Cub Cadet 48-inch, 54-inch, 60-inch, 72-inch service manual F.Hydraulic System, Screw Screw

To adjust either brake individually, disconnect the brake rod from the brake arm by removing the cotter pin from the clevis pin and pulling the clevis pin from the brake clevis. Loosen the hex nut and turn the brake clevis in a clockwise direction one full turn looking down the brake rod. This will tighten the brake about .040 inch. Tighten the hex nut and reassemble the brake clevis to the brake shaft assembly. Normally, both brakes should be adjusted and equal amount.

2.Repair: The mower is equipped with drum brakes and will not normally require mainte- nance. If they are not working properly, please contact your service center.

F.Hydraulic System

WARNING:

Never overfill the hydraulic units. Damage can occur if the oil level is not within the proper operating range.

Note: When adding hydraulic oil, do so in small quantities and recheck the oil level before adding more. It is important that you do not overfill the reservoir to allow for fluid expansion.

1.Hoses: Check the hoses from the hydraulic oil tank to the oil filter to the hydraulic lines daily for leaks or abrasion and replace any damaged hoses. Make certain there are no kinks or twists in any hose.

2.Hydraulic Oil Tank and Filter:

Note: Change the hydraulic oil and the oil filter element after the first 50 hours of opera- tion and every 500 hours thereafter.

To drain the hydraulic oil tank, place a 1 gallon drain pan under the drain plug on the bottom of the hydraulic oil tank. Remove the drain plug, drain the tank, then replace the plug. Remove the three screws from the top of the oil filter and take out the oil filter element You don’t have to drain the rest of the hydraulic system. Put the replacement filter element in the oil filter and lubricate the sealing surface. Install the three screws in the top of the oil filter to secure the oil filter element. (See photo below)

Screw

Screw

Note: Always wipe off the hydraulic tank fill cap and the area around it before removing the cap to prevent dirt from contaminating the oil.

Remove the fill cap and fill the tank with the same 15W-40 oil selected for the filter until the oil level is a 1/4” below the oil tank fill neck. Leave this air space for expansion. Start the engine and let it run at idle for about five minutes. Check the filter for leaks. Idling the engine and the pumps in this way will purge any air from the system. Shut off the engine and recheck the oil level in the tank. Top-off if necessary until the oil level is a 1/4” below the oil tank fill neck.

Note: After unit is up to operating tempera- ture, turn off engine and re-check hydraulic oil. If oil appears foamy or contains excessive air bubbles, DO NOT OPERATE UNIT. Contact service technician.

3.Hydrostatic Pumps and Motors: The pumps are the hardest-working components in the hydraulic system. They are in operation all the time the engine is running. Because of extremely close tolerances, wear is an impor- tant factor in their life. Contaminants in the hydraulic oil and cavitation does the greatest harm to the pumps. Cavitation is a blockage in the supply lines that produces a partial vac- uum causing violent bubbling in the hydraulic oil in the pump.

Check the two suction hoses (the hoses con- nected to the filter) daily before starting the engine. Look for a flattened condition or any leaks and repair or replace as necessary. A flattened or leakng suction hose will permit cavitation to develop which can destroy the pumps in a short time.

Contaminants or foreign matter in the oil will also damage the pumps . To prevent this, use a filter that captures particles as small as 25 microns or 25 millionths of a meter in diame- ter. You can help in the battle against dirt by being very careful when you remove or repair a component in the hydraulic system. Thor- oughly clean off any component before you work on it. Plug the ends of any hose or line you remove with a rubber or plastic plug. Use plastic caps to seal off the ends of hydraulic fittings. Place any component you remove in a clean plastic bag so it can’t pick up dust or dirt. Clean your hands frequently when work- ing on the hydraulic components.

Note: The pumps are not owner-repairable. If a pump fails, contact your Cub Cadet Com- mercial dealer. Do not disassemble the pump.

4.Steering Lever Adjustments: Place the mower on level ground with the engine run- ning, parking brake off and steering levers

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