Help Blog

Out of sight, out of mind, right? This shouldn't be the case with your Cub Cadet walk-behind mower! Just because you can't see the underside of your lawn deck, doesn't mean it doesn't need just as much care and maintenance as the rest of your equipment. Follow our how-to guide for cleaning the lawn deck on your Cub Cadet mower, and extend the life of your outdoor power equipment.

As usual, you should always refer to your owner's manual for further safety and maintenance instruction. Depending on your mower model, the directions for cleaning your lawn deck might be slightly different. 

Is your mower equipped with a washout port? Start here! 

1. If your Cub Cadet mower is equipped with a washout port, park your mower on a paved, flat surface. Lower the cutting height to your cutting setting, remove the bag, and attach a garden hose to the washout port. 

2. Once you've turned on the hose, start your engine and stand behind the machine while engaging the mower blades. You should run your mower's engine until you no longer see clippings coming out from underneath the deck. 

3. After the mower deck is clean, stop the engine, then shut off and disconnect the hose from your mower's washout power.

4. Once you've disconnected the hose, you should start the engine once again. Stand behind your mower as you engage the mower blades for a few minutes as to dry the mower's underside.

No washout port? These are the instructions you're looking for. 

1. Just as you would with a washout port-equipped machine, park your mower on a paved, flat surface. After you've shut off the engine, lower the cutting height. 

2. Using a garden hose, aim the water at the front of the right rear wheel, right into the pavement. 

3. After spraying for a few seconds, stop the hose. Engage your mower blades, and run the mower until you no longer see clippings coming from underneath the mower. 

4. As with a washout port-equipped mower, you should engage the blades once more to dry the underside of the deck.

Another way to clean your lawn deck is to scrape the underside. If you're going to clean the lawn deck this way, you should make sure the engine is off and all moving parts of ceased movement before beginning this maintenance task. When tipping the mower on its side, you should double check that the air filter's side is up – this prevents any oil from moving into the air filter and carburetor. When scraping your lawn deck, you should use a scraper or a putty knife. 

Need to lookup parts for your Cub Cadet walk-behind mower? Cub Cadet Parts n' More is your one stop shop for blades, belts, pulleys, and more. 

Cub Cadet riding mowers make the tough, sweaty job of mowing your lawn underneath the hot summer sun go by a little faster. The LTX 1040 is a smaller riding mower that features 19HP single-cylinder Kohler engine and two blades on a 42" mower deck. You should have a regular blade sharpening schedule, but in the case that one of your Cub Cadet blades becomes bent or damaged, you'll need to replace the entire blade. To replace your Cub Cadet LTX1040 mower blades, follow this Cub Cadet Replacement Guide. 

1) Make sure the mower is turned completely off. Set the parking brake. 

2) Lower the mower deck to the lowest setting. You can do this by moving the adjustment lever on the right fender to the lowest notch. 

3) Underneath the mower, find the mower clutch pulley. Remove the nuts from the belt guard – you'll need a socket and ratchet wrench for this step. After you've removed the nuts, you can remove the guard. Take the mower drive belt off from the clutch pulley. 

4) On the mower deck's left side, find the deck retaining pin. Release the deck from the mounting bracket by removing this pin. Repeat this step for the deck's right side. 

5) After removing both retaining pins, raise the deck adjustment lever to the highest position. 

6) Locate the retaining pin on the deck engagement cable near the mower deck's rear. Remove it. Then, remove the retaining pin from the stabilizer rod at the front of the deck. Remove the rod from its mounting hole. 

7) Now you can slide the mower deck from underneath the mower. Make sure that the underside is facing upwards. Use a wooden block to keep the blades from turning. Place this wood black on the center baffle on the deck. 

8) Make sure you are using work gloves for the remaining steps! Remove the center nut from the blade you need to replace. 

9) After the center nut is removed, you can remove the blade by lifting it straight off of the cutting deck. When you install the new blade, its serial number should be facing upwards onto the cutting deck. Using a torque wrench, tighten the nut between 70 and 90 foot-pounds. 

10) Turn the mower deck back to its original position and slide it underneath the mower. Re-install the deck by following the removal steps in reverse order. 

Need parts for your LTX1040? Check out the LTX1040 Manual, or contact a Cub Cadet Parts n' More Specialist for more assistance! 

The Cub Cadet LTX1050 Garden Tractor gives you that Cub Cadet signature cut so your yard keeps looking as flawless as ever. To keep your LTX1050 in perfect working order, performing regular maintenance tasks is a must. For regular seasonal maintenance, you can refer to some of our other help blogs, which tell you just what needs to be done come spring, summer, winter, and fall. When performing maintenance or replacing parts, removing the cutting deck on your Cub Cadet LTX1050 will often be one of the first steps.

How to Remove the Cutting Deck on a Cub Cadet LTX1050

1) Place the PTO/Blade Engage knob in the OFF position. Engage the parking brake.  

2) Lower the deck by moving the deck lift lever into the bottom notch  on the right fender. 

3) Locate the PTO clutch under the front of your tractor. 

4) Remove the belt guard and belt by:

    A) Removing the hex screw

    B) Pulling the belt keeper rod to the right and down to remove

    C) Remove the deck belt from around the tractor's electric PTO clutch

5) 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. 

6) Pull the deck support pin outward to release the deck from the deck lift arm. 

7) Now repeat the above steps on the tractor's ride side. 

8) Move the deck lift lever into the top notch to raise the deck lift arms up and out of the way. 

9) Remove the cotter pin from the end of the stabilizer rod and slide the stabilizer out of the hanger bracket on the deck. 

10) Gently slide the cutting deck from the right side out from underneath the tractor. 

Need more information about your Cub Cadet LTX1050? Find your LTX1050 Manual here, and use our Parts Lookup tool to find replacement parts!

Are you starting to notice unsightly brown or bare patches in your yard? What about broken twigs and branches, and other leftover residue from the cold winter months? As spring begins, take the neighborhood competition by storm with our easy guide for preparing your lawn for the new season.

Springtime Lawn Care Guide

Clear the Leaves 

Keep an eye out for dead leaves early on. You don't want to wait until the last second to clear your lawn of dead leaves – the debris can suffocate new growth, especially when it's compacted underneath inches of snow and ice. To rid your yard of harmful fungi and dead patches of grass, give your yard a heavy once-over with the lawn rake.

Lower Mower Height

In winter, new growth is minimal at best. When preparing for seasonal growth, lower your mower height to 1 1/4 inches. If you have very tall grass – higher than 3 inches – mow to 2 inches, and let it rest. In a few days, take the height down to 1 1/4 inches.

Inspect Handheld and Other Outdoor Power Equipment Tools

Check your lawn equipment and gardening tools to see if they need seasonal cleaning, repairing or replacing. For seasonal maintenance guides, how-tos, and replacement checklists, search the Cub Cadet Parts n' More blog.

Is the Soil Soft? 

Aeration improves draining, and allows oxygen, fertilizer, and water to reach the roots of your lawn more easily. When the soil is soft in your yard, it's time to aerate. 

Fertilize in the Fall

Fertilizer strengthens root growth, and can help protect your lawn during cold winter months. It's best to fertilize just before winter, so this is a tip you'll want to remember next fall. You can also overseed your lawn in this same time frame. Applying seed to your existing lawn will ensure that your yard looks as green and healthy as ever next spring.

Common Replacement Parts for Spring

As you roll out your yard equipment from storage, you might find that some parts are in need of replacement or repair. Use our parts lookup tool to find the parts you need, like Cub Cadet belts and blades, MTD pulleys and spindles, and more. 

To keep your Cub Cadet Zero Turn Mower running in top-tier condition, changing the oil should always have a spot on your regular maintenance to do list. Fresh oil is what keeps your Cub Cadet mower operating smoothly, and without that fresh oil, your machine will begin to suffer premature wear and tear which can often lead to unnecessary–and costly– repairs. Both a regular and seasonal task, changing the oil can be accompanied by other regular maintenance tasks–checking your spark plugs and tires, belts, and blades, just to mention a few. When you're in need of replacement Cub Cadet parts, use our Parts Lookup tool, and find the parts you need for your model by referring to your Cub Cadet Zero Turn Mower Parts Diagram. 
 

Change the Oil on your Cub Cadet Zero Turn Mower

Keep in mind that you can use the siphon pump or drain plug method to change the oil in your mower–the methods are similar, but require a couple different steps, all detailed below in our Oil Change Guide. 

1. Prepare yourself and your equipment for maintenance. Move your lawn mower to a flat surface and make sure the mower is off.

2. Wait until the engine has cooled before beginning any work. Once cooled, take out the ignition key and disconnect spark plug ignition wires. For added safety, engage the parking brake. 

3. Clean any debris that's found its way near the oil fill tube. Once cleaned, remove the dip stick.

3. Using a siphon pump, put the top tube in the dip stick hole and the bottom tube into the oil pan. Use a recyclable bottle or empty oil container to more easily dispose of the oil after you're done. To prime the siphon pump, pump the handle three or four times. Once the liquid begins to flow, discontinue pumping. 

4. After you remove the pump, add your new oil. Refer to your operator's manual for any oil specifications unique to your mower model.

5. If you're going to use the drain plug method rather than the siphon pump, put a catch basin or empty container under the drain hose. Snap the hose onto the opening and position over the oil catcher. 

6. Now you can remove the drain plug in order to empty the old oil from your mower. 

7. Still operating with the drain plug method, replace the drain plug and remove the drain hose. Add new oil. 

8. When you've added the new oil, you can replace the dip stick. Wait a few minutes. Check your dip stick to ensure that you've filled to the appropriate oil level.  

9. Inspect the oil filter before removing it from the mower. Once you've removed the old oil filter, lubricate the gasket of the new oil filter before installing. 

10. Now you're ready to re-attach the spark plug ignition wire. Make sure you're responsible in appropriately disposing of the old mower oil. Also be sure to disengage the parking brake, as well as running the mower in a well-ventilated place to circulate the new oil through the engine before mowing. 

For additional assistance in servicing your Cub Cadet Zero Turn Mower or finding the right Cub Cadet replacement part, contact a CC Parts n' More specialist today.

Our bet is you're already pretty tired of the snow. Ice covered windows, slippery sidewalks, and slushy streets don't make for a very good time. Depending on where you live, you might spend just a little or a whole lot of time outside with your snow thrower, trying to clear your driveway and get on your way. With the right snow thrower and snow clearing technique, you can make the winter season a little easier on yourself. 

Using the Right Snow Thrower 

One of the easiest ways to decide on the right snow thrower is to evaluate the snowfall in your area. You don't need a big, powerful snow thrower for just a little snow, just like a little single-stage snow thrower won't do much good if you're trying to clear those tricky, three feet high drifts. 

If your area only receives a light snow, a single-stage thrower will do the job. For medium to large cleanups of heavy snow, invest in a two-stage snow thrower. For extremely wet and heavy snow, we suggest a three-stage snow thrower. 

Designate the Driveway

When everything's covered in snow, how can you tell where you need to start and stop your snow thrower? We suggest outlining your walkways and driveway with reflector stakes prior to the first heavy snowfall, if possible. By outlining these areas, you can help protect plants and hedge roots. 

Pick the Pile Up Zone

When snow throwing, you want to make sure you're not allowing the snow to build up on the foundation walls or sides of your home. If snow ends up in those areas, it can melt, refreeze, and previous cracks have the potential to widen. In a worst case scenario, these cracks can open wide enough to let water seep into the walls of your home, causing unnecessary water damage and rotting wood. 

If you need assistance in replacing a part for your snow thrower, use the Cub Cadet Parts n' More Parts Lookup Tool, or contact one of our trained specialists. 

While a winter wonderland might be a beautiful thing when you're safe and warm inside, it can be another story entirely when it's time to bear the blustery blizzard winds and clear your driveway of snow. Even worse? You've donned your hat, scarf, and gloves, only to find that your snow thrower's chute is clogged. But don't fret–this quick, 7 step guide to unclogging your Cub Cadet Snow Thrower Chute will have you sitting fireside in no time, and with a cleared driveway to boot. 

Your snow chute might be clogged for one of two reasons: heavy snow, or moving too slowly. Heavy snow will clump together faster and more easily than a light fluffy coating, and can get stuck in the snow blower auger and chute. Another possibility is that you're walking too slowly. While you might think moving slowly will clear your driveway more efficiently, it actually allows the snow more time to stick together, and, you guessed it–clog the chute. If you're dealing with either of these two predicaments, these 7 easy steps will have you up and running before the hot chocolate is ready. 

1. Safety is always our top priority at Cub Cadet Parts n' More. Don't ever use bare hands to perform maintenance! Make sure your engine is turned completely off, and all moving parts have stopped moving before beginning any sort of maintenance work on your Cub Cadet outdoor power equipment.

2. Release the drive and auger controls. 

3. Remove the ignition key to ensure that the engine has come to a full stop. 

4. You should find your chute clean-out tool fastened to the auger housing. Remove it from the mounting clip. Location may vary according to model, so refer to your operator's manual if the clean-out tool is located elsewhere. Not sure where to find your model number? No problem, just click this link to find the location of your model number. 

5. Take the shovel-shaped end and scoop out any ice or snow that's become lodged in or around the chute. 

6. Now replace the clean-out tool to the mounting clip on the auger housing. Replace the ignition key to start the engine. 

7. To make sure that all ice and snow have been removed from the shoot, stand behind the snow thrower and engage the auger control. By doing this for a few seconds, you'll ensure that all ice and now are removed from the chute. 

Proper and regular maintenance keeps your Cub Cadet outdoor power equipment in top-performing condition. For all of your Cub Cadet parts needs, like belts, pulleys, spindles, and more, use our Parts Lookup Tool, or contact a certified Cub Cadet Parts n' More specialist.  

You've stored your snow blower safely all year-round, but what happens if in the middle of your first big storm, something goes wrong? Regular snow thrower maintenance helps make sure that you avoid any unnecessary errors or repairs with your equipment so you can clear the driveways and sidewalks whenever the time arrives. Follow our simple snow thrower winter maintenance guide below: 

After the first 5 hours of use: 

1. Change engine oil 

After every use (or every 5 hours): 

1. Check engine oil level

2. Inspect and clean around the exhaust area

After every season / 25 hours of use:

1. Inspect spark plug

2. Lubricate gear shift

After every season / 50 hours of use: 

1. Change engine oil 

After every season / 100 hours of use: 

1. Service spark plug 

When you need replacement parts for your Cub Cadet snow thrower, use our simple Parts Lookup tool! 
 

Somedays your gear just doesn't work, but that doesn't mean you should have to take it to the store. Troubleshooting at home can save you costly in-store repairs. Follow our troubleshooting guide for easy-fixes to your MTD handheld equipment's engine.

1. The engine won't start.

• Have you checked to make sure your fuel tank is full? 
• Be sure you've pressed the prime bulb slowly and fully 10 times. 
• Your fuel might be too old. Flush it out and use new fuel. 
• Clean the spark plug and replace the part if necessary. 
• Clean the spark arrestor and replace if necessary. 

2. The engine stalls out or doesn't have as much power as usual. 

• The primary cause could be old fuel. Drain the fuel tank and add new gas. 
• Refer to your operator's manual and check that your carburetor is set to the proper adjustment. 
• Lastly, inspect the spark plug and arrestor. Clean these parts and replace if necessary. 

3. I can't get the engine to idle. 

• Empty out and replace the old fuel. 
• Check your operator's manual to ensure you have proper carburetor adjustment. 
• Clean the air filter and replace if necessary.

4. The engine starts but won't accelerate. 

• Drain any remaining old fuel and add new. 
• Stop the engine and see if the cutting attachment needs to be cleaned. Clean if necessary. 
• Refer to the operator's manual to confirm proper carburetor adjustment. 
• Clean the air filter. Replace if necessary. 
• Inspect the spark arrestor. Clean and replace if necessary. 

Need parts for your MTD outdoor power equipment? Use our Parts Lookup tool, or contact a trained specialist today.