Having a large lawn is a plus for homeowners. The lawn enhances the aesthetics of the home and increases its value. However, such a lawn needs to be mowed and kept neat.
Mowing could be an extra expense you cannot avoid. Fortunately, you could reduce the cost by owning a Cub Cadet mower.
Just like other mowers, you will need to learn to solve several Cub Cadet Mower deck problems to enjoy the services.
The problems range from excessive vibration to shuttering. Also, if the mower deck has issues, you will likely experience other issues like step-cutting.
Read on to learn more about mower deck problems and what you must do to keep your lawn attractive.
7 Cub Cadet Mower Deck Problems and Their Quick Fixes
1. Vibration problem
When your Cub Cadet deck is clogged, everything will come to a standstill. A clogged mower deck makes the mower vibrate a lot.
When not remedied, the vibration becomes excessive and could be very annoying. Besides a clogged deck, imbalanced blades and belt malfunctioning could also cause excessive vibration.
Of course, the problem may look minor, but if not attended to, it could lead to other problems like battery explosions or accidents.
Fixes
- If the clogged deck is the cause of excessive vibration, clean and remove the residues
- If a malfunctioning pulley and the belt cause the vibration, replace them
- In the case of imbalanced blades, adjusting them could help solve the problem
2. Stuttering/streaking problem
Deck problems will likely make the mower stutter and leave strips of uncut grass. If the deck is not maintained or the engine runs slow, you will likely experience the problem.
Also, if the deck blades are dirty or the tractor is not running at full throttle, you will experience the streaking problem.
In addition, if the mower deck is damaged, incorrectly aligned, or improperly adjusted, you will experience step cutting.
Measure the mower blade from the tip up to the surface; if they are not equal or you notice some bent blades, you will need to correct them.
Fixes
- Ensure to run the tractor at full throttle
- Uplift the deck blades to allow air to circulate through them
- Clean the deck thoroughly to allow more air to circulate through
- Adjust the deck height
- Align the tractor perpendicular to the blade when mowing
3. Uneven cutting problem
If the tire pressure is low, the deck will experience problems like cutting the grass unevenly. Setting the tractor’s front tires at 14 psi and the rear tires at 10 psi is likely to stabilize the deck.
It will help eliminate uneven cutting.
Fixes
- Inflate the tires
- Adjust the deck level
- Replace worn-out blades and spindle
- Check the deck hangers for damage or if detached
4. Leaving marks on the lawn
As you mow, the tractor may leave markings on the grass. This problem could arise if the operator overlaps on the cut row or when they make very tight turns.
Moreover, it is likely to tilt if the deck lacks free-floating capability.
Fixes
- Make wider turns when mowing
- Ensure to overlap when cutting grass
- Ensure the deck is fixed to allow it to float freely
5. Lawn scalping problem
You could scalp your lawns if you choose low mower blade settings. Also, scalping could happen if you have dull blades and mow more than 2 inches of the lawn.
Also, if the blades are dull, scalping is likely to happen. If the mower is scalping, it removes all the leaves and exposes the grassroots.
Fixes
- Hydrate the grass a few days before mowing but do not allow it to soak in water
- Mow the grass frequently
- Fix all the deck-related issues, such as the level of the deck
- Check and inflate the tires appropriately
- Cut the grass at a higher height as opposed to the lower height
6. Deck belt problem
When using a Cub Cadet, one of the problems you are likely to encounter is the belt issue. You will likely encounter several belt problems, like the belt coming off and a bad idler pulley.
Also, your mower deck may break off, or you may experience a loose belt. Whatever your mower’s belt issue, you are unlikely to keep your lawn tidy until you fix the problem.
The deck belt problem is the most common one. What happens is that the deck belt will continue coming off your machine and make mowing difficult.
A lousy bearing, spindle issue, or pulley problem may cause the problem. Also, if the idler pulley is faulty, you will likely experience the problem.
A broken mower deck and bent spindle housing may also toss off the belt due to vibration. Besides, the deck belt is likely to break and cause problems.
Fixes
- Ensure the pulleys are not higher or off the deck
- Replace the idler
- If the belt slips, repair the crankshaft
7. Engine loses power and dies
The Cub Cadet mower may lose power when the air or the fuel systems are compromised. This problem may affect the mower’s ability to run.
A bad air filter, a damaged fuel filter, and a dirty carburetor are some of the causes of the problem.
Similarly, a clogged fuel line could make the engine lose power. When fuel sits in the tank for a long time, it breaks down and forms residues that eventually clog the fuel system.
Further, the cut grass may plug the air filter and hinder free airflow. Typically, the fuel pump supplies fuel to the carburetor.
So when it breaks down, it makes it hard for the fuel to reach the carburetor. Thus, the engine loses power and may even die off.
Fixes
- Drain the old fuel and fill the tank with fresh fuel
- Add additives to stabilize the fuel when you store the tractor with fuel
- Clean and replace the filters often
- Clean or replace the cooling fins
- Use compressed air to clean the fuel lines
- Replace the faulty fuel pump
Cub Cadet Mower Deck Review
The Cub Cadet mower is popular among homeowners because of its power and length of service. The tractor is engineered with strength and reliability in mind.
The brand utilizes the Kohler engine, which delivers high-performance power and is ideal for mowing yards. But the tractor suffers from the same problems that afflict other tractors.
However, it is designed to allow users to replace damaged components. Thus, it is a good tractor to consider if you have a large yard.
Installing a Cub Cadet Mower Deck
A Cub Cadet Mower comes with a deck attached to the tractor frame. Therefore, you can use a wrench to install a new deck if the old one is damaged.
Here is the procedure for installing a new deck:
- Start by locking the tractor brake to prevent movements when attaching the deck.
- Turn the steering wheel right to allow the mower deck to slide under
- Pull the deck lift handle to lift the linkage
- Slide the deck on the right-hand side of the frame
- Adjust the bolt to slacken the V-belt tension
- Slide your V belt around the tractor’s deck blade
- Push the deck lift handle forward and lower the deck linkage
- Slide the deck backwards and lift the linkage pivot
- Center the deck rear brackets and pull the spring support bracket pins
- Adjust the V-belt bolt clockwise as you test the drive belt tension. The distance of about 31/2 inch should give you the right tension.
- Riding the mower around will help you to test the deck’s performance
- Disengage and engage the riding mower deck severally to check if it is properly installed
Cub Cadet Lawn Mowers Troubleshooting
When your Cub Cadet refuses to start, mow or run, you may not know the cause of the problem immediately. The reason is that a host of issues may crop up and make the tractor refuse to start. Of course, you may suspect a lack of fuel, old spark plugs, or clogged fuel lines. So troubleshoot each of these issues to determine the exact cause. Here is the troubleshooting procedure:
- Check the spark plug wire and remove it from the plug. Use a wrench to remove the spark plug
- Squirt some fluid into the hole in the plug and return the spark plug to its position
- You can start the tractor. However, if the engine starts well but runs for less than 3 seconds, the fuel line has an issue. If it runs for a more extended period, then you have resolved the spark plug problem
- Remove the fuel filter by unscrewing it from its clamps and replacing it with a new one. If the motor starts, you will have solved the issue. If it doesn’t, replace the spark plug
- To resolve the cutting issue, check if the belts underneath are moving freely. Spin the blades one at a time and observe how they behave. If the blades don’t spin, the spool bearing is bad. To fix the spool bearing, you’ll need to visit a lawn tractor shop for repair
Table of problems and fixes
| Problem | Fixes |
| Vibration problem | Clean the deck to remove any clogged residues. Change the pulley and belt if they have malfunctioned. Adjust the blades if they are imbalanced. |
| Stuttering/streaking problem | Run the tractor at full throttle. Uplift the deck blades to allow air to circulate through them. Clean the deck thoroughly to allow more air to circulate through. |
| Step cutting problem | Adjust the deck height. Align the tractor perpendicular to the blade when mowing. |
| Uneven cutting problem | Inflate the tires. Adjust the deck level. Replace worn-out blades and spindle. Check the deck hangers for damage or detachment.. |
| Leaving marks on the lawn | Make wider turns when mowingEnsure to overlap when cutting grass. Fix the deck to allow it to float freely |
| Lawn scalping problem | Hydrate the grass a few days before mowing. Mow the grass frequently. Ensure the deck level is correct. Inflate the tires appropriately. Cut the grass at a higher height |
| Deck belt problem | Ensure the pulleys are not higher or off the deck. Replace the idler. Repair the crankshaft if the belt is slipping. |
| Engine loses power and dies | Replace the old fuel with fresh fuel. Add additives to stabilize the fuel if storing the tractor with fuelClean or replace the filters and the cooling fins. Clean the fuel lines. Replace the bad fuel pump |
FAQ
Is Cub Cadet a good mower?
Cub Cadet lawn mower is an excellent mower for homeowners. The tractor is versatile, efficient, and offers superior control. Also, the mower features a spring-assist lever which allows the operator to raise or lower the deck in desirable increments. Further, it has a zero-turn mechanism that allows for quick turns and sloppy areas mowing.
Are Cub Cadet Mower decks interchangeable?
Cub cadet decks are susceptible to corrosion. So at some point, you may need to replace your deck. But before you do that, you need to ask whether the mower decks are interchangeable. Indeed, Cub Cadet lawnmower decks are interchangeable, just like you can swap the engines. However, you need to check the drive system and the blades for specifications.
Where are Cub Cadet Mower decks manufactured?
Cub Cadet Mowers are built in Ohio, USA. However, the brand is sold worldwide because of its quality. The tractors are unique, innovative, and quite easy to handle. Besides, they feature a unique steering wheel control. Thus, they are quality products engineered and designed for mowing tasks.
Conclusion
Cub Cadet Mowers are versatile and built to last. The tractors run on 23 HP Kohler® engines designed to tackle large yards with tough grass.
Also, the mowers have unrivaled power and unique features like AeroForce™ deck cutting system, which unlocks the tractors’ full potential. Thus, they guarantee a premium cut with minimal maintenance.
But to enjoy the tractor mowing service, you need to learn how to solve the Cub Cadet Mower deck problems.
Some of the things you will need to learn include sharpening the blade, troubleshooting the start issue, and cleaning the carburetor, among others.