Safe Operation Practices • Set-Up • Operation • Maintenance • Service • Troubleshooting • Warranty Operator’s Manual Zero Turn Riding Mower — Model i1042 WARNING READ AND FOLLOW ALL SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS MANUAL BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE THIS MACHINE. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY. CUB CADET LLC, P.O. BOX 361131 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-0019 Printed In USA Form No.
1 To The Owner Thank You Thank you for purchasing a Cub Cadet Lawn Tractor. It was carefully engineered to provide excellent performance when properly operated and maintained. Please read this entire manual prior to operating the equipment. It instructs you how to safely and easily set up, operate and maintain your machine. Please be sure that you, and any other persons who will operate the machine, carefully follow the recommended safety practices at all times.
Important Safe Operation Practices 2 WARNING! This symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not followed, could endanger the personal safety and/or property of yourself and others. Read and follow all instructions in this manual before attempting to operate this machine. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in personal injury. When you see this symbol.
12. A missing or damaged discharge cover can cause blade contact or thrown object injuries. 13. Stop the blade(s) when crossing gravel drives, walks, or roads and while not cutting grass. 14. Watch for traffic when operating near or crossing roadways. This machine is not intended for use on any public roadway. Slopes are a major factor related to loss of control and tip-over accidents which can result in severe injury or death. All slopes require extra caution.
Service Children 1. Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence of children. Children are often attracted to the machine and the mowing activity. They do not understand the dangers. Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them. a. Keep children out of the mowing area and in watchful care of a responsible adult other than the operator. b. Be alert and turn machine off if a child enters the area. c.
Periodically check to make sure the blades come to complete stop within approximately (5) five seconds after operating the blade disengagement control. If the blades do not stop within the this time frame, your machine should be serviced professionally by an authorized MTD Service Dealer. Do not modify engine 4. Check brake operation frequently as it is subjected to wear during normal operation. Adjust and service as required. Notice Regarding Emissions 5.
Safety Symbols This page depicts and describes safety symbols that may appear on this product. Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the machine before attempting to assemble and operate. Symbol Description READ THE OPERATOR’S MANUAL(S) Read, understand, and follow all instructions in the manual(s) before attempting to assemble and operate DANGER— ROTATING BLADES Never carry passengers. Never carry children, even with the blades off.
Section 2 — Important Safe Operation Practices d line dotte (repr esent ing a 15° s lope) or a fence post WARNING! Do not operate your lawn mower on such slopes. Do not mow on inclines with a slope in excess of 15 degrees (a rise of approximately 2-1/2 feet every 10 feet). A riding mower could overturn and cause serious injury. Operate riding mowers up and down slopes, never across the face of slopes. Use this page as a guide to determine slopes where you may not operate safely.
3 Assembly & Set-Up Contents of Crate • • One Lawn Tractor • One Oil Drain Tube • One Tractor Operator’s Manual • One Kohler Engine Operator’s Manual Moving the Tractor Manually Connecting the Battery Cables California Proposition 65 Warning: Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories contain lead and lead compounds, chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.
3. Position the red rubber boot over the positive battery terminal to help protect it from corrosion. NOTE: If the battery is put into service after the date shown on top/side of battery, charge the battery as instructed in the Maintenance & Adjustments section your Operator’s Manual prior to operating the tractor. Gasoline Fill-up WARNING! Use extreme care when handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive.
4 Controls & Features Systems Indicator Monitor/Hour Meter Hood Lift Notch Throttle Control Key Switch Module Choke Control Knob PTO (Blade Engage) Control Switch Forward Control Pedal Brake Pedal Reverse Control Pedal Cargo Net Parking Brake Lever Cup Holder Deck Lift Lever Seat Adjustment Lever Fuel Level Window Fuel Fill Cap Hydro Transmission Bypass Rods Figure 4-1 NOTE: Any reference in this manual to the RIGHT or LEFT side of The system indicator monitor features are as follows: the tract
Battery Indicator Light Illuminates when the ignition switch it turned to an ON position and the engine is not started. Illuminates to indicate the battery voltage has dropped below 11.5 (+0.5/-1.0) DC volts (the battery voltage is also displayed on the hour meter). If this indicator and display come on during operation, check the battery and charging system for possible causes and/or contact your Cub Cadet dealer.
Forward Control Pedal Fuel Fill Cap and Fuel Level Window The forward control pedal is located on the right side of the tractor, at the front of the right running board. Depress the forward control pedal to cause the tractor to travel in the forward direction. The forward ground speed of the tractor is directly affected by the distance the pedal is depressed. The further the pedal is depressed, the faster the tractor will travel.
5 Operation WARNING! To Avoid serious injury or death: • Go up and down slopes, not across. Reverse Caution Mode WARNING! Use extreme caution while operating the tractor in the REVERSE CAUTION MODE. Always look down and behind before and while backing. Do not operate the tractor when children or others are around. Stop the tractor immediately if someone enters the area. • Avoid sudden turns. • Do not operate the tractor where it could slip or tip.
7. The Reverse Caution Mode will remain activated until: a. The key is placed in either the Normal Mowing position or STOP position. b. The operator leaves the seat. Follow the previous instructions to re-activate. Starting the Engine WARNING! Do not operate the tractor if the interlock system is malfunctioning. This system was designed for your safety and protection. Driving The Tractor WARNING! Avoid sudden starts, excessive speed and sudden stops. 1.
• Increasing the turn of the steering wheel (beyond 10°15º) results in increasingly tighter turns. As the steering mechanism turns the front wheels, it also changes the position of the transmission drive control linkage to slow down the inner rear wheel in the turn, and adjust the speed of the outer wheel as necessary to complete the desired turn. Turn the steering wheel back to the center position as the turn is completed. NOTE: It is not necessary to release the drive pedal when making a turn.
6 Maintenance & Adjustments Maintenance Schedule Clean Hood/Dash Louvers Before Each use Every 10 Hours P P P Clean Battery Terminals Every 50 Hours Lube Front Wheel Bearings Clean Engine Cooling Fins Lube Front Deck Wheels P Lube Pedal Pivot Points Maintenance 3.
a. b. 3. 4. Turn the oil drain valve 1⁄4-turn, then pull outward to begin draining oil. After the oil has finished draining, push the end of the oil drain valve back in and turn 1⁄4-turn to secure it back in place. Re-cap the end of the oil drain valve to keep debris from entering the drain port. Pinch the tabs on the oil drain valve, then pull outward to begin draining oil. After the oil has finished draining, push the end of the oil drain valve back in, until the tabs click into place.
Adjustments Using Deck Wash System™ Use the Deck Wash System™ to rinse grass clippings from the deck’s underside and prevent the buildup of corrosive chemicals. Your tractor’s deck is equipped with a water nozzle on the left end of the deck. WARNING! Never attempt to make any adjustments while the engine is running, except where specified in the operator’s manual. Disconnect spark plug wire(s) before performing any adjustments, repairs or maintenance. Complete the following steps AFTER EACH MOWING: 1.
Side to Side Leveling the Deck Front To Rear Deck Leveling NOTE: Check the tractor’s tire pressure before performing any deck leveling adjustments. Refer to “Tires” earlier in this section for information regarding tire pressure. The front of the cutting deck is supported by an adjustable front deck hanger rod. This rod can be adjusted to set the front to rear pitch of the deck. The front of the deck should be approximately 1⁄4” lower than the rear of the deck.
Deck Gauge Wheel Adjustment NOTE: The deck gauge wheels are an anti-scalp feature of the deck and are not designed to support the weight of the cutting deck. The deck gauge wheels should neither contact the ground, nor be high off the ground, when the deck is moved to the desired height setting. If you change your cutting height during the mowing season, the gauge wheels should be checked and adjusted as necessary. Adjust the gauge wheels as follows: 1.
7 Service Pivot Bar Adjustment CAUTION: If removing the battery for any reason, disconnect the NEGATIVE (Black) wire from it’s terminal first, followed by the POSITIVE (Red) wire. When re-installing the battery, always connect the POSITIVE (Red) wire its terminal first, followed by the NEGATIVE (Black) wire. Be certain that the wires are connected to the correct terminals; reversing them could change the polarity and result in damage to your engine’s alternating system.
Off-Season Storage 4. If the machine is to be inoperative for a period longer than 30 days, the following procedures are recommended: WARNING! Never store the machine or fuel container indoors where there is an open flame, spark or pilot light such as on water heater, furnace, clothes dryer or other gas appliance. Looking at the cutting deck from the left side of the tractor, locate the deck support pin on the rear left side of the deck. Refer to Fig. 7-1.
Cutting Blades NOTE: When replacing the blades, make certain the side of the blade marked ‘‘Bottom’’ faces the ground when the mower is turned to the operating position. WARNING! Be sure to shut the engine off, remove ignition key, disconnect the spark plug wire(s) to prevent unintended starting before removing the cutting blade(s) for sharpening or replacement. Protect your hands by using heavy gloves or a rag to grasp the cutting blade.
3. Loop the belt and push out of the V- groove of the drive pulley on the right hand spindle assembly. Lift the belt over the pulley and out from beneath the spindle cover. See Fig. 7-3. 5. Loop the timing belt and lift out of the timing pulley and over the right hand spindle assembly. Maneuver the belt between the drive pulley on top of the spindle assembly and the spindle cover to remove. 4. Loop the new PTO belt and slide between the top of the drive pulley and spindle cover.
14. Re-install the idler bracket backstop components as originally installed in the deck housing, and position so that there is a 1⁄8” gap between the backstop and idler bracket. Tighten the hex screw and flange lock nut to secure in the adjusted position. 15. If the timing belt was installed correctly and the timing arrows were positioned as shown in Fig. 7-5, the cutting blades should be in the position shown in Fig. 7-6. 5.
8 Troubleshooting Problem Excessive vibration Mower will not mulch grass Uneven cut Cause Remedy 1. Cutting blade loose or unbalanced. 1. Tighten blade and spindle. 2. Damaged or bent cutting blade. 2. Replace blade. 1. Engine speed too low. 1. Place throttle in FAST (rabbit) position. 2. Wet grass. 2. Do not mulch when grass is wet. 3. Excessively high grass. 3. Mow once at a high cutting height, then mow again at desired height or make a narrower cutting swath. 4. Dull blade. 4.
9 Replacement Parts Component Part Number and Description 759-3336 Spark Plug KH-32-883-03-S1 Air Filter and Pre-Cleaner KH-52-050-02-S Oil Filter KH-25-050-22-S1 Fuel Filter 28 954-04185 Drive Belt 954-04167 Timing Belt 954-04134 Transmission Belt 942-04217 2-in-1 Deck Blade 918-04512B Drive Spindle Assembly Phone (800) 800-7310 to order replacement parts or a complete Parts Manual (have your full model number and serial number ready).
Component Part Number and Description 918-04516A Driven Spindle Assembly 734-04155 Deck Wheel 925-1707D Battery 751-10447A Fuel Tank Cap 746-04121 Choke Control Cable 946-1087 Throttle Control Cable 925-2054A Ignition Key 631-04254 Discharge Chute Assembly Phone (800) 965-4CUB to order replacement parts or a complete Parts Manual (have your full model number and serial number ready). Parts Manual downloads are also available free of charge at www.cubcadet.
10 Attachments & Accessories The following attachments and accessories are compatible for Cub Cadet i1042. See your Cub Cadet dealer or the retailer from which you purchased your tractor for information regarding price and availability.
Notes 11 31
Section 11— Notes
Section 11 — Notes 33
FEDERAL and/or CALIFORNIA EMISSION CONTROL WARRANTY STATEMENT YOUR WARRANTY RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS MTD Consumer Group Inc, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and, for those products certified for sale in the state of California, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) are pleased to explain the emission (evaporative and/or exhaust) control system (ECS) warranty on your outdoor 2006 and later small off-road spark-ignited engine and equipment (outdoor equipment engine) In California, n
WARRANTED PARTS: The repair or replacement of any warranted part otherwise eligible for warranty coverage may be excluded from such warranty coverage if MTD Consumer Group Inc demonstrates that the outdoor equipment engine has been abused, neglected, or improperly maintained, and that such abuse, neglect, or improper maintenance was the direct cause of the need for repair or replacement of the part.
CUB CADET LLC MANUFACTURER’S LIMITED WARRANTY FOR SERIES 1000 & SERIES 1500 TRACTORS IMPORTANT: To obtain warranty coverage owner must present an original proof of purchase and applicable maintenance records to the servicing dealer. Please see the operator’s manual for information on required maintenance and service intervals. In the U.S.A.: Check your Yellow Pages, or contact Cub Cadet LLC at P.O. Box 361131, Cleveland, Ohio 44136-0019, call 1-877-282- 8684 or log on to our website at www.cubcadet.com.
