Cub Cadet Commercial 18HP, Operator'S And Service Manual

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is a flashing “OIL” at each recommended
engine oil and filter change. Reset after hour.
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. 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 4".
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