50 Inch Mower Deck Rebuild Kit Fit for Cub Cadet Ultima XT1-50 ZT1-50 ZT2-50 RZT-L50 S50 LX50 MTD G8200 G8300 Troy Bilt Mustang XP 50 inch Tractor Parts Spindle 618-06980 918-06980 Blade 942-05052A

What It Is

This is a complete 50-inch mower deck rebuild kit for Cub Cadet, MTD, and Troy-Bilt zero-turn and lawn tractors. It includes three spindle assemblies (with bearings and housings), three blades, and all necessary hardware to replace worn-out cutting components in a single purchase.

Fitment & Compatibility

Before buying, confirm three things:

1. Deck size: Your deck must be exactly 50 inches (measured blade tip to blade tip). This kit will not work on 46-inch or 54-inch decks.
2. Model compatibility: Fits Cub Cadet Ultima XT1-50, ZT1-50, ZT2-50, RZT-L50, S50, LX50; MTD G8200, G8300; Troy-Bilt Mustang XP 50. Check your model number on the tractor’s serial plate.
3. OEM part numbers: The spindles replace OEM 618-06980 / 918-06980. The blades replace OEM 942-05052A. If your current spindles or blades have different part numbers, measure spindle bolt pattern (typically 3-bolt, 3-inch spacing) and blade length (50 inches total for three blades).

Key Things to Know

• Quality: These are aftermarket parts, not OEM Cub Cadet. Reviews note they are durable but may have slightly looser bearing tolerances than OEM. Expect 1-2 seasons of heavy use.
• Installation difficulty: Moderate. You’ll need a jack to lift the deck, a socket set, and a torque wrench. Plan 1.5–2 hours. The hardest part is removing rusted spindle bolts—use penetrating oil beforehand.
• Common gotcha: The included blades are standard-duty. If you mow thick, wet grass or rocky terrain, consider upgrading to high-lift or mulching blades separately.
• Hardware: The kit comes with new lock washers and nuts, but the spindle bolts are not included—reuse your originals or buy new Grade 8 bolts.

Should You Buy It

Buy this if you have a compatible 50-inch Cub Cadet or MTD deck and want to replace all three spindles and blades at once for about half the cost of buying OEM parts individually. It’s a solid value for DIY maintenance, but skip it if you need OEM-grade bearings for commercial mowing or if your deck is a different size.