•For best results it is recommended that the first two laps be cut with the discharge thrown towards the center. After the first two laps, reverse the direction to throw the discharge to the outside for the balance of cutting. This will give a better appearance to the lawn.
•Do not cut the grass too short. Short grass invites weed growth and yellows quickly in dry weather.
•Mowing should always be done with the engine at full throttle.
•Under heavier conditions it may be necessary to go back over the cut area a second time to get a clean cut.
•Do NOT attempt to mow heavy brush and weeds or extremely tall grass. Your tractor is designed to mow lawns, NOT clear brush.
•Keep the blades sharp and replace the blades when worn. Refer to Cutting Blades on page 25 of this manual for proper blade sharpening instructions.
Mulching
Cub Cadet Series 1000 tractors are equipped with a mulch kit which incorporates special blades, already standard on your tractor, in a process of recirculating grass clippings repeatedly beneath the cutting deck. The
•Never attempt to mulch if the lawn is damp. Wet grass tends to stick to the underside of the cutting deck preventing proper mulching of the clippings.
•Do NOT attempt to mulch more than 1/3 the total height of the grass or approximately
•Maintain a slow ground speed to allow the grass clippings more time to effectively be mulched.
•Always position the throttle control lever in the FAST (rabbit) position and allow it to remain there while mowing. Failing to keep the engine at full throttle places strain on the tractor’s engine and does not allow the blades to properly mulch grass.
NOTE: It is not necessary to remove the discharge chute to operate the mower with the mulch kit installed.
42- and 46-inch Decks
On model LT1042, LT1045 and LT1046 the mulch kit is installed at the factory. To operate the cutting deck without mulching, simply remove the mulch plug by unthreading the plastic wing nut which fastens it to the cutting deck. This will allow the clippings to discharge out the side. See Figure 8
Carriage Screw |
|
Plastic Wing Nut | Mulch Plug |
NOTE: |
|
Figure 8
50-inch Decks
On model LT1050, the mulch kit is installed at the factory. To operate the cutting deck without mulching, simply remove the mulch plug by pivoting the discharge chute up and pulling the plug outward. To reinstall plug:
Locate two rectangular holes on the cutting deck surface.
•Pivot the discharge chute up to access the deck opening. See Figure 9.
•Insert the mulch plug, aligning the top edge of the plug with the deck as shown in the Figure 9. Make sure the notches on the plug are in the slots on the deck opening.
•Lightly tap on the plug with your hand to assure that the notches fit snugly under the chute tabs.
Mulch Plug |
Figure 9
16