how do you replace the drive belt on a Cub Cadet LT-1050?

To replace a transmission drive belt on a Cub Cadet LT1045 or LT 1050 you need to remove the deck, preferably put the front wheels up on blocks or stands, unplug the PTO power (directly under the engine, which can be difficult ), use an impact wrench (you need the speed of the impact wrench because the engine will turn) and a 5/8" socket and reverse the bolt out of the PTO. If you don't have an impact wrench take a spark plug out and push rope into the hole. This will bind the cylinder and keep the drive shaft from turning. Remove rope and replace plug when finished. Battery and/or spark plug wires should be removed for this process for safety.

The PTO may be stuck on there so you may want to tap it with a hammer and a block of wood carefully to release it. Loosen old belt from tensioner pulley. Lower engine pulley on drive shaft, below pulley "keys". It may be difficult to remove. Spray with "PB Blaster" or similar bolt loosener spray. Remove old belt from engine pulley first, transmission pulley last. Remember how belt goes around pulleys before doing so, draw a map if needed.

You'll need to put the belt on the transmission pulley first then thread the belt up to the engine pulley. Thread your belt back through the pulleys and tensioner (make sure your spring is strong enough to tension the belt or buy a new one).

The PTO is "keyed" on the shaft. Replace bolt and washer. Torque bolt to 38-50 ft. lbs. using the rope method as described before. Put your deck back on and you're ready to mow again. Give yourself an hour for this one.
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Raise the cutting deck to its highest setting using the deck adjustment lever to the right of the driver's seat. Drive the front wheels of the tractor onto automotive ramps or blocks of wood and set the parking brake. Chock the rear wheels. Turn the engine off.Crawl under the tractor and wedge a block of wood in between the center baffle of the cutting deck and the cutting blade you wish to remove; this will keep the blade from turning while removing the center retaining nut.Loosen and remove the center retaining nut on the cutting blade you wish to remove with a 1 1/8-inch socket and ratchet wrench in a counterclockwise direction.Lower the blade from the cutting deck and remove it. Raise a new blade into position over the mounting stud, making sure the part number or the word "bottom" stamped into the blade is facing the ground.Replace the center retaining nut and tighten it with a torque wrench to between 70 and 90 foot-pounds. Remove the block of wood.Repeat the procedure to replace the remaining cutting bladRemove the wheel chocks and carefully back the tractor off of the ramps or blocks of wood.