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MTD Cub Cadet 42 inch deck belt size

Jul 21, 2020#1

H

Homefield

I have a MTD Cub Cadet HDS 2165 with a 42 inch 2 blade deck. The machine model number is 13A-265G603. I require a new deck belt, I have approached two MTD parts suppliers and both have said that according to MTD Cub Cadet the belt should be a 754-3073 belt (62.10 inch) but this is too big the idler hits the housing when in operation when belt tensioned. I think that that belt is for a three blade deck and not a 2 blade. Can anyone help on belt size or even a part number. The machine was made by MTD, Saarbruecken, Germany

Thanks

Jul 21, 2020#2

wrldtvlr

One option might bring the old belt to an auto parts store. They usually have a belt measurement device. As long as you aren't missing any pieces of the belt, you might get close.

Jul 21, 2020#3

H

Homefield

wrldtvlr said:
One option might bring the old belt to an auto parts store. They usually have a belt measurement device. As long as you aren't missing any pieces of the belt, you might get close.

The issue I've got is that when it was serviced a few years ago they put a new belt onto it, then is was never the same again, straight after that the mower was not used and put to one side as there was another mower which could be used. I have since inherited it and now trying to get it cutting properly I have now worked out why it was not working correctly, it seems that when they serviced the deck that it is when they used the wrong belt. When it worked it was a lovely machine, even though it is old it is in very good condition, I have tuned the engine and it is now running very well so I would like to get the deck into operation. I have fitted a new idler pulley as the other one due to the belt being too long was hitting the turret cover.

Jul 21, 2020#4

wrldtvlr

Hmmm. Well, I see four 42" mower decks on the Cub Cadet parts site https://www.cubcadet.com/en_US/ari-partstream.html. These are US models, but they may get you close. The drawings don't show belt size, but your local dealer may be able to help.

Jul 21, 2020#5

H

Homefield

The problem I'm getting is that as the machine is so old the MTD Cub Cadet dealer nearby is not really interested in delving down into old parts catalogues. He simply asked my the details of my machine inc serial number and went on MTD importer parts website who quoted the part 754-3073 and even though I know its wrong all I get from him is that that is what is says on the MTD parts list for that model. From doing some looking through the internet it would seem my machine was supposed to only have one deck option being a 42inch 3 blade deck here in Europe however I have a 42 inch 2 blade deck. I know that other machines in the 2000 series did have a 42 deck 2 blade option but I cannot find the belt part number. If I could find the belt part number I could then get the length from which I can either get from MTD or just go to an agricultural parts supplier who will be able to find the nearest belt to match. From my looking at the deck and seeing where the idler should sit, I estimate that the belt should be 1 to 2 inches shorter. I may in the end just have to estimate a length and get one from my local agricultural machine parts supplier who can get most cross section of belts to the nearest length I have estimated.

Jul 21, 2020#6

B

bertsmobile1

It is a real PIA when people double post the same thing in two different places
Please see the answer posted elsewhere
and please refrain from double posting in different sections of the forum
other listing

Jul 22, 2020#7

S

slomo

bertsmobile1 said:
It is a real PIA when people double post the same thing in two different places
Please see the answer posted elsewhere
and please refrain from double posting in different sections of the forum
other listing

Isn't this the cub cadet section? Guy needs a belt. What's wrong with this post exactly? I'm not seeing it.

You might lighten up on the internet forum etiquette and help someone in need.

slomo

Jul 22, 2020#8

H

Homefield

I do understand Bertsmobile1's comment and it is valid, as I have posted the same question on the Cub Cadet section as well as the MTD section as I am not too sure whether the same people would view each section. Here in the UK the machine was badged MTD Cub Cadet so looking on websites it is always confusing as to whether to go to MTD or Club Cadet sections. If one of the forum moderators believes that the two posts replies should be merged into a single post on only one of the two section please feel free to undertake this. Thanks

Jul 22, 2020#9

B

bertsmobile1

slomo said:
Isn't this the cub cadet section? Guy needs a belt. What's wrong with this post exactly? I'm not seeing it.

You might lighten up on the internet forum etiquette and help someone in need.

slomo

Well Slowy, if you clicked on the link you would have seen a comprehensive answer sent about 6 hours ago .
As far as I can see the belt is right, but the spring is anchored to the wrong hole and might even be wrong to boot, belt is right
Mechanic Mark generally chimes in with a link to the parts lists & manuals page on the Cub web site which may or may not work depending upon if it is locality locked.
Some times I can access it & some times not so I don't post links to ot because it is really frustrating following a dead link.
Homie,
If you can not get onto the Cub page you will find you parts manual & repair manual on the K & C Spares web page in the Cub Cadet section but the ones on the cub site are better & more specific.

Jul 22, 2020#10

H

Homefield

bertsmobile1 said:
Well Slowy, if you clicked on the link you would have seen a comprehensive answer sent about 6 hours ago .
As far as I can see the belt is right, but the spring is anchored to the wrong hole and might even be wrong to boot, belt is right
Mechanic Mark generally chimes in with a link to the parts lists & manuals page on the Cub web site which may or may not work depending upon if it is locality locked.
Some times I can access it & some times not so I don't post links to ot because it is really frustrating following a dead link.
Homie,
If you can not get onto the Cub page you will find you parts manual & repair manual on the K & C Spares web page in the Cub Cadet section but the ones on the cub site are better & more specific.

You are correct on the spring locator below I have an internet picture of what looks like a deck exactly like mine and compared to mine it is quite clear the spring is located in a different spot. The first picture is the internet picture and mine is the second

Jul 22, 2020#11

StarTech

Here my MTD part price file says the belt PN 754-3073 is 61 inches.

Now in post 10 deck are similar but not the same. One question what does the belt configuration looks with the tension locked in place?

Jul 22, 2020#12

B

bertsmobile1

The other deck is a 36 or 38 inch deck which is different again.
So the first thing is to make sure the tension arm swings freely when the drive pulley is locked in the drive position.
Often the spacers are worn or even missing and the tension arm is not free.
Then as previously mentioned there should be a hole in the plate that has the deck hangers welded on to it.
IN your photo it looks to be about where the edge of the belt is crossing the edge of the plate just in front oof the right deck hanger.

Another word of warning about these decks is MTD has discontinued them so once the supply of blade spindles is gone, that is it.
SO be careful when you do the spindles up not to over tighten the bearings and make sure the spindles get a stroke of grease every month.
The 2000 series is a full commercial mower and should last a home owner 20 years at least.
Unfortunately it came out just as commercial mowing contractors were all switching to ZTR.s
I have about 30 or so in my run and am always on the look out for cheap ones to renovate & sell .

Jul 22, 2020#13

wrldtvlr

Homefield said:
You are correct on the spring locator below I have an internet picture of what looks like a deck exactly like mine and compared to mine it is quite clear the spring is located in a different spot. The first picture is the internet picture and mine is the second
View attachment 53368 View attachment 53369

The angle on the idler arm is reversed between the two photos.

Jul 22, 2020#14

S

slomo

bertsmobile1 said:
Well Slowy, if you clicked on the link you would have seen a comprehensive answer sent about 6 hours ago .
As far as I can see the belt is right, but the spring is anchored to the wrong hole and might even be wrong to boot, belt is right
Mechanic Mark generally chimes in with a link to the parts lists & manuals page on the Cub web site which may or may not work depending upon if it is locality locked.
Some times I can access it & some times not so I don't post links to ot because it is really frustrating following a dead link.
Homie,
If you can not get onto the Cub page you will find you parts manual & repair manual on the K & C Spares web page in the Cub Cadet section but the ones on the cub site are better & more specific.

No need attempting justification for your abrasive action Bert. This is the internet not the Supreme Court. We are all human and most of us, not you I guess, make mistakes. ME, I make them daily.

slowy

Jul 22, 2020#15

B

bertsmobile1

Well Slowy we will just have to agree to dissagree.
It is a cultural difference between Americans & the rest of the world .
What you consider to be abrasive we consider to be clear plain request ( denoted by the use of the world please & refrain ) .
Further more there is no need for you to be offended on Homfields behalf as he was clearly not offended and in agreemen with double posting causing confusion .
Finally there was no attempt at justification because there was nothing done that needed to be justified.
All that was written in the reply was the same as was writtten in the previous reply in the MTD section which you had obviously not bothered to look at before you took the oppertunity to repremand me.
I would also draw your attention to the fact that in every response I have provided Homefield with good & useful information.
You have contributed nothing of any value to this thread and I would like to suggest in a polite way you take your own advice on internet forum etiquette and find some useful advice to post for Homefield.
Oh and haaave a niceee daayee

Jul 22, 2020#16

B

bertsmobile1

wrldtvlr said:
The angle on the idler arm is reversed between the two photos.

Yes you observation is correct because the tension spring is not pulling the arm to the right because it is anchored to a place too far to the left.
There was a problem with the domestic Cub decks a while back that involved fitting a smaller pulley and moving the spring to the left .

Jul 23, 2020#17

S

slomo

bertsmobile1 said:
Well Slowy we will just have to agree to dissagree.
It is a cultural difference between Americans & the rest of the world .
What you consider to be abrasive we consider to be clear plain request ( denoted by the use of the world please & refrain ) .
Further more there is no need for you to be offended on Homfields behalf as he was clearly not offended and in agreemen with double posting causing confusion .
Finally there was no attempt at justification because there was nothing done that needed to be justified.
All that was written in the reply was the same as was writtten in the previous reply in the MTD section which you had obviously not bothered to look at before you took the oppertunity to repremand me.
I would also draw your attention to the fact that in every response I have provided Homefield with good & useful information.
You have contributed nothing of any value to this thread and I would like to suggest in a polite way you take your own advice on internet forum etiquette and find some useful advice to post for Homefield.
Oh and haaave a niceee daayee

That's it Bert? I'm with you. You probably don't want me to be as plain spoken as you are. Like you said we have a different culture.

Slowy

Jul 23, 2020#18

Fish

Maybe we need to step back and look at it differently..........
Sorry about the crude graphics, but it was just easier for me...

Jul 23, 2020#19

B

bertsmobile1

Fish said:
Maybe we need to step back and look at it differently..........
Sorry about the crude graphics, but it was just easier for me...

View attachment 53382

Wrong deck Fish
HE has a 2000 series Cub and was given the correct length belt
The genuine Cub / MTD belt is 62.25" but of course because it is a CUB belt it is neither a standard section nor V angle
A Std A section belt ends up being 62" and a 4L is 61" just depends whose aftermarket belt you are using .

He has everything right except for the anchor point for the tension spring which he has anchored to a bolt between the 2 spindles
in the diagram below the spring # 14 anchors to one of 3 places ( because there seem to be variations in the deck
1) to an extended bolt second from the right on the mounting plate # 2
2) to a hole in a similar position
3 ) to a hole in the right hand deck hanger mount

Jul 23, 2020#20

H

Homefield

Thank you every one for your info. Below are pictures of the deck with the belt tensioned.
Picture below shows how close the idler is to turret

Picture below shows where there is hole in the plate at the end of the pen, but this hole does no go through the deck. I may drill this out and put in a bolt to anchor the spring.

Thank you all for assisting me

Jul 23, 2020#21

Mower King

Fish said:
Maybe we need to step back and look at it differently..........
Sorry about the crude graphics, but it was just easier for me...

View attachment 53382

I see someone went to the same Arts and Drafting Class I did!

Jul 23, 2020#22

B

bertsmobile1

OK.
Now that I have seen it fully tensioned , I am of two minds.
That belt looks quite tight and the spring looks like it has good tension on it so moving the spring is not going to shift the pulley position very far.
So it looks like I may have been wrong & Fish may have been right, your deck might need a longer belt
Most of the ones I service the hole you have the pen at is in the groove in the deck so the spring slips into it .
Only one has the anchor bolt like your deck & it has a shorter spring
This deck was in production for near 20 years so there were a few variations to the layout.
And because Cub was originally pat of International tractors, the decks are considered as a separate item to the mower so have their own individual parts lists.
So you might need the 66.9" 954-0645 belt that Fish suggested and then move the spring back.
Always a problem with old decks where lots or wrong parts will fit.
'For all we know the tension arm itself may be too long & from a different deck.
Usually the contact arc on a drive pulley would be 1/2 the circumference and in your shot it looks around 1/4 so would be highly prone to slip.
In the running position the tension pulley is just about in line with the drive pulley .
On the left side frame rail should be the ID tag for the mower & the deck should also have an ID tag with a number on it.
Unfortunately the tensioning lever usually rubs on it and wears through the number.
IF they are there then the numbers might help to sort things out better.

Jul 23, 2020#23

StarTech

It looks like you would be good once the deck is on the mower as the drive pulley will have more tension on it (moving toward the front of the deck) so it will cause the idler to move back toward the center of the deck a little then it is currently positioned.

Jul 23, 2020#24

H

Homefield

StarTech said:
It looks like you would be good once the deck is on the mower as the drive pulley will have more tension on it (moving toward the front of the deck) so it will cause the idler to move back toward the center of the deck a little then it is currently positioned.

Unfortunately that is he problem when the deck is in position and the pto drive attached, there is slip when cutting, when I put all new belts on it was fine for a couple of cuts but as soon as the belts bedded in it now slips as soon as I'm cutting.

Jul 23, 2020#25

H

Homefield

bertsmobile1 said:
OK.
Now that I have seen it fully tensioned , I am of two minds.
That belt looks quite tight and the spring looks like it has good tension on it so moving the spring is not going to shift the pulley position very far.
So it looks like I may have been wrong & Fish may have been right, your deck might need a longer belt
Most of the ones I service the hole you have the pen at is in the groove in the deck so the spring slips into it .
Only one has the anchor bolt like your deck & it has a shorter spring
This deck was in production for near 20 years so there were a few variations to the layout.
And because Cub was originally pat of International tractors, the decks are considered as a separate item to the mower so have their own individual parts lists.
So you might need the 66.9" 954-0645 belt that Fish suggested and then move the spring back.
Always a problem with old decks where lots or wrong parts will fit.
'For all we know the tension arm itself may be too long & from a different deck.
Usually the contact arc on a drive pulley would be 1/2 the circumference and in your shot it looks around 1/4 so would be highly prone to slip.
In the running position the tension pulley is just about in line with the drive pulley .
On the left side frame rail should be the ID tag for the mower & the deck should also have an ID tag with a number on it.
Unfortunately the tensioning lever usually rubs on it and wears through the number.
IF they are there then the numbers might help to sort things out better.

Unfortunately as you correctly said there is now no ID tag

Jul 25, 2020#26

H

Homefield

Update. I have relocated the spring anchor point to the point just in front of the deck suspension point (where the pen is pointing to, in one of my earlier posts). There was a hole in the top plate but not through the deck. So I drilled a through hole and installed a bolt. I spent about 1hr mowing and there was no slip and all worked well even in longish grass.
So thank you very much for all you time and opinions on the issue which seems to have cured the issue it seems the belt just required slightly more tension which is what relocating the spring achieved. I shall now continue to monitor this site to see if I can be of any assistance to other MTD Cub Cadet users. Thank you again

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MTD Cub Cadet 42 inch deck belt size

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