← Back to Master Cross-Reference Directory • Category: Cub Cadet 42" Zero-Turn Decks • OEM Part Numbers: 954-05201 / 942-04308-X

Cub Cadet 42" Zero-Turn Decks

Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1-42 42" Zero-Turn — 1/2" x 116" Kevlar Belt 954-05201 & Blade 942-04308-X Cross-Reference

Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1-42 and ZT1-42E 42-inch zero-turn mowers use a 1/2 x 116 inch Aramid/Kevlar deck belt (OEM 954-05201 / 754-05201 / 490-501-C081) and two 21-3/16 inch blades (OEM 942-04308 or S-hole 942-04308-X). Standard 96.5-inch lawn tractor belts (954-04060C) are 19.5 inches too short.

⚠ CRITICAL COMPATIBILITY RULE: The Ultima ZT1-42 zero-turn deck does NOT use the 96.5" XT1 LT42 tractor belt. You must order the 1/2" x 116" Kevlar zero-turn belt (OEM 954-05201 / 754-05201).

Verified Reddit Fit Complaint: r/lawncare — wrong star pattern / belt length threads

Side-by-Side Blade Spindle Hole & Kevlar Deck Belt Compatibility Matrix

Verified Center Hole Pattern & Fractional Belt Length

OEM Brand & Model	Exact Blade & Belt Size (In)	Spindle Hole / Cord Spec	Spindle / Belt Trap	OEM Price	Verified Heavy-Duty Match	Direct Spec Links
Cub Cadet OEM 954-05201 (754-05201 / 490-501-C081) Kevlar Deck Belt Deck Group: Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1-42 / ZT1-42KH 42" Zero-Turn	0.50" W x 116.00" OD 1/2" x 116" Wrapped Aramid/Kevlar	Aramid Kevlar Cord	WARNING: XT1 96.5" Belt (954-04060C) Will NOT Fit ZT1-42	$68.99	8TEN 954-05201 Aramid Kevlar Zero-Turn Belt $29.95 Save 57%	Verify Exact Fit → Amazon
V-Belt Guys 954-05201 Replacement Kevlar Clutch & Deck Belt Deck Group: Direct Aramid Equivalent for MTD 754-05201	0.50" W x 116.00" OD 1/2" x 116" Heavy-Duty Clutch Cover	V-Belt Guys Kevlar	High-Temp Fabric Wrap Prevents Zero-Turn Pulley Burn	$68.99 (OEM Ref)	V-Belt Guys 954-05201 Kevlar Belt $24.95 Save 64%	Verify Exact Fit → Amazon
Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1-42 High-Lift Blade Pair (942-04308 / 942-04308-X) Deck Group: Ultima ZT1-42 42" Stamped Zero-Turn Deck	21.1875" L x 2.75" W x 0.150" T 21-3/16" L (Check 6-Star vs S-Hole Spindle)	6-Pt Star / S-Hole	2020–2022 Uses 6-Star; 2023+ Uses S-Hole 942-04308-X	$62.99 (2-Pack)	8TEN LawnRAZOR ZT1-42 2-Blade Kit $34.95 (2-Pack) Save 45%	Verify Exact Fit → Amazon

Frequently Asked Blade Spindle & Kevlar Belt Fitment Questions

Q: What size deck belt does the Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1-42 take?

The Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1-42 takes OEM part 954-05201 (754-05201), which measures 1/2 inch wide by 116 inches outside length with Aramid/Kevlar tensile cords.

Q: How do I know if my Ultima ZT1-42 uses 6-star or S-hole blades?

Mowers built through 2022 use the 6-point star spindle (942-04308), while newer models with FastAttach Xtreme spindles use the S-shaped center hole (942-04308-X). Inspect the center nut or washer under your deck before ordering.

Related Riding Mower & Zero-Turn Cross-Reference Charts

Cub Cadet / MTD 42" Decks

Cub Cadet XT1 LT42 / LTX1040 / LTX1042 42" Deck — 6-Point Star Blade 942-04308 & 1/2" x 96.5" Kevlar Belt 954-04060C

Exact OEM part-number, blade center-hole star pattern and Kevlar belt length cross-reference for Cub Cadet XT1 LT42 / LTX1040 / LTX1042 42" ...

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Cub Cadet / MTD 50" Decks

Cub Cadet ZT1-50 / RZT-50 / LTX1050 50" Deck — 6-Point Star Blade 942-05052A / 942-04053C & 5/8" x 134" Kevlar Belt 954-04077A

Exact OEM part-number, blade center-hole star pattern and Kevlar belt length cross-reference for Cub Cadet ZT1-50 / RZT-50 / LTX1050 50" Dec...

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John Deere 42" Decks

John Deere D100 / D110 / D130 / L100 / E100 / S100 42" Deck — 7-Point Star Blade GX22151 / AM137328 & 1/2" x 103.875" Kevlar Belt GX20072

Exact OEM part-number, blade center-hole star pattern and Kevlar belt length cross-reference for John Deere D100 / D110 / D130 / L100 / E100...

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John Deere 48" Decks

John Deere D140 / D155 / D160 / LA145 / E140 / S140 48" 3-Blade Deck — 7-Point Star Blade GX21784 & 1/2" x 141.125" Kevlar Belt GX21833

Exact OEM part-number, blade center-hole star pattern and Kevlar belt length cross-reference for John Deere D140 / D155 / D160 / LA145 / E14...

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Husqvarna / Poulan 42" Decks

Husqvarna YTH18542 / YTH2042 / Poulan Pro PP17G42 42" Deck — 5-Point Star vs 6-Star Trap 532134149 & 1/2" x 95.5" Kevlar Belt 532144959

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Husqvarna 54" Zero-Turn Decks

Husqvarna Z254 / Z254F / RZ5424 54" Zero-Turn Deck — 5-Point Star Blade 532187256 & 5/8" x 154" Kevlar Belt 539114557

Exact OEM part-number, blade center-hole star pattern and Kevlar belt length cross-reference for Husqvarna Z254 / Z254F / RZ5424 54" Zero-Tu...

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Toro 50" Zero-Turn Decks

Toro TimeCutter SS5000 / MX5000 / 50" MyRIDE — 5/8" Round Center Hole Blade 115-5059-03 & 1/2" x 141.5" Kevlar Belt 119-8820

Exact OEM part-number, blade center-hole star pattern and Kevlar belt length cross-reference for Toro TimeCutter SS5000 / MX5000 / 50" MyRID...

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Cub Cadet / MTD 42" Decks

Troy-Bilt Pony / Bronco / Super Bronco / Craftsman T110 42" MTD Deck — 6-Point Star Blade 942-04308 & Kevlar Belt 954-04060C vs 954-04001A

Exact OEM part-number, blade center-hole star pattern and Kevlar belt length cross-reference for Troy-Bilt Pony / Bronco / Super Bronco / Cr...

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Mower Blade & Belt Cross-Reference

Cub Cadet Xt1 Lt46 Blade & Belt Exact Part Number & Kevlar Cross-Reference

Cub Cadet XT1 LT46 and LX46 46-inch stamped and fabricated decks use two 23-1/4 inch 6-point star blades (OEM 942-04290 / 742-04290) and a 1...

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Cub Cadet / MTD 50" Decks

Cub Cadet XT1 LT50 / LX50 50" Deck — 1/2" x 143.25" Kevlar Belt 954-05078 & 6-Point Star Blade 942-05052A

Cub Cadet XT1 LT50 and XT2 LX50 50-inch stamped and fabricated 3-blade decks require a 1/2 x 143.25 inch Aramid/Kevlar deck belt (OEM 954-05...

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Cub Cadet / MTD 42" Decks

Cub Cadet XT2 LX42 42" Enduro Deck — 6-Point Star Blade 942-04308 & 1/2" x 96.5" Kevlar Belt 954-04060C

Cub Cadet XT2 LX42 42-inch Enduro Series lawn tractors use two 21-3/16 inch 6-point star blades (OEM 942-04308 / 742-04308-X), spindle assem...

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Cub Cadet 60" Zero-Turn Decks

Cub Cadet Ultima ZT2-60 60" Fab Deck — 6-Point Star Blade 942-05056A & 5/8" x 162" Kevlar Belt 954-05156

Cub Cadet Ultima ZT2-60 and ZT3-60 60-inch AeroForce fabricated zero-turn decks require three 20-9/16 inch high-lift blades (OEM 942-05056A ...

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John Deere 42" Decks

John Deere X300 / X304 / X310 42" Edge Deck — Kevlar Belt M154621 (146.25") vs M155525 & 7-Star Blade AM141033

John Deere X300, X304, and X310 Select Series tractors with the standard 42-inch Edge side-discharge deck use a 1/2 x 146.25 inch Aramid/Kev...

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