Cub Cadet 2518-48- Manuals

7 PRODUCT GRAPHICS Keep product safety graphics (decals) clean. Replaceany safety graphic that is damaged, destroyed, miss- ing, painted over or can no longer be read. Replace-ment safety graphics are available through yourdealer. GENERAL SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS WARNING – LOCATED ON RIGHT SIDE OF RUNNIN...

8 TO THE OWNER This Operator’s Manual is an important part of your new tractor. The information contained in this manual has beenprepared in detail to help you better understand the features, correct operation, adjustments, and maintenance ofyour tractor. The performance and dependability of this tr...

9 SECTION I. CONTROLS AND INDICATORS Your Cub Cadet Tractor has been safety engineered.This section gives a brief description of the functionand location of the various controls and indicators. Thoroughly acquaint yourself with all the controls andindicators before attempting to start or operate the...

10 A. LOW OIL INDICATOR This indicator will illuminate when the engine oil level islow. If this indicator illuminates, stop the tractor imme-diately and check the engine oil level. If the oil level iswithin the operating range, but the light remains on,contact your Cub Cadet dealer. CAUTION Operatin...

12 Q. SAFETY INTERLOCK SWITCHES This tractor is equipped with a safety interlock systemfor the protection of the operator. If the interlock sys-tem should ever malfunction, do not operate the trac-tor. Contact your authorized Cub Cadet Dealer. The safety interlock system prevents the engine fromcran...

13 Figure 8 UPPER FRONTWING NUT RETAINER WITHTAPERED GUIDE REAR WING NUT GRILLE REAR TABON PANEL SIDE PANEL GROOVE INDASH PANEL GRASP GRASP

14 SECTION II. OPERATION WARNING RECEIVE INSTRUCTION - Read theoperator’s manual. Learn to operate thismachine SAFELY. Don’t risk INJURY orDEATH. 1. Before starting the engine or beginningoperation, be familiar with the controls. Theoperator must be seated, the PTO switch inthe “OFF” position and th...

15 • The safety interlock system will automatical-ly shut off the engine if the operator leavesthe seat before engaging the brake pedallock. • The safety interlock system will automatical-ly disengage the PTO if the reverse controlpedal is pressed down with the PTO in the“RUN” position. To re-engage...

16 5. Turn the ingnition key to the “START” position andhold until the engine starts; however, do not crankthe engine continuously for more than 10seconds at a time. Once the engine starts, graduallyadjust the choke as needed to keep the enginerunning until warmed up, then push the choke controlall ...

17 DRIVING ON SLOPES Refer to the SLOPE GAUGE on page 55 to helpdetermine slopes where you may not operate safely. WARNING Do not mow on inclines with a slope in excessof 15 degrees (a rise of approximately 2-1/2 feetevery 10 feet). The tractor could overturn andcause serious injury. WARNING Operate...

18 SECTION III. ADJUSTMENTS This section contains adjustment information for theModel 2518 tractor. Adjustment information for the 48inch deck is located in Section V – Mower Deckbeginning on page 33. ADJUSTING THE SEAT WARNING Do not adjust the seat when the tractor ismoving. Adjusting the seat whi...

19 WHEEL ALIGNMENT The front wheels should toe-in approximately 1/8 to1/4 inch, as measured across dimensions A and Bshown in Figure 12. Figure 12. Viewed from beneath the tractor. FRONT WHEEL ADJUSTMENT WARNING Place the tractor on a firm and level surface. To adjust the toe-in, proceed as follows:...

20 2. Pivot the ends of the axle up and down to check forbinding. If the axle is binding, loosen the lock nuts(See Figure 14) until binding is eliminated. Figure 14 3. Grasping the ends of the pivot axle, attempt tomove each end of the axle forward and rearwardto check for side play between the axle...

21 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 CONTROL CAM Adjusting the Control Rod After completing the previous steps (1 thru 4) forchecking neutral setting, refer to Figure 15 and adjustthe control rod as follows: NOTE The brake pedal lock MUST be engaged toproperly adjust the control rod. 1. Loosen, but do not remove...

22 CARBURETOR ADJUSTMENTS WARNING When making adjustments to the carburetorwhile the engine is running, disengage the PTOclutch and engage the brake pedal lock. Keepclear of all moving parts and be careful of all hotsurfaces. WARNING Carbon monoxide fumes can be fatal! Do notmake any adjustments to ...

23 SECTION IV. MAINTENANCE ENGINE MAINTENANCE Maintenance, repair, or replacement of the emissioncontrol devices and systems, which are being done atthe customer’s expense, may be performed by anyengine repair establishment or individual. Warranty repairs must be performed by an authorized Kohlerser...

24 ADDING OIL CAUTION Never overfill the engine crankcase. The enginemay overheat and/or damage may result if thecrankcase is below the “LOW” mark or over the“FULL” mark on the dipstick. NOTE For best results, fill to the “FULL” mark on thedipstick as opposed to adding a given quantityof oil. Always...

25 While the engine oil is warm, proceed as follows: NOTE A 12 inch length of flexible tubing is supplied inthe owner’s manual package and should beused to drain the engine oil. 1. Place the tractor on a level surface and engage thebrake pedal lock. Stop the tractor engine andremove the ignition key...

26 CHECKING TRANSMISSION OIL LEVEL NOTE Check the oil level only while the engine isstopped and the tractor is level. Check the oil level of the transmission case beforeeach use to see that it is filled to the correct level.Before checking the transmission oil level, clean thearea around the oil fil...

27 2. Clean the area around the transmission drain plugto prevent debris from entering the transmissioncase. Remove the drain plug and allow thetransmission oil to drain into a clean containerhaving a capacity of more than 6 quarts. Reinstallthe drain plug (Refer to Figure 21). CAUTION If the transm...

28 Figure 23. Air Cleaner Assembly 2. Remove the foam precleaner by sliding it up off thepaper element (See Figure 23). 3. Wash the precleaner in warm water withdetergent. Rinse the precleaner thoroughly until alltraces of the detergent are eliminated. Squeezeout (do not wring) excess water in a dry...

29 SPARK PLUG WARNING To avoid possible injury, be sure the engine isoff and has cooled before making anyadjustments or repairs. NOTE Remove all dirt from around the spark plugbefore removing. To remove the spark plugs, always use a spark plugwrench. Check the gap after every 100 hours ofoperation. ...

31 BATTERY REMOVAL OR INSTALLATION WARNING Battery posts, terminals and relatedaccessories contain lead and lead compounds. Wash Hands after handling. When removing the battery, disconnect thebattery cables in the following order to avoidarcing and the resulting sparks: Battery Removal: 1. Disconnec...

33 SECTION V. MOWER DECK A. INSTALLATION AND REMOVAL OF DECK INSTALLATION OF DECK WARNING Before installing the mower deck, place thePTO switch in the “OFF” position, engage thebrake pedal lock, turn the ignition key to the“OFF” position and remove the key from theswitch. Disconnect the spark plug w...

34 NOTE If installing the deck on a new tractor , cut the cable tie used to hold the front lift rod up duringshipment. Then proceed to step 8. 6. Refer to Figure 31 to ensure the correctorientation of the front lift rod/bracket assembly[the form (bend) in sides of rod point downward].From the front ...

35 NOTE: It may be necessary to lift each side of the deckand maneuver it slightly to align the support pins withthe holes of the lift links. Make certain the support pinsare fully extended through the lift links to prevent themower deck from disengaging the lift links whilemowing. Figure 35 WARNING...

38 7. Lower the mower deck by moving the implementlift handle to its lowest setting. Disengage thedeck idler arm lever from its stop bracket andrelease the spring tension by rotating the lever outand rearward (Refer to Figure 47). Figure 47 8. Remove the rearward end of the PTO belt from theupper pu...

40 B. DECK LEVELING ADJUSTMENTS The 48" mower deck is equipped with ground followingfront castor wheels and is designed to run on its ownwheels. However, to ensure even cutting, the mowerdeck should be properly leveled. The levelingprocedure will result in the left and right blades havingcorresp...

41 8. Loosen the upper jam nut on the hanger bracketand turn away from the adjustment ferrule. Turnthe lower lock nut upward (tighten) on the threadsof the hanger bracket to raise the right side of themower deck. Turn the lock nut down (loosen) onthe threads to lower the right side of the mowerdeck ...

42 8. Raise the deck to the highest position. Recheckthe blade measurements described in step 4. If theresultant measurements are not correct, repeatsteps 5, 6 and 7 until the proper measurements areobtained. NOTE The front lift rod should be against the front ofboth slots in the deck front roller b...

43 C. MAINTENANCE CLEANING AND BLADE CARE WARNING Before performing any maintenance, place thePTO switch in the “OFF” position, engage thebrake pedal lock, turn the ignition key to the“OFF” position and remove the key from theswitch to avoid accidental starting and injury. WARNING When servicing the...

44 Every 50 hours, or twice yearly, lubricate the doublepulley with 251H EP grease or an equivalent No. 2multipurpose lithium grease. Do not over lubricate.Refer to Figure 65. Figure 65 C. SPINDLE DRIVE BELT REPLACEMENT In order to replace the spindle drive belt, refer toFigures 65 and 66 and procee...

45 SECTION VI. OFF-SEASON STORAGE If the machine is to be inoperative for a period longerthan 30 days, the following procedures arerecommended: WARNING Never store the tractor with fuel in the tankindoors or in poorly ventilated enclosures,where fuel fumes may reach an open flame,spark or pilot ligh...

46 SECTION VII. MOWING MOWING WARNING To avoid possible injury, do not allow anyone inthe area opposite the discharge chute whilemowing. Although the area has beensupposedly cleared of foreign objects, smallobjects may be picked up and discharged bythe mower. WARNING Never direct the discharge of ma...

47 OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES When you purchased your tractor, you probably had itcompletely equipped for your particular needs at thetime. However, later you may wish to obtain optionalequipment or accessories. These items and otherallied equipment can be purchased from, and installedby, yo...

49 TROUBLE SHOOTING Possible Cause Possible Remedy HARD TO START No gasoline in fuel tank or carburetor ..................... Fill the tank with gasoline. Check the fuel line, carburetor and fuel filter. Fuel line or carburetor clogged................................ Clean the fuel line and carburet...

50 TROUBLE SHOOTING Possible Cause Possible Remedy LACK OF POWER Air cleaner clogged ................................................. Service the air cleaner element. Refer to “MAINTE- NANCE.” Engine overload ...................................................... Reduce the load. Engine overheated ...

52 LUBRICATION GUIDE The service life and reliability of any machine depends upon the care it is given. Proper lubrication is a veryimportant part of that care. This lubrication schedule reflects the minimal requirements to maintain theequipment. More frequent inspections and maintenance is preferab...

55 SLOPE GAUGE (Keep this sheet in a safe place for future reference.) 15 ° S IGH T AN D H O L D TH IS L E VEL WI TH A V E R T IC AL TR EE A POW E R PO LE A CORNE R OF A B U IL DING OR A FE N C E POS T F O L D O N D O T T E D L IN E , R E P R E S E N T IN G A 1 5 ° S L O P E US E THIS PAGE AS A GUI ...

57 2518 2-1/8 gallons 4 pints 6 qts. 0 to 6 mph0 to 3 mph Kohler Command 20 HP 2 3.03 in.2.64 in. 38.1 1200 RPM 3600 RPM ± 75 Battery .030 in. 12 volt neg. ground 725-1706 15 amp regulated 25 amp 725-0963 Internal expanding 16 x 6.5-8 23 x 9.5-12 31.5 in. 30.25 in. 47.00 in. 72.00 in. 56.00 in. 43.0...

58 CUB CADET LLC MANUFACTURER’S ONE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY (COMMERCIAL USE) The limited warranty set forth below is given by CUB CADETLLC (“CUB CADET”) with respect to new merchandisepurchased and used in the United States, its possessions andterritories. CUB CADET warrants this product against defec...

59 CUB CADET LLC MANUFACTURER’S LIMITED WARRANTY (RESIDENTIAL USE) The limited warranty set forth below is given by CUB CADETLLC (“CUB CADET”) with respect to new merchandisepurchased and used in the United States, its possessions andterritories. CUB CADET warrants this product against defects in ma...

MODEL 2518 SERIES 2500 20 HP KOHLER Engine Oil Requirements approx. . . 4 pints Part No. Cub Cadet engine oilAmbient temperature viscosity (Grade SG or SH)Above +32°F SAE 10W30 or 10W40 Below +32°F SAE 5W20 or 5W30 737-3030A (10W30) 737-3049 (5W30) Air Filter Requirements Part No. Clean air filter p...