Warning – Cub Cadet Fabricated Deck InDirect Injection Diesel User Manual
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mower is much more maneuverable and 
much less fatiguing to operate. However, get-
ting used to the fingertip control of the zero-
turning-radius mower takes some practice. 
We strongly recommend that you locate a 
“test area” where you can operate the mower 
for about 30 minutes without being disturbed.
a. Get into the operator’s seat.
b.
Start the engine.
c.
Use the transport lever to raise the mowing
deck to the transport position. Make sure 
the blade clutch switch is off.
d. After the engine has warmed, adjust the
throttle to the fast position.
e.
Release the parking brake.
f.
Fold in the steering levers to the operating
position.
WARNING:
When operating this mower forward, do not 
allow the steering levers to return to the neu-
tral position on their own. Always maintain a 
firm grip on the steering levers, operate them 
smoothly and avoid any sudden movements of 
the levers when starting or stopping.
g.
To go forward, move both steering levers 
slightly forward and the mower will slowly 
move forward. The farther you move the 
levers forward the faster the mower will go 
forward.
h.
To back up, move both steering levers 
slightly backward and the mower will 
slowly move backward. The farther you 
move the levers backward the faster the 
mower will go backward.
i.
To turn, pull the lever back on the side to 
which you want to turn. The farther back 
you pull the lever, the faster and more 
sharply you will turn. Initially, you will have 
to be careful to avoid turning to fast and 
too far.
j.
After you have mastered operating the 
mower, use the transport lever to lower the 
mowing deck to the cutting position and 
pull on the electric blade clutch switch to 
start the blades rotating.
k.
Practice mowing in straight passes. When 
you feel confident, slowly practice mowing 
around obstacles such as trees.
5.
Parking the Mower:
a.
Push off the electric blade clutch switch.
b.
Use the Deck Lift Handle to raise the mow-
ing deck to the transport position.
c.
Drive the mower to the cleanup or storage 
area.
d.
Move the throttle to slow.
e.
Place the steering levers in the neutral 
position.
f.
Set the parking brake.
g.
Turn off the ignition switch and take the key 
from the switch.
h.
Close the fuel shutoff valves.
E.Mower Cutting Blades
The blades normally “factory installed” on a mower 
afford the best grass cutting performance on the 
majority of grasses and mowing conditions; however, 
there will be occasions whereby the grass type, 
stage of grass growth, soil conditions, and weather 
conditions will require different cutting blade types. 
Since the mower decks are designed so that over-lap 
of the cutting blades generally exceed 1.5”, there is 
no need for orientation of one cutting blade to an 
adjacent blade (I.E., the blades do not need to be 
“timed” nor synchronized).
Hi-lift- These are generally the best cutting blades 
for most grasses and mowing conditions. These 
blades will provide extra “lift” for the thinner leaf 
grasses, will handle lush grasses, and will provide 
maximum grass and debris discharge. These blades 
are generally required for material collection sys-
tems. More horsepower is required for these blades 
when compared to others, and they generally pro-
duce the highest noise levels.
Medium-lift- These blades require less horsepower 
than the hi-lift, and they generally work well in wider 
leaf grasses and some mulch applications.
Low-lift- These blades require less horsepower than 
hi-lift and medium-lift blades, and they generally work 
best with wide leaf grasses, sparse grass growth, 
and sandy soil conditions. They generally produce 
the lowest noise levels. Bahia blades are configured 
without offset, and with a maximum amount of sharp-
ened cutting edge.
Mulch- These blades are generally designed for use 
in cutting decks equipped with mulch baffles. The 
shape of the blade generally produces higher turbu-
lence in order that the grass can be repeatedly cut 
and re-cut into smaller pieces. These blades gener-
ally require more horsepower than other blades. 
Mulch blades work best when the grasses are cut at 
the highest levels, minimal lengths of grasses are 
removed, and grass conditions are generally dry.
