Cub Cadet 20HP Z-Force 44 Lawn Mower User Manual


 
12
C. Initial Adjustments
1. Check the fluid levels and tires:
Note:
These checks should be made daily,
before starting the engine.
a.
Fuel:
Using a good grade of unleaded,
regular gasoline, fill the fuel tank (beside
the engine on the left side of the mower).
When the fuel reaches one inch from the
top of the tank, stop. DO NOT OVERFILL.
Space must be left for expansion.
b.
Engine Oil:
(Filled at the factory before
shipment.) Pull out the oil dipstick, wipe it
off and reinsert it. Pull it out again and read
the oil 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 operat-
ing range.
Note:
Gasoline Engine: For the recom-
mended oil weight refer to engine manual.
c.
Hydraulic Oil:
(Filled at the factory before
shipment.) The hydraulic oil is contained
within the integrated hydrostatic transaxles
and does not need to be checked or
replaced.
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
maintained 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 in 1/2” increments in the range of 1-1/2"
to 4". Do not attempt to raise the mower deck
higher than 4” because you will damage com-
ponents on your mower.
You may need to
adjust the mowing deck to achieve the proper
angle for mowing. Follow the procedures
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 transport lever, lower
the mowing deck into the cutting position.
b. Using a ruler, pencil and paper, measure
and note the distance from the paved sur-
face to the bottom edge of the mowing
blade at the front and the back of the deck
on each side of the mower. (Four dimen-
sions.)
Note:
The front edge of the mowing deck
should be 1/8"-1/4" below the rear edge of the
deck so that the blades are cutting grass in
only the front half of their circular 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" lower than the dimension
at the rear of the deck (pitch) on each side
of the mower, do not adjust. If not, you will
need to adjust the Deck Front Links (See
Figure 5).
d. Lower the mower deck to the cutting posi-
tion. With a wrench, loosen the inner rear
nuts on the Deck Front Links adjust the
deck up or down, use a wrench and with a
few turns, adjust clockwise or counter
clockwise the outer rear nut of the Deck
Front Links. Repeat this procedure on the
opposite side of the Mower. Once the deck
is adjusted, retighten bolts.
e. With the deck still in the cutting position,
adjust the level (side to side). With a
wrench loosen the top inner nut of the left
side of the Deck Lift link. To adjust the side
of the deck up or down turn the lower nut
clockwise or counter clockwise a few turns.
Retighten nuts.
f. Raise the mowing deck to the transport
position using the transport lever.
g. Use the transport lever to lower the mow-
ing deck to the cutting position and repeat
step “b.” above to make sure that the
desired cutting height and pitch and level
Deck Lift Links
Figure. 5
Deck Front Links