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GT 2542

SERIES 2500

O

PERATOR’S

 

M

ANUAL

IMPORTANT:  READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

CUB CADET LLC  P.O. BOX 361131 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-0019  [www.cubcadet.com]

PRINTED IN U.S.A.

Warning:  

This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-

covered, brush-covered or grass-covered land unless the engine’s exhaust system is equipped 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 the above is required by law (Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code).  Other states may have 
similar laws.  Federal laws apply on federal lands.  A spark arrester for the muffler is available through your nearest engine authorized 
service dealer or contact the service department, P.O. Box 361131 Cleveland, Ohio 44136-0019.

FORM NO.  769-02067

TRACTOR

Model Number

(11/05)

Summary of Contents for GT 2542

Page 1: ...tem is equipped 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 Calif...

Page 2: ...odel Serial Number 10 I Know Your Tractor 11 II Operation 15 III Adjustments 20 IV Maintenance 25 V Mower Deck 33 VI Off Season Storage 43 VII Mowing 44 Optional Equipment and Accessories 45 Lubricati...

Page 3: ...wnward until it snaps into place on the steering wheel 2 CONNECT THE BATTERY WARNING Battery posts terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead compounds Wash hands after handling The tract...

Page 4: ...rs old and over should read and understand the operation instructions and safety rules in this manual and should be trained and supervised by a parent 4 Never allow adults to operate this machine with...

Page 5: ...ge included as part of this manual to measure slopes 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 a...

Page 6: ...your vehicle before filling c When practical remove gas powered equip ment from the truck or trailer and refuel it on the ground If this is not possible then refuel such equipment on a trailer with a...

Page 7: ...ir the damage before starting and operating 10 Never attempt to make adjustments or repairs to the machine while the engine is running 11 Grass catcher components and the discharge cover are subject t...

Page 8: ...ROLS BE SURE THE BLADES AND THE ENGINE ARE STOPPED BEFORE PLACING HANDS OR FEET NEAR BLADES BEFORE LEAVING OPERATOR S POSITION DISENGAGE PTO ENGAGE BRAKE LOCK SHUT OFF ENGINE AND REMOVE KEY 2 3 1 2 4...

Page 9: ...PES WHERE YOU 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 seriou...

Page 10: ...th 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 desi...

Page 11: ...Key Switch Module E Throttle Control Lever F Choke Control G Parking Brake Cruise Lever H Brake Pedal I Forward Control Pedal J Reverse Control Pedal K Seat Adjustment Lever L Lift Handle M 12V Power...

Page 12: ...cator if the engine will not crank with the key switch in the START position If necessary fully depress the brake pedal B HOUR METER BATTERY DISPLAY The hour meter shows the hours tenths of an hour ri...

Page 13: ...parking brake cruise control lever Hold the lever down while releasing the brake pedal The lever should lock in the down position and the parking brake should be engaged NOTE Always engage the parkin...

Page 14: ...WITCHES This tractor is equipped with a safety interlock system for the protection of the operator If the interlock sys tem should ever malfunction do not operate the trac tor Contact your authorized...

Page 15: ...deposits and re duces harmful exhaust emissions Leaded gaso line is not recommended and must not be used where exhaust emissions are regulated NOTE Purchase gasoline in small quantities Do not use gas...

Page 16: ...y to start the engine NOTE Upon start up a metallic ticking may occur This is caused by hydraulic lifter leakdown Run the en gine for 5 minutes The noise will normally cease in the first minute If noi...

Page 17: ...tion and the tractor will maintain the approximate same forward speed 5 Disengage the cruise control using one of the following methods Depress the brake pedal to disengage the cruise control and stop...

Page 18: ...TO clutch at ten second intervals five times 4 Disengage the PTO and stop the engine OPERATING THE POWER TAKE OFF PTO CLUTCH IMPORTANT NEVER engage the PTO clutch while its driven equipment is under l...

Page 19: ...Depress the REVERSE PUSH BUTTON Orange Triangular Button at the top right corner of the key switch module The red indicator light at the top left corner of the key switch module will be ON while acti...

Page 20: ...rd or rearward the braking force must be increased 2 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 pr...

Page 21: ...t the front ball joints from the steering arms by removing the hex lock nuts Refer to Figure 15 Manually move each wheel to achieve the required toe in and equal D measurements 6 Loosen the jam nuts f...

Page 22: ...an assistant is seated when adjusting the neutral setting use extreme caution to prevent the tractor from tipping or roll ing Similar precautions should be taken with any other method of over riding...

Page 23: ...djusted position of the control rods when tightening the screws 4 Raise the rear of the tractor remove the jack stands and lower the tractor ADJUSTING LIFT ASSIST SPRING TENSION The effort required to...

Page 24: ...r a clogged air filter 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 cov...

Page 25: ...engine must be cool so the oil has had time to drain into the sump of the crankcase Clean the area around the oil level dipstick to pre vent debris from entering the crankcase Remove the dipstick and...

Page 26: ...ing the frequency of required oil changes and the quantity and type of oil needed The oil filter is located on the left side of the engine See Figure 21 Run the engine for a few minutes to allow the o...

Page 27: ...the engine is operating Severe engine damage could result from failure to do so 5 Start the tractor engine and allow it to run for 30 seconds then stop the engine and remove the ignition key 6 Check t...

Page 28: ...erclockwise Refer to Figure 23 4 Apply a light coating of clean transmission oil to the gasket of the new filter Install the filter by turning it clockwise by hand until the gasket contacts the filter...

Page 29: ...worn 7 Reinstall the paper element foam precleaner element cover wing nut and air cleaner cover Make certain the cover retaining knob is tightened securely Properly cleaned and installed air cleaner e...

Page 30: ...s leads to the appropriate socket terminals FUSES Always use the same capacity fuse for replacement Refer to SPECIFICATIONS If the electrical system does not function check the fuses To replace a fuse...

Page 31: ...the event of a battery failure BATTERY REMOVAL OR INSTALLATION WARNING Battery posts terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead compounds Wash Hands after handling When removing the batte...

Page 32: ...r deck and quality of cut Inflate the front and rear tires as shown in the following table Tire SizePounds per Square Inch Front Tires 15 x 6 6 14 Rear Tires 23 x 9 5 12 10 Always ensure that the tire...

Page 33: ...n before making a leveling adjustment To level the deck the tractor and deck MUST be placed on a hard level surface during adjustment SIDE TO SIDE LEVELING ADJUSTMENT 1 Position the tractor and mower...

Page 34: ...easurement A should be lower than its back edge measurement B by 1 8 to 1 4 inch See Figure 32 Figure 32 4 From the front of the tractor loosen the outer nuts on the deck front hanger rod and turn the...

Page 35: ...wheel and the front ball wheels into the corresponding index hole of the other gauge wheel brackets 3 If the gauge wheels have excessive clearance with the surface below lower the wheels to the index...

Page 36: ...ool before proceeding with the following PTO belt removal instructions 4 Open the tractor hood and remove the forward end of the PTO belt from the PTO clutch pulley on the front of the engine Refer to...

Page 37: ...h rod Pull the front lift rod bracket assembly forward to release the shoulder bolts on each side of the bracket from the left and right tractor latch receivers Release the tractor quick attach rod Re...

Page 38: ...gns with the implement lift links on each side of the tractor See Figure 44 Figure 44 4 Refer to Figure 45 to ensure the correct orientation of the front lift rod bracket assembly form bend in sides o...

Page 39: ...ly to align the support pins with the holes of the lift links Make certain the support pins are fully extended through the lift links to prevent the mower deck from disengaging the lift links while mo...

Page 40: ...HE MOWER DECK Use the Deck Wash System as follows WARNING When using the deck wash system never engage the deck from any position other than the operator s seat of the tractor Do not use an assistant...

Page 41: ...laced between the deck housing and the cutting edge of the blade to help in breaking loose the hex nut securing the blade Refer to Figure 55 Figure 55 Use a 1 1 8 wrench to remove the hex flange nut t...

Page 42: ...NG Before installing the mulch ing plug place the PTO switch in the OFF position engage the parking brake turn the ignition key to the OFF position and remove the key from the switch to avoid accident...

Page 43: ...tabilized fuel into the carburetor 2 If emptying 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...

Page 44: ...eavy weeds and tall grass Under these conditions it may be necessary to go back over the cut area a second time to get a clean cut The following practices will help eliminate streaking 1 Mow the area...

Page 45: ...tened life and reduce serviceability Using the lubrication illustration as a guide make certain that all lubrication fittings are installed and functioning Be sure all fittings are free from dirt and...

Page 46: ...hours X After first 50 hours X Every 100 hours thereafter X Clean re oil foam air precleaner X Check battery terminals and case X Grease front axle pivot bolt X Grease steering knuckles X Re torque re...

Page 47: ...grease or equivalent No 2 multi purpose lithium grease and apply two strokes minimum or sufficient grease to flush out old grease and dirt Front wheel bearings 25 Two strokes minimum of the lubricato...

Page 48: ...BRICATION GUIDE 10 50 10 50 10 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 15 6 2 6 6 14 11 4 1 8 12 12 7 13 25 25 1...

Page 49: ...2 strokes minimum or sufficient grease to flush out old grease and dirt 8 Belt idler arms Use 251H EP grease or an equivalent No 2 multi purpose lithium grease and apply 2 strokes minimum or sufficien...

Page 50: ...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 51: ...fuel tank cap Air leakage 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...

Page 52: ...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 53: ...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 period...

Page 54: ...er in your area In the U S A Check your Yellow Pages or contact Cub Cadet LLC at P O Box 361131 Cleveland Ohio 44136 0019 or call 1 877 282 8684 or log on to our Web site at www cubcadet com In Canada...

Page 55: ...55...

Page 56: ...3 02 Engine Oil Filter 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 Transmiss...

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