Cub Cadet Riding mower LTX1045 Deck Belt Keeps Falling Off Fix Solved

[@jamesf9184]

Thank you for helping. On my ltx1046 the belt kept coming off for 2 years. I replaced the straight tension bar because the mounting hole was slightly oval instead of round. I also put 3 fender washers under one of the tensioner pulleys to make it more level with the other pulley. Have mowed about 15 times and the belt has stayed on!

[@berghoutcful]

Thanks for the video T. Dee! I inherited an 81 hour, less than one year old XT1 LT46 with the home I just purchased. In a matter of one month: 1. The drive belt came off the motor pulley and I had to lift the engine off the tractor's chassis to replace it. Took hours. 2) The bolt that secures one of the mower blades came loose, the blade subsequently cut a groove into the inside of the blade housing. I had to grind that down to avoid contact (noise) with the housing. 3) Exactly what happened to you T. Dee, BUT WORSE! The tensioner pulley bolt shook loose and came off the deck! You heard right; brand new mower, the tensioner pulley just CAME OFF. Egregious engineering. I was lucky to find it in the spinach, less the nut which secures the pulley on the top side of the mower deck. CONCLUSION: I am selling this made in China piece of garbage and I will never buy another Cub Cadet product again. POS.

[@ДмитрийШепелев-у7н]

Purchased this to replace a guide pulley kzbin.infoUgkxO9seYZjlnuP5UvMkb7osQW3WxPVeSnPk on our John Deere x304 snowblower. As I stated in the title, it is just about perfect. The stock pulley has a spacer at the bottom. I used four washers to emulate said spacer, and it works perfectly now. Great product, and great price especially if compared to typical JD prices.

[@randallwilhelmi964]

Ok, take your spindles off. You’ll notice you have two sealed bearings on the spindle. Those bearings have no grease in them. Thus the bearing noise. Now to fix this take the plastic cap on the bearing and lift it off. Small screw driver or probe under the plastic cap. It will expose the bearing. Pack the bearing with grease and snap the plastic cap back in place. Remember to do both bearings top and bottom in spindle. Only need to do this once. Bearings should out live the mower. Old school mechanic for 53 years. Mfrs. don’t grease fittings on purpose so they can sell you new spindles, belts and pulleys. Also note idler pulleys don’t usually have. The same type of bearing. I just spray with WD 40 and it also quiets them down. DO Not use the WD 40 on the spindle bearings. Your welcome.

[@billsmith1770]

end of season i clean , apply rust converter , and paint underside . during the mowing season a lot of the coating comes off , but at least i've stopped the rust for a few months . every year i'm adding 4 or 5 months of life to the deck . 10 years of doing this adds minimum of 40 or 50 months life to the deck .

[@TeteWipani]

where the pivot is if you remove that part and inspect the deck part sometimes there can be wear in that area from the movement overtime , you can either weld it up and grind it back to level or check the spacer for wear or use a wider washer to take the slack away hope this helps.

[@tomkittrell7778]

The spindle bearings are sealed NAPA or AUTOZONE sells a needle injector that will attach via zerk fitting to your grease gun. Disassemble the spindles and insert the needle under the seal to grease. If the new spindle has a zerk fitting , remove the inner seals so you can grease thru the zerk fitting .

[@kittyhawk7060]

Hopefully you resolved your issues. Some people use graphite lubricant for the underside of the desk. They say grass will not stick. I am using professional grade undercoating with a rust inhibitor on top of that and possibly graphite lubricant on top of that. I am concerned more about rust than grass sticking. I can wash grass off with my power sprayer. My deck cost almost $1000 and I want it to stay as rust free as possible. I will be putting the undercoating on top of the deck as well. The top can rust out just as fast as the bottom.

[@upmw2k]

Had the same problem with my LTX1040 kept throwing the belt, I took the arm off and bent it up, also my original spindles were the same, no fittings, I actually replaced them this year new ones have the grease fitting, seems to run a lot quieter then before, sometimes it seems like you have to be like McGyver to keep these things running but my cub is the best mower I've owned

[@kommoncents0000]

I have noticed that having those pulleys bent back up makes a big difference, that arm seems to bend quite often. Not sure if it does this on it's own or it happens when you flip the deck upside down. It's weird how the belt even comes off, the belt keeper brackets by the pulleys have about 1-2 millimeters clearance and the belt still squeezes out.

[@barryseppy273]

My neighbor had the same problem. Took it back to Cub Cadet service dept. and they put on a new pulley that your talking about. Brought it home neighbor goes to cut grass and belt came off again. I took the deck off and added another spring to the back of the pulley to the deck and has never came off since. Seemed to me that the belt had a lot of play in it. LT1045 this was 2 years ago and still works great.

[@tinathompson4421]

@@barryseppy273 My belt is doing the same thing, I am not getting a visual, did you replace the spring with a shorter one?

[@sjsmith2919]

@@barryseppy273 Same as tina mentioned. I get the idea in general,. but location? I JUST replaced the belt, got half the yard done, topped off the gas, reengaged deck, belt off again. Called for service, but they said it would be 2 weeks. Fed up and ready to do it myself

[@jeremyholloway1294]

My LTX1040 only has about 140 hours on it and I've already went through about 5 or 6 belts. So aggravating that I'll probably never buy another Cub Cadet.

[@Jason-ym5zf]

Have the same problem with belt and the weld...I bought a u bolt for mine but same theory hell if works go for it right...as far as the belt I don't know

[@tedbrewer7847]

You need to lubricate all those points. Also the spindles have grease fittings except some after markets. Also if it’s coming off the often check for the deck alignment. That front mounting bar has a tendency to loosen and it should be fairly snug. But remember that’s the adjustment for the front and back. I had one the person was having the same problem. I looked under the deck and the nut on the bar was a good 4” loose and the bar was flopping around

[@mikezetts1]

This solution could be worth it's weight in gold. Already today, I have had the deck off the mower 3 times. I'll give it a try soon.

[@brandyy1981]

Replacing the bracket solved my exact problem. The contact point was wallowed out causing it to sag.

[@PiNkThRoNe302]

Just put a new belt on mowed the front yard then next day I go to mow the back yard now it wont emgage the PTO wont cut so i assume the belt got loosened some how???? Please let me know......guess have to tighten it

[@sidallen685]

If you take the pivot bracket off you’ll see that it is worn out, it should not move up and down that much, mind had a lot of metal worn off of the bottom of it. I replaced the pivot arm and spacer washer that holds it on, no problems after that.

[@brienbraswell5964]

Mine pops off immediately when engaged . All pulleys functioning, belt tight & pops off. I" ve put $600 into this mower & I'm at my worst end ! Tractor works great , but without the deck belt working it's a lost cause ! About done with in Greensboro NC

[@kennethhudson8013]

Read comments! Guy said he took the belt braking system off his belt hasn't come off in a year!

[@LST1180]

Thanks for all the suggestions but this is a brand new mower. I should not have to make modifications (which I am sure they would say would void my warranty). I am going to the repair center Monday and ask if they have read any of these suggestions.

[@richardhessert7862]

Have the same mover and problem. Just put a new belt on it and blew up. Last belt lasted 10 months with many many jumps off the pulleys. Governor gear is messed up, birns oil, and the belt issue. Im ready for something else. What length is the belt if you dont mind me asking?

[@kommoncents0000]

I don't have the mower anymore but i remember putting a new belt that was 1" inch shorter than the original size and that seemed to help as well.

[@richardhessert7862]

@@kommoncents0000 what I goggled it said 103.25. Last two belts were 102. Wished they would show pictures of where the belt guilds should be

[@homersommer5661]

how do you make a hi low adj. left and right on a 54 inch deck.

[@johnelam1889]

my belt is very,very loose and will not cut when the blade is dropped down. I think it is that sprig idler, what do you thnk

[@kommoncents0000]

I would have someone sit on the mower and engage the blades, while you take a bright flashlight and check what its doing under there. Maybe try buying a belt an inch shorter. I would buy on ebay, much cheaper than a store.

[@reginaldhall6871]

I'm sick & tired of putting my belt back on. Cut 30-40 minutes & belt comes off. No burning smell, no bearing noises, & no vibrations. My tension pulling seems to move up & down about 1 inch of r so as it turns. Is there supposed to be that much up & down movement? I'm about ready to set fire to my mower,!!!!!

[@kommoncents0000]

Try leaving the cutting height in the middle somewhere for now. While you put the belt back on make sure the belt keeper plates are close to the pulleys where the belt can't slide off. Have someone (adult) sit on the mower and engage the cutting blades while you look with a bright flashlight at the belt area while their turning, see if there is a lot of bouncing around with the belt.

[@angelalopez4843]

I said the same thing yesterday! Burn baby burn!!!

[@huha123]

I found it was my deck brake was worn down and was not stopping the pulley, hence it kept spinning once I disengaged it. So I removed it and flipped it 180 degrees and haven't had an issue in 50 mows or so. I ordered a new brake "pad" as I see it is starting to wear down, so I think I will post a video on how to replace it.

[@reginaldhall6871]

I adjusted the front of my deck up a few turns. Looking at my belt alignment from the side view it was terribly running downhill compared to my deck & pulleys.

[@mjlewis263]

@@huha123 Please do. I have the same issue, I think. But, I'm not sure about replaceing the brake pad. I video of seeing how its replaced would be a great help!

[@johnnewingham6043]

Can someone show me how the short belt goes on.the one on the bk .there two pulleys about the same except one is smaller.

[@LST1180]

My Cub LT-42 is new. Less than 8 hours. I can't cut the entire lawn without having to put the belt back on the pullies. No easy task as I have to remove one of the covers each time to do this. The deck has never been off the mower. Cub Cadet takes many days to answer an email. Seems my nearest service center is in another state.

[@kommoncents0000]

Try leaving the cutting height in the middle somewhere for now. While you put the belt back on make sure the belt keeper plates are close to the pulleys where the belt can't slide off. Have someone (adult) sit on the mower and engage the cutting blades while you look with a bright flashlight at the belt area while their turning, see if there is a lot of bouncing around with the belt.

[@ethansmith9645]

You can put the belt on with out bringing the deck off it'll be harder but make sure your deck is leveled that's why mine kept coming off you have to find where the deck should be leveled

[@kellywade2895]

Y red the grease the blade bearings and the bearings on the pulleys are shot

[@larrycrawford1834]

Which way do the idler pulleys go. Does the long bushing in the bearing face down on both pulleys?

[@kommoncents0000]

I'm not sure, but the way I have them in the video seems correct, as I have seen the same orientation in other cub cadet videos.

[@mrutherford8590]

Your deck has a hose fitting for hooking up a garden hose , turn on the water and turn on the PTO and the grass will clean out .

[@0714will]

😅

[@bigbadhag]

Took all the braking system off my deck,belt hasn't ever came off again.The sudden stopping of the belt makes it lash off The rod that goes to the brake on the left side has a bend where the spring hooks,leave the bend and cut off the rest. Belts never came off decks that bad til they put brakes on them.Did this a year and half ago,problem solved!

[@sidallen685]

Cub Cadet removed the spindle brakes on the newer models, I guess they saw how many problems people had with them.

[@holly-jothompson3717]

This sounds like a great solution. My mom has a 3000 series belly mower. What or which pulleys. Are the braking system.

[@bigbadhag]

@@holly-jothompson3717 the brake pads would ride against the spindle pulleys

[@ryanbishop1987]

Do you mean you took the brakes off as in your brakes dont work now? I just got a used lt1045 and my belt keeps coming off when I lower the deck past the 5th setting. Above 5 it's good. 4 and below it pops off after a minute or 2.

[@ryanbishop1987]

Are you talking about those black pads that are mounted just behind each pulley?

[@delilahbrown928]

Can you get a smaller belt and put it on the mower

[@kommoncents0000]

I suppose you can get the next size down, I have done that, as long as it's not too much smaller otherwise the blades will want to turn, possibly.

[@nelsonmauthe6793]

What you need is the 2 belt keepers that go on the spindles and they hold the belt tight to the police and else alleviate all these problems.

[@heyinway]

Tensioner bracket where it mounts to deck....there is a special spacer washer/bushing. That bushing and the bracket wear out and get egg shaped where the bolt holds it to the deck. Also make sure you have all 3 belt guides in place and properly orientated. "L shape" guide fastened to pivot bracket, and a guide on each deck idler pulley that are last in line going to engine pulley. I find these misaligned and even missing all the time.

[@tonylofu1970]

Spray the deck with w40 Air Hogs a little bit but you have to do that once in awhile

[@Hammerstad.anthony]

My belt keep falling off because I put the front belt Guard on backwards. It goes on the way you think it wouldn’t lol

[@TomWillwerth]

Thanks for saying this, turned out to be part of my problem too.

[@Letsgobrandon790]

Don't feel bad I did the same thing

[@lilscrapalilshawn]

Could you send me a picture of it

[@moorereeds]

The bearings sound rough. Is that the normal sound? I'm about to do this for the first time, but just thinking maybe the bearings are worn(?)

[@ciphercode2298]

Yeah,when they're makin noise they need replaced. I'd replaced both my idler pulleys in the spring and now one froze up and broke its center piece apart from the pulley itself. I suggest buying oem parts and not the cheap ebay specials like I did. The slop and movement he had in his tension pulley arm isnt normal either. It's a sign that the step washer and bolt need replaced that holds it to the deck. Check your springs and deck brake pads too,because they often need replaced after a few years.

[@richardclark5591]

Does it matter if the pully is wably?

[@kommoncents0000]

I would try putting some fender washers to possibly make it tighter, there is a "thicker" special washer under the pulley arm that keeps mashing down, you don't want to crack that. The washer is cheap but may take a week to arrive.

[@martykirkpatrick6347]

I have a friend who told me that covering the underside of your deck with high temp red RTV will stay there forever..haven't tried it , but I don't believe Bill is much of a liar.

[@kommoncents0000]

I even tried furnace cement, LOL was very sticky when applying after a week or two just came off in chunks.

[@Letsgobrandon790]

I know this is three years ago but I was having the same problem and come to find out dumb ass me put the bracket that's on the engine pully backwards after I turned it around problem solved.

[@shanemaguire6540]

This worked for me

[@nanscott3092]

Great idea on L brackets

[@lesstrong7538]

All your bearings are bad and when it’s running there’s resistance and that could cause the bracket to bend

[@roppypeck8934]

Having same problem. It's a cheap piece of crap. Cheap pulley bearings. It's just a bad design.

[@tonylofu1970]

Drill a hole and put a grease fitting in there

[@josecasiano5359]

They need new bering

[@houstonhickey7646]

Cub cadet really is garbage anymore just another company gone bad selling junk to make money off a once very good name

[@surelicksalot6500]

Use diesel fuel on bottom of deck

[@jacoblyonsgrimreaper5075]

The pully will soon be gone Replace!!!!!!!!!!!!