Maintenance & Adjustment - Cub Cadet 18M Operator's Manual

Maintenance & Adjustments
Maintenance
General Recommendations
1. Always observe safety rules when performing any
maintenance.
2. The warranty on this lawn mower does not cover items that
have been subjected to operator abuse or negligence. To
receive full value from warranty, operator must maintain
the lawn mower as instructed here.
3. Changing of engine-governed speed will void engine
warranty.
4. All adjustments should be checked at least once each
season.
5. Periodically check all fasteners and make sure these are
tight.
WARNING:
plug, and ground against engine before performing
any type of maintenance on your machine.
Lubrication
1. Lubricate pivot points on the blade control at least once a
season with light oil. The blade control must operate freely
in both directions. See Fig. 6-1.
2. Lubricate the wheels at least once a season with light oil (or
motor oil). If wheels are removed for any reason, lubricate
surface of the pivot arm and inner surface of the wheel
with light oil. See Fig. 6-1.
3. Lubricate the torsion spring and pivot point on the rear
discharge door and side mulch plug periodically with light
oil to prevent rust. See Fig. 6-1.
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Always stop engine, disconnect spark
Figure 6-1
4. The transmission is pre-lubricated and sealed at the factory
and does not require lubrication.
5. Follow the accompanying engine manual for lubrication
schedule and instruction for engine lubrication.
Deck Care
Clean underside of the mower deck after each use to prevent
build-up of grass clippings or other debris. Follow steps below
for this job.
1. Disconnect spark plug wire. Drain gasoline from lawn
mower or place a piece of plastic under the gas cap.
2. Tip mower so that it rests on the housing. Keep the side
with the air cleaner facing up. Hold mower firmly.
WARNING:
Never tip the mower more than 90º in
any direction and do not leave the mower tipped for
any length of time. Oil can drain into the upper part
of the engine causing a starting problem.
3. Scrape and clean the underside of the deck with a suitable
tool. Do not spray with water.
IMPORTANT: Do not use a pressure washer to clean your
unit. This may cause damage to bearings, or the engine.
4. Put the mower back on its wheels on the ground. If you had
put plastic under the gas cap earlier, make sure to remove it
now.
Engine Care
1. Refer to the separate engine manual for engine
maintenance instructions.
2. Maintain engine oil as instructed in the separate engine
manual packed with your unit. Read and follow instructions
carefully.
3. Under normal conditions service air cleaner as instructed in
the separate engine manual packed with your unit. Clean
every few hours under extremely dusty conditions. Poor
engine performance and flooding usually indicates that the
air cleaner should be serviced.
4. The spark plug should be cleaned and the gap reset once
a season. Spark plug replacement is recommended at the
start of each mowing season; check engine manual for
correct plug type and gap specifications.
NOTE: This spark ignition system meets all requirements of the
Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.
5. Clean the engine regularly with a cloth or brush. Keep
the cooling system (blower housing area) clean to
permit proper air circulation which is essential to engine
performance and life. Be certain to remove all grass, dirt
and combustible debris from muffler area.
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