Cub Cadet 20HP Z-Force 44 User Manual
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should rotate. If the blades do not turn, the 
blade clutch switch must be replaced, the 
seat switch must be replaced or the elec-
tric PTO clutch must be repaired.
The air-gap should be checked every 100 
hrs. (or less, if severe operating conditions 
exist such as when there are many on/off 
cycles, mulching operations, material col-
lection systems used, and dusty/dirty con-
ditions), and the air-gap adjusted if more 
than 0.025". To inspect, remove the “nega-
tive” cable from the battery and all spark-
plug wires. The air-gap should be checked 
with feeler gages in the three slots of the 
BBC (PTO Clutch). The air-gap should be 
adjusted to 0.012" to 0.015". There are 
three inspection slots in the brake cover. To 
adjust, successively tighten each of the 
three gap adjustment nuts an equal 
amount. Insert a feeler gage (0.012" to 
0.015") into each slot as the air gap adjust-
ment nut are tightened. The correct adjust-
ment occurs when slight contact with the 
feeler gage occurs. Engage the BBC (PTO 
Clutch) a couple of times, and re-check the 
air-gap. If it is not between 0.012" and 
0.015", repeat the adjustment procedure.
b.
Parking Brake/Lap bar Switch:
Sit in the
operator’s seat. With both steering levers 
in the neutral position and the blade clutch 
switch “off”, release the parking brake and 
try to start the engine. The engine should 
not start. If it does, the parking brake 
switch must be repositioned or perhaps 
replaced. If the engine does not start, 
engage the parking brake and start the 
engine. The steering levers should not be 
movable from the neutral position.
c.
Seat Switch:
With both steering levers in
the neutral position, the parking brake 
engaged and the blade clutch switch in the 
“off” position, start the engine. Now 
release the parking brake, hold down on 
the back of the operator’s seat against 
spring pressure, and swing one of the 
steering levers up to the operating position. 
Release the operator’s seat and the engine 
should stop. If the engine does not stop, 
the seat switch must be replaced. With 
both steering levers folded out in the neu-
tral position, the parking brake engaged 
and the blade clutch switch in the “off” 
position, sit in the operator’s seat and start 
the engine. Turn the blade clutch switch to 
the “on” position and the blades should 
start to rotate. Raise up slightly off the 
operator’s seat and the blades should stop. 
If the blades do not stop when you dis-
mount from the operator’s seat, the seat 
switch must be replaced.
d.
Electric PTO Clutch:
This clutch operates
when the engine is running, the operator is 
in the operator’s seat and the blade clutch 
switch is turned on. This electric clutch is a 
fairly trouble free device. If a problem 
develops and the blades do not turn, first 
check the 20 amp fuse in the yellow, 16-
gauge wire between terminal “L” on the 
ignition switch and the hour meter and then 
investigate the wiring harness and the con-
nections to the seat switch, the blade 
clutch switch and the electric blade clutch. 
Then check the seat switch, the blade 
clutch switch and finally the electric blade 
clutch.
e.
No Cut in Reverse Switches:
When both
speed/direction levers are moved past 
“neutral” to reverse, the PTO Clutch will be 
deactivated and the mower blades will stop 
rotation. The PTO will be reactivated when 
one or both of the levers are moved back to 
“Neutral”.
E.Tires
The two front wheels are caster wheels that are free 
to swivel to accommodate the direction of the mower.
The two rear wheels are used to propel the mower in 
the direction of input from the drive handles. Inflation 
pressure of the rear tires is important for stability 
while the mower is in operation. If the tire diameter is 
not equal between the two tires, the mower will pull to 
one side.
1.
Inflation Pressure:
a.
Traction Tires—20 psi max; 8-10 psi rec-
ommended
b.
Front Caster Wheel—28 psi max; 20-25
psi recommended
c.
Cutting Deck Ball Wheels—Solid Polyure-
thane.
Use the Following guidelines for maintaining the tires:
a.
Balance inflation pressure between the 
rear tires to help maintain straight travel 
(see tire side wall for proper inflation pres-
sure).
b.
Keep the valve caps tightened to prevent 
air pressure loss.
2.
Leaking Tires: When a flat tire occurs, repair 
or replace immediately. The normal procedure 
is to remove the wheel and replace it. If a tire 
is getting soft, park the mower on the nearest 
level, paved area. If the leaking tire is on a 
traction wheel, put blocks on each side of the 
opposite traction wheel and jack up the tire 
that leaks about an inch off the ground. 
Loosen and remove the lug nuts and remove 
