Cub Cadet 1554 Mower Throws Belt

[Doug in NJ]

Interesting, but need help. I have a Cub Cadet 1554 lawn tractor that I bought used, which has a 54” mower deck attached. But my deck continuously throws its serpentine drive belt. The problem is the PTO pulley is attached very high on the tractor belly while the corresponding pulley on the mower deck is approximately 1 inch lower that the level of the PTO pulley. In other words, my PTO pulley is out of alignment with my mower pulley…therefore I throw the drive belt. Any thoughts on how to align? Doug in NJ

 

[mgonitzke]

Interesting, but need help. I have a Cub Cadet 1554 lawn tractor that I bought used, which has a 54” mower deck attached. But my deck continuously throws its serpentine drive belt. The problem is the PTO pulley is attached very high on the tractor belly while the corresponding pulley on the mower deck is approximately 1 inch lower that the level of the PTO pulley. In other words, my PTO pulley is out of alignment with my mower pulley…therefore I throw the drive belt. Any thoughts on how to align? Doug in NJ

Since the deck is adjustable up and down, the pulleys will likely never align in that regard. This is normal. The actual problem is likely one of the following:

Worn or incorrect belt
Belt tension too low
Improper belt routing
Missing belt guides
Worn spindle, idler, or PTO clutch sheaves

 

[Doug in NJ]

Since the deck is adjustable up and down, the pulleys will likely never align in that regard. This is normal. The actual problem is likely one of the following:

Worn or incorrect belt
Belt tension too low
Improper belt routing
Missing belt guides
Worn spindle, idler, or PTO clutch sheaves

Thank you very much. Are the belt guides restrictors bolted into the deck?

 

[gary noblit]

Doug, I had similar experience with recently acquired 1554. After parking on flat surface it became obvious with the deck down.The deck hanger in front was the issue it did not hold the front up high enough in any position..I raised the front of the deck by tightening the hanger until it was a bit past level..problem solved,hope it works for you..

 

[Everettlee]

Check that all the pulleys turn free and smooth. I had a deck toss belts due to a bad bearing

 

[Doug in NJ]

Thank You very much. Yes…the front end of the deck does hang very low. There is a roller on that front…and I am going to replace it. My situation in interesting…all pulley and mandrels turn free and smooth, I bought an installed a new belt, belt tension is very tight…so because of your help, I am narrowing down my issues. Thank You All!

 

[spndncash]

I may have missed this but is this a cub cadet belt (954-0642) or an "equivalent" TSC/amazon/ebay/etc belt? those belts typically do not have the HP rating for a mower deck (or any thing else on a mower) if the belt is aftermarket it could be unable to make the turns or has stretched out or is just a poor fit.

 

[gary noblit]

Doug-Doug..Some folks don't know this but commonly v belts are different angles on the side..A 5/8 belt under some numbers may be a 19/32 under another name.It's alaways best to stick with mfg number because belts and pulleys were meant to be together....I occasionaly use gates belts because they crossover exactly