Deck Belt comes off on Initial engagement of PTO

[beardd006]

I have a Cub Cadet 42in RZTL Zero Turn. I cut my lawn every Thursday or so. Mower starts good. Then when I engage the PTO to start the blades, the deck belt comes off. But just that first time. I can engage many more times and it will only come off on the first engage. Can anyone help?

 

[Hammermechanicman]

Remove the belt and check spindle and idler bearings. Check for bent idler. Remove belt and see if it is has rolled over and run on the backside. Check the belt guides. Chech the tension spring.

 

[beardd006]

yes I check all of that. Thank you. Happens just after sitting a few days. Just happens one time per cut

 

[wrldtvlr]

Happens just after sitting a few days. Just happens one time per cut

I can see that. A slight misalignment with a cold/stiff belt. After a few seconds running the belt is a little more flexible and can compensate.

 

[beardd006]

makes sense. Thank you

 

[cpurvis]

Are you engaging the mower at one of the extremes of its cutting height? If so, find the height where the pulleys are as close as they get to being in the same plane and engage the mower there, then raise or lower it to the cutting height you want..