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8

TO THE OWNER

This Operator’s Manual is an important part of your new tractor. The information contained in this manual has been
prepared in detail to help you better understand the features, correct operation, adjustments, and maintenance of
your tractor. The performance and dependability of this tractor rely greatly on the manner in which it is operated and
maintained. Therefore, it is recommended that all operators of the tractor carefully read this manual and fully under-
stand its operation. Also keep the manual available for reference to ensure proper operation, and that maintenance
procedures are performed as scheduled to assure the tractor’s optimal mechanical condition.

NOTE: All references to LEFT, RIGHT, FRONT, and REAR, unless specifically stated otherwise, indicate that rela-
tive position on the tractor when facing forward while seated in the operator’s seat.
 

CAUTION: DO NOT tow your Model GT 2523 tractor. Towing may damage the transmission. Place the tractor on
a LEVEL SURFACE before pulling the transmission release lever to the disengaged position.

Your local authorized Cub Cadet dealer is interested in the performance you receive from your tractor, and with the
maintenance needed to ensure the satisfactory operation of your tractor. The dealer has trained service personnel
familiar with the latest servicing information, is equipped with the latest tools, and has a complete line of genuine
Cub Cadet service parts which assure proper fit and high quality.

CALLING SERVICE INFORMATION

The engine manufacturer is responsible for all engine-related issues with regards to performance, power-rating, and
specifications.
If you have difficulties with the tractor and/or equipment; have any questions regarding the operation or maintenance
of this equipment; or desire additional information not found in this manual, contact your nearest authorized Cub
Cadet
 dealer. If you need assistance in locating a dealer in your area, contact the Customer Dealer Referral Line by
calling:

1-877-282-8684

Or you may contact Cub Cadet via the internet by logging on to our Web Site at:

www.cubcadet.com

To obtain top performance and assure economical operation, the tractor should be inspected by your authorized
dealer periodically or at least once a year, depending on its hours of use. Before calling your dealer, make sure that
you have your model number(s) and manufacturing date available for the dealer.

RECORDING MODEL AND SERIAL NUMBER INFORMATION

Product identification plates are provided for major components of your tractor. The numbers on these plates are
important if your tractor should require dealer service, or if you need additional information on your tractor. Prior to
using your tractor for the first time, record the numbers from the identification plates in the appropriate spaces pro-
vided below. 

The chassis model plate, showing the factory model number and Mfg. Date (See Figure 1) can be found either on
the underside of the seat mounting base or on the right frame rail near the right front tire.

The engine serial number decal (See Figure 2) is located on the engine blower housing.

Hood Model

 Factory Model No.

Mfg. Date

Delivery Date

Engine Model/Spec. No.

Engine Serial No.

Figure 1

Figure 2

www.cubcadet.com

CUB CADET LLC
P. O. BOX 361131

CLEVELAND, OH 44136

DEALER LOCATOR PHONE NUMBER: 877-282-8684

Model Number

Mfg. Date

XXXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXX

Summary of Contents for GT2523

Page 1: ...quipped with a spark arrester meeting applicable local or state laws if any If a spark arrester is used it should be maintained in effective working order by the operator In the State of California th...

Page 2: ...produced in 1995 or later are warranted for to years in California For 1997 and later model years EPA requires manufacturers to warrant engines for two years in all other states These warranty periods...

Page 3: ...ative terminal of the battery and remove the hex cap screw and nut from the free end of the negative battery cable 2 Connect the negative battery cable heavy black and ground wire green to negative te...

Page 4: ...machine before starting Keep this manual in a safe place for future and regular reference and for ordering replacement parts 2 Only allow responsible individuals familiar with the instructions to oper...

Page 5: ...lopes before operating this unit on a sloped or hilly area If the slope is greater than 15 as shown on the slope gauge do not operate this unit on that area or serious injury could result DO Mow up an...

Page 6: ...instructed in this manual 8 After striking a foreign object stop the engine remove the wire from the spark plug and thoroughly inspect the mower for any damage Repair the damage before restarting and...

Page 7: ...OT MOW WHEN CHILDREN OR OTHERS ARE AROUND NEVER CARRY CHILDREN LOOK DOWN AND BEHIND BEFORE AND WHILE BACKING KEEP SAFETY DEVICES GUARDS SHIELDS AND SWITCHES IN PLACE AND WORKING REMOVE OBJECTS THAT CO...

Page 8: ...regards to performance power rating and specifications If you have difficulties with the tractor and or equipment have any questions regarding the operation or maintenance of this equipment or desire...

Page 9: ...attempting to start or operate the tractor A Low Oil Indicator B Hour Meter C Power Take Off PTO Control Switch D Ignition Light Switch E Throttle Control Lever F Choke Control G Brake Pedal Lock H Cr...

Page 10: ...the control cable will maintain a uniform engine speed NOTE When using power take off operated equip ment best performance is achieved with the throttle lever in the FAST position F CHOKE CONTROL The...

Page 11: ...e to the desired position then releasing the button It may be necessary to push or pull slightly on the handle to depress the button There are two lift assist springs which reduce the effort needed to...

Page 12: ...filler cap is in the center rear of the fender see Figure 7 Figure 7 HOOD AND SIDE PANELS The tractor hood is arranged to swing up and forward for easy access to the engine compartment see Fig ure 8 W...

Page 13: ...13 Figure 8 UPPER FRONT WING NUT RETAINER WITH TAPERED GUIDE REAR WING NUT GRILLE REAR TAB ON PANEL SIDE PANEL GROOVE IN DASH PANEL GRASP GRASP...

Page 14: ...because it leaves less combustion chamber deposits Lead ed gasoline may be used in areas where unleaded is not available and exhaust emissions are not reg ulated Be aware however that the cylinder hea...

Page 15: ...r the engine starts slowly release the brake pedal As the engine warms up gradually push the choke control knob all the way in Do not use the choke to enrich the fuel mixture except as necessary to st...

Page 16: ...rottle lever to the position where the engine operates best for the load to be handled 2 Driving with forward or reverse pedals CAUTION Do not use the forward or reverse control pedals to change the d...

Page 17: ...age the brake pedal lock disengage the PTO turn the ignition switch to OFF and remove the key from the switch before dismounting OPERATING THE POWER TAKE OFF PTO CLUTCH Before operating the new clutch...

Page 18: ...Release the brake pedal lock If the tractor cannot be pushed forward or rearward the braking force must be decreased To adjust the braking force refer to Figure 11 and proceed as follows 1 Place the t...

Page 19: ...surement D should be approximately 1 16 to 1 8 inch less than measurement C on each side of the tractor 5 Disconnect the front ball joints from the steering arms by removing the hex lock nuts Refer to...

Page 20: ...stop the engine if the seat is empty when the brake pedal is released If an assistant is seated when adjusting the neutral setting use extreme cau tion to prevent the tractor from tipping or rolling...

Page 21: ...ws 4 Raise the rear of the tractor remove the jack stands and lower the tractor ADJUSTING LIFT ASSIST SPRING TENSION The effort required to operate the implement lift handle can be varied by loosening...

Page 22: ...r If however the engine is hard starting or runs roughly or stalls at low idle speed it may be necessary to adjust or service the carburetor The air filter element and element cover must be assembled...

Page 23: ...e up to 40 F Synthetic oils will provide better starting in extreme cold below 10 F CHECKING THE OIL LEVEL Regularly checking and maintaining the engine oil level in the crankcase cannot be overemphas...

Page 24: ...LL TIMES WHEN THE ENGINE IS OPERATING Severe engine damage could result from failure to do so DRAINING OIL AND REPLACING OIL FILTER NOTE The engine oil should be changed after the first 5 hours of ope...

Page 25: ...the filter material 11 Apply a light coating of clean oil on the gasket of the new oil filter Thread the filter on by hand until the gasket contacts the oil filter adapter then tighten the filter an...

Page 26: ...l plug dipstick from the oil fill port and SLOWLY pour oil into the oil fill port Fill the transmission case until the oil level reaches the FULL mark on the dipstick Refer to Figure 20 4 Reinstall th...

Page 27: ...eck the oil level in the transmission case CAUTION The oil fill plug dipstick must be installed securely into the fill port at all times when the engine is operating AIR CLEANER Check the air cleaner...

Page 28: ...stalled air cleaner elements significantly contribute to prolonging engine life SERVICING OIL COOLER Inspect and clean the oil cooler located on the left side of the engine after every 100 hours of op...

Page 29: ...is necessary WARNING Allow the engine and surrounding surfaces to cool before changing the head lamp bulbs Replace headlight bulbs as follows See Figure 25 1 Unplug the wire harness leads from the he...

Page 30: ...CE OF BATTERY The tractor is shipped with a wet battery the battery acid has already been added and the battery sealed Although the battery is maintenance free the following care should be taken when...

Page 31: ...re 27 4 Pull downward on the bottom of the battery holddown strap to release it from the tab beneath the battery tray 5 Loosen the hose clamp and pull the drain tube from the battery 6 Lift the batter...

Page 32: ...g table Tire SizePounds per Square Inch Front Tires 16 x 6 5 8 14 Rear Tires 23 x 9 5 12 10 Always ensure that the tire valve caps are in place and tightened securely to prevent loss of air and to pro...

Page 33: ...stor assemblies outward The deck should now rest in its lowest position on the surface below Figure 28 3 Position the deck on the right side of the tractor with the front of the deck facing toward the...

Page 34: ...the deck front roller bracket Refer to Figure 33 Figure 33 9 If not already done pull the deck support pins outward turn downward and relesase so both spring loaded pins are held in the disengaged pos...

Page 35: ...the PTO clutch pulley on the front of the engine Ensure that the narrow side of the PTO belt engages the groove of the clutch pulley Refer to Figure 37 Figure 37 14 Twist the two sides of the PTO bel...

Page 36: ...and mower deck on a firm level surface Figure 41 2 To ease sliding the deck out from under the tractor reposition all four ball wheels as shown in Figure 41 To reposition the rear wheels remove the q...

Page 37: ...tractor hood and remove the forward end of the PTO belt from the PTO clutch pulley on the front of the engine Refer to Figure 45 Figure 45 6 Pass the PTO belt downward inside the tractor frame until t...

Page 38: ...t tractor latch receivers Release the tractor quick attach rod Refer to Figure 49 Figure 49 CAUTION To avoid possible equipment damage make sure that the tractor implement lift handle is raised to its...

Page 39: ...a hard level surface during leveling adjustment SIDE TO SIDE LEVELING ADJUSTMENT 1 Position the tractor and mower on a hard level surface Open the tractor hood and disconnect the spark plug wires 2 T...

Page 40: ...o Figure 54 Figure 54 3 Position the mower blades so the ends of each blade point to the front and the rear of the tractor Refer to Figure 55 Figure 55 4 Refer to Figure 56 Measure and record the dist...

Page 41: ...utting height for the mower deck The lowest holes in the index spindle for the rear ball wheels correspond to the lowest cutting height for the mower deck To adjust the mower deck cutting height by ra...

Page 42: ...he spindle bolt when loosening the hex nut securing the blade A block of wood may be placed between the deck housing and the cutting edge of the blade to assist in removal of the hex nut se curing the...

Page 43: ...away from the backside of the belt and remove the old drive belt 5 Install a new belt on the spindle pulleys and position the flat idler pulley against the backside of the belt so that the belt is ten...

Page 44: ...ing the fuel system WARNING Do not drain fuel when the engine is hot Allow the engine adequate time to cool Drain fuel into an approved container outdoors away from open flame a Drain any large volume...

Page 45: ...time to get a clean cut The following practices will help eliminate streaking 1 Mow the area more often so the grass doesn t get too tall and heavy 2 Operate the tractor at full throttle and slower f...

Page 46: ...ther allied equipment can be purchased from and installed by your authorized Cub Cadet dealer The tractor is used for so many different types of work and because it is called on to operate under so ma...

Page 47: ...Check transmission oil level X Replace transmission oil filter After first 10 hours X After first 50 hours X Every 100 hours thereafter X Clean re oil foam air precleaner X Check battery terminals an...

Page 48: ...RLY OR KNOCKS Engine incorrectly timed Spark plug dirty wrong gap or wrong type Clean reset the gap or replace Poor or weak spark Check the spark plugs and wiring Carburetor setting incorrect Poor gra...

Page 49: ...age between carburetor and engine Remove air cleaner Tighten the carburetor and manifold mounting nuts Replace any damaged parts as indicated in MAINTENANCE Incorrect timing or faulty ignition Brake d...

Page 50: ...grease and apply two strokes minimum or sufficient grease to flush out old grease and dirt Front wheel bearings 30 Two strokes minimum of the lubricator using 251H EP grease or equivalent No 2 multi p...

Page 51: ...f each bearing until it emerges at the end carrying with it the worn lubricant and any dirt that may have entered the bearing Miscellaneous working parts not provided with lubrication fittings should...

Page 52: ...E 30 10 10 30 10 10 100 10 LEFT SIDE BOTH SIDES BOTH SIDES CHECK OIL LEVEL BEFORE EACH USE CHECK OIL LEVEL BEFORE EACH USE 10 50 100 5 10 9 3 16 6 2 6 6 15 11 4 1 10 10 50 50 50 50 7 8 12 12 13 13 12...

Page 53: ...dler arms Use 251H EP grease or an equivalent No 2 multi purpose lithium grease and apply 2 strokes minimum or sufficient grease to flush out old grease and dirt After Every 30 Hours of Operation 9 Fr...

Page 54: ...ATIC DRIVE Speed Forward Reverse ENGINE Make and Model Horsepower Cylinders Bore Stroke Displacement cubic inches Engine Speed governed Low Speed High Speed no load Ignition Spark Plug Gap Cub Cadet N...

Page 55: ...U MAY NOT OPERATE SAFELY WARNING Do not mow on inclines with a slope in excess of 15 degrees a rise of approximately 2 1 2 feet every 10 feet A riding mower could overturn and cause serious injury If...

Page 56: ...56...

Page 57: ...t extend any warranty for products sold or exported outside of the United States of America its possessions and territories except those sold through CUB CADET S authorized channels of export distribu...

Page 58: ...y part thereof is altered modified disconnected or otherwise tampered with HOW TO OBTAIN SERVICE Warranty service is available WITH PROOF OF PURCHASE THROUGH YOUR LOCAL AUTHORIZED CUB CADET DEALER To...

Page 59: ...59...

Page 60: ...r Requirements Part No Change every 100 hours KH 12 050 08 Gap Requirements Part No 030 inch gap 759 3336 Oil Filter Requirements Part No Change every 100 hours 923 3014 Transmission Oil Requirements...

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