Cub Cadet i1046 Operator's Manual page 25

• It is important that each cutting blade edge be ground
equally to maintain proper blade balance.
• A poorly balanced blade will cause excessive vibration
and may cause damage to the tractor and result in per-
sonal injury. The blade can be tested by balancing it on
a round shaft screwdriver. Grind metal from the heavy
side until it balances evenly.
IMPORTANT: When replacing the blades, make certain the
side of the blade marked ''Bottom'' faces the ground when
the mower is turned to the operating position.
• Rotate the blade as necessary to align its star hole
with the star of the spindle shaft, then slide the blade
onto the spindle shaft. Thread the hex flange onto the
spindle shaft and use a torque wrench to tighten the
hex flange nut to 70 to 90 foot-pounds.
• Repeat the above procedure to install the other blades.
Changing the Deck Belt
WARNING: Be sure to shut the engine off,
remove ignition key, disconnect the spark plug
wire(s) to prevent unintended starting before
removing the belt(s).
WARNING: Avoid the possibility of a 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.
IMPORTANT: Do not use substitute belts. The V-belt found
on your tractor is specially designed for optimal perfor-
mance and service life for your deck application. Use only
OEM original replacement belts.
To change or replace the deck belt on your tractor, pro-
ceed as follows:
• Remove the deck from beneath the tractor (refer to Cut-
ting Deck Removal on page 24)
• Remove the spindle covers by removing the self-tap-
ping screws that fasten them to the deck. See to Figure
7-3.
Idler Pulley
Hex Screw
Figure 7-3
• 46" Mower Deck ONLY - Remove the old belt from the
deck. Install the new belt around the spindle and idler
pulleys as shown in Figure 7-4.
• 50" Mower Deck ONLY
1. Loosen the hex screw fastening the idler pulley to
the idler arm as necessary to slide the belt from be-
tween the idler pulley and idler arm. See Figure 7-3.
2.
idler arm. The backside of the 'V' belt should be
against the idler pulley. Tighten the hex screw to
secure the idler pulley.
3. Route the deck belt around the spindle pulleys and
idler pulleys as shown in Figure 7-5.
• Reinstall the spindle covers on the deck using the self-
tapping screws. Do not overtighten the screws.
Reinstalling the Cutting Deck
There are two methods for reinstalling the mower deck on
the tractor. One method involves rotating the deck idler
arm to relieve enough belt tension to allow the belt to be
placed in either the PTO pulley or the deck idler pulley.
Because that method is difficult, we recommend using the
second method of rolling the belt onto the PTO pulley.
Install the cutting deck as follows:
• From the right side of the tractor, slide the deck under
the tractor and align the read deck hanger bracket with
the deck lift arms.
• Slide the deck forward and place the deck front hanger
rod into the slots of the deck front hanger bracket. Then
slide the deck rearward so that the hanger rod is at the
front of the slots.
• Using the deck lift lever, lower the deck lift arms. From
either side of the tractor, pull the support pin in the
deck rear hanger bracket outward, align the deck lift
arm hole with the deck support pin and release the pin
so that it goes through the deck lift arm. Repeat on the
other side of the tractor to secure the deck.
• After first making sure the deck belt is properly
engaged in all of the deck pulleys, route the deck belt
Spindle Cover forward through the center of the front deck hanger
rod and toward the PTO pulley on the bottom of the
engine.
• Using the deck lift handle, raise the deck to the posi-
tion that gives you the most horizontal run of the belt
between the deck pulleys and the PTO pulley on the
bottom of the engine.
• Sitting in front of the tractor, facing rearward, make
certain the belt is not twisted; then reach beneath the
tractor to grasp the belt and pull it toward the PTO
pulley.
Place the new belt between the idler pulley and
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ectiOn ervice