Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Cub Cadet LT1045 will not move fwd or back., drive pulley, plastic fan

Question
QUESTION: hello,
I have a Cub Cadet LT1045 lawn tractor. The other day I had something get stuck in the deck and the belt came off the deck. A little time later (with belt off) the lawn mower stopped moving. It will run but not engage and move fwd or back. Are there any simple step I can take to try and fix the issue or is it best to take it to a repair shop? Not sure if there may be some trick to getting it to work or if the drive belt may have came off. Any help would be great
Thanks in advance
Dan G

ANSWER: First check that the bypass valve is in the drive position and not freewheel.  Then see that the shift lever is still atached to the transaxle.  Then look up under the mower and see if the drive belt is attached.  You may have to pull the deck to really get a good look at it and see that it's on the idlers and pulley.  After that, the key on the drive pulley may have sheared, the pulley on top of the hydrostat may have sheared and there could be an internal transmission problem.  That's where I would start.  Let me know if you have any questions.  Thanks, PK.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I had one more quick question in regards to this. I found that the drive belt had popped off the pulley. When it did this it damaged the plastic fan on top of the transmission for cooling. I was wondering if the transmission needs to be dropped in order to replace the fan? And once again thanks for the advice
Dan

Answer
If the tank is below the seat, then it's probably about a wash as to if it's easier to pull the tank or drop the transaxle.  If the battery is below the seat, then usually the battery tray just pops out and the fan can be changed.

Whatever you do, don't run it without the fan.  The fan is absolutely necessary for transaxle cooling and it will overheat if it's not intact.