Initial Adjustments | Cub Cadet 22HP Z-Force 48, 18.5HP Z-Force 42

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, fill the fuel tank (beside the engine on the left 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: For the recom- mended oil weight refer to engine manual.

c.Hydraulic Oil: (Filled at the factory before shipment.) The hydraulic oil is contained within the integrated hydrostatic transaxles and does not need to be checked or replaced.

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 in 1/2” increments in the range of 1-1/2" to 4". Do not attempt to raise the mower deck higher than 4” because you will damage com- ponents on your mower. 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 (pitch) on each side of the mower, do not adjust. If not, you will need to adjust the Deck Front Links (See Figure 5).

Deck Front Links

Deck Lift Links

Figure. 5

d.Lower the mower deck to the cutting posi- tion. With a wrench, loosen the inner rear nuts on the Deck Front Links 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 Front Links. Repeat this procedure 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 level (side to side). With a wrench loosen the top inner nut of the left side of the Deck Lift link. To adjust the side of the deck up or down turn the lower nut clockwise or counter clockwise a few turns. Retighten nuts.

f.Raise the mowing deck to the transport position using the transport lever.

g.Use the transport lever to lower the mow- ing deck to the cutting position and repeat