Solve 12 problems of your Cub Cadet mower – Reasons & fixes

The manufacturer’s website states that Cub Cadet created the first zero-turn riding lawn mower and is the only company in the market to make mowers with direct drive shafts. Being one of the best lawn mower manufacturers available, serious issues with well-kept equipment are uncommon. Nevertheless, maintaining the lawn mower’s top performance periodically necessitates tweaks and troubleshooting.

Most frequent problems with Cub Cadet mowers are that the engine won’t start, runs erratically, idles poorly, cuts unevenly, and has mulching problems. The mower’s inability to move forward or backward and the engine overheating are two additional frequent issues.

We’ll discuss these problems and their solutions in detail.

1. Old fuel that won’t combust
2. Old fuel “sticking up the works”
3. Fouled spark plug
4. Unclean or clogged air filters should be cleaned or changed.
5. Failed engine ignition coil/ Erratic Engine
6. Fails to start
7. Loses power and dies
8. Begins smoking
9. Has a weak hydrostatic transmission
10. Won’t drive straight or steer correctly
11. won’t move
12. is vibrating
13. is providing a bad or uneven cut

Most commons problems with CUB CADET MOWER

1- Old fuel that won’t combust

Gas can become stale and lose its volatility, whether it is in a container or within your unit, in as little as 30 days. Completely remove questionable fuel from the fuel system of the vehicle and add new fuel in its stead. (Be sure to dispose of the used gasoline correctly).

Solution

You can check the fuel in your tank or engine to see if it’s stale before draining. You can quickly determine if your fuel has gone bad by using Fuel Defense fuel test swabs, which are available at our online parts store and in the directory of your nearby authorized service centers.

2- Old fuel “sticking up the works”

If fuel was kept within the appliance for a long time, the old fuel mixture may have gummed up or glazed components like fuel lines and the metering needle. (Old fuel develops a sticky or varnish-like texture and leads to buildup and obstructions.) The only treatments for this condition involve professional carburetor cleaning and perhaps a rebuild.

Solution:

Remove the spark plug to check this situation (s). The fuel pathways are probably blocked if you cannot smell fuel in the combustion chamber or see or smell fuel on the spark plug’s bottom. The use of compressed air and spray carburetor cleaner to unclog a carburetor may be effective. If this doesn’t work, get in touch with a reputable engine repair shop to have the system expertly and properly cleaned.

3-Fouled spark plug

On the electrode, black carbon deposits may build up and impede the spark. Spark plugs with extensive carbon buildup should be replaced. Consult the Operator’s Manual or go here.

4- Unclean or clogged air filters Air filters should be cleaned or changed.

Oil can flow into the air filter and clog it when an engine is turned onto its air filter side. If you must tilt your unit, tilt it toward the side of the exhaust system.

5- Failed engine ignition coil/ Erratic Engine

Although this is unusual, it does happen occasionally. Use a spark plug circuit-testing gadget to check for electrical activity (available at most auto parts stores for a few dollars). It will enable you to securely examine the circuit to determine whether electricity is moving from the ignition coil to the spark plug terminal. If the coil is not producing any electrical activity, it must be examined and possibly replaced.

6- Fails to start

Due to fuel or air constraints that prevent the engine from receiving the fuel and air it needs to run, a Cub Cadet may not start. Another potential cause of your starting issue could be a faulty spark plug or an electrical component.

Reasons to not start:

• No gas in the fuel tank
• Bad or old fuel
• Faulty or clogged fuel cap
• Bad spark plug
• Plugged air filter
• Bad fuel pump

Solution

• Fill with fresh fuel
• Fill the tank with new petrol after draining the old one. To stabilize the fuel and help clean the fuel system, use a fuel additive like Sea Foam. Choose the proper fuel.
• To attempt to unclog the clogged vent, use a small piece of wire. If necessary, swap out the cap.
• Secure connections, swap out the spark plug for a new one, and make sure the gap is set as directed by the manufacturer.
• Clean the filter by removing it. If the filter is in poor shape, replace it
• Replace the fuel filter
• Replace the fuel pump

7- Loses power and dies

When the fuel or air systems are damaged, Cub Cadet lawn mowers may lose power, making it difficult for the mower to function. This can include contaminated gasoline lines, a dirty carburetor, a poor air filter, and bad fuel.

Solution

• Fill the tank with new petrol after draining the old one. To stabilize the fuel and help clean the fuel system, use a fuel additive like Sea Foam.
• Clean the filter by removing it. If the filter is in poor shape, replace it.
• To unclog the gasoline line, use compressed air and carb cleaning.

8- Begins Smoking

• A Cub Cadet will start to smoke as oil enters the cylinder and starts to burn off. Additionally, internal engine issues such as piston ring, valve train, and gasket failures occur due to increased friction brought on by low oil capacity.
• Solution:
• If the crankcase has too much oil, drain some until the manufacturer’s suggested oil level is reached.
• Bring the engine to a small engine repair shop to check for engine damage if the oil level is low. Although you can attempt adding oil, it is frequently too late to remedy your engine issue using this method.

9- Has a weak hydrostatic transmission

In Cub Cadets with hydrostatic transmissions, a weak transmission is possible if the hydraulic is old or has low capacity. When the drive belt or tensioner pulley is worn out or broken, it may also feel feeble.

Solution

• Grease the tensioner arm and replace the pulley.
• Replace a belt that is frayed, broken, or worn.
• As advised by Cub Cadet, change your hydraulic oil at regular intervals.
• To make sure your hydraulic fluid is full, periodically check your hydraulic oil.

10- Won’t drive straight or steer correctly

Incorrect tire pressure, defective dampers, and worn steering parts are just a few of the things that might make your Cub Cadet mower steer poorly. On Cub Cadet zero turns, the tracking may be wrong, leading the mower to wander off to the right or left.

Solution

• Verify the tire pressures and maintain them at the manufacturer’s recommended levels. Your lawn mowers tires need to be inflated equally on both sides.
• To alter the tire’s rotation speed, adjust the speed adjustment bolt. Consult the owner’s manual.
• Examine and replace the defective steering system components.

11- Lawn mower won’t move

A broken or missing drive belt, a worn tensioner pulley, or a missing idler spring could all cause a Cub Cadet mower to become immobile. Your Cub Cadet hydrostatic mower can have the drive release lever and the transmission bypass rod installed incorrectly.

Solution

• On a zero-turn, the drive release lever must be in the operational position. It is necessary to release the bypass rod.
• Replace a cracked or worn-out belt. Verify that the belt is fastened tightly around the pulleys.
• As advised by Cub Cadet, change your hydraulic oil at regular intervals.
• To make sure your hydraulic fluid is full, periodically check your hydraulic oil.
• Cool down your hydraulic oil. Have your mower checked at your nearby Cub Cadet dealership if you notice that it runs well while it’s cold but becomes weak when the hydraulic system heats up.

12- Mower is vibrating

A Cub Cadet may vibrate due to damaged or out-of-balance blades, loose hardware and parts on the mower, bearing failure in the clutch, pulley, and spindle housings, debris caught under the pulleys, and other problems.

Solution

• Ensure engine bolts are tight and add any missing ones.
• swap out the clutch
• Make sure the blades are balanced and replace any that are broken.
• Eliminate all dirt and objects that are encircling the blade shaft. Examine the spindle for damage.
• Replace the spindle housing’s bearing or the entire spindle housing assembly

13- Uneven Cuts

A Cub Cadet may deliver a poor cut due to several factors. A worn or damaged mower blade, uneven tire pressure, an uneven mower deck, a slow engine speed, and a plugged mower deck are a few examples of these things.

Reason:

• Engine speed is inadequate.
• Too much ground speed
• Deck has a defect
• Operator blunder
• Dirt has clogged the deck.
• False blade installation
• crooked mower blade

Conclusion:

Of course, there are a lot more factors at play when an engine of a certain type won’t start. Some of these issues can be related to the engine itself, while others might be related to other systems the engine interacts with, like electrical starters and safety interlock systems that differ depending on the product design. To fix a strange beginning problem, a skilled service technician knowledgeable about these designs might need to evaluate the complete system. To schedule this service, kindly get in touch with a service center nearby.

• Items to have on hand that are useful
• pristine air filters (if the unit is equipped with one)
• clean fuel
• fresh spark plugs
• a socket or wrench for spark plugs. – 5/8″, 3/4″, and 13/16 are the most popular sizes.

FAQ’s