Cub Cadet 18HP Lawn Mower User Manual


 
15
Note:
There is a certain amount of spring
tension due to the weight of the deck. When
removing the lift linkage from the deck the ten-
sion of the springs will go from the deck to the
lift handle. Not capturing the lift handle while
removing the lift linkage from the deck will
cause it to snap back.
d. Detach the mower drive belt.
e. Remove six cotter pins (See Fig. 6) (4)
from the deck and (2) from the front of the
mower. Remove the cotter pins on the left
and right rear side of the cutter deck (2);
remove the cotterpins on the left and right
front side of the cutter deck (2); and
remove the cotter pins on the front of the
mower (2).
f. Turn front caster wheels outward.
g. Shift the deck toward the ignition switch
side of the mower and remove.
h. To install reverse the process.
2. Changing a Blade:
a. Jack up the front of the mowing deck about
one foot and block it in that position.
b. To prevent the blade from turning, secure
the blade by placing by placing a block of
wood between the blade and the deck
housing.
c. Use a 1-1/8" socket wrench on the pulley
side of the spindle to secure.
d. Remove the hex nut using a 1-1/8" wrench.
e. Remove the hex nut.
f. To replace the blade reverse the above
process and tighten nut to 100-120 ft. lb.
WARNING:
Never mow with dull blades! Blades that are
bent should be replaced! The cutting blades
are sharp and can cause severe injury. Wrap
the cutting surface of the blade with a rag to
avoid injury.
a. apply the parking brake.
b. Clean any debris from the blades. Keep
blades sharp and free of build up at all
times.
c. Sharpen blades evenly at the original 30°
angle to maintain balanced cutting blades.
Do not sharpen the underside of the
blades. Use a electric blade sharpener, a
conventional electric grinder or a hand file
to sharpen the blades.
d. Replace any blade with severe nicks or
dents that cannot be removed by filing.
e. Check the balance of the blade after
sharpening by placing it on a blade bal-
ancer. Do not use un-balanced blades.
f. If the blade dips on one end, file stock off
of the cutting surface on that end.
Note:
Blades that cannot be easily bal-
anced—REPLACE.
3. Changing the Blade Drive Belts:
a. Apply the parking brake. Remove ignition
key and both spark plug boots.
b. Unscrew the wing nuts from the deck cov-
ers and remove both covers.
c. Using a 1/2" socket breaker bar or socket
rachet insert the male end into the 1/2"
opening in the lower idler arm assembly
and pull the idler arm clockwise. While
holding the idler arm back, loosen the
Cotter Pins
Figure. 6
Height of Cut Clevis
Cotter Pins