How to remove deck, sharpen and balance blades on a Zero turn Cub Cadet Ultima series ZT2 or ZT1

[@SteveMorgan-vt4dk]

Time to remove my deck. After hunting for my Manual, trying to read the tiny print on the newsprint paper stock. I thought of KZbin. You were the first vid to pop up. You did an excellent job explaining what looked to be very complicated job in the manual, several pages of that small print. lol Very well presented.

[@DIYJIM]

Glad I could help you, thanks for watching

[@raffimesdjian173]

I've had my Ultima ZT1 50" mower for over 3 years now and never had removed the deck. I typically lift the entire front end and put a tall block under one of the front wheels and that way I have easy access to the blades. However, today I wanted to remove the whole deck to do some maintenace and your video was very helpful. Nice job using two cameras to show the details when needed. Your presentation is very clear and concise. Thank you!

[@DIYJIM]

You’re welcome! Glad it was helpful.

[@prestone6838]

Very well put together video. Making it easy on us so thank you. Shocked this doesn’t have more views yet. 👍

[@DIYJIM]

Thanks for watching it’s slowly going up in views.

[@ChristineNejhuyalh56y]

Excellent video! My husband did all maintenance and mechanics and he passed away and I am left to the task now, and your video shows me step by step. Thank you soooo much!!

[@DIYJIM]

Glad I could help, thanks for watching. If you were my neighbor I would do it for you

[@majack82]

I have completely avoided taking my deck off because I figured it'd be way more difficult than my old Craftsman 46" tractor. This actually seems to be way easier! Great video, well explained steps, and very detailed. Thank you for posting this.

[@DIYJIM]

Thanks for watching

[@kwilkins1000]

Same here!! I was considering buying an expensive lift so I could get the blades off without a floor jack and a crazy assortment of boards 😂 Taking off the deck is easier than I thought it would be; my dad has the same mower and I shared this with him also. Thanks for making this!

[@superbug1977]

Excellent resource for taking care of my Cub Cadet ZT1. I mow three acres and problems with the mower scare me and sometimes make me feel like I'm not up to doing the work myself. Videos like this are a treasure.

[@DIYJIM]

Thanks for watching, glad I could help.

[@lawrencebaranek9287]

Great instructional video. Watching your video is much better than following the instructions in the user manual.

[@DIYJIM]

Glad it helped

[@lisabehun1696]

Thank you. I’ve been having mine serviced, but the gentleman quit and I thought I needed a lift to get to the deck. I’m definitely guilty of mowing wet grass and not cleaning afterwards. I’m hoping to turn over a new leaf after seeing this great video. I had just bought the cleaning attachment kit to wash out the deck, but this is essential too.

[@DIYJIM]

Thanks for watching

[@chrisdowney7359]

Very informative step by step video. Well presented and easy to understand. Cant wait to strip my mowing deck now!

[@DIYJIM]

Good luck with the deck removal!

[@jamesdixon2860]

I'm glad you have this channel which appears to be about my mower. This is a really easy mower to work on. It's a good design. The only thing I do differently is I would pressure wash the deck. If you've got a riding mower chances are you got a pressure washer. Clean it right up.

[@DIYJIM]

Thanks for the tip, thanks for watching

[@gilchipiaramirez-parra1007]

W0W .... AWESOME ... JUST GOT THIS MACHINE and DON'T KNOW JACK ABOUT MAINTENANCE FOR IT... ONE BELT GOT BURNED, I RAN OVER MY DOG LEACH AND IT DID IT... HOPEFULLY FOLLOWING THESE DIRECTIONS I WIL BE ABLE TO FIX IT ! IMAGINE THAT AND I THOUGHT I HAD TO TAKE IT SOMEWHERE TO GET IT FIX... ONE PROBLEM DON'T EVEN HAVE A TRUCK OR TRAILER TO TAKE IT AND NO ONE AROUND MANY MILES TO SERVICE... SEEMS LIKE A LIFE SAVER, WILL LET YOU KNOW OF THE OUTCOME !!!! ONE THOUSAND THANKS JIM ~~~~~!!!!

[@DIYJIM]

I hope it helps you save some money. Thanks for watching

[@nolanspry2784]

Excellent video. Everyone should learn from this. Real time is always better than speeded up fast videos. Again Great job.

[@DIYJIM]

Thanks for watching

[@danbeyer8339]

Thanks Chief, great video. The manual is rather ambiguous but this takes you step-by step. Great job 👍👍

[@DIYJIM]

Glad it was helpful!

[@pzodman500]

I also wanted to say, thanks for showing how you got the belt back on everything. That made so much sense.

[@DIYJIM]

Glad it was helpful!

[@RichardMurphy-h3b]

Exceptionally well assembled How To video. Points out some aspects others do not show, like the Multi-Tool's use. I rever replace the two covers as they are grass traps and if you cut a BIG lawn (2 acres) they can be pully damagers. Thanks,

[@DIYJIM]

Thanks for watching

[@gotmylk]

Thanks for the tip to use a wood block to jam the blade for blade nut removal. Made swapping the OEM blades to the cub mulching blades quick and easy.

[@DIYJIM]

I'm glad the tip worked for you! Thanks for watching.

[@J-P65]

Thank -you for your video. You really helped me a lot (and saved me some money). Our grass has grown more than I can remember (I've cut our 2 acres 15 times already and we are only half way through August.) Much appreciated!

[@DIYJIM]

Welcome thanks for watching

[@acc451]

Enjoyed your video, concise and to the point showing what I needed to change blades and belt.

[@DIYJIM]

Thanks for watching

[@manlyotool1165]

Great video. Just for reference, the plate under your feet removes with just one bolt to give you good top side access for cleaning the deck and belt replacement.

[@DIYJIM]

Thanks for watching

[@philliphall5198]

I watched this three hours after pulling deck off Very well explained Thank You for sharing information 😊

[@DIYJIM]

Thanks for watching Phillip

[@chrisnordstrom6652]

Awesome how-to video, thanks for doing it. I just got my Ultima ZT1 42 in. delivered today. I won't need to worry about the deck removal and blade sharpening for a little while, but I'm way more confident now.

[@DIYJIM]

Enjoy your new mower, thanks for watching

[@davidbaillie2087]

I just found your page and these lessons are the most in depth and easy to understand I have ever seen. Great job!

[@DIYJIM]

Glad to hear it! Thanks for watching

[@cryptomnesiac]

Just picked one of these up to work on nearly 4 acres. Thanks for breaking the subject down into easy steps. After all my work I'm sure it's gonna be a mess under there!

[@DIYJIM]

thanks for watching

[@joehudson142]

Sir, you are to the point, non-sugar coated. GREAT video, VERY informative, going downstairs and gonna apply on my ZT1 50! Have a great day DIY JIM, Sir.

[@DIYJIM]

Thanks for watching

[@randyforeman426]

Great video! Clear video with great verbal instruction. It helped me a ton. The only difference is that I have a ZT1 and the torque for the blades are 70-90. Again, thank you.

[@DIYJIM]

Welcome thanks for watching

[@dadingulf]

Best video i have seen in a while! Thanks for this!!

[@DIYJIM]

You're very welcome!

[@jameswilson2024]

Best video out there. This helped so much. Be blessed bro.

[@DIYJIM]

Thank you 🙏

[@dsidener1]

Great video. Thanks for making and posting it. I ran into some "side quests" that you didn't. Some spindle bolts had vibrated themselves loose and when I went to borrow one from another spindle, it broke off. Nonetheless, very good video and very helpful.

[@DIYJIM]

Thanks for watching

[@atomtactical4299]

Nice job! Right to work on the project. I didn't have to hear about your dog (toto) or any other BS.... Really good job easy to understand and good detail on every step. I don't understand why you don't have like at least 100K views. Thank You and again really good job!

[@DIYJIM]

Thanks 👍

[@benmiller1865]

Great video. Well put together and cover the details well and your commentary as you walk through the job kept me paying attention! Thank you!

[@DIYJIM]

Thanks for watching

[@f16fixr1]

Great video! 2 things I learned... 1. inserting the multi-tool into the lift mechanism for safety 2. turning the front wheels around to give you more room for sliding the deck in and out Can't believe I never thought about doing that! 😂

[@DIYJIM]

Glad I could help, thanks for watching

[@f16fixr1]

@@DIYJIM Do you happen to have a link for that blade balance checker?

[@DIYJIM]

@@f16fixr1 yes it’s in the description or first comment

[@DIYJIM]

@@f16fixr1 yes in the description of this video

[@brockbennett6125]

This is the best video on how to do this I have seen.... good job man

[@DIYJIM]

Thanks and thanks for watching

[@lithgowlights859]

On my old Raleigh, which was way harder to align than this, I found lifting the deck and sitting it on a piece of 4" by 1" timber on each side made it way easier to align the pins. My ZTS1 46" arrives tomorrow so hopefully it will be a while before I need to sharpen blades, but thanks for the how-to video

[@DIYJIM]

welcome thanks for watching

[@Seerbreak]

Much heavier on the ZT1. 54 deck so cannot do it this way, had to tilt up each side. Thanks for the video

[@DIYJIM]

Welcome

[@danneedham6207]

Nice job explaining the deck removal process

[@DIYJIM]

Thanks

[@markdennis158]

Best video on Cub Cadet Z Ultmas zero turns!

[@DIYJIM]

Thank you

[@gunnersmate623]

Well done my man, I just bought a ZT1 42". Looking forward to more of your videos on the ZT1 42".

[@DIYJIM]

More to come!

[@ggebhard1]

Thanks for this video. I purchased a zero turn with a steering wheel. I need to get the deck off to clean it. This was great! I hope I'm strong enough to get mine off! I have an air gun for the blades. Don't worry, I won't strip them off! I've done that before. I hand tighten them. Only use the air gun to loosen the bolts to take them off. Not bad for a 73 year old wimpy woman? It might take me two days to do it all, but that's okay! Thanks a bunch!

[@DIYJIM]

Glad my video can help. I would help you more if you were my neighbor. Thanks for watching

[@tomnem9515]

Outstanding, direct to the point with everything explained perfectly!

[@DIYJIM]

thanks for watching

[@stevewuelfing6326]

Excellent video. All the links in the description are also helpful. Thanks. Great job!

[@DIYJIM]

Glad it was helpful!

[@DinaLund]

that was the best video ever. i have watched many and your filming is the best. now if you could show me how to put a drive belt back on! i went over a big bump and the spring popped off, and i cannot figure out how to access those pulleys. so much in the way. thank you for this video. i'm sure i need to sharpen blades next.

[@DIYJIM]

Sorry I don’t have a video on that. Hope you get it figured out.

[@Promark2012]

Very informative! Helped me with installing new blades. Great sound and video that really aided in the instructions.

[@DIYJIM]

Glad it helped

[@aggienodari453]

I just bought one of these. And I can't believe they have not perfected how to remove the lower deck after 20 years.

[@DIYJIM]

I hear ya, thanks for watching

[@jeromebecigneul2911]

You make it look simple. Thank you.

[@DIYJIM]

Thanks for watching Jerome

[@MTLVchannel1]

Great video that helped me out a lot. I had to change my belt along the way

[@DIYJIM]

Glad I could help thanks for watching

[@davidbossini2324]

Great job. Liked the detail and the varied camera angles.

[@DIYJIM]

Thanks

[@realmarkmckee]

Concise and informative. Great job!

[@DIYJIM]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching

[@USMCRON]

Thanks, excellent no BS video with the facts and correct operation of each action in order.

[@DIYJIM]

Welcome, thanks for nice comment and for subscribing if you did. Have a great day

[@jerrymosley3170]

Very helpful and excellent video THANKS

[@DIYJIM]

You're welcome!

[@UnabashedOops]

I have a ZTS1 42” Fabricated deck. Thank you for this video. After reading the directions in the manual I was thoroughly confused. Your video made it so much easier. Thank you!!!!

[@DIYJIM]

Glad it helped

[@azizkarim8106]

Thank you for your awesome video. I followed your video step-by-step and it worked out great!

[@DIYJIM]

Great to hear!

[@scottwilcoxen1365]

Very well-presented. Easy enough. Thx!

[@DIYJIM]

Thanks for watching

[@willian.direction6740]

Thanks great video just got my new Cub today and only crashed it once learning to steer it. No harm done thankfully.

[@DIYJIM]

Thanks for watching

[@jimmoschner7544]

Great video, very helpful. Thank you.

[@DIYJIM]

You're welcome!

[@eoNKgxbi]

Thanks for the instructions gave me the confidence to do the job. Great job including specs. Thank You

[@DIYJIM]

Welcome thanks for watching

[@mfmc3233]

Thank you. Saved me some headache!

[@DIYJIM]

Your welcome thanks for watching

[@jayg5940]

Awesome ! Thank you for taking the time and putting this video together 👍 God Bless

[@DIYJIM]

Thank you very much

[@LarryHeitzenrater]

Awesome video, very easy to understand!

[@DIYJIM]

Glad it was helpful!

[@captaincurt62]

Learned a lot! Thank you!!!

[@DIYJIM]

Very welcome!

[@lunchbox517]

Use a presure washer saves Lot of time good information thanks.

[@DIYJIM]

Thanks for watching

[@BfSkinnerPunk]

very cool...I'm very close to buying a ZTS 50 (I'm in a steep/hill area)...and will need to learn this stuff. I see you have other videos. Hopefully this zt "S" mower isn't too much more complicated

[@DIYJIM]

Thanks for watching

[@wilberwar2518]

Very well explained. Gracias señor.

[@DIYJIM]

Your welcome

[@byronlaw6724]

Great video. If you are considering topics for future videos, get the Cub Cadet checklist for riding mower Maintenance schedule and go through each of the items on the checklist. I suspect you could make a short video for each of the checklist items and one longer one that is a compilation of all the checklist items.

[@DIYJIM]

Maybe I will one day. Thanks for watching

[@mwong6568]

Great training video. Question pls: what do you depend on to prevent accidental startups before putting your fingers on the belts of your mower? Ty

[@DIYJIM]

Unplug both your spark plugs. Thanks for watching

[@GabrielSBarbaraS]

Your voice sounds like you live near Pittsburgh. I use a rope to pull the idle pully back and then remove the belt from the PTO. Also use an air impact wrench to remove and reinstall the nuts on the blades. Never clean under the deck and never torque the bolts. We have a fabricated deck, it will take years to rust through. Thinking about building a low crawler to be able to slide the deck in and out from the mower. I do grease the zerks though every time I sharpen blades

[@DIYJIM]

Thanks for tips and thanks for watching

[@michael4962]

Very helpful. Thank you!

[@DIYJIM]

Welcome

[@rayofsound]

Thanks appreciate your clarity.😊

[@DIYJIM]

You’re welcome 😊

[@necomartin2059]

Awesome video, thank you for sharing.

[@DIYJIM]

Welcome

[@melvinreece4006]

thanks for that wonderful video. Good Job!!

[@DIYJIM]

Welcome thanks for watching

[@danielcetan12]

Good job Mate.

[@DIYJIM]

Thanks

[@danielcetan12]

I need to check out your channel.Great presentation.

[@DIYJIM]

@@danielcetan12 thanks Daniel

[@visioncare1000]

Nice job....very much appreciated.

[@DIYJIM]

Very welcome thanks for watching

[@glennbehrends7033]

Very Well Done!!!!

[@DIYJIM]

Glad you liked it!

[@getsweeded02]

Great video, I often reference you for both this mower and my ariens snowblower. Thank you for making these. Question, at what point did you reconnect the pully on the back of the mower? I see you went from putting the pulley back on the spindle with the spring loaded arm, but then I see you just put the cover on after that. Did you put the pully on the back spindle right before putting the pully on the spring loaded arm?

[@DIYJIM]

yes I put it on the back pulley first, thanks for watching

[@iglapsu88]

Very well done!

[@DIYJIM]

Thanks

[@leroygalindo2789]

AWESOME…. Thank you for your help.. 👏🏼👏🏼👍🏼

[@DIYJIM]

Thanks for watching

[@jasonlewallen7146]

Do this after each cut. When my final day arrives I’ll have spent 12 years of life doing this. Time well spent..

[@DIYJIM]

Thanks for watching

[@netgod3com-FUYouTube]

The easiest way to remember which way the blades go is that the lifted ramp on the ends of the blade go towards the top of the deck and away from the grass side of the deck, that is what causes the lift and vacuum that ejects the clippings out the grass chute or into the bagger if you have one.

[@DIYJIM]

Good tip, thanks for sharing!

[@mR_Reddexe]

What about greasing the zerks on the spindles?

[@DIYJIM]

Yes if you have zeros on your spindles you should grease them. Thanks for watching

[@YourAflacGal]

Great instruction! Thanks!

[@DIYJIM]

You're welcome!

[@ElliottMarsh-u7c]

Excellent video, how do I determine the type of deck that I have?

[@larrywilliams7909]

Thank you very detail😊

[@DIYJIM]

You’re welcome 😊

[@livingwaters7841]

NICE video, thank you

[@DIYJIM]

Thanks for watching my videos

[@MartinJennings-ky5lq]

REALLY GOOD video

[@DIYJIM]

Thanks!

[@JerryLinville]

Excellent video 😊

[@DIYJIM]

Thank you

[@kwilkins1000]

This may be a dumb question, but does it matter how the blades align with each other (not referring to grass side)

[@DIYJIM]

No doesn’t matter thanks for watching

[@carlgawenus869]

Thanks for the VERY helpful Video... What part of Jersey are you from?

[@DIYJIM]

Not from jersey, from central Pa. Thanks for watching

[@Curious_Cat123]

Great video. How do rate the cut quality of this mower? Vibration issues? Overall impression? Thx!

[@DIYJIM]

Sorry it is my neighbors but I'm am going to guess good because she is very picky when it comes to taking care of her lawn. Sorry I can not tell you 100%

[@daveanderson4071]

Awesome video thanks a ton.

[@DIYJIM]

Glad it helped

[@mrmalicee]

Great Video!

[@DIYJIM]

Thanks!

[@feehhongnakd]

My mower got stuck and died at the back of my 2.5 acre property in the edge of the wood line. It sucked! Dont know how I did it but wedged between two trees and I couldn't get it back to my garage. After, I watched this video, I removed the deck, it fit snuggly between the trees and I got it out! Big thanks!

[@DIYJIM]

Glad I could help thanks for watching

[@gmoran1399]

What angle do you sharpen the blades at?

[@DIYJIM]

I just try to sharpen at the same angle that is already on the blade.

[@paulmonk7820]

What about blade orientation in relation to each other?

[@DIYJIM]

Does not matter guess you could put them close to the same position. Thanks again Paul

[@RoadieWingZZ]

Blades are slightly offset so they won’t hit each other in any rotational position. Center blade spindle is forward of the two outer spindles so that cutting paths overlap without blades touching each other.

[@johnscheidler8842]

​@@DIYJIM Thank you Jim.

[@s.m.shields5681]

Great video Jim! You covered things that I never had a question on! Thanks!

[@DIYJIM]

Glad to hear it!

[@Indianstreetvet]

nicely done video.

[@DIYJIM]

Thank you very much!

[@michaelbessette8531]

You make it look simple….and….you apparently have some experience with it….thanks

[@DIYJIM]

Thanks for watching

[@mikepi660]

Thanks Jim

[@DIYJIM]

Welcome

[@mwilliams2343]

You da man,Thanks!!!

[@DIYJIM]

You bet!

[@edr1234er]

Thank u for sharon!

[@DIYJIM]

welcome

[@harveyfletcher9423]

Love the video

[@DIYJIM]

Thanks

[@harveyfletcher9423]

Your welcome

[@uss495]

I'm curious why you didn't clean wash the deck with hose hookup after cutting wet grass. It would be something worth showing before removing the deck and sharpening the blades.

[@DIYJIM]

Maybe I will show that sometime, but that only works good if you use it every time. This was my neighbors mower. Thanks for watching