Warning – Cub Cadet 20HP Z-Force 44 User Manual
Page 18

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g.
To replace the blade reverse the above 
process and tighten nut to 100-120 lb ft.
Note:
Add a small amount of multi-purpose
grease to the bolt threads to avoid corrosion 
and galvenic action.
WARNING:
Never mow with dull blades! Blades that are 
bent should be replaced! The cutting blades 
are sharp and can cause severe injury. Wrap 
the cutting surface of the blade with a rag to 
avoid injury.
3.
Sharpening the Blade:
a.
Set the parking brake.
b.
Clean any debris from the blades. Keep 
blades sharp and free of build up at all 
times.
c.
Sharpen blades evenly at the original 30° 
angle to maintain balanced cutting blades. 
Do not sharpen the underside of the 
blades. Use a electric blade sharpener, a 
conventional electric grinder or a hand file 
to sharpen the blades.
d.
Replace any blade with severe nicks or 
dents that cannot be removed by filing.
e.
Check the balance of the blade after 
sharpening by placing it on a blade bal-
ancer. Do not use un-balanced blades.
f.
If the blade dips on one end, file stock off 
of the cutting surface on that end.
Note:
Blades that cannot be easily bal-
anced—REPLACE.
4.
Changing the Blade Drive Belts:
a.
Set the parking brake. Remove ignition key 
and both spark plug caps.
b.
Unscrew the wing nuts from the deck cov-
ers and remove both covers.
c.
Using a 3/8" socket breaker bar or socket 
ratchet insert the drive end into the 3/8" 
square opening in the lower idler arm 
assembly and push the idler arm counter-
clockwise. While holding the idler arm 
back, loosen the blade drive belt from the 
pulley and slide the belt away from the pul-
ley.
d.
Remove tension of the PTO belt by moving 
the belt tensioning rod. Loosen the belt 
retaining bolt.
e.
Pull the tensioner pulley away from the belt 
and remove the PTO belt then remove the 
blade drive belt.
f.
Reverse the process to install the belt.
Note:
When replacing belts do not over-
tighten. Adjust the idler pulley so that a ten-
pound pull with a spring scale between two 
pulleys deflects the belt about 1/2".
5.
Figure 8
Spindle
Changing the Spindle Assembly
a.
Jack up the front of the mowing deck about 
one foot and block it in that position.
b.
Make sure the blade clutch is disengaged.
c.
Remove the deck cover.
d.
Remove the drive belts. (See 3. Changing 
Blade Drive Belts.)
e.
Remove the cutter blade. (See 2. Chang-
ing a Blade.)
f.
Using a wrench or socket ratchet remove 
four hex nuts, and the four hex head cap 
screws. Remove the spindle assembly.
g.
Reverse the process to install the spindle 
assembly.
C.Hydrostatic Drive System
1.
Your zero turn riding mower is equipped with 
dual integrated hydrostatic pumps, motors, and 
planetary gear reduction transaxles. The fluid 
level in the expansion tank must be maintained 
at 1/2” to 1” above the bottom of the tank. 
See Figure 9.
Hydrostatic
Transaxles
Figure 9
expansion tank
Note:
See Maintenance Schedule, Section E,
page 23.
