Cub Cadet Tank SZ - Operating the Tractor; Before Operating Your Machine; Starting, Stopping, and Driving

Operation
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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 speed control pedals are in
the neutral position, the parking brake is engaged, and the
PTO knob is disengaged.
• To avoid sudden movement when disengaging the parking
brake, the safety interlock system will shut off the engine
if the speed control pedals are moved to a position other
than 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 knob engaged,
regardless of whether the parking brake is engaged.
NOTE: The PTO knob must be in the disengaged position
to restart the engine.
Starting the Engine
WARNING! This machine is equipped with a safety
interlock system designed for 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 and select one of the two tanks.
2. Operator must be sitting in the tractor seat with both drive
control pedals 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.
7. Turn the ignition key clockwise to the START position
and release it as soon as the engine starts; however, do not
crank the engine continuously for more than 10 seconds
at a time. If the engine does not start within this time, turn
the key to STOP and wait at least 30 seconds to allow