right idler bracket and separate the idler pulleys. Then remove the left pulley.
Replace the old mower deck belt with a new Cub Cadet deck belt.
Reassemble the mower deck. Attach the nut and bolt that secure the deck’s idler pulley with the belt keeper. Re-hook the idler spring and put the belt covers back on the outer pulleys. Slide the cutting deck back under the mower.
Route the deck belt around the engine pulley and secure the belt keeper rod. Insert the click pin into the front deck hanger rod and the J hooks into the hanger brackets.
Lastly, reconnect the spark plug ignition wire and start the mower.
The deck belt on your Cub Cadet riding lawn mower connects the crank shaft to the mower blades, which causes them to turn. Replace your mower belt if you notice cracks forming in the rubber. Replacing the mower belt before it breaks will help you avoid interruption during mower operation.
How to Change the Deck Belt on a Cub Cadet Riding Lawn Mower
