Page 3 - SECTION 1: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES; California Proposition 65 Warning:
3 SECTION 1: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES WARNING: This symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not followed, could endanger the personal safety and/or property of yourself and others. Read and follow all instructions in this manualbefore attempting to operate this machine. F...
Page 4 - SLOPE OPERATION
4 23. Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a burn. Do not touch. 24. Check overhead clearances carefully before driving under low hanging tree branches, wires, door openings etc., where the operator may be struck or pulled from the unit, which could result in serious injury. 25. Disengage all...
Page 5 - SAFE HANDLING OF GASOLINE:
5 e. Use extreme care when approaching blind corners, doorways, shrubs, trees or other objects that may block your vision of a child who may run into the machine. f. To avoid back-over accidents, always disengage the cutting blade(s) before shifting into reverse. The “Reverse Caution Mode” should no...
Page 6 - YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
6 8. Never tamper with the safety interlock system or other safety devices. Check their proper operation regularly. 9. After striking a foreign object, stop the engine, disconnect the spark plug wire(s) and ground against the engine. Thoroughly inspect the machine for any damage. Repair the damage b...
Page 7 - SECTION 2: SLOPE GAUGE; DO
7 SECTION 2: SLOPE GAUGE 15° SIGHT AND HO L D THI S LEVEL WITH A VER T ICAL TRE E A POWE R POLE A CORNER OF A BUIL D ING OR A FENC E P O ST F O L D O N DO T T E D L INE , R E P RE S E NT ING A 1 5 ° S L O P E Do n o t mow o n inclin es with a slo pe in excess of 15 de gr ees ( a r ise of a ppr oxima...
Page 8 - Openning the Tractor Hood; Figure 1; Connect the Battery; Wash hands after handling
8 SECTION 3: TRACTOR SET-UP Gas and Oil Fill-up The gasoline tank is located under the fender and has a capacity of three gallons. Unthread the fuel cap by turning it counterclockwise. Use only clean, fresh (under 30 days old), unleaded gasoline. Fill tank to no more than four inches below the top o...
Page 9 - SECTION 4: KNOW YOUR LAWN TRACTOR; Figure 2
9 SECTION 4: KNOW YOUR LAWN TRACTOR Figure 2 NOTE: Any reference in this manual to the RIGHT or LEFT side of the tractor is observed from operator’s position. A Systems Indicator Monitor/Hour Meter H Ignition Switch Module B Throttle Control Lever I Power Take-Off (PTO) Control Switch C Choke Contro...
Page 10 - Starting The Engine; Seat Adjustment
10 Throttle Control Lever The throttle control lever is located on the left side of the tractor’s dash panel. This lever controls the speed of the engine. When set in a given position, the throttle will maintain a uniform engine speed. IMPORTANT: When operating the tractor with the cutting deck enga...
Page 11 - Battery; Deck Lift Lever
11 Hour Meter Located in the center of the tractor’s console, the hour meter operates whenever the ignition key is rotated out of the STOP position and records the actual hours of tractor operation. See Figure 4. Figure 4 System Indicator Lights Your tractor is equipped with four indicator lights in...
Page 12 - OPERATING YOUR LAWN TRACTOR; Safety Interlock Switches; Reverse Caution Mode; AVOID SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH; READ OPERATOR’S MANUAL; WARNING
12 SECTION 5: OPERATING YOUR LAWN TRACTOR Safety Interlock Switches This tractor is equipped with a safety interlock system for the protection of the operator. If the interlock system should ever malfunction, do not operate the tractor. Contact your Cub Cadet dealer. • The safety interlock system pr...
Page 13 - Setting the Gauge Wheels; Figure 6; Starting the Engine; NORMAL MOWING; Stopping the Engine
13 Setting the Gauge Wheels Select the height position of the cutting deck by placing the deck lift lever in one of the six different cutting height notches on the right fender. Adjust the deck wheels and rollers so that they are be-tween ¼-inch and ½-inch above the ground as follows. WARNING: Keep ...
Page 14 - Engaging the Parking Brake; Driving The Tractor; Figure 7; Driving On Slopes; SLOPE GAUGE; Setting The Cruise Control
14 Engaging the Parking Brake To engage the parking brake: • Fully depress the brake pedal and hold it there while gently pushing the parking brake lever downward. • Hold the parking brake lever down while removing your foot from the brake pedal. • Once engaged, the parking brake lever and the brake...
Page 15 - Using the Deck Lift Lever; Setting The Cutting Height; Operating the Headlights; Figure 8; Engaging the PTO; Safety; Mowing; ON; Front View; Side View
15 • Lightly depress the drive pedal. To change the direction of travel to reverse when operating with cruise control, depress the brake pedal to disengage the cruise control and bring the tractor to a complete stop. Then slowly depress the rear portion of the drive pedal with the ball of your foot ...
Page 16 - Cutting Blades; SECTION 6: MAKING ADJUSTMENTS; Leveling the Deck; Tires; Side to Side
16 • For best results it is recommended that the first two laps be cut with the discharge thrown towards the center. After the first two laps, reverse the direction to throw the discharge to the outside for the balance of cutting. This will give a better appearance to the lawn. • Do not cut the gras...
Page 17 - Parking Brake Adjustment; Steering Adjustment
17 . Figure 11 • Locate the two lock nuts on the front side of the front hanger bracket. See Figure 11. Tighten the lock nuts to raise the front of the deck; loosen the lock nuts to lower the front of the deck. • Retighten the two jam nuts loosened earlier when proper adjustment is achieved. Parking...
Page 18 - SECTION 7: MAINTAINING YOUR LAWN TRACTOR; Maintenance Chart; Engine; Warranty repairs; Engine Oil; Checking the Oil Level; before each use; RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADES
18 • Behind the axle, measure the distance horizontally from the inside of the left rim to the inside of the right rim. Note the distance. • The measurement taken in front of the axle should be between 1/16" and 5/16" less than the measurement taken behind the axle. • Adjust if necessary. Se...
Page 19 - Adding Oil; Full; Changing the Engine OIl; Draining the Oil; FULL
19 Figure 15 • Always keep the oil level at or near the FULL markon the dipstick. If the oil is low, add oil of the propertype up to the FULL mark. Always re-check the oillevel with the dipstick before adding more oil. IMPORTANT: Never operate the engine with the oil level below the ADD mark or abov...
Page 20 - Changing the Oil Filter; Attachments & Accessories; Re-filling the Crankcase with Oil; Slowly; Cleaning the Oil Cooler; before starting the engine.; Precleaner
20 • After the oil has finished draining, push the oil drain valve back in, rotate it clockwise to lock the valve closed and re-cap the end of the oil drain valve to keep debris from entering the drain port. IMPORTANT: Always change the oil filter when performing an oil change on your tractor’s engi...
Page 21 - Service Paper Element; not; Fuel Filter; Cleaning the Engine And Deck; Deck Wash System
21 • Reinstall the precleaner over the paper element. • Reinstall the air cleaner cover and tighten the knob securely. Service Paper Element The paper element should be replaced at least every 100 hours of operation. Replace more frequently if the tractor is operated under extremely dusty conditions...
Page 22 - Remain in the operator’s position; Lubrication; Front Wheels
22 IMPORTANT: Make certain the tractor’s discharge chute is directed AWAY from your house, garage, parked cars, etc. 2. Disengage the PTO (Blade Engage), set the parking brake, and stop the engine. 3. Thread the nozzle adapter (packaged with Opera-tor’s Manual) onto the end of your garden hose. 4. P...
Page 23 - Cutting Deck Removal
23 SECTION 8: SERVICE Tires WARNING: Never exceed the maximum inflation pressure shown on the sidewall of thetire. The recommended operating tire pressure is approximately 10 psi for the rear tires and 14 psi for the front tires. Refer to the tire sidewall for exact tire manufacturer’s recommended o...
Page 24 - Jump Starting; Charging; Changing the Deck Belt; Changing The Transmission Drive Belt
24 Battery The battery is sealed and is maintenance-free. Acid levels cannot be checked and fluid can not be added. • Always keep the battery cables and terminals clean and free of corrosive build-up. • After cleaning the battery and terminals, apply a light coat of petroleum jelly or grease to both...
Page 25 - carefully remove the
25 Hydrostatic Transmission Keep the area around the transmission cooling fan free of grass and debris at all times. The hydrostatic transmission is sealed at the factory and is maintenance free. The fluid level cannot be checked and cannot be changed. Changing the Deck Belt WARNING: Shut the engine...
Page 26 - MAINTAINING YOUR LAWN TRACTOR; SECTION 10: MAINTENANCE CHART
26 SECTION 9: OFF-SEASON STORAGE Clean and lubricate the tractor as instructed in Section 7: MAINTAINING YOUR LAWN TRACTOR on page 18 of this manual before storing for an extended period. Engine If the engine will be out of service for two months or more, use the following storage procedure: • Clean...
Page 27 - SECTION 11: TROUBLESHOOTING; Trouble
27 SECTION 11: TROUBLESHOOTING Trouble Possible Cause(s) Corrective Action Engine fails to start PTO/Blade Engage knob engaged.Parking brake not engaged.Spark plug wire(s) disconnected.Throttle control lever not in correct starting position.Choke not activatedFuel tank empty, or stale fuel.Blocked f...
Page 28 - Attachments
28 SECTION 12: ATTACHMENTS & ACCESSORIES The following attachments and accessories are compatible to the GT1554 tractor. See your Cub Cadet dealer or the retailer from which you purchased your tractor for information regarding price and availability. NOTE: Cub Cadet GT1554 tractors are NOT desig...
Page 29 - SECTION 13: SPECIFICATIONS
29 SECTION 13: SPECIFICATIONS GT 1554 Capacities Fuel Tank 4.0 gallons (13.2 liters) Engine Crankcase (w/ filter) 2.1 qts. (2.0 liters) Transmission 122 oz. (3.62 liters) Hydrostatic Transmission Make and Model Hydro-Gear 320-3000 Forward Speed 0 m.p.h. - 5.2 m.p.h. Reverse Speed 0 m.p.h. - 2.3 m.p....
Page 31 - This limited warranty does not provide coverage in
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 merchandise pur-chased and used in the United States, its possessions andterritories. CUB CADET warrants this product against defect...
Page 32 - Year Limited Warranty - PTO Clutch
32 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 merchandise pur-chased and used in the United States, its possessions andterritories. CUB CADET warrants this product against defects in ...
