How to Change the PTO Belt on a Cub Cadet Riding Lawn Mower

The PTO (or power take-off) belt is part of a pulley system that operates the blades on your riding lawn mower. It runs off the electric clutch system in your engine. If you hear squealing during operation or see dry rot on your PTO belt, you may need to replace it. It's important to install it correctly, without any twists, to avoid replacing it again prematurely. We'll show you, step-by-step, how to do a PTO belt repair on a Cub Cadet riding lawn mower. Depending on your model, the instructions may vary slightly. Always consult your operator's manuals to be sure you're ordering the right parts and following more detailed instructions.

Instructions

How to Change the PTO Belt on a Cub Cadet Riding Lawn Mower

Step 1 - Prepare for PTO belt repair

Place your riding lawn mower on a flat, level surface.  Turn the engine off and make sure it is cool.  Remove the ignition key and disconnect the spark plug ignition wire.  Be sure PTO lever is disengaged and engage the parking break.

Step 2 - Lower the cutting deck of your riding lawn mower

Put the deck height lever in its lowest position.

Step 3 - Release the cutting deck

Pull the J hooks from the left and right sides to release the deck from the hanger brackets Then, raise the deck back up to it's highest position. Pull the click pin out of the front deck hangar rod.

Step 4 - Take the PTO belt off the pulley

Remove the hex tapping screws and belt keeps, then slide the PTO belt off the PTO pulley and pull the bow tie clip.

Step 5 - Release the tension spring

Release the PTO cable to release the tension spring from the idler pulley bracket. Then remove the spring and cable from the deck.

Step 6 - Remove the cutting deck

Turn the front wheels to the left and slide the cutting deck out to the right from under your riding lawn mower.

Step 7 - Take off belt cover

Remove the belt cover from the right outer pulley.

Step 8 - Remove PTO belt

Loosen the two idler pulleys with the belt keepers and remove the PTO belt from the pulleys.

Step 9 - Begin PTO belt replacement

Route the new PTO belt through the pulley assembly.

Step 10 - Go back through the process in reverse

Reassembly your riding mower after PTO belt replacement by following the previous directions in reverse order.

Step 11 - Reattach the deck and your new PTO belt

Slide the deck back under your riding lawn mower. Attach the spring and cable back to the deck and insert the bow tie clip. Route the PTO belt back onto the PTO pulley and reattach the belt keeper using the self-tapping screws. Insert the J hooks to reattach the deck to the hangar brackets. Reconnect the spark plug ignition wire, and you're ready to mow.