Cub Cadet RZT zero turn: how to replace belts and blades (lazy drive and vibrating deck)

[@bigsonslawncare]

I've done this twice on mine, never knew I could do it without taking off pto clutch ✔👍

[@EllisMowersandmore]

The tension spring is weak enough to be able to do it which is so nice. It's so much better than having to take that spring on and off!

[@Turningwrenches85]

Yes I made that mistake with aftermarket belt on my riding mower it is to thick and it broke the weld off the variable pulley so I got to replace that I look into stens for that belt when I replace it.

[@philliphall5198]

All the old Murray owners have these in my area and every one has 1or 2, I like working on them Yes for sure use OEM belts

[@robertmailhos8159]

Might want to check out the idler pulley,s to make sure they are not messed up but it is up to you to do that otherwise you doing the thing to make it a great running mower

[@EllisMowersandmore]

The pulleys looked good except one of them had old remnants of a belt wedged into it which I think was causing the issues with vibration, and maybe even the wear.

[@robertmailhos8159]

@@EllisMowersandmore that is a great thing to always check out the idler pulleys for any issues that they might have I was going to do a video on this matter I still May be doing something with the idler pulleys

[@rickbroerman9267]

That small rope or big string works 💪 awesome on the springs saves alot of time and effort!!!!

[@EllisMowersandmore]

Yes it does Rick. Thanks for the tip on the rope!

[@TheCLCED]

If you are doing this for the first time Its best to watch not just the video but read all the comments. you will gain valuable insight that the specific mower in the video may not match your mower exactly. That being said, your mowers configuration will have one of these two scenarios. 1, the PTO clutch bracket is located toward the rear of the mower and 2, the bracket is pointing toward the front. If YOUR mowers configuration matches condition 1 you will need to remove the clutch. if it points toward the front you will not need to lower the clutch.

[@EllisMowersandmore]

Thank you, they do make minor changes and improvements every few years.

[@TheCLCED]

keepin us on our toes.@@EllisMowersandmore

[@MDD1966]

The whole reason to watch this was how to put the drive belt back on? Totally skipped that part

[@stigmaticbudgie666]

Hey did you find a good video that shows how to put the drive belt back on?

[@MDD1966]

@@stigmaticbudgie666 no, ended up going to dealer to find out, used a impact drill to take drive shaft bolt out on the bottom, then just dropped the pulleys on shaft enough to put belt on. All good now

[@philliphall5198]

Old belts are good tow strap

[@ronmesser9091]

Thanks for for the great help I have the same mower, you just kept me from wasting money on a cheap after market belt,

[@EllisMowersandmore]

Thanks for watching!

[@philliphall5198]

Thank You for information and advice Merry Christmas

[@philliphall5198]

I made my grandson start ware steel toe work boots in shop after he massed his big toe bad Steel toes work boots all my life

[@MegaChuck51]

Is the Right rear deck belt follower pulley level with the deck or is it mounted at a slight angle?? On my RZT-50 that right rear deck pulley is at an angle, not perfectly horizontal with the deck. Someone has ground off some of the metal from the bottom of bolt stanchion.

[@EllisMowersandmore]

Some of these decks have slight variants. You may have one that is at an angle, mostly so it stays on the pulley for deck height adjustment.

[@MegaChuck51]

@@EllisMowersandmore I found out that bolt mount hole for the flat pulley was worn out of round.

[@BobbyWilson-yn7tg]

Thank you for your help

[@philliphall5198]

I really don’t like the rtz model because of muffler hanging down

[@NotMuchHere]

thanks .. this is better than the first video I watched ... thanks

[@williamguines5662]

I need to know how put hydraulic fluid in

[@EllisMowersandmore]

Haven't had to do one on these yet but they don't have reservoirs and not sure if there's a drain or fill on these lower grade units.

[@TheBlueskydriver]

Did you get it figured for the fluid? If it’s a hydro-gear, they have 20w50 synthetic oil in fluid in them. You remove the filler plug and set the unit upside to drain out. Then, add new fluid up to .75 to 1.25 inches from the top of the filler plug hole…. Goto Hydo-Gear for instructions.

[@MegaChuck51]

Are those the OEM blades?

[@EllisMowersandmore]

I did not use OEM blades as a replacement, but they are available. Same design as OEM though.

[@MegaChuck51]

@EllisMowersandmore Are the OEM blades stepped center like those? I know mine have been changed to flat blades. Could you give me a P/N for the stepped blades please?

[@EllisMowersandmore]

@@MegaChuck51 MTD has changed to flat blades for their newer style decks. If it's a 50" deck the part number is 742-04053.

[@MegaChuck51]

@@EllisMowersandmore Yes, it's a 50" deck. Thank you!!

[@mr.astrophysics9115]

Stamped decks out last welded decks..

[@EllisMowersandmore]

And I've also found that they have better lift too.

[@DavidLipson-y7x]

next time spray a bit of wd40 on those pins they pull right out

[@philliphall5198]

Dang take the floor plate off

[@JessicaHarris-x7w]

Thomas Deborah Thomas Richard Anderson Anna