Cub Cadet Zero-Turn Commercial Riding Mower User Manual
Page 12
 
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C.Initial Adjustments
1.
Check the fluid levels and tires:
Note:
These checks should be made daily,
before starting the engine.
a. Fuel: Using a good grade of unleaded,
regular gasoline (for a gasoline engine), fill 
the fuel tank (beside the engine on the left 
or right side of the mower). When the fuel 
reaches one inch from the top of the tank, 
stop. DO NOT OVERFILL. Space must be 
left for expansion.
b.
Engine Oil: (Filled at the factory before 
shipment.) Pull out the oil dipstick, wipe it 
off and reinsert it. Pull it out again and read 
the oil level. If it is below the operating 
range, add oil through the fill tube using a 
funnel to bring it up to the top of the operat-
ing range.
Note:
Gasoline Engine: Use SAE 10W30 or
SAE 10W40 engine oil, rated for service SJ.
c.
Hydraulic Oil: (Filled at the factory before 
shipment.) The hydraulic oil tank is located 
beneath the operator’s seat. Always wipe 
off the area around the oil tank fill neck 
before checking the oil level to prevent dirt 
from contaminating the oil. Remove the 
cap and make sure the oil level is up to the 
lowest hole on the oil tank fill neck. The top 
hole is for venting. If the oil level is low, fill 
with a good grade of SAE20W-50 oil.
d. Tires: 8-10 psi Rear, 20-25 psi Front
Caster Tires
Note:
New tires are overinflated in order to
properly seat the bead to the rim. The normal 
working pressure for the traction tires is 8-10 
psi. The front caster wheels should be inflated 
to 20-25 psi.
2.
Check that all Nuts, Bolts and Screws are 
Tight.
3.
Check the tension of the deck drive belts.
a.
Remove the deck cover
b.
The tension of the deck drive belts are
maintained by a spring mechanism that 
adjusts for wear and stretch.
c.
Examine the belts for cuts, fraying, and
excessive wear. Replace if any of these 
are detected.
d.
Replace the deck cover.
4.
Adjust the Mowing Deck: The cutting height 
is set anywhere in the range of 1-1/2" to 5". 
You may need to adjust the mowing deck to 
achieve the proper angle for mowing. Follow 
the procedures below to set the appropriate 
angle to the mowing deck.
a.
Park the mower on a flat paved surface, 
engage the parking brake, shut off the 
engine, remove the key from the ignition 
switch, remove connection of the spark 
plugs and using the transport lever, lower 
the mowing deck into the cutting position.
b.
Using a ruler, pencil and paper, measure 
and note the distance from the paved sur-
face to the bottom edge of the mowing 
blade at the front and the back of the deck 
on each side of the mower. (Four dimen-
sions.)
Note:
The front edge of the mowing deck
should be 1/8"-1/4" below the rear edge of the 
deck so that the blades are cutting grass in 
only the front half of their circular path. This 
decreases friction and reduces the drive 
power required.
c.
If the dimension at the front of the mowing 
deck is 1/8"-1/4" lower than the dimension 
at the rear of the deck on each side of the 
mower, do not adjust. If not, you will need 
to adjust the Deck Lift Spring Assist (See 
Figure 5). You may also need to adjust the 
Deck Links (See Figure 5).
d.
Lower the mower deck to the cutting posi-
tion. With a wrench loosen the inner rear 
nut on the Deck Lift Spring Assist. To 
adjust the deck up or down, use a wrench 
and with a few turns, adjust clockwise or 
counter clockwise the outer rear nut of the 
Deck Lift Spring Assist. Repeat this proce-
dure on the opposite side of the Mower. 
Once the deck is adjusted, retighten bolts.
e.
With the deck still in the cutting position, 
adjust the Deck Links. With a wrench 
loosen the top inner bolt of the Deck Link. 
To adjust the side of the deck up or down 
turn the top bolt clockwise or counter 
Deck Links
Deck Lift Spring inner nut
Figure. 5