Cub Cadet 48-inch Fabricated Deck User Manual
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direction until it stops, it will shut off the flow of fuel 
to the engine. When turned in a counterclockwise 
direction it will open and allow fuel to flow to the 
engine. Close this valve if you are not going to run 
the mower for a period of 30 minutes or more to 
prevent flooding the engine.
8. Seat Adjustment Lever: The Seat Adjustment
Lever is located beneath the seat. The Seat Adjust-
ment Lever is used to move the seat forward and 
backward. To place the seat in the desired position 
pull the seat adjustment lever to the left then push 
the seat forward or back to the desired position. 
Release the lever so the seat will lock in place.
9. Digital Tachometer and Hour Meter: (See Figure
1) Located on the right side of the mower in front of 
the ignition switch. When the machine is running 
the tachometer displays engine rpm. When the 
machine is off the tachometer displays running 
time.
10.Choke Lever: (See Figure 1) The Choke Lever is
located on the left instrument panel next to the 
seat. The Choke Lever is operated manually. Hav-
ing the Choke Lever in the ON position helps the 
engine to start during initial start-up. During normal 
operation the Choke Lever should be in the OFF 
position. 
Note:
The Tanks equipped with E.F.I. do not
have a choke control.
Note:
There will be a flashing “LUBE” for each
recommended lubrication interval. There is a 
flashing “OIL” at each recommended engine oil 
and filter change.
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 (for a gasoline engine), fill the fuel 
tank (beside the engine on the left or right 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 ship-
ment.) 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 operating range.
Note:
Gasoline Engine: Use SAE 10W30 or
SAE 10W40 engine oil, rated for service SJ. Shell 
Rimula 15W40 is also recommended and provides 
service SL and CI-4 plus.
c.
Hydraulic Oil: (Filled at the factory before 
shipment.) The hydraulic oil tank is located 
beneath the operator’s seat. Always wipe off 
the area around the oil tank fill neck before 
checking the oil level to prevent dirt from con-
taminating the oil. Remove the cap and make 
sure the oil level is a 1/4” below the oil tank fill 
neck. If the oil level is low, fill with Shell Rimula 
15W40 or equivalent oil. Equivalent oil should 
meet GM Allison C-4.
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 main-
tained 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 anywhere in the range of 1" to 5". You may 
need to adjust the mowing deck to achieve the 
proper pitch angle for mowing. Follow the proce-
dures 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 second foot pedal, lower the mowing 
deck into the cutting position.
b.
Using a ruler, pencil and paper, measure and 
note the distance from the paved surface to 
the bottom edge of the mowing blade at the 
front and the back of the deck on each side of 
the mower. (Four dimensions.)
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 on each side of the 
mower, do not adjust. If not, you will need to 
adjust the Deck Lift Spring Assist 
