Cub Cadet LT-2180- Manuals

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. Thesafety interlock system prevents the engine fromcrank...

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 the operator’smanual. Learn to operate this machineSAFELY. Don’t risk INJURY or DEATH. 1. Before starting the engine or beginning operation,be familiar with the controls. The operator must beseated, the PTO switch in the “OFF” position andt...

15 1. Operator must be sitting in the tractor seat. 2. Pull choke control knob to full choke position.Less choking may be necessary due to variationsin temperature, grade of fuel, etc. Little or nochoking will be needed when the engine is warm. 3. Move the throttle lever to the “FAST” position. 4. P...

16 5. Turn the ingnition key to the “START” position andhold until the engine starts; however, do not crankthe engine continuously for more than 5 secondsat a time. Once the engine starts, gradually adjustthe choke as needed to keep the engine running untilwarmed up, then push the choke control all ...

17 DRIVING ON SLOPES Refer to the SLOPE GAUGE on page 55 to help deter-mine 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 Opera...

18 SECTION III. ADJUSTMENTS This section contains adjustment information for theModel LT 2180 tractor. Adjustment information for the42-inch 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 ...

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:...

21 Adjusting the Control Rod After completing the previous steps (1 thru 4) forchecking neutral setting, adjust the control rod ( SeeFigure 15) as follows: NOTE The brake pedal lock MUST be engaged toproperly adjust the control rod. 1. Loosen, but do not remove, the hex tap screwsthat fasten the fro...

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. Carbon monoxide fumes can be fatal!Do not make any adjustments to the carb...

23 Control Adjustments To adjust the choke control, remove the air cleaner.Move the choke control to the full choke position. Thecarburetor choke should be completely closed (SeeFigure 18). If not, loosen the casing clamp screw. Move the casing, wire and engine choke lever in thedirection shown unti...

24 SECTION IV. MAINTENANCE ENGINE OIL The engine oil must be drained and replaced with newoil after the firsr 5 to 8 hours of engine operation andthen after every 50 hours of operation. To aid starting, the selection of crankcase lubricatingoils should be based on the lowest anticipatedtemperatures ...

25 2. Clean the area around the oil filler cap to preventdebris from entering the crankcase. See Figure 21. Figure 21 3. Unscrew the oil filler cap from the right valve coverand SLOWLY pour in oil (See Figure 21). Fill thecrankcase until the oil level reaches the “FULL”mark on the dipstick (Refer to...

26 5. To open the drain valve, push it slightly inward andturn it counterclockwise until it stops, then pull itoutward. Allow the old oil to completely drain fromthe engine crankcase into the container below. 6. Remove the filter by turning it counterclockwiseusing an automotive type filter wrench t...

27 ADDING TRANSMISSION OIL CAUTION Never overfill the transmission case. Damageor leakage may result if the oil level in thetransmission case is below the “ADD” mark orover the “FULL” mark of the dipstick.For bestresults, fill to the “FULL” mark on the dipstick asopposed to adding a given quantity o...

28 4. Apply a light coating of clean transmission oil to thegasket of the new filter. Install the filter by turningit clockwise, by hand, until the gasket contacts thefilter base on the transmission housing; thentighten the filter an additional 1/2 turn. 5. Clean the area around the transmission oil...

29 CLEANING ENGINE This tractor has an air-cooled engine. Air must be ableto circulate freely around the engine through theflywheel screen, through the cooling shrouds and overthe fins of the cylinder head and cylinder block (SeeFigure 27). Keep these areas free of accumulated dirtand debris to keep...

30 FUEL FILTER WARNING Do not replace the fuel filter when engine is hot. The engine is equipped with an inline fuel filter.Visually inspect the filter periodically for a build-up ofresidue inside the filter body, and for a dirty elementwhich can be indicated by discoloration. Replace thefuel filter...

33 SECTION V. MOWER DECK This section contains adjustment, removal, installation,and maintenance information for the 42-inch mowerdeck. Instructions for installation and removal of theoptional mulching plug are located at the end of thissection. A. DECK LEVELING ADJUSTMENTS In order to achieve even ...

34 Figure 34 7. Lower the deck onto the hard, level surface. 8. Side-to-side leveling is obtained utilizing theadjustment ferrule and right hand hanger bracket(See Figure 35). Figure 35 9. Loosen the upper jam nut on the hanger bracketand turn away from the adjustment ferrule. Turnthe lower lock nut...

35 3. Initially adjust the front lift rod to allow 5/8 inch ofthread to protrude beyond both lock nuts of thefront lift rod/bracket assembly (Refer to Figure 37). Figure 37 4. Refer to Figure 38. Measure and record thedistance from the front cutting edge to the ground(measurement A), and from the re...

36 NOTE Gauge wheels are intended to prevent scalpingof the lawn, and are not meant to be used to setthe cutting height. Do not run the deck on theguage wheels. To adjust the height of the gauge wheels, place thetractor on a firm and level surface. Refer to Figure 39,and proceed as follows: 1. Place...

37 B. REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION OF DECK ASSEMBLY REMOVAL OF DECK WARNING Before removing 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 wire foradditional sa...

39 Figure 48 CAUTION To avoid possible equipment damage, makesure that the tractor implement lift handle israised to its highest setting before sliding thedeck out from under the tractor. 10. With the tractor implement lift handle raised to its highest setting, slide the deck to the right and outfro...

41 Figure 55 7. Carefully guide the tractor inplement lift links (leftand right) into the rear deck bracket slots (left andright) as the tractor implement lift handle islowered to its lowest setting (Refer to Figure 56). 8. Pull both deck support pins outward and rotaterearward to disengage the oute...

42 Figure 58 11. Pass the PTO belt downward, inside the tractor frame, until the belt is below the two tractor frontlower pulleys. Twist the two sides of the PTO belt1/4 turn inward to engage the narrow sides of thebelt into the grooves of the two tractor front-lowerpulleys (See Figure 59). Figure 5...

43 WARNING When servicing the mower deck, be careful notto cut yourself on the sharpened blades. Clean the underside of the mower deck at the end ofthe mowing season or when buildup of cut material onthe underside is noticed. Also remove the belt coversand remove any accumulated grass clippings. If ...

44 SPINDLE DRIVE BELT REPLACEMENT In order to replace the spindle drive belt, refer toFigure 63 and Figure 64 and proceed as follows: 1. Remove the hardware that secures the spindlebelt covers to the deck. 2. Remove the spindle belt covers to expose the belt. 3. Disengage the idler arm lever from it...

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.....

51 LUBRICATION TABLE Point of Lubrication Check at Hours Change at Hours Capacity Anticipated Air Temperature Above +40°F 0° to 40°F -20°F t0 100°+ Engine crankcase Checkbefore each use 50 Approx. 3 pints Cub Cadet Engine Oil SAE 30 Cub Cadet Engine OilSAE5W30 or 10W30 Synthetic Engine Oil SAE 5W30 ...

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...

53 LUBRICATION GUIDE —Before Each Use NOTE Lubrication information for optional equipment may be found in the manual which is included with thespecific piece of optional equipment. 1. Engine filler cap and dipstick Check the oil (with the engine stopped) and add sufficient new oil to bring it tothe ...

55 SLOPE GAUGE (Keep this sheet in a safe place for future reference.) 15° SIGHT AN D H O LD THIS LEVEL WITH A V E RTICAL TREE A P O WE R POLE A CORNER OF A BUILD ING OR A FENCE POST F O L D O N D O T T E D L IN E, R E P R E SE N T IN G A 1 5 ° SL OP E USE THI S PAG E AS A GUIDE TO DETERM INE SL OPE...

57 SPECIFICATIONS Specifications are subject to change without notice. LT 2180 CAPACITIES Fuel Tank ..............................................................................Crankcase (approximately) ...................................................Transmission Case (approximately) ..............

59 CUB CADET CORPORATION MANUFACTURER’S LIMITED WARRANTY (RESIDENTIAL USE) The limited warranty set forth below is given by CUB CADETCORPORATION (“CUB CADET”) with respect to newmerchandise purchased and used in the United States, itspossessions and territories. CUB CADET warrants this product again...

MODEL LT 2180 SERIES 2000 18 HP VANGUARD Engine Oil Requirements approx. . . 3 pints Part No. Cub Cadet engine oilAmbient temperature viscosity (Grade SG,SH,SJ or Higher)Above +40°F SAE 30 0° to +40°F SAE 5W30 or 10W30 -20° to 100°+F Synthetic SAE 5W30 or 10W30 737-3029 737-3030A (10W30) Air Filter ...