Cub Cadet 53AH8ST3050, 53AH8ST5050 service manual Start the Engine

1.Make sure no bystanders, animals, or objects are behind the machine. Look behind the machine, and use extreme care.

2.Slowly, move both lap bars toward the rear of the machine until the machine begins to move rearward. Release the lap bars and the machine should stop. The more the lap bars are moved toward the rear of the machine, the faster the machine will move in the reverse direction. Release the lap bars and the machine should stop traveling in reverse (this is a safety check, the normal procedure is for the operator to slowly bring the lap bars to the neutral position).

3.Do not retard the lap bars rapidly as this could cause turf defacement and/or loss of traction.

4.To turn, retard one lap bar ahead of the other and the machine will turn toward the same side that was retarded — I.E., to turn counter-clockwise (to the LEFT), move the LEFT lap bar rearward more than the right side, and to turn clockwise (to the RIGHT), move the RIGHT lap bar rearward more than the left side. NOTE: If one lap bar is in the neutral position and the other is retarded, the turn side tire will not rotate and a “pivot turn” will be executed. Turf deface- ment could occur (if on grass) as well as potential damages to the traction surface and the tire. If the lap bar on the turn side is not brought all the way to neutral, then the turn side tire will continue to rotate and a “U- turn” will be executed with a low potential for turf defacement as well as traction surface and tire damage.

j.To perform a “zero turn”:

1.Please note, a zero turn maneuver can not be executed while the machine is moving in the Forward or, Reverse directions, the machine must come to a stop first.

2.To turn clockwise, slowly move the LEFT lap bar forward while simultaneously moving the RIGHT lap bar rearward. Release both lap bars and the machine should stop turning.

3.To turn counter-clockwise, slowly move the RIGHT lap bar forward while simultaneously moving the LEFT lap bar rearward. Release both lap bars and the machine should stop turning (this is a safety check, the normal procedure is for the operator to slowly bring the lap bars to the neutral position).

3.Start the Engine:

a.Open the fuel shutoff valve.

b.Sit on the Seat. Set the parking brake “On”.

c.Make sure that the left and right steering levers are in their neutral position.

d.Turn the electric blade clutch switch “Off”.

e.Push the throttle control to a position a third of the way between slow and fast.

f.Insert the key in the ignition and start switch and turn the switch to “On”.

g.Gasoline Engine: If the engine is cold, push the choke to the on position.

h.Turn the ignition key in a clockwise direction to the “Start” position until the engine starts.

Note: Do not hold the key in the “Start” posi- tion for more than 10 seconds or you may damage the starter. If the engine does not start in this time, wait about 30 seconds and try again.

i.Gasoline Engine: Once the engine starts, push the choke on halfway and as the engine warms, push the choke off all the way.

4.Operating the Mower: Operating a zero-turning- radius mower is not like operating a tractor-type riding mower. The zero-turning-radius mower is much more maneuverable and much less fatigu- ing to operate. However, getting used to the fin- gertip control of the zero-turning-radius mower takes some practice. We strongly recommend that you locate a “test area” where you can oper- ate the mower for about 30 minutes without being disturbed.

a.Get into the operator’s seat.

b.Start the engine.

c.Use the upper foot pedal to raise the mowing deck to the transport position. Make sure the blade clutch switch is off.

d.After the engine has warmed, adjust the throt- tle to the fast position.

e.Release the parking brake.

f.Fold in the steering levers to the operating position.

WARNING:

When operating this mower forward, do not allow the steering levers to return to the neutral posi- tion on their own. Always maintain a firm grip on the steering levers, operate them smoothly and avoid any sudden movements of the levers when starting or stopping.

g.To go forward, move both steering levers slightly forward and the mower will slowly move forward. The farther you move the levers forward the faster the mower will go forward.

h.To back up, move both steering levers slightly backward and the mower will slowly move backward. The farther you move the levers backward the faster the mower will go back- ward.

i.To turn, pull the lever back on the side to which you want to turn. The farther back you pull the lever, the faster and more sharply you will turn. Initially, you will have to be careful to avoid turning to fast and too far.

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