Cub Cadet PRO Z 972S KW Operation Manual - Page 22

a. To prevent gum deposits from forming inside the engine's carburetor and causing possible malfunction of the engine, use a fuel stabilizer or completely empty the fuel system for storage between 30 and 90 days: WARNING Fuel left in the fuel tank deteriorates and will cause serious starting problems. • Read the product manufacturer's instructions and recommendations. • Add to clean, fresh gasoline the correct amount of stabilizer for the capacity (approximately 3 gallons) of the fuel system. • Fill the fuel tank with treated fuel and run the engine for 2-3 minutes to get stabilized fuel into the carburetor. b. Emptying the fuel system for storage of more than 90 days: • Prior to putting the tractor in storage, monitor fuel consumption with the goal of running the fuel tank empty. • Run the engine until it begins to stall. Use the choke to keep the engine running until all fuel in the carburetor has been exhausted. • Referring to the Engine Operator's Manual, drain the fuel from the carburetor bowl. 3. Clean the engine and the entire tractor thoroughly. 4. Fully charge the battery, then disconnect the negative cable at the battery to prevent possible discharge. Recharge the battery periodically when in storage. Note: Remove the battery if exposed to prolonged periods of sub-freezing temperatures. Store in a cool, dry location where temperatures are above freezing. 5. Lubricate all lubrication points. Note: Using a pressure washer or garden hose is not recommended for cleaning your tractor. It may cause damage to electrical components, spindles, pulleys, bearings or the engine. The use of water will result in shortened life and reduce serviceability. Removing The Tractor From Storage 1. Check the engine oil. 2. Fully charge the battery and inflate the tires to the recommended pressure. 3. Fill the fuel tank with clean, fresh gasoline. 4. Start the engine and allow to idle for a few minutes to ensure engine is operating properly. 5. Drive the tractor without a load to make certain all the tractor systems are functioning properly. Adjustments WARNING Shut the engine off, remove the ignition key and engage the parking brake before making adjustments. Protect your hands by using heavy gloves when handling the blades. Deck Leveling Note: Check the tractor's tire pressure before performing any deck leveling adjustments. Refer to Tires for information regarding tire pressure. Always level the deck side-to-side before front to rear. Side-to-Side Leveling 1. Park the mower on a flat paved surface, engage the parking brake, shut off the engine, remove the key from the ignition switch, disconnect the spark plug wires, using the deck lift pedal position the mowing deck into the 4" height of cut position (the 4" height of cut position is recommended in order for one to see and obtain a measurement. Any height of cut position is acceptable as long as a proper measurement can be taken) and rotate both outside blades so that they are perpendicular with the tractor. 2. Measure the distance from the outside of the left blade tip to the ground and the distance from the outside of the right blade tip to the ground. Both measurements taken should be equal. If they're not, proceed to the next step. 3. Adjust the eyebolt (a) at the left front of the deck so that the blade-to-ground height at the right outside blade tip matches that of the left outside blade tip. This is done by loosening the jam nuts (b) on the eyebolt (a) and tightening the upper jam nut (b) to raise the deck and loosening the jam nut (b) to lower the deck. The right outer blade tip height is fixed by the right, front eyebolt (a) so you must adjust the left outer tip to match it. See Figure 4-10. (b) (b) (a) Figure 4-10 4. Once the proper adjustment is made, re-tighten the jam nuts (b). Front-to-Back Leveling 1. Park the mower on a flat paved surface, engage the parking brake, shut off the engine, remove the key from the ignition switch, disconnect the spark plug wires, using the deck lift pedal position the mowing deck into the 4" height of cut position (the 4" height of cut position is recommended in order for one to see and obtain a measurement. Any height of cut position is acceptable as long as a proper measurement can be taken) and rotate both outside blades so that they are parallel with the tractor. 2. Measure the blade-to-ground height at the right rear blade tip. Again be sure to measure at the blade tip at the rear of the right blade when aligned along the mower centerline. The blade-to-ground height at the rear of the blade tip should be 1⁄8" to 1⁄4" higher than the front tip. This is referred to as blade pitch. The same height difference should be true for the left blade, measured front and back. The pitch should not exceed 1⁄16" if cut height is below 1-1⁄2". 3. Loosen the jam nuts (b) at the rear left and right of the deck eyebolts (a). Refer to Figure 4-10. 4. Start at the rear right to raise the rear of the deck, tighten the upper jam nut (b) to raise the deck or loosen the upper jam nut (b) to lower the rear of the deck. 5. Adjust the jam nut (b) at the rear left to take the "slack" out of the threaded rod. 6. Tighten both lower jam nuts (b) to secure the deck adjustment. 7. The final adjustment would be to take the "slack" out of the left rear linkage if the rear of the deck was raised by adjusting the jam nuts (b) on the eyebolt (a). Loosen the jam nuts (b) and tighten the upper jam nut (b) to remove "slack". 8. In many cases it will be necessary to adjust deck height using both eyebolt (a) adjustments and pitch adjustment to achieve the correct blade-to-ground heights. If you remember that the front right blade tip adjustment is fixed and you level to that height, adjusting the decks will be simplified. Adjusting the Front Gauge Wheels WARNING Keep hands and feet away from the discharge opening of the cutting deck. The front gauge wheels on the mower deck are an anti-scalp feature, and should not ride on the ground. The front gauge wheels should be approximately 1⁄4-1⁄2" above the ground when the deck is set in the desired height setting. Using the deck lift handle, set the deck in the desired height setting, then check the gauge wheel distance from the ground below. If necessary adjust the front gauge wheels as follows: 1. Visually check the distance between the front gauge wheels and the ground. If the gauge wheels are near or touching the ground, they should be raised. If more than 1⁄2" above the ground, they should be lowered. 22 Section 4- Product Care