Cub Cadet 53AH8ST3050, 53AH8ST5050 Zero Turn Break-In And Operating Pro- cedures, Orientation

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 operating range.

Note: Gasoline Engine: Use SAE 10W30 or SAE 10W40 engine oil, rated for service SJ. Shell Rimula 15W40 is also recommended and provides service SL and CI-4 plus.

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 con- taminating the oil. Remove the cap and make sure the oil level is a 1/4” below the oil tank fill neck. If the oil level is low, fill with Shell Rimula 15W40 or equivalent oil. Equivalent oil should meet GM Allison C-4.

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 main- tained 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" to 5". You may need to adjust the mowing deck to achieve the proper pitch angle for mowing. Follow the proce- dures 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 foot pedal, lower the mowing deck into the cutting position.

b.Using a ruler, pencil and paper, measure and note the distance from the paved surface to the bottom edge of the mowing blade at the front and the back of the deck on each side of the mower. (Four dimensions.)

Note: The front edge of the mowing deck should be 1/8"-1/4" (1/8” for 1-1/2”, 1/16” for 1”) below the rear edge of the deck so that the blades are cutting grass in only the front half of their cir- cular 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" (1/8” for 1-1/2”, 1/16” for 1”) 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).

Figure. 5 Deck Links

d.Lower the mower deck to the cutting position. With a wrench loosen the lower rear nut on the Deck Lift Links. To adjust the deck up or down, use a wrench and with a few turns, adjust clockwise or counter clockwise the upper rear nut of the Deck Lift Links. Repeat this procedure on the opposite side of the Mower. Once the deck is adjusted, retighten nuts.

e.Raise the mowing deck to the transport posi- tion using the foot pedal.

f.Use the foot pedal to lower the mowing deck to the cutting position and repeat step “b.” above to make sure that the desired cutting height has been attained. If the dimensions are not correct, repeat steps “c.” through “e.” above.

5.Lubricate all fittings listed in the maintenance section.

D.Zero Turn Break-In And Operating Pro- cedures

DANGER:

Reread the “When Mowing” Safety Precautions.

The following procedures are suggested for operators of ride-on machines which have zero turn capabilities.

1.Orientation:

a.Read the entire Operator’s Manual.

b.Sit on the machine, adjust the seat before- and-after, then adjust the speed/directional (lap bar) controls (they can be adjusted fore- and-aft, as well as up-and-down — 9/16" wrench required).

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