Cub Cadet 2000 Series - Manual (Page 158)

2000 Series Tractors
152
PTO belt
Some cutting deck designs use a single belt to transfer power from the engine crankshaft directly to the blade
spindles.
Other cutting deck designs use one belt to transfer power from the engine crankshaft to a second belt that drives
the blade spindles.
On decks with two belts, the belt that goes around the crankshaft or PTO clutch is referred to in this text as the
PTO belt. The second belt is called a deck belt.
The function of the PTO belt is to transfer the mechanical force from the engine to the blades. The belt faces a lot
of different forces.
• Internal friction from the bending forces.
• The friction between the belt and the pulleys creates heat. The compression of the belt as it bends around
the pulleys also creates heat. All of this heat softens the belt which weakens it.
• Every time the electric PTO is engaged, the PTO belt is subjected to a tensile impact load. When the elec-
tric PTO is engaged, it goes from 0 to 3,600 RPM instantly.
NOTE: Engaging the Electric PTO before the mowing deck is placed into the grass will reduce the impact load
on the belt.
• When a blade hits an object like a rock or a tree root, the belt is subjected to an impact load similar to, but
greater than the impact load of engaging the electric PTO.
• The belt has rubber in it. as the rubber ages, it becomes brittle making it weaker.
NOTE: A damaged belt can cause the deck to vibrate when the deck is engaged. The vibration can be bad
enough to simulate an engine issue.
NOTE: Not all belt damage is visible. Broken cords inside the belt are not visible to the naked eye, but can
cause vibration issues and greatly reduce the life of the belt.
NOTE: If a belt has failed prematurely, find and correct the cause of the failure.