Cub Cadet Pro Z - Any Experience?

[CH4Ohio]

So, given the probability my mower would sit there in the quay at the dealer for at least a few days until they could get to it I elected to see if I could find an OEM fuel pump on-line (which I did and got 2 of them for the same price a dealer would charge for just 1) and did the less than 5 minute installation myself: saving money and time for this "Warranteed" repair. Buyer beware.

While we're on the subject, does anyone know if there's anything in the way of grease fittings accessible by the customer on this beast? When buying, the dealer claimed all the bearings were "lifetime, requiring no additional grease" but that steering issue I mentioned earlier sounds like something regular, proper greasing might have prevented.

One other thing: does anyone know where a Factory Service Manual can be purchased for this particular machine? Thanks.

Glad to hear the pump is available and easy to install -- in case I need to replace one in the future.

There are no grease fittings. (crazy, I agree) Not supposed to wash the mower or spray with water. Blow it off with air is what I'd recommend.

ALL pivot points are supposed to be kept lubricated with a good spray lube or similar. Are you doing that? What about the metal footrest cover? Are you removing that and keeping the steering components under there clean and pivot points lubricated? There is a lube chart and instructions in the manual, but it's pretty simple to just walk around it with a can of spray lube and hit anything that moves.

Is the power steering operating correctly or could that be the source of the "sticky" feel?

 

[dpauly]

Glad to hear the pump is available and easy to install -- in case I need to replace one in the future.

There are no grease fittings. (crazy, I agree) Not supposed to wash the mower or spray with water. Blow it off with air is what I'd recommend.

ALL pivot points are supposed to be kept lubricated with a good spray lube or similar. Are you doing that? What about the metal footrest cover? Are you removing that and keeping the steering components under there clean and pivot points lubricated? There is a lube chart and instructions in the manual, but it's pretty simple to just walk around it with a can of spray lube and hit anything that moves.

Is the power steering operating correctly or could that be the source of the "sticky" feel?

Yeah, pump was at you-know-where on line. $40 for 2 (Mikuni, I believe they are.) Went up to see the dealer yesterday to first ask what all I am "permitted" to do on the mower without affecting the warranty (he said "pretty much anything you want". Bonus!) So then I described my steering issue and though he did not prescribe any lube anywhere, did suggest there's probably some grass up under something in the steering pulleys/rods/brackets under the floor pan that needs blowing out so will do that at first chance. (Btw, the "stickiness/squeaking" seemed to be up just under the steering wheel but I guess it could just be 'transferred' from down below.) Forgot to ask him if a Factory Shop Manual was obtainable thru him. Didn't know about not washing or spraying w/water. (For that matter, we never got an 'Owner's' Manual for the mower; just for the engine. Should we have gotten one? Thanks for your input.

 

[CH4Ohio]

Yeah, pump was at you-know-where on line. $40 for 2 (Mikuni, I believe they are.) Went up to see the dealer yesterday to first ask what all I am "permitted" to do on the mower without affecting the warranty (he said "pretty much anything you want". Bonus!) So then I described my steering issue and though he did not prescribe any lube anywhere, did suggest there's probably some grass up under something in the steering pulleys/rods/brackets under the floor pan that needs blowing out so will do that at first chance. (Btw, the "stickiness/squeaking" seemed to be up just under the steering wheel but I guess it could just be 'transferred' from down below.) Forgot to ask him if a Factory Shop Manual was obtainable thru him. Didn't know about not washing or spraying w/water. (For that matter, we never got an 'Owner's' Manual for the mower; just for the engine. Should we have gotten one? Thanks for your input.

Yes. You should have gotten an owner's / operator's manual. Tell him to get you one.

Have you lifted that floor-pan and looked under there? That's where the cables link to several geared cams, etc. Lots of stuff under there. Need to blow that area out and keep that area clean. Also need to spray lube pivots and any areas that look like they need to mesh.

As far as under the steering wheel, there must be a U-joint where the steering column folds. Shoot that area with some lube too -- after blowing it out real good.

Just cause there's no zerk fittings doesn't mean there's no ability or requirement to lubricate.

edit -- The manual says that water -- especially pressure-washing -- can cause failure of the mower deck spindles as well as other parts. It says to NOT spray the mower except for the underside of the deck.

 

[CH4Ohio]

Didn't know about not washing or spraying w/water. (For that matter, we never got an 'Owner's' Manual for the mower; just for the engine. Should we have gotten one? Thanks for your input.

See second bullet point in the pic . . .