Cub Cadet 14AB13CH710 Operator's Manual
Operator’s Manual
Series 1000
Hydrostatic
Garden Tractor
Model 1222
(14AB13CH710)
IMPORTANT: Read safety rules and instructions carefully
Warning: This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-covered,
brush-covered or grass-covered land unless the engine’s exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester meeting applicable local or state
laws (if any). If a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained in effective working order by the operator. In the State of California the
above is required by law (Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code). Other states may have similar laws. Federal laws apply
on federal lands. A spark arrester for the muffler is available through your Cub Cadet dealer or contact the service department, P.O. Box
361131 Cleveland, Ohio 44136-0019.
Cub Cadet LLC., P.O. Box 361131, Cleveland, OH 44136-0019
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
FORM NO.
769-00995.fm
(12/2003)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Content Page
Customer Support 2
Important Safe Operation Practices 3
Tractor Set-Up 7
Know Your Garden Tractor 8
Operation 11
Making Adjustments 14
Content Page
Maintenance 16
Service 18
Specifications 23
Attachments 24
Warranty: Commercial 27
Warranty: Residential Back Cover
FINDING MODEL NUMBER
This Operator’s Manual is an important part of your new garden tractor. It will help you assemble, prepare
and maintain the unit for best performance. Please read and underst and what it says.
Before you start assembling your new equipment, please locate the model plate unde r the
seat of the tractor and copy the informa tion in the space provided below. A sample m odel plate is
also given below. This information will be necessary to use the manufacturer’s web site and/or
help from the Customer Support Department or an authorized serv ice dealer.
Copy the model number here:
Copy the serial number here:
CUB CADET LLC
www.cubcadet.com
DEALER LOCATOR PHONE NUMBER:
P. O. BOX
CLEVELAND, OH 44136
361131
877-282-8684
CUSTOMER SUPPORT
Please do NOT return the unit to the retailer from where it was purchased, without first contacting Customer Support.
If you have difficulty assembling this product or have any questions regarding the controls, opera tion or
maintenance of this unit, you can seek help from the experts. Choose from the options below:
Visit cubcadet.com for many useful suggestions. Click on Customer Support butt on and you
will get the four options reproduced here. Click on the appropriate button and help is
immediately available.
The answer you are
looking for could be just
a mouse click away!
The answer you are
looking for could be just
a mouse click away!
To reach the Customer Dealer Referrral Line, please call 1- (877) 282-8684 .
Engine
Manual
The engine manufactur er is responsible for all engine-related issu es with regards to
performance, power-rating, specifica tions, warranty and service. Please re fer to the engine
manufacturer’s Owner’s/Operator’s Manual, at the end of this manual, for more information.
2
SECTION 1: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES
WARNING: This symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not follo wed, could endanger
the personal safety and/or property of yourself and others. Read and follow all inst ructions in this manual
before attempting to operate this m achine. Failure to comply with these instructions may r esult in personal
injury. When you see this symbol—heed its warning.
DANGER: This machine was built to be operated according to the rules for saf e operation in this manua l.
As with any type of pow er equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator can r esult in serious
injury . This machine is capable o f amputating hands a nd f eet and thro wing objects . F ailure t o observe the
following saf ety instructions could result in serious injury or death.
WARNING: Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components contain or
emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm.
General Operation
1. Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the
machine and in the manual(s) before attempting to
assemble and operate. Keep this manual in a safe place
for future and regular reference and for ordering
replacement parts.
2. Be familiar with all controls and their proper operation.
Know how to stop the machine and disengage them
quickly.
3. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate this
machine. Children 14 years old and over should read and
understand the operation instructions and safety rules in
this manual and should be trained and supervised by a
parent.
4. Never allow adults to operate this machine without proper
instruction.
5. To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object injury,
keep bystanders, helpers, children and pets at least 75
feet from the machine while it is in operation. Stop
machine if anyone enters the area.
6. Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is to be
used. Remove all stones, sticks, wire, bones, toys, and
other foreign objects which could be picked up and
thrown by the blade(s). Thrown objects ca n cause
serious personal injury.
7. Plan your mowing pattern to avoid discharge of material
toward roads, sidewalks, bystanders and the like. Also,
avoid discharging material against a wall or obstruction
which may cause discharged material to ricochet back
toward the operator.
8. Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles during
operation and while performing an adjustment or repair to
protect your eyes. Throw n objects which ricochet can
cause serious injury to the eyes.
9. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-fitting
slacks and shirts. Loose fitting clothes and jewelry can be
caught in movable parts. Never operate this machine in
bare feet or sandals.
10. Be aware of the mower and attachment disch arge
direction and do not point it at anyone. Do not operate the
mower without the discharge cover or entire grass
catcher in its proper place.
11. Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under the
cutting deck. Contact with the blade(s) can amputate
hands and feet.
12. A missing or damaged discharge cover can cause blade
contact or thrown object injuries.
13. Stop the blade(s) when crossing gravel drives, walks, or
roads and while not cutting grass.
14. Watch for traffic when operating near or crossing
roadways. This machine is not intended for use on any
public roadway.
15. Do not operate the machine while under the influence of
alcohol or drugs.
16. Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.
17. Never carry passengers.
18. Disengage blade(s) before shifting into reverse. Back up
slowly. Always look down and behind before and while
backing to avoid a back-over accident.
19. Slow down before turning. Operate the machine
smoothly. Avoid erratic operation and excessive speed.
20. Disengage blade(s), set parking brake, stop engine and
wait until the blade(s) come to a complete stop before
removing grass catcher, emptying grass, unclogging
chute, removing any grass or debris, or making any
adjustments.
21. Never leave a running machine unattended. Always turn
off blade(s), place transmission in neutral, set parking
brake, stop engine and remove key before dismounting.
22. Use extra care when loading or unloading the machine
into a trailer or truck. This unit should not be driven up or
down ramp(s), because the unit could tip over, causing
serious personal injury. The unit must be pushed
manually on ramp(s) to load or unload properly.
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 attachment clutches, depress the brake
pedal completely and shift into neutral before attempting
to start engine.
26. Your machine is designed to cut normal residential grass
of a height no more than 10”. Do not attempt to mow
3
through unusually tall, dry grass (e.g., pasture) or piles of
dry leaves. Dry grass or leaves may contact the engine
exhaust and/or build up on the mower deck presenting a
potential fire hazard.
27. Use only accessories and attachments approved for this
machine by the machine manufacturer. Read,
understand and follow all instructions provided with the
approved accessory or attachment.
28. Data indicates that operators, age 60 years and above,
are involved in a large percentage of riding mowerrelated injuries. These operators should evaluate their
ability to operate the riding mower safely enough to
protect themselves and others from serious injury.
29. If situations occur which are not covered in this manual,
use care and good judgment. Contact Cub Cadet Dealer
for assistance.
Slope Operation
Slopes are a major factor related to loss of control and tipover accidents which can result in severe injury or death. All
slopes require extra caution. If you cannot back up the slope
or if you feel uneasy on it, do not mow it.
For your safety, use the slope gauge included as part of this
manual to measure slopes before operating this unit on a
sloped or hilly area. If the slope is greater than 15 degrees as
shown on the slope gauge, do not operate this unit on that
area or serious injury could result.
Do:
1. Mow up and down slopes, not across. Exercise extreme
caution when changing direction on slopes.
2. Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or other hidden
objects. Uneven terrain could overturn the machine. Tall
grass can hide obstacles.
3. Use slow speed. Choose a low enough speed setting so
that you will not have to stop or shift while on the slope.
Tires may lose traction on slopes even though the brakes
are functioning properly. Always keep machine in gear
when going down slopes to take advantage of engine
braking action.
4. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for wheel
weights or counterweights to improve stability.
5. Use extra care with grass catchers or other attachments.
These can change the stability of the machine.
6. Keep all movement on the slopes slow and gradual. Do
not make sudden changes in speed or direction. Rapid
engagement or braking could cause the front of the
machine to lift and rapidly flip over backwards which
could cause serious injury.
7. Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If tires lose traction,
disengage the blade(s) and proceed slowly straight down
the slope.
Do Not:
1. Do not turn on slopes unless necessary; then, turn slowly
and gradually downhill, if possible.
2. Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or embankments.
The mower could suddenly turn over if a wheel is over the
edge of a cliff, ditch, or if an edge caves in.
3. Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting your foot on
the ground.
4. Do not use a grass catcher on steep slopes.
5. Do not mow on wet grass. It may cause sliding.
6. Do not shift to neutral and coast downhill. Over-speeding
may cause the operator to lose control of the machine
resulting in serious injury or death.
7. Do not tow heavy attachments (e.g. loaded dump cart,
lawn roller, etc.) on slopes greater than 5 degrees. When
going down hill, the extra weight tends to push the tractor
and may cause you to loose control. (e.g. tractor may
speed up, braking and steering ability may be reduced,
attachment may jack-knife and tractor may overturn).
Children
1. Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to
the presence of children. Children are often attracted to
the machine and the mowing activity. They do not
understand the dangers. Never assume that children will
remain where you last saw them.
a. Keep children out of the mowing area and in
watchful care of a responsible adult other than the
operator.Be alert and turn machine off if a child
enters area.
b. Before and while backing, look behind and down
for small children.
c. Never carry children, even with the blade(s) shut
off. They may fall off and be seriously injured or
interfere with safe machine operation.
d. 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.
e. Disengage the cutting blade(s) before shifting in
reverse. The “No-Cut-In Reverse” feature is a
reminder not to cut in reverse and to help avoid
back over accidents. Do not defeat it.
f. Keep children away from hot or running engines.
They can suffer burns from a hot muffler.
g. Remove key when machine is unattended to
prevent unauthorized operation.
8. Never allow children under 14 years to operate the
machine. Children 14 years old and over should read and
understand the operation and safety rules in this manual
and should be trained and supervised by a parent.
Tow in g
1. Tow only with a machine that has a hitch designed for
towing. Do not attach towed equipment except at the
hitch point.
2. Follow the manufacturers recommendation for weight
limits for towed equipment and towing on slopes.
3. Never allow children or others in or on towed equipment.
4. On slopes, the weight of the towed equipment may cause
loss of traction and loss of control.
5. Travel slowly and allow extra distance to stop.
6. Do not shift to neutral and coast downhill.
Service
Safe Handling Of Gasoline:
1. To avoid personal injury or property damage use
extreme care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is
4
extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive.
Serious personal injury can occur when gasoline is
spilled on yourself or your clothes which can ignite. Wash
your skin and change clothes immediately.
a. Use only an approved gasoline container.
b. Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on a truck
or trailer bed with a plastic liner. Always place
containers on the ground away from your vehicle
before filling.
c. When practical, remove gas-powered equipment
from the truck or trailer and refuel it on the ground.
If this is not possible, then refuel such equipment
on a trailer with a portable container, rather than
from a gasoline dispenser nozzle.
d. Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim of the fuel
container opening at all times until fueling is
complete. Do not use a nozzle lock-open device.
e. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other
sources of ignition.
f. Never fuel machine indoors.
g. Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the
engine is hot or running. Allow engine to cool at
least two minutes before refueling.
h. Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tank to no more than
½ inch below bottom of filler neck to allow space
for fuel expansion.
i. Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.
j. If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and
equipment. Move unit to another area. Wait 5
minutes before starting the engine.
k. To reduce fire hazards, keep machine free of
grass, leaves, or other debris build-up. Clean up
oil or fuel spillage and remove any fuel soaked
debris.
l. Never store the machine or fuel container inside
where there is an open flame, spark or pilot light
as on a water heater, space heater, furnace,
clothes dryer or other gas appliances.
m. Allow a machine to cool at least 5 minutes before
storing.
General Service:
1. Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated
area. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an
odorless, and deadly gas.
2. Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, make certain
the blade(s) and all moving parts have stopped.
Disconnect the spark plug wire and ground against the
engine to prevent unintended starting.
3. Periodically check to make sure the blades come to
complete stop within approximately (5) five seconds after
operating the blade disengagement control. If the blades
do not stop within the this time frame, your unit should be
serviced professionally by an authorized Service Dealer.
4. Check brake operation frequently as it is subjected to
wear during normal operation. Adjust and service as
required.
5. Check the blade(s) and engine mounting bolts at
frequent intervals for proper tightness. Also, visually
inspect blade(s) for damage (e.g., excessive wear, bent,
cracked).
Replace the blade(s) with the original equipment
manufacturer’s (O.E.M.) blade(s) only, listed in this
manual. “Use of parts which do not meet the original
equipment specifications may lead to improper
performance and compromise safety!”
6. Mower blades are sharp. Wrap the blade or wear gloves,
and use extra caution when servicing them.
7. Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to be sure the
equipment is in safe working condition.
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 before starting and operating.
10. Never attempt to make adjustments or repairs to the
machine while the engine is running.
11. Grass catcher components and the discharge cover are
subject to wear and damage which could expose moving
parts or allow objects to be thrown.
For safety protection, frequently check components and
replace immediately with original equipment
manufacturer’s (O.E.M.) parts only, listed in this manual.
“Use of parts which do not meet the original equipment
specifications may lead to improper performance and
compromise safety!”
12. Do not change the engine governor settings or overspeed the engine. The governor controls the maximum
safe operating speed of the engine.
13. Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels, as
necessary.
14. Observe proper disposal laws and regulations for gas,
oil, etc. to protect the environment.
Your Responsibility
• Restrict the use of this power machine to persons who
read, understand and follow the warnings and
instructions in this manual and on the machine.
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF INJURY, DO NOT
OPERATE UNLESS DISCHARGE COVER OR
GRASS CATCHER IS IN ITS PROPER PLACE.
IF DAMAGED, REPLACE IMMEDIATELY.
AVOID SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH
KEEP HANDS AND FEET AWAY FROM ROTATING PARTS.
REMOVE OBJECTS THAT CAN BE THROWN BY THE
BLADE IN ANY DIRECTION. WEAR SAFETY GLASSES.
DO NOT MOW WHEN CHILDREN OR OTHERS ARE AROUND.
NEVER CARRY CHILDREN EVEN WITH BLADES OFF.
USE EXTRA CAUTION ON SLOPES. DO NOT MOW SLOPES
x
GREATER THAN 10° MOW UP AND DOWN, NOT ACROSS.
S30536
READ OPERATOR'S MANUAL. KEEP SAFETY DEVICES IN PLACE AND WORKING.
AVOID SUDDEN TURNS, USE LOW GEAR.
X
A
M
5
°
0
1
SECTION 2: SLOPE GAUGE
your footing and you could slip, resulting in serious injury.
Do not mow on inclines with a slope in excess of 15 degrees (a rise of approximately 2-1/2 feet every 10 feet). A riding mower
could overturn and cause serious injury. If operating a walk-behind mower on such a slope, it is extremely difficult to main tain
L
D
O
F
Operate RIDING mowers up and down slopes, never across the face of slopes.
O
N
DO
T
T
S
E
NT
RE
P
RE
E
D
L
I
N
E
,
A CORNER OF A BUILDING
OR A FENCE POST
SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH A VERTICAL TREE
A POWER POLE
WARNING
15°
I
NG
A
1
5
°
S
L
O
P
E
6
SECTION 3: SETTING UP THE TRACTOR
Before Assembly
• If the battery cables are already connected,
proceed to the next set of instructions for set-up.
• Any reference here to the RIGHT or LEFT side of
the tractor is observed from operator ’s position.
Attaching Battery Cables
NOTE: The positive battery terminal is mar ked Pos. (+).
The negative battery terminal is marked Neg. (–).
• The positive cable (heavy red wire ) is secured to
the positive battery terminal (+) with a hex bolt and
hex nut at the factory. Make certain that the rubber
boot covers the terminal to help protect it from
corrosion.
• Remove the hex bolt an d wing nut from the
negative cable.
• Remove the blac k plastic cover, if prese nt, from the
negative battery terminal and attach the negative
cable (heavy black wire) to the negative battery
terminal (–) with the bolt and wing nut.
• Make certain the hold-d own rod is in position over
the battery, securing it in place. See Figure 1.
Rubber
Boot
Wing
Nut
IMPORTANT:
the engine. However, you must check the oil level
before operating. Be careful not to overfill.
Your tractor is shipped with motor oil in
WARNING: Use extreme care when
handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely
flammable and the vapors are explosive. Never
fuel machine indoors or while the engine is hot
or running. Extinguish cigarettes, cigars, pipes,
and other sources of ignition.
Shipping Brace Removal
WARNING: Make sure the tracto r engine is
off. Remove ignition key, and set the parking
brake before removing the shipping brace
• Locate the shipping brace and accompanying
warning tag on the right side of the tractor, between
the discharge chute and the deck. See Figure 2.
• While holding the discha rge chute with your left
hand, remove the shipping brace with your right
hand by grasping it between your thumb and index
finger and rotating it clockwise.
IMPORTANT:
purposes only, must be removed and discarded before
operating the tractor.
The shipping brace, used for packaging
WARNING: The mowing deck is capa ble of
throwing objects. Failure to operate the tractor
without the discharge cover in t he proper
operating position could result in serious
personal injury and/or property damage.
.
Hex Bolt
Figure 1
NOTE: If the batter y is put into service after the date
shown on top of battery, charge the battery as
instructed on page 21 of this manual prior to operating
the tractor.
Gas and Oil Fill-Up
The gasoline tank is located under the hood and has a
capacity of either two or three gallons. Do not overfill.
Service the engine with gasoline and oil as instr ucted in
the separate engine manual packed with your tractor.
Read instructions carefully.
Hold-Down
Rod
Shipping Brace
Warning Tag
Figure 2
7
SECTION 4: KNOW YOUR GARDEN TRACTOR
A
B
G
D
C
+
BATTERY
PTO / BLADE ENGAGE
HOURS 1/10
OIL PRESSURE
PARKING
P
BRAKE
H
I
J
K
L
E
F
A Systems Indicator Monitor/Hour Meter H Ignition Switch
B Throttle Control Lever I Brake Pedal
C Choke Control J Drive Pedal
D Parking Brake Lever K Cruise Control
E Fuel Tank Cap L Deck Lift Lever
F Seat Adjustment Le ver M Cup Holder
G PTO (Blade Engage) Knob
M
NOTE: Steering Wheel not shown for clarity.
Figure 3
8
Throttle Control Lever
The throttle control lever is
located on the right 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:
tractor with the cutting deck
engaged, be certain that the
throttle lever is always in the
FAST (rabbit) position.
When operating the
Fast
Slow
Choke Control
Choke control can be found on
the left side of the dash panel
and is activated by pulling the
knob outward. Activating the
choke control closes the choke
plate on the carburetor and aids in starting t he engine.
Refer to page 11 of this manual for detailed starting
instructions.
Brake Pedal
The brake pedal is located on the
right front side of the tractor
above the drive pedal along the
running board. The brake pedal
can be used for sudden stops or
setting the parking brake.
NOTE: Brake pedal must be fully depressed to a ctivate
the safety interlock switch when starting the tractor
Ignition Switch
To start the engine, insert the key
into the ignition switch and turn
clockwise to the START position.
Release the key into the ON
position once engine has fired.
The ignition switch is also used to
operate the tractor’s headlights.
To turn on the headlights, simply
keep the key at the On/Lights position indicated on the
switch and in the figure here.
Start
.
On/Lights
On
Off
WARNING: Never leave a running machine
unattended. Always disengage PTO, move
shift lever into neutral position, set parking
brake, stop engine and remove key to prevent
unintended starting.
Cup Holder (if equipped)
The cup holder is located on the fender to the left of the
seat, just to the rear of the parking brake lever.
Drive Pedal
This pedal is located below the
brake pedal on the right front side
of the tractor along the running
board. Depress the upper portion
of the drive pedal forward to
move the tractor forward.
Depress the lower portion of the
drive pedal with the ball of your
right foot (not your heel) to move
the tractor in reverse. Ground
speed is also controlled with the
drive pedal. The further forward
or rearward the pedal is pivoted,
faster the tractor will travel. The pedal will return to its
original position when it is not depressed.
IMPORTANT:
leaving the tractor unattended.
Always set the parking brake when
PTO (Blade Engage) Knob
To engage power to the cutting
deck or other (separately
available) attachments, pull
outward on the PT O knob . Push
the PTO knob inward to
disengage the power to the
cutting deck.
NOTE: The PTO knob must be in the disengaged
(Blade Stop) position when starting the engine, when
traveling in reverse and if the op erator leaves the se at.
PTO
OFF ON
Seat Adjustment Lever
To adjust the seat forward or backward on units
equipped with a seat lever, slide the seat adjustment
lever to the left and reposition the se at to the desired
position. Once a comfortable position is found, release
the seat adjustment lever to lock the seat in place.
Refer to page 14 of this manual for more details.
Deck Lift Lever
Located on the tractor’s right fender, the deck lift lever
is used to change height of the cutting deck. To
operate, move the lever to the left, then pl ace in the
notch best suited for your application.
Parking Brake Button
To set the parking brake, fully
depress the brake pedal and
push the parking brake button in.
Hold the button in while taking
your foot off the brake pedal.
Both the parking button and the
brake pedal will then stay
depressed. To release the
parking brake, depress the brake pedal slightly. The
parking brake button will then return to its original
position.
P
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