Maintaining your lawn mower, Warning, Lubrication – Cub Cadet 949 User Manual
Page 10: Deck care, Engine care, Replacing rear flap
10
5
Maintaining
Your Lawn
Mower
WARNING
Always stop engine, 
disconnect spark plug 
and ground against 
engine before performing 
any type of maintenance 
on your machine.
Do not use a pressure 
washer or garden hose 
to clean your unit. These 
may cause damage to 
pulleys, bearings, or the 
engine. The use of water 
will result in shortened 
life and reduce service-
ability.
General Recommendations
• Always observe safety rules when performing
any maintenance.
• The warranty on this lawn mower does not cover
items that have been subjected to operator abuse 
or negligence. To receive full value from warranty, 
operator must maintain the lawn mower as 
instructed here.
• Changing of engine-governed speed will void
engine warranty.
• All adjustments should be checked at least once
each season.
• Periodically check all fasteners and make sure these
are tight.
WARNING: Always stop engine, disconnect 
spark plug, and ground against engine 
before cleaning, lubricating or doing any kind of 
maintenance on your machine.
Lubrication
• Lubricate pivot points on the blade control at least
once a season with light oil. The blade control must 
operate freely in both directions, Figure 5-1.
• Lubricate the wheels at least once a season with
light oil (or motor oil). If wheels are removed for any 
reason, lubricate the axle bolt and inner surface of the 
wheel with light oil.
• Lubricate the torsion spring and pivot point on each
end of the discharge chute at least once a season with 
light oil to prevent rust.
• The transmission is pre-lubricated and sealed at the
factory and does not require lubrication.
• Follow the accompanying engine manual for lubrica-
tion schedule and instruction for engine lubrication.
Deck Care
WARNING: Never tip the mower more than 90º 
in any direction and do not leave the mower 
tipped for any length of time. Oil can drain into the 
upper part of the engine causing a starting problem.
1. Disconnect spark plug wire. Drain gasoline from lawn 
mower or place a piece of plastic under the gas cap.
2. Tip mower so that it rests on the housing. Keep the
side with the air cleaner facing up. Hold mower firmly.
3. Scrape and clean the underside of the deck with a
suitable tool. Do not spray with water.
4. Put the mower back on its wheels on the ground. If
you had put plastic under the gas cap earlier, make 
sure to remove it now.
Engine Care
• Maintain oil level as instructed in engine manual.
• Service air cleaner every 25 hours under normal 
conditions. Clean every few hours under extremely 
dusty conditions. Refer to engine manual.
• Clean spark plug and reset the gap once a season.
Check engine manual for correct plug type and gap 
specifications.
• Clean engine regularly with a cloth or brush. Keep the
cooling system (blower housing area) clean to permit 
proper air circulation. Remove all grass, dirt and 
combustible debris from muffler area.
Replacing Rear Flap
1. Cut off the flat end of the wire rod which secures it to
the deck, Figure 5-2.
2. Attach the new flap and new rod to the deck, bending
the ends of the new rod over to secure to deck.
Figure 5-1: Areas to lubricate on the mower.
Figure 5-2: Cut wire to remove rear flap.