Help Blog

Abiding by a regular maintenance schedule can help prolong the life of your Cub Cadet walk-behind mower, and ensures that you're getting an ideal cut on your lawn wtih every use. Use our maintenance checklist below to keep your Cub Cadet mower running smoothly all year round. 

1. Always complete maintenance tasks with safety in mind first. Make sure all moving parts have come to a stop before inspecting, cleaning, and repairing your equipment. 
2. Once all parts have stopped moving, disconnect the spark plug wire and ground it against the engine. 
3. Begin by tightening the blades, screws, nuts, and engine mounting bolts. Tighten these parts frequently as they can come loose with the motion of the machine. 
4. Inspect your blades for damages. If you need to replace your Cub Cadet blade, find the replacement part in your manual or look it up with our Cub Cadet Parts Look Up tool. 
5. Make sure that your blades are sharp and are cutting well. When servicing your blades, make sure you use thick, protective gloves and eye protection. Never try to adjust your wheels or cutting height while the engine is still running. 
6. Regularly inspect your grass catcher, discharge cover, and trail shield for any damages that occur with use. If you do notice damage, promptly replace the worn parts. 
7. Regularly inspect the fuel line, tank, cap, and fittings for any leaking and cracking. If necessary, replace immediately. 
8. If you should run over something while mowing, make sure to stop the engine, disconnect the spark plug, and ground the wire before beginning your inspection. 

If you have any questions about properly servicing your Cub Cadet walk-behind mower, or if you're not sure what replacement part you need, contact one of our Cub Cadet specialists. 

Summer heat can cause unsightly brown spots on your grass – but your lawn can handle the heat if you follow our tips for when to water. 

During the summertime, you want to focus on maintaining the health of your lawn, so it's best to know how to identify when your grass is experiencing drought stress. Brown patches indicate drought stress. A lawn that gets too dry may become dormant and turn completely brown. 

1. Water your lawn with at least an inch of water each week. You can test your sprinklers by setting a plastic container nearby and timing how long it takes to water one inch. 

2. You actually don't need to water as much in the first few weeks of summer. If you allow your grass to experience mild drought stress, you'll encourage deeper root growth. 

3. It might seem like common sense to water your grass when it's the hottest part of the day, but this is actually incorrect. The best time to water is early in the morning, preferably when the grass is still wet with dew. Avoid watering in the evening as this can give the roots too much time to absorb the water which can have the same effects as overwatering. 

4. Overwatering can be tempting by dangerous for your lawn. Watering more often will not actually aid in the recovery of your grass; in fact, it can often have worse effects than drought stress. Too much water can weaken the roots and put your lawn at risk of fungal diseases and more weeds. 

5. If your lawn is suffering from brown spots, again, don't increase how often you water. Instead, spot-water these areas. 

If you're mowing with dull mower blades, this can also cause your lawn to be more susceptible to weed outbreaks and fungal diseases. If you need new blades, use our Parts Lookup tool. 

A Cub Cadet zero turn mower can be your landscaping best friend for years to come, but only with the proper maintenance! Follow this simple maintenance chart to ensure your equipment is in top-quality condition no matter what time of year.

Need replacement Cub Cadet parts? Our Parts Lookup tool can help you locate Cub Cadet belts, blades, cables, and more in just a few simple clicks. 

Before Each Use

1. Check engine intake screen and cover
2. Check the level of your engine oil
3. Check the air filter for any dirty, damaged, or loose parts

Every 10 Hours of Use

1. Clean the battery terminals
2. Lubricate the front pivot axle and caster axles

Every 25 Hours of Use

1. If applicable, clean and re-oil your pre-cleaner
2. Clean the engine cooling fins

Every 50 Hours of Use

1. Change your engine oil
2. Replace engine oil filter
3. Lubricate deck wheels

Every 100 Hours of Use

1. Replace the air filter element
2. Check your spark plug condition and gap
3. Replace fuel filter

Before Storing Your Equipment

1. Clean the battery terminals
2. Lubricate the front pivot axle and caster axles
3. Clean the engine cooling fins
4. Lubricate the deck wheels
5. Check your spark plug condition and gap

You need a snow thrower that works. Whether it's a starting issue or a clogged chute, don't fear – follow this guide to Troubleshoot your Troy-Bilt snow thrower.

Your engine might take a little revving to get started. Start by emptying out any remaining fuel that's still in the tank from last season. Now fill your tank with fresh, clean fuel.

Remove the dipstick to check on your oil levels. If you use your snow thrower with an improper amount of oil, you run the risk of damaging your engine. Also, make sure you set the choke and push the primer bulb a couple of times before your first pull. If you have a push-button electric start model, you can skip the pull-starting step. 

Finally, check to see if your spark plug is unplugged, covered in build up, or if it's corroded. If you discover any of these issues, you'll need to clean and/or replace your spark plug.

Now onto the chute. Some snow throwers from Troy-Bilt are designed with an adjustable chute so you can control and change the direction and pitch of snow as you're clearing. With these models, heavy, wet snow or foreign objects might clog your chute. If this happens to you, have no fear! You can fix it by following these steps:

Release the auger and drive controls. Shut off the engine, but remain behind the handles until all of the moving parts on your snow thrower have stopped. Now, use your clean-out tool (using the shovel-shaped end) to break down and remove the ice or snow that's formed in and near the chute assembly. For most Troy-Bilt models, you'll find your clean-out tool on the rear of the auger housing. 

When you've successfully cleared out the chute, refasten the clean-out too to the mounting clip. Reinsert the ignition key and start your snow thrower back up. Stand in the operating position and engage the auger control for a few moments to clear any and all remaining ice and snow from the chute assembly. You're ready to clear more snow!

Get rid of the snow piling up with ease by knowing exactly how to operate your Cub Cadet snow thrower. Whether you have a 1X single-stage, 2X two-stage, or 3X three-stage snow thrower, your snow thrower will run its best if you follow these operation tips: 

1. Perform any snow thrower maintenance necessary before the winter season begins. 

2. Before you want to use your snow thrower for the first time, let your snow thrower to run and warm up in a well-ventilated space. 

3. You want to be warm while snowblowing, but make sure you don't have any loose clothing hanging off that might get caught in the workings of the snow thrower, like scarves, loose pants, or shoelaces. 

4. While the snow thrower is on, don't put your feet or hands near any moving parts, the chute assembly, or the auger/impeller housing. Safety should always be first when you're operating your snow thrower, and if you get too close to any rotating parts, amputation is possible. If your snow thrower chute gets clogged during use, make sure you turn off the machine and wait until all moving parts have come to a full stop before cleaning out the clogged chute.

5. Even though you might be a pro-snow thrower, you should not try to bypass the auger/impeller control lever. The control lever is a safety mechanism and trying to bypass it causes the machine to become unsafe, and may cause injury to the operator. 

6. Before starting to snow throw, check to see that your control levers easily operate in both directions, and when released that they automatically return to the disengaged position. 

7. If your chute assembly is damaged in any way or entirely missing, do not operate your snow thrower. 

8. Never run your snow thrower in a poorly ventilated area. 

9. If you need to cross over a gravel or stone surface, use extra caution to be sure your snow thrower doesn't pick up and toss any remnants from the road. 

If you have any questions about how to safely operate your snow thrower, contact a Cub Cadet specialist! 

Before storing your mower for the season, follow these easy steps to winterize your lawn mower. When your machine starts right up come spring, you'll thank yourself.

Winterize your Lawn Mower

Clean the Cutting Deck

You've been cleaning your deck regularly all season, but now it's time to do it once more before you store your machine away. A clean cutting deck means a cleaner cut of your yard. If you don't clean the deck before winter, excess moisture in the stuck-on grass clippings can cause corrosion and rust on the deck. If your grass clippings are still recent, you can take a hose and spray the deck clean. If it's been a while since your last mow, the clippings might be more difficult to remove. If so, use a bristled pot scrubber or a plastic paint scraper to remove the clippings. 

Remove and Sharpen Blades

Routine maintenance should be completed at the start and end of every season. After removing and sharpening the blade, apply a light film of oil and reinstall. 

Spark Plugs

Remove your spark plug and spray oil into the cylinder. Pull your recoil handle five to six times so that the oil distributes evenly on the cylinder's wall. When you've finished oiling up the cylinder, replace the old spark plug with a new one. 

Stabilize the Fuel

Leaving excess fuel in the tank over the winter is terrible for the wellbeing of your mower. Condensation and ethanol, over time, will cause corrosion, clogs, and other costly problems in the fuel system. At the end of the season, run the tank dry if possible. If you're storing your mower indoors, in the basement, for example, all of the fuel must be emptied out, or your mower will quickly become a fire hazard inside your home. If your mower will be stored in the garage or a shed, fill the tank with fresh gas, and then add a fuel stabilizer. Before storing, run the mower for a few minutes so the fuel stabilizer makes its way through the carburetor. 

Finishing Up

Clean or replace your air filter. Wipe down the top of your mower deck. Oil and/or lubricate all of the exposed moving parts of your mower. Change the oil. 

Find that you need new parts while winterizing your lawn mower? Search for mower parts with our easy-to-use Parts Lookup tool. 

Perfect for jobs big and small, MTD garden tillers are powerful, and compact enough to operate in tight spaces. Quickly grind up roots, rocks, and debris hiding in your soil, and get to work on your next gardening project. Need MTD parts for your garden tiller? User our intuitive Parts Lookup tool, or contact a Cub Cadet specialist for assistance. 

MTD Garden Tiller Operation Guide

• Relax while you till. Allow the wheels to pull the tiller along while the tines dig. 
• Walk on the unfinished side so you don't leave footprints in the fresh soil.
• Try not to push down on the handlebars in order to make the tiller dig deeper. 
• Never place your hands or feet near moving parts, and never use your tiller without light or good visibility. 
• Keep a strong, firm hold on the handles and be sure of your footing. 
• Use caution when tilling on harder ground. If the tines catch, it may propel the tiller forward. In this scenario, let go of the handlebars and don't attempt to control the machine.
• If you need to cross over or operate on gravel surfaces, use extreme caution.
• Always check behind you when moving backwards with the tiller and/or pulling the tiller towards you. 
• If you strike a foreign object while tilling, stop the engine and disconnect the spark plug wire. Ground the wire against the engine. Check the machine for any damage. Repair all damages and replace the necessary parts before re-engaging the machine. If you need help looking up what replacement parts you need, use our Parts Lookup tool.

Take care of your Cub Cadet wood chipper. Neglecting maintenance can quickly become a safety hazard, and create costly repairs for your equipment. Follow our wood chipper maintenance guide to keep your Cub Cadet outdoor equipment working hard, season after season.

Wood Chipper Maintenance Guide

1. In preparation for any repairs, cleanings, or inspections, make sure the engine and all moving parts have come to a complete stop. Spark plug wires should be disconnected and grounded against the engine. 

2. Inspect all screws and bolts for appropriate tightness. 

3. Make sure that all instruction and safety stickers are still intact and visible on the equipment. 

4. If your flail screen has become clogged, remove and clean. Don't use forceful sprays as it might contaminate your fuel system. 

5. To clean around the muffler and chute, use a dry cloth or brush. 

6. To lubricate chipper components, use light machine oil. 

7. Ensure the chipper is free of any debris before starting the motor. 

8. Change your air filter every 25 hours. 

9. Replace blades and spark plugs annually. 

10. Wash your collection bag every season. 

Before each use: 

1. Remove all debris. 

2. To make sure you avoid all malfunctions with the control switch, inspect and clean the control linkage. 

3. Fill fuel and oil. 

After 8 hours of use: 

1. Lubricate the chute release rod, control levers, discharge chute swivel povit joints, and all other moving parts. 

2. Make sure your machine has a full range of motion and smooth operation. 

3. Change the oil. After changing the oil after the first 8 hours, you only need the choice the oil after every 50 hours. 

When you want your yard to look as clean as possible, a Cub Cadet string trimmer will help you get the job done right. A trimmer trims tall grass, weeds, and other light brush by feeding a thin plastic string out of the cutting head. Instead of having dangerous blades to replace or sharpen, a string trimmer is easier to maintain and simple to use.

When it's time for you to replace your trimmer line, follow our step-by-step guide.

Replace your Cub Cadet Trimmer Line

1. Prepare 10 feet of new trimmer line. You can either use 10 feet of twin-strand split line, or two ten foot strings of .095” trimmer line. You should refer to your owner's manual for specific replacement trimmer line specifications.
2. Once your new line is ready to be installed, you can take apart the cutting head. Do this by unscrewing the bump knob so you can remove the inner spring and wheel. Make sure you don't misplace the spring.
3. There are three steps to installing your new trimmer line. First, find two holes on the top of the inner reel. Put one end of each trimmer line into one hole. Pull the string through so the ends match up, but leave two to three inches of line remaining. Next, put the short ends of the trimmer line into the remaining inner reel hold. Pull the long end of the string to close your loop. Now locate the arrow at the top of the wheel. Following that direction, wind the trimmer line tightly around the spool. When you're left with 6 inches of string, push the ends into the holding slots marked .095”.
4. Now it's time to reassemble the string trimmer bump head. Remember that spring that you didn't misplace? At this point, you can replace it on the shaft. Find the eyelets on your spring head, and feet the new trimmer line through them. Now take the wheel, put it on the shaft, and line up your holding slots with the cutter head's eyelets. To compress the spring, you can hold down the wheel, then screw the bump knob back into the head.
5. Finally, you can free the trimmer line. To do this, pull both ends of the bump-head trimmer line gently to make sure the new line has been released from holding slots.

Need new parts for your Cub Cadet outdoor power equipment? Use our Parts Lookup tool or contact a trained specialist at Cub Cadet Parts n' More today.