HiTorque 210ftlbs (175 OEM) BIGBearing Solid Steel Billet Pulley PTO Clutch 917-3446 5218-29 fits Cub Cadet 2160 2164 2165 GT2521 LT2180 MTD 717-3446 717-3446P Lawn Mower Electric Clutch OEM Upgrade

What It Is

This is a heavy-duty replacement PTO (power take-off) clutch for lawn tractors, delivering 210 ft-lbs of torque (175 ft-lbs OEM-equivalent) with a solid steel billet pulley and larger bearing. It’s designed for mowing decks and attachments on Cub Cadet, MTD, and compatible models where the original clutch (e.g., 917-3446, 717-3446) fails or needs upgrading.

Fitment & Compatibility

Before buying, confirm your model uses a 3-bolt, 1-inch shaft PTO clutch (common on Cub Cadet 2160, 2164, 2165, GT2521, LT2180, and many MTD tractors). Measure your existing clutch’s bolt pattern center-to-center (typically 3.25 inches) and shaft diameter—this clutch fits 1-inch crankshafts. It replaces OEM part numbers 917-3446, 717-3446, 717-3446P, and 5218-29. Check your deck size isn’t too large (e.g., 54-inch+ decks may strain a 210 ft-lb clutch). Verify your tractor’s pulley belt width (usually 1/2-inch) and that the clutch’s wire harness connector matches your machine’s plug (often a 2-pin flat connector). If your deck uses a different bolt pattern or shaft size (e.g., 7/8-inch or 1-1/8-inch), this won’t fit.

Key Things to Know

• Quality vs. OEM: The billet steel pulley and larger bearing make this more durable than the stamped steel OEM clutch, but the 210 ft-lb rating is a peak value—real-world torque is closer to OEM 175 ft-lb for continuous use.
• Installation: Moderate difficulty—requires removing the old clutch, aligning the pulley, and torquing the center bolt to 40-50 ft-lbs. No special tools beyond a socket set and torque wrench.
• Common gotchas: The clutch may be slightly thicker than OEM, so check for clearance against the engine block or frame. Also, the wiring connector may need splicing if your tractor uses a different plug style.
• Noise: Some users report a slight whine or rattle during engagement due to the solid billet pulley—normal but louder than OEM.

Should You Buy It

Buy this if your OEM clutch has failed and you want a tougher pulley and bearing for the same price as a stock replacement, especially for lighter-duty mowing on 42-50 inch decks. Skip it if you need exact OEM fitment with zero noise, or if your tractor has a non-standard shaft size/bolt pattern—then stick with a direct OEM match.