www.mymowerparts.com Service Manual Cub Cadet Z-Force IMPORTANT: READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY This Service Manual is not a substitute for the Operator’s Manual. You must read, understand and follow all of the directions in this manual as well as the Operator’s Manual before working on this power equipment. CUB CADET LLC, P.O. BOX 361131, CLEVELAND, OH 44136-0019 PRINTED IN USA FORM NO.
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www.mymowerparts.com TABLE OF CONTENTS Deck Leveling.................................................................................................... 1 Deck Removal ................................................................................................... 2 Deck Belt Removal............................................................................................ 3 Spindle Removal ...............................................................................................
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www.mymowerparts.com Z Force 1. DECK LEVELING 1.1. Park the mower on a flat paved surface, engage the parking brake, shut off engine, remove the key from ignition switch, disconnect the spark plug wires. 1.2. Check front tire pressure. Adjust as necessary to 20-25 psi. 1.3. Check rear Drive tire pressure. Adjust as necessary to 8-10 psi. 1.6. To make side to side level adjustment align blades across the width of the deck, perpendicular to with center line of the mower. See Figure 1.6.
www.mymowerparts.com Z Force 1.16. Tighten inner jam nut to lock the adjustment. 1.10. To do fore and aft pitch adjustment, align the blades front to back. See Figure 1.10. 1.17. Double-check side-to-side and pitch measurements before returning the unit to service. Measure blade height 2. DECK REMOVAL 2.1. Position the mower on a shop lift, turn off the engine, and remove the key from the key switch. Figure 1.10 2.2. Raise deck to the highest position. 1.11.
www.mymowerparts.com Z Force 2.10. Remove both front lift rods. 3.2. Pull the belt below the flat idler and remove the belt from the spindle assemblies and stack pulley. 4. SPINDLE REMOVAL 4.1. Strap deck to cart. 4.2. Tilt top of cart until securely locks in place. 4.3. Using two 1 1/8” wrenches remove blade nut from spindle shaft. See Figure 4.3. 2.11. Pull the J-pins outward to release rear deck lift hangers. Rotate the J-pins to lock them in the out position 2.12. Raise lift.
www.mymowerparts.com Z Force 4.5. 5. Remove the spindle shaft and pulley from the spindle housing. See Figure 4.5. SPINDLE NOTE: Spindles can be rebuilt while attached to deck, or they can be removed for service. Spindle pulley 5.1. If the spindle is removed from the deck, carefully fixture it in a bench vice. 5.2. Remove covers. See Figure 5.2. Bearing cover (bottom) Hex head on spindle shaft Figure 4.
www.mymowerparts.com Z Force 5.6. Clean and inspect all of the components. Replace any that exhibit wear or damage. Evaluate the feasibility of repair versus complete spindle replacement. 5.7. If a roller bearing is damaged, drive the bearing race out of the housing and replace it as well. Do not over-look the bearing race at the inspection stage. See Figure 5.7. 5.11. The double pulley that transfers drive from the PTO belt to the deck belt has two different size sheaves.
www.mymowerparts.com Z Force 6.5. 6.11. Turn the engine off and remove the key from the switch. Check the IHT (Integrated Hydrostatic transmission) release the levers to be sure the transmissions are fully engaged. See Figure 6.5. Release rod for right hand side IHT, seen at rear of frame. 6.12. If there is wheel movement in neutral, disconnect the control linkage from the transmission that is driving that wheel.
www.mymowerparts.com Z Force 6.16. To adjust the return-to-neutral mechanism, loosen the socket head cap screw that locks the indexing plate on the return-to-neutral mechanism in position using a 1/4” allen wrench. It should be possible to move the indexing plate with light effort. See Figure 6.16. Rotate entire mechanism to adjust 6.19. Start the engine. Carefully rotate the return-toneutral mechanism until a position is found that results in no “creep”. 6.20. Tighten socket head cap screw.
www.mymowerparts.com Z Force 6.36. With the engine turned off, push each lap bar gently forward until it reaches the end of the travel allowed by the return-to-neutral mechanism. See Figure 6.36. 6.27. Clamp the fingers on the return-to-neutral mechanism so that they hold the tab on the control quadrant to the tab on the indexing plate. See Figure 6.27. Rotate link to adjust Control quadrant Steering pivot bracket Lap bar Jam nut Indexing plate Stop bolt C clamp Figure 6.27 Figure 6.36 6.37.
www.mymowerparts.com Z Force NOTE: Fill the IHT and check the fluid level through the vent port at the top off the housing. 7.2. Before tightening the bolts, pivot each lap bar on the steering pivot bracket to fit the operator. 7.3. Position both lap bars in their respective notches at the start position. They should align with each other when swung inward from the start position slot. 7.4. Tighten the bolts that hold the lap bars to the steering pivot brackets. See Figure 7.4.
www.mymowerparts.com Z Force 8. BRAKES NOTE: While the mower is in motion, all braking is performed dynamically through the hydraulic pumps and traction motors within the IHTs. This is controlled by the lap bars. When parked, with the engine off, the hydraulic system locks the drive wheels. 8.1. 8.4. Prior to adjustment, check the condition of the parking brake cables. See Figure 8.4. • The cables should not be chafed, kinked, burnt, or corroded. They should move freely.
www.mymowerparts.com Z Force 8.7. Check the brake lever mounting hardware. See Figure 8.7. 8.9. Prior to adjustment, check the brake pawls and rotors. See Figure 8.9. Parking brake lever Spring Spacer Nut Friction washer Shoulder Capscrew Right side brake rotor: Shoulder out. Flat washer Figure 8.9 Figure 8.7 8.8. Prior to adjustment, check the brake pawls and rotors. See Figure 8.8. Brake rotor • The teeth on the pawls and rotors should not be worn, chipped or rounded.
www.mymowerparts.com Z Force 9. 8.14. Move the parking brake lever to the OFF position. There should be roughly 1/16” clearance between the lowest tooth on each brake pawl and the nearest tooth on the rotor. See Figure 8.14. REVERSE CUT-OUT SWITCH ADJUSTMENT NOTE: There are two reverse switches in the wiring harness of the Z-Force. NOTE: Both reverse switches are normally closed and wired in parallel to feed power to the electric PTO clutch.
www.mymowerparts.com Z Force 9.3. To adjust the reverse switch bracket, loosen the machine screws that hold the reverse switch bracket to the control housing using a 5/16” wrench. See Figure 9.3. 9.8. Repeat this adjustment on the opposite side reverse switch. Reverse switch bracket screw (accessible from outside) One screw is accessible from outside the control console Switch adjustment range Blue wires The other screw must be reached from inside the control console.
www.mymowerparts.com Z Force 10. 9.11. Test the operation of the mower and reverse safety circuits in a safe area before returning the unit to service. With the engine running, and the PTO switch turned on: • The blades should turn when both lap bars are in the forward position. • The blades should turn when one lap bar is in the forward position, and the other is in neutral or reverse. • The blades should stop turning when both lap bars are in non-forward (neutral or reverse) position.
www.mymowerparts.com Z Force 10.2. The Parking Brake Switch is located on the right side of the control housing. It is accessible by removing the right side control console. The switch is actuated by a retainer spring that moves with the parking brake lever. See Figure 10.2. Parking brake lever Parking brake switch Retainer spring • One set of contacts (orange wire and orange wire with white trace) prevents the starter motor from turning unless the parking brake has been set.
www.mymowerparts.com Z Force 10.7. Each park switch contains two sets of contacts. One set of contacts in normal closed (N.C.). The other set of contacts is normally open (N.O.). • • PTO Switch The orange wires (one with black trace on the right side, one with a white trace on the left side) are in the starter inhibit circuit. They pass power through the normally open set of contacts only when the lap bars are in the “Start” position, depressing the plungers and closing the contacts.
www.mymowerparts.com Z Force • Terminal A: Yellow wire with black trace from relay #1, terminal E. When relay #2 is energized, Terminal A has contact with Terminal E. Terminal A has contact with terminal C when relay #2 is not energized. • Terminal B: 2 black wires. Power is provided to the windings through the seat switch, when the seat is unoccupied. Second black wire is a jumper to terminal B on relay #3. • Terminal C: 2 green wires. One is a jumper to terminal D on relay #2.
www.mymowerparts.com Z Force 10.17. The voltage regulator / rectifier is located near the left front corner of the engine, adjacent to the starter motor. See Figure 10.17. 10.15. The PTO switch is located just behind the key switch. • • • Terminal A (Common) to G: Orange wire with white trace leads to parking brake switch from terminal A. The N.O. contacts in the parking brake close when the parking brake is applied, completing the path to trigger the solenoid.
www.mymowerparts.com Z Force 10.19. Checking the out-put from the regulator / rectifier, by probing the red wire with the red lead of a DVOM set to read D.C. voltage while grounding the black DVOM lead will show a reading of system voltage. See Figure 10.19. 10.22. The reading on the DVOM will vary with the state of charge of the battery. The charging system is rated at 13 Amps. If the battery is in need of charge, the reading on the DVOM may be as high as 11 Amps D.C.
www.mymowerparts.com Z Force 11.5. Remove the cotter pins that hold each of the bellcranks in position on the shaft. See Figure 11.5. 11.3. Take note of or mark the orientation of the steering bellcrank assemblies. See Figure 11.3. Bellcrank Short arm (inside) Long arm (outside) Flat washers Bushings Cotter pins removed Figure 11.3 Figure 11.5 NOTE: The long arm of each bellcrank connects to the link leading to the hydro. The short arm on each bellcrank connects to the steering input shaft assembly.
www.mymowerparts.com Z Force 11.10. Withdraw the shaft, catching the washers. Allow the bellcranks and steering link rods to hang down from the hydros. See Figure 11.10. 11.16. Remove the short bolt that connects each lift handle arm to the lift shaft assembly using a 1/2” wrench. 11.17. Spread the ends of the lift rod index apart and disengage it from the lift shaft assembly. See Figure 11.17. Figure 11.10 11.11. If the bellcranks are to be removed (eg.
www.mymowerparts.com Z Force 11.23. Remove the bolts that hold the control housing to the frame using a 3/8” socket. See Figure 11.23. 11.20. Loosen the bolts that hold the back of the gas tank to the frame at least three turns using a 9/16” wrench. See Figure 11.20. Control housing bolts Rear fuel tank mounting bolts Figure 11.20 Figure 11.23 11.21. Loosen the bolts that hold the back of the utility bin to the frame at least three turns using a 9/16” wrench.
www.mymowerparts.com Z Force 11.26. Note the orientation of the lift links, and pivot them to remove them from the arms on the lift shaft assembly. The slotted hole goes up. The adjustment nuts on the right side link face the inside of the machine. See Figure 11.26. 11.30. Slide the lift shaft assembly forward and out from beneath the control housing. See Figure 11.30. Lift links Figure 11.30 11.31. Reverse the removal process to install the lift shaft assembly. Figure 11.
www.mymowerparts.com Z Force 12.7. Remove the outer bushing, and push the inner bushing out of the hexagonal hole that it resides in. See Figure 12.7. 12.3. Lift the control housing over the brake lever, if working on the left side control console, and set it out of the way. NOTE: The throttle cable will still be attached to the left side control console. Be careful no tot damage it. Steering input shaft NOTE: Disconnect any electrical components that inhibit the movement of the control console. 12.4.
www.mymowerparts.com Z Force 13. PIVOT BAR 13.5. If the pivot bar is to be removed, the foot rest bracket must be removed first, using a pair of 1/2” wrenches. See Figure 13.5. 13.1. Lift and safely support the Z-Force by the frame in front of the deck. See Figure 13.1. Foot rest bracket Figure 13.5 Figure 13.1 NOTE: The deck need not be removed. 13.2. Wheel removal can be done with two 3/4” wrenches. Remove the nut and withdraw the axle bolt. 13.6.
www.mymowerparts.com Z Force 13.7. The bushings can be driven out and replaced if necessary. See Figure 13.7. 13.9. The pivot bar can be withdrawn once the pivot bolt is removed. See Figure 13.9. Upper bushing Long side of pivot hub Grease zirch Pivot bar Forward Figure 13.7 Short side of pivot hub Figure 13.9 13.8. The pivot bolt can be removed using a pair of 1 1/2” wrenches. See Figure 13.8. NOTE: The pivot bar is off-set to the front.
www.mymowerparts.com Z Force 14. ENGINE ADJUSTMENTS (KAWASAKI FH451V) 14.3. If the control bracket is removed for any reason, it must be adjusted on installation. See Figure 14.3. 14.1. The air filter cover is easily removed by releasing the cam action latches at each side of the cover. A wing nut holds the air filter element in place. See Figure 14.1.
www.mymowerparts.com Z Force 14.9. Adjust the choke using the screw on the control bracket. See Figure 14.9. 14.6. Set the governed idle to 1,550 R.P.M. using the screw at the lower right hand corner of the control bracket. See Figure 14.6. Choke actuator arm Insert 1/4” pin .100” gap (2.7mm) Governed idle adjustment screw Adjustment screw Figure 14.9 Figure 14.6 14.10. With the engine turned-off, insert a 1/4” pin in the round hole when the throttle is set for top noload speed.
www.mymowerparts.com Z Force 14.13. Turn the engine off, and confirm correct choke adjustment. Remove the air filter cover and air filter to confirm that the choke plate is fully closed when the choke is applied, and fully open at the full-throttle position. See Figure 14.13. 14.20. Rotate the engine in its normal direction of operation until the piston in the first cylinder to be adjusted is at top dead center on the compression stroke (both valves closed). 14.21. Check the valve lash.
www.mymowerparts.com Z Force 15.3. The cutting decks are all similar to those offer elsewhere in the Cub Cadet model line, with the exception of the mounting method and drive orientation (front Vs. rear engine). See Figure 15.3. 14.28. Inspect and gap (or replace) the spark plugs prior to installation. 14.29. Spark plugs: Champion RC8Y or equivalent, gapped to .030” (.75mm). 14.30. Oil capacity: 1.6 U.S. qts. (1.5L) without filter replacement. Use 1.8 U.S. qts. (1.7L) with filter replacement. 14.31.
