Hydrostatic Transmission; Changing The Deck Belt - Cub Cadet SLT1550, SLT1554 Operator's Manual

Hydrostatic Transmission

Keep the area around the transmission cooling fan free
of grass and debris at all times. The hydrostatic
transmission is sealed at the factory and is
maintenance free. The fluid level cannot be checked
and on most models, cannot be changed.
Several tractor components and parts
IMPORTANT:
(pedals, seat, fender, fuel tank, etc.) must be removed
in order to refill the transmission after draining it.
If your tractor is equipped with a transmission drain plug
(see Figure 20), exposed to extreme conditions (hilly
terrain, towing, etc.) and you choose to change the
hydrostatic fluid, do so after the tractor's initial 50 hours
of operation and every 100 hours of operation
thereafter.
Drain Plug
NOTE:
View shown from beneath tractor.
Figure 20
After draining the oil, refill the transmission with 76 oz.
(to the top of the fill hole found on the transmission's
surface) with any SAE 20W 50 motor oil.

Changing the Deck Belt

WARNING:
remove ignition key, disconnect the spark
plug wire(s) and ground against the engine to
prevent unintended starting before removing
the belt(s).
WARNING:
pinching injury. Do not place your fingers on
the idler spring or between the belt and a
pulley while removing the belt.
All belts on your tractor are subject to wear and should
be replaced if any signs of wear are present.
The V-belts found on your tractor are
IMPORTANT:
specially designed to engage and disengage safely. A
Be sure to shut the engine off,
Avoid the possibility of a
substitute (non-OEM) V-belt can be dangerous by not
disengaging completely. For a proper working machine,
use factory approved belts.
To change or replace the deck belt on your tractor,
proceed as follows:
• Lower the deck by moving the deck lift lever into the
bottom notch on the right fender.
• Remove the belt guards by removing the self-
tapping screws that fasten them to the deck.
• To ease in removing the belt in later steps, loosen,
but do not remove, the bolt which secures the
pivoting idler pulley to the idler bracket.
See Figure 21.
Pivoting Idler Pulley
Idler Bracket
Spring
Idler Pulley
• Insert a 3/8"-drive ratchet wrench (set to tighten,
Model SLT 1550 or set to loosen, Model SLT 1554)
into the square hole found in the idler bracket on
the left side of the deck's surface. See Figure 21
(Model SLT 1550) or Figure 22(Model SLT 1554).
27
Belt Guard
3/8" Square Hole
Figure 21
3/8" Square Hole
Figure 22