Cub Cadet i1042 mower deck problems

[wickedcubcadet]

Hi Everyone!

I have an i1042 Cub Cadet (purchased in '08 but I believe it's an '07). One deck spindle completely came apart and so replaced it with a genuine part replacement. However, for some reason the timing of the blades continues to go off sync. I've checked the spindles are both on tight, the timing belt has all the teeth, the spindles where the belt 'attaches' are both in good shape. I can't see how to tighten the belt (the spring loaded pulley seems to be as far over (in the tightening) position as it can be.

Ideas?

p.s. sorry.. lady owner here who is now having to learn how to be a mechanic as I don't have a husband any longer who took care of these things. I can't afford to take the dang thing to get it fixed (can barely afford parts) and my home is for sale so I have to keep the yard (5 acres) looking at least reasonable. Mowing service is $250/time which I can't afford either. So, just looking for some help in figuring out what the issue might be so I can get it working again. Thanks so much.

 

[wickedcubcadet]

ok... went back to play with the deck a bit... discovered that it gets stiff to turn (so the blade rotates clockwise when you are looking at the underneath view)... rotated smoothly in the opposite (backwards) direction. After turning it a bit by hand (and having first re-set the spindles to be at 90 from each other) I noticed that the spindles were almost at 0 to each other. The timing belt is worn a little for sure, but to my eye doesn't appear to be so bad that this is causing the issue... but could it??????? I made sure both spindles were greased to run smoothly... may just remove the timing belt completely (uh-gain) and check both spindles run smoothly in both directions before putting it all back together (uh-gain). Suggestions? please? :dance1:

 

[Stimw]

I had a 1550 Cub Cadet and now I have a 1554 and There is no timing of the blades, they just run where ever they are.
Are you sure you have the belt routed properly per the diagram?
If one spindle went bad the other might be close behind it. Most don't get greased until it's too late.

 

[Steave]

Hi Everyone!

I have an i1042 Cub Cadet (purchased in '08 but I believe it's an '07). One deck spindle completely came apart and so replaced it with a genuine part replacement. However, for some reason the timing of the blades continues to go off sync. I've checked the spindles are both on tight, the timing belt has all the teeth, the spindles where the belt 'attaches' are both in good shape. I can't see how to tighten the belt (the spring loaded pulley seems to be as far over (in the tightening) position as it can be.

Ideas?

I'm not 100% sure as I never worked on one of these but when you changed the broken spindle I assume you had to remove the pulley from the spindle. Did it have a keyway holding the spindle and the pulley in position. Did you put it back in when you installed the pulley. The spindle shaft where the pulley mounts will have a slot cut into the shaft, that's called the keyway. The pulley will also have a slot in it. You should have a key that inserts into this slot and keeps the pulley from turning on the shaft. Hope this helps. Like I said I've never worked on one of these but most pulleys and spindles mount in a similiar fashion.

Some pulleys mount onto a spline on the shaft and don't use a keyway and if it does forget what I wrote.

 

[wickedvix]

I had a 1550 Cub Cadet and now I have a 1554 and There is no timing of the blades, they just run where ever they are.
Are you sure you have the belt routed properly per the diagram?
If one spindle went bad the other might be close behind it. Most don't get greased until it's too late.

No, this is a timed deck (sure wish it wasn't). Yes, belt is on per diagram

 

[wickedvix]

the spindle that went bad was not the drive spindle so no pulley attached to it. No keyway, it just bolts (4) directly onto the deck. I'll re-check there was no orientation needed, there didn't appear to be when I put it on. Thanks!