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I have a mower that only has 130 hrs. on it. It is a 2015 model with a Kawasaki engine. It has the manual lever to engage the PTO. Lately the PTO is slow to engage. Sometimes takes 25-30 seconds to start turning the blades. The cable is in great shape. Lever is not bent. What could cause this? PTO just going bad or could it be that I have never changed the deck belt. It doesn't appear to have any cracks and isn't frayed any. I know I should have changed it by now anyway.

Most likely it is the deck belt. As the belt V wears, it gets closer to the outer diameter of the belt so it's deeper in the pulleys sort of making the belt longer.. and MTD belts aren't the greatest for longevity IMO.
And being a manual PTO, you could, WITH THE ENGINE TURNED OFF, Engage the PTO and check the belt tension.


I Have an LTX1040 which uses the same belt i believe and similar PTO system and slow engagement is usually a symptom i get when i need to change the belt.

Scrubcadet10 said:

Most likely it is the deck belt. As the belt V wears, it gets closer to the outer diameter of the belt so it's deeper in the pulleys sort of making the belt longer.. and MTD belts aren't the greatest for longevity IMO.
And being a manual PTO, you could, WITH THE ENGINE TURNED OFF, Engage the PTO and check the belt tension.


I Have an LTX1040 which uses the same belt i believe and similar PTO system and slow engagement is usually a symptom i get when i need to change the belt.

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Thanks for your reply.

Use a genuine belt, do not trust the measured length of the old one because it is worn and stretched. Get your product label information off the sticker on the underside of the seat. There may be a label for parts also but be careful to look for hand operated blade engagement option for the belt.