How to Tighten the Blade Belt on a Cub Cadet Zero Turn Lawn Mower

The Cub Cadet Zero Turn lawn mower differs from traditional lawn tractors in many ways. One way the mower remains the same is the way the tractor drives the mower deck. It does so by utilizing a serpentine drive belt. The mower deck has a large pulley, referred to as the idler pulley. The idler pulley maintains proper tension on the belt to keep it adjusted. When the belt stretches too much, the idler pulley cannot compensate. The only way to adjust the belt after the idler pulley fails to maintain proper adjustment is to replace the belt.

3/8-inch ratchet
Replacement drive belt

Instructions

- 1
  Press the "PTO" switch to the "off" position. The PTO switch is located on the right side control panel by the armrest. This stops the rotation of the mower blades.
- 2
  Turn the mower off, take out the ignition key and set the parking brake.
- 3
  Locate the idler pulley on the mower deck. It is the only pulley mounted to a spring-loaded bracket. On the bracket you will locate a 3/8-inch-square hole. Place a 3/8-inch ratchet into the square hole.
- 4
  Rotate the handle of the ratchet to pull the idler pulley away from the belt. With the pulley moved, pull the belt up and over the idler pulley to remove tension on the belt. Allow the idler pulley to move back into place by letting go of the ratchet.
- 5
  Remove the belt from the remainder of the pulleys on the mower deck, then place the new belt onto all of the pulleys except the idler pulley.
- 6
  Rotate the idler pulley again, then place the belt around the pulley. Let go of the ratchet to restore the belt's tension, then pull the ratchet out of the 3/8-inch hole.

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