How to Change the Mower Deck Belt on a Cub Cadet Zero-Turn Riding Mower

Lawn mower deck belts can wear with ordinary use over time and they can cause greater damage to your machine if not replaced in a timely manner. This video will show you how to perform a mower deck belt replacement on a Cub Cadet zero-turn mower.  Depending on your model, the instructions in this video may vary slightly.  Always be sure to check your operator's manual for detailed instructions.

Instructions

Instructions for mower deck belt replacement

Step 1 - Prepare your zero-turn mower for maintenance

Place your zero-turn mower on a flat, level surface. Turn the mower off and make sure the engine is cool.  Remove the ignition key, disconnect the spark plug ignition wire, and engage the parking brake. This helps ensure the machine doesn't start accidentally and cause you or those around you harm.

Step 2 - Remove the mower deck belt rod

Take the belt-keeper rod off and remove the mower deck belt from the engine's pulley.

Step 3 - Lower the deck height of your riding mower

Move the deck lift lever to its highest position and slide in wooden blocks for additional support. Lower the deck of your zero-turn mower to the wooden blocks.

Step 4 - Release the deck from the hangar brackets

Remove the left and right J-hooks to release your mowing deck. Then, carefully remove the wooden blocks from under the deck to lower it further and take the click pin out of the front deck hangar rod.

Step 5 - Remove the mower deck

Put the deck height lever back in its highest position and turn the front wheels to the left. Then slide your cutting deck out to the right. If you need to replace any other mower deck parts, aside from your belt, this would be the appropriate time to do so.

Step 6 - Take off the mower deck belt covers

Using a ratchet, remove the deck belt covers as well as the nuts and bolts that secure the deck idler pulley to the belt keeper. Separate the pulleys.

Step 7 - Mower deck belt replacement

Take the left idler pulley away from the machine and lift off the old mower deck belt. Loop the new mower deck belt around both pulleys and reassemble the nuts, bolts, pulleys, and covers (see previous directions in reverse).

Step 8 - Reinstall the zero-turn mower deck

Slide the deck back under the mower, route the new lawn mower deck belt around the engine pulley and secure it in place with the rod and rivet.

Step 9 - Reattach hangar brackets

Place the click pin back into the deck's front hangar rode and the J-hooks back into their brackets on the left and right.

Step 10 - Connect the spark plug and get ready to mow

Reconnect the spark plug ignition wire and raise or lower the deck to your standard mowing height. Your mower deck belt replacement is complete and you're ready to mow.