Operation
5
20
Before Operating Your Machine
1.  Before you operate the tractor, study this manual carefully 
to familiarize yourself with the operation of all the 
instruments and controls. It has been prepared to help you 
operate and maintain your machine efficiently.
2.  Fill the fuel tank with only clean, fresh, unleaded gasoline 
with a pump sticker octane rating of 87 or higher. When 
the fuel reaches ⁄” below the bottom of the fill neck, stop. 
DO NOT OVERFILL. Space must be left for expansion.
3.  Never use gasoline containing more than 10% ethanol or 
methanol.
4.  Check the engine oil level as instructed in the Engine 
Operator’s manual.
5.  Check the transmission oil level. The transmission oil 
expansion reservoir is located beneath the operator’s 
seat. Always wipe off the area around the reservoir fill 
neck before checking the oil level to prevent dirt from 
contaminating the oil. Remove the cap and make sure the 
oil level is a 1/4” above the bottom of the reservoir. If the oil 
level is low, fill with Castrol™ (Syntec®) Edge™.
6.  Check the tire inflation pressures — 12 psi for the rear tires, 
14 psi front tires.
NOTE: New tires are over-inflated in order to properly seat 
the bead to the rim.
7.  Check that all nuts, bolts and screws are tight.
8.  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.
9.  Check if deck is level. When correctly adjusted the mower 
deck should be level side to side, and the front of the deck 
should be approximately ⁄” lower than the rear of deck. 
If deck needs to be leveled, refer to the Maintenance & 
Adjustments section.
10.  Lubricate all pivot points listed in the Maintenance & 
Adjustments section.
11.  Adjust the seat for operator’s maximum comfort, visibility 
and for maintaining complete control of the machine. 
Refer to the Assembly & Set-Up section for instructions on 
adjusting the seat.
Safety Interlock System
This machine is equipped with a safety interlock system for 
the protection of the operator. If the interlock system should 
ever malfunction, do not operate the machine. Contact your 
authorized Cub Cadet Dealer.
•  The safety interlock system prevents the engine from 
cranking or starting unless the  RH and LH drive control 
levers are moved fully outward in the neutral position, the 
parking brake is engaged, and the PTO is disengaged.
•  To avoid sudden movement when disengaging the parking 
brake, the safety interlock system will shut off the engine 
if the RH and/or LH drive control levers are moved to a 
position other than the fully out in the neutral position 
when the parking brake is engaged.
•  The safety interlock system will shut off the engine if the 
operator leaves the seat before engaging the parking brake.
•  The safety interlock system will shut off the engine if the 
operator leaves the seat with the PTO engaged, regardless 
of whether the parking brake is engaged. 
NOTE: The PTO must be disengaged to restart the engine.
Starting the Engine
WARNING! This machine is equipped with a safety 
interlock system designed for the protection of the 
operator. Do not operate the machine if any part of 
the interlock system is malfunctioning. Periodically 
check the functions of the interlock system for 
proper operation.
WARNING! For personal safety, the operator must 
be sitting in the tractor seat when starting the 
engine.
1.  Open the fuel valve on the fuel tank.
2.  Operator must be sitting in the tractor seat with both drive 
control levers in the neutral/start position.
3.  Engage the parking brake.
4.  Make certain the PTO is in the disengaged (down) position. 
5.  Lift the choke knob into the on position.
NOTE: If the engine is warmed up, it may not be necessary 
to choke the engine.
6.  Move the throttle control to midway between the SLOW 
 and FAST   positions.