[Morly]

Hoping for some advice from someone smarter than I am! So I have my LTX1046VT and I recently changed the drive belt (used one NOT branded as Cub Cadet), the whole PTO clutch system, rebuild on the deck, new blades, etc.

All seemed good, but then the deck belt came off when I lowered the deck. The belt keeper rod seemed to be on reversed (I know this is a common issue and my buddy that was helping me put it on the wrong way and I didn't notice!). I'm not sure if that would have caused it to slip off with the lower deck position, but I switched it into the right position and set off to mowing.

After about 20-30 minutes of moving, it stopped moving and smelled pretty rough. After a bit, I reached underneath and could feel that the drive belt was reduced to strings. I then found a small piece of it nearby, so, clearly, it's done. I picked up a Cub Cadet branded one and will go to work taking it all apart to put on the new belt.

My big issue now is that it is sitting in the yard covered with a tarp to keep the rain off of it because I can't get the transmission to disengage. I pull the metal piece in the back and it seems to have some resistance (i.e., it feels like it always does), but the mower won't roll. I'm not sure I can replace the drive belt in the yard...

So my two main questions are:

1. Why did the belt get destroyed in less than a month? I've heard non-CC branded ones can sometimes be slightly off in size...maybe?

2. Any thoughts as to why I can't get the mower to roll and how I could fix that? I feel like I can't do the repair work if I can't get it back to my garage.

Thanks in advance for any help/advice!