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I started having an issue with my LTX1040 riding mower last summer where it was acting like I was releasing the accelerator pedal. I would have it pressed hard down and the mower would just come to a stop. If I release the pedal then press it again, it will take off like it is going to go full speed, but it immediately comes to a stop as if I don't have the pedal pressed down anymore. If I do get any movement out of it, it is very slow and eventually comes to a stop, especially if I attempt to go up the slightest bit of an incline. My upper and lower drive belts seem like they are in good condition and seem like they are as tight as they should be. I dropped the engine pulley out and messed around with a few things just to see if it was anything obvious and when I got it all back together it seemed like it was fixed but it only lasted about a minute or so then it started acting up again. I bought a new drive belt but I wanted to see if anyone on here has had this same issue before I change it out. I'd rather not spend a bunch of money guessing which parts to replace. I know it could be a number of things but I'm hoping someone can give me a better idea of where to start. Thanks!

You have a variable speed unit which uses two belts and a variable pulley. On these units even though the belts look good they many be the cause of your problem. If your belts are three or more years old, I recommend changing them. They most be change as a set. Post back if you have other questions.

Rivets said:

You have a variable speed unit which uses two belts and a variable pulley. On these units even though the belts look good they many be the cause of your problem. If your belts are three or more years old, I recommend changing them. They most be change as a set. Post back if you have other questions.

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Okay, thanks for the info! I’ll go ahead and change both belts and see of that fixes the problem.

Being a MTD mower use only MTD/Cub Cadet belts.

Curious if that helps. I have an '09 LTX 1040 and I'm having the same issue. The short upper belt had some issues so I replaced it first (and it was easy to get to). That didn't help. Although the lower drive belt looks fine I'm going to order one and change it. Is this something an average Joe can do? I'm not a mechanic but can usually figure stuff out. Someone had said you could download a service manual from Cub Cadet but I don't see it. Any insight appreciated. Stay safe out there.

StarTech said:

LTX1000 series service manual

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Awesome. That will give me something to read tomorrow while social distancing. Thank you!

Weedkiller said:

Curious if that helps. I have an '09 LTX 1040 and I'm having the same issue. The short upper belt had some issues so I replaced it first (and it was easy to get to). That didn't help. Although the lower drive belt looks fine I'm going to order one and change it. Is this something an average Joe can do? I'm not a mechanic but can usually figure stuff out. Someone had said you could download a service manual from Cub Cadet but I don't see it. Any insight appreciated. Stay safe out there.

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I only replaced the lower belt because it’s the only one I had at the time but it seems to have fixed the issue for now. It wasn’t too difficult. I did have to disconnect the steering column and pull it up a few inches because the belt was around it. I guess some models were made this way and some weren’t. That was the most annoying part. After that, I just dropped the drive pulley from the engine and removed the belt from it, went back and removed the upper belt to get the lower off at the back end, then swapped belts and reassembled. That’s the cliff notes of it. Someone else can probably give you more detailed instructions if needed. I’m not a mechanic either so I forget which size sockets I used and all that. The people on here are great though so I’m sure you’ll have no problem getting better info than I just gave you.

usually you have to take the upper belt of to do the lower
When both are off check the sliding part of the double pulley slides up & down easily.
Lube all of the places where something turns , slips over some thing else with dry lithium spray grease or push bike dry chain wax,
Check every pulley for wear they should spin freely, smoothly and quietly .
If you have to remove the engine pulley, clean the shaft and apply copper never size liberally to the shaft & pulley .

I am anxiously awaiting my OEM belts ordered from CC yesterday. Thanks everyone. Stay safe and mow grass!

I’ll be interested to know if replacing the belts is the fix. I’ve been having the same issue. My mechanic claims it’s not the belts but a problem with the vari drive itself. Said it’s a common Issue with Cub Cadets. He ordered a new variable drive shaft and replaced it. The accelerator pedal worked fine for a while but now I’m having the issue again.

Personally I’ve never changed a variable drive shaft. Most common cause is worn belts or variable drive shive is not moving and needs a little lube. A few times I’ve had broken tensioner spring.

When you pull the belts, check the pullies. Mine were noisy so they were replaced, along with the belts. Drives great now. Stay safe.

Rivets said:

Personally I’ve never changed a variable drive shaft. Most common cause is worn belts or variable drive shive is not moving and needs a little lube. A few times I’ve had broken tensioner spring.

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Well I have once replaced the in the shaft in a variable pulley assembly because the needle bearings failed. On that particular one MTD didn't offer the shaft separately so I had one machined to fit. Two years later the customer is still using the mower.

HunterR said:

I’ll be interested to know if replacing the belts is the fix. I’ve been having the same issue. My mechanic claims it’s not the belts but a problem with the vari drive itself. Said it’s a common Issue with Cub Cadets. He ordered a new variable drive shaft and replaced it. The accelerator pedal worked fine for a while but now I’m having the issue again.

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It is possible that mechanic that change the shaft but didn't replace the needle bearings.

HunterR said:

I’ll be interested to know if replacing the belts is the fix. I’ve been having the same issue. My mechanic claims it’s not the belts but a problem with the vari drive itself. Said it’s a common Issue with Cub Cadets. He ordered a new variable drive shaft and replaced it. The accelerator pedal worked fine for a while but now I’m having the issue again.

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Do the following:
Go get a beer and pour it into one of your finest draught glasses.
Bring up YouTube. Enter 'LTX 1040 transmission' in the search bar.
Watch a few of the videos.
Weep bitterly into your beer. The salty tears improve flavor.

Update. New belts/pullies fixed it for a week. Then back to not pulling. It will move about two feet and stop each time the pedal is depressed. It moves great in reverse but that's not much help. So far I'm out $200. A condo is starting to look nice.

Did you check the two idler pulleys and tensioner arm when you installed the belt.pulleys may be worn or arm may not be moving freely to keep tension on the belt.

Rivets said:

Did you check the two idler pulleys and tensioner arm when you installed the belt.pulleys may be worn or arm may not be moving freely to keep tension on the belt.

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The idler pulleys were replaced and the arm seemed to move pretty freely. Thanks.