Cub Cadet 23HP Z-Force 60 User Manual

Hydrostatic Zero-Turn

Residential Riding Mower

Turf Equipment

MODEL

23HP Z-Force 60

OPERATOR’S AND SERVICE MANUAL

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foreword. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

General Safety Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

A.General Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

B. Slope Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

C.Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

D.Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Safety Decals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Operating Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

A. General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

B. Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

C.Initial Adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

D. Zero Turn Break-In and Operating Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

E.Mower Cutting Blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Maintenance and Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

A. Mower Deck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

B. Hydraulic Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

C.Electrical System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

D. Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

E. Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Hydraulic System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

G.Storage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Performance Adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

A. High Speed Tracking Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

B. Engine RPM Check and Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

C.Deck Corner Ball Wheel Roller Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

D. Deck Center Anti-Scalp Roller Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

E. Lap Bar Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

F.Deck Leveling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Wiring Diagram. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Slope Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover

This product may be covered by one or more of the following patents:

D409,208; 5,946,894; 6,070,690

FOREWORD

The Hydrostatic Zero-Turn Riding Mower provides superb maneuverability and mid-mount cutting. The machine incorporates many safety features that should be studied by all operators before use. The list of safety precautions should receive particular attention.

This manual presents all of the operating and maintenance instructions necessary to keep your mower at peak efficiency. If operated and maintained properly, your mower will give dependable service.

CAUTION:

Only thoroughly trained persons should operate and maintain this mower. This machine can cause serious injury to anyone who misuses it and does not understand its operation. For their personal safety, all operators are required to read this entire manual before operating the mower.

Hazard control and accident prevention are partially dependent upon the design and configuration of the equipment. Awareness, concern, prudence and proper training of the personnel involved in the operation, transport, maintenance and storage of the equipment, are essential for hazard control and accident prevention.

NOTE: The engine manufacturer is responsible for all engine-related issues with

regards to performance, power-rating, specifications, warranty and service. Please refer to the engine manufacturer’s owner’s/operator’s manual, packed seperately with your unit, for more information.

WARNING

• The engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.

• 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 main tained 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 to federal lands. A spark arrester muffler may be available.

IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES

THIS SYMBOL POINTS OUT IMPORT ANT 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 MANUAL BEFORE ATTEMPT ING TO OPERA TE YOUR UNIT. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS MA Y

RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY. WHEN YOU SEE TH IS SYMBOL -

Y our lawn mower was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in this manual. As with any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part

DANGER

of the operator can result in injury . This lawn mower is capable of amputating hands and feet or throwing objects. Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.

HEED ITS W ARNING.

GENERAL SAFETY OPERATIONS

A. GENERAL OPERATION

1. Read, understand and follow all instructions in the manual and on the machine before start ing. Keep this manual in a safe place for future and regular reference and for ordering replacement parts.

2. Only allow responsible individuals familiar with the instructions to operate the machine. Know the controls and how to stop the machine quickly.

3. Do not put hands or feet under the cutting deck or near rotating parts.

4. Clear the area of objects such as rocks, toys, wire, etc. which could be picked up and thrown by the blades. A small object may have been overlooked and could be accidentally thrown by the mower in any direction and cause injury to you or a bystander. To help avoid a thrown objects injury, keep children, animals, bystanders and helpers at least 75 feet from the mower while it is in operation. Always wear safety glasses with side shields or safety goggles during operation or while performing and adjustment or repair, to protect eyes from foreign objects. Stop the blades when cross ing gravel drives, walks or roads.

5. Be sure the area is clear of other people before mowing. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.

6. Never carry passengers.

7. Disengage the blades before shifting into reverse and backing up. Always look down

and behind before and while backing.

8. Be aware of the mower and attachment discharge direction and do not point it at anyone. Do not operate the mower without either the entire grass catcher or the chute guard in place.

9. Slow down before turning. Operate the machine smoothly. Avoid erratic operation and excessive speed.

10. Never leave a running machine unattended. Always turn off the blades, place the transmis sion in neutral, set the parking brake, stop the engine and remove key before dismounting.

11. Turn off blades when not mowing.

12. Stop the engine and wait until the blades come to a complete stop before (a) removing the grass catcher or unclogging chute, or (b) making any repairs, adjusting or removing any grass or debris.

13. Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.

14. Do not operate the machine while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

15. Watch for traffic when operating near or crossing roadways.

16. Use extra care when loading or unloading the machine into a trailer or truck. This unit

should not be driven up or down a ramp onto a trailer or truck under power, because the unit could tip over causing serious personal injury. The unit must be pushed manually on a ramp to load or unload properly.

17. Never make a cutting height adjustment while the engine is running if the operator must dis mount to do so.

18. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and closefitting slacks and shirts. Do not wear loose fitting clothes or jewelry. They can be caught in moving parts. Never operate a unit in bare feet, sandals or sneakers.

19. Check overhead clearance carefully before driving under power lines, wires, bridges or low hanging tree branches, before entering or leaving buildings, or in any other situation where the operator may be struck or pulled from the unit, which could result in serious injury.

20. Disengage all attachment clutches, set the parking brake to the on position and put the lap bars to the neutral or out position, before attempting to start the engine.

21. Your mower is designed to cut normal residential grass of a height no more than 10”. Do not attempt to mow through unusually tall, dry grass (e.g. pasture) or piles of dry leaves. Debris may build up on the mower deck or contact the engine exhaust presenting a potential fire hazard.

22. Use only accessories approved for this machine by Cub Cadet. Read, understand and follow all instructions provided with the approved accessory.

B. SLOPE OPERATION

Slopes are a major factor related to loss of control and tip-over 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 a part of this manual (see pg. 30) 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:

• Mow across slopes, not up and down.

• Remove obstacles such as rocks, limbs, etc.

• Watch for holes, ruts or bumps. Uneven terrain could overturn the machine. Tall grass can hide

obstacles.

• Use slow speed. Choose a low enough speed so that you will not have to stop while on the slope.

• Follow the manufacture’s recommendations for counterweights with attachments to improve sta bility.

• Use extra care with grass catchers or other attachments. These can change the stability of the machine.

• Keep all movement on the slopes slow and gradual. Do not make sudden changes in speed or direction. Rapid acceleration or deceleration could cause the front of the machine to lift and rapidly flip over backwards, which could cause serious injury.

• Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If the tires lose traction, disengage the blades and pro ceed slowly straight down the slope.

• Do not turn on slopes unless necessary; then, turn slowly and use extra care.

• 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 or ditch, or if an edge caves in.

• Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced traction could cause sliding.

• Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting your foot on the ground.

• Do not use the grass catcher on steep slopes.

C. CHILDREN

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

2. Be alert and turn the machine off if children

3. Before and when backing up, look behind and

4. Never carry children, even with the blades off.

5. Never allow children under 14 years old to

6. Use extra care when approaching blind cor-

DO NOT:

activity. Never assume that children will

remain where you last saw them.

1. Keep children out of the mowing area and in watchful care of an adult other than the operator.

enter the area.

down

for small children.

They may fall off and be seriously injured or may interfere with safe machine operation.

operate the machine. Children 14 years and over should only operate the machine under close parental supervision and proper instruc tion.

ners, shrubs, trees or other objects that may obscure your vision of a child or other hazard.

7. Remove the key when the machine is left unattended to prevent unauthorized opera tion.

D. SERVICE

1. Use extreme care in handling gasoline and other fuels. They are extremely flammable

and the vapors are explosive.

a. Use only an approved con-

tainer.

b. Never remove fuel cap or add fuel with

the engine running. Allow the engine to cool at least two minutes before refueling.

c. Replace the fuel cap securely and

wipe off any spilled fuel before starting the engine as it may cause a fire or explosion.

d. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes

and other sources of ignition.

e. Never refuel the machine indoors

because fuel vapors will accumulate in the area.

f. Never store the fuel container or

machine inside where there is an open flame or spark, such as a gas hot water heater, space heater or furnace.

g. Prevent fire and explosion caused by

static electric discharge. Use only nonmetal, portable fuel containers approved by the Underwriter’s Labora tory (U.L.) or the American Society for Testing & Materials (ASTM). If using a funnel, make sure it is plastic and has no screen or filter.

h. Static electric discharge can ignite

gasoline vapors in a non-grounded fuel container. Remove the fuel container from the bed of a vehicle or the trunk of a car and place on the ground away from the vehicle before filling. Keep nozzle in contact with container open ing while filling.

i. When practical, remove equipment

from trailers or truck beds and re-fuel them on the ground. If this is not possi ble, use a portable, plastic fuel container to re-fuel equipment on a truck bed or trailer.

2. Batteries are stored electrical energy devices that may be serviceable with removable caps.

a. The electrolyte levels can be checked,

3. Never run a machine inside a closed area.

4. To reduce fire hazard, keep the machine free

5. Before cleaning, repairing or inspecting, make

6. Check the blade and engine mounting bolts at

7. Keep all nuts, bolts and screws tight to be

8. Never tamper with safety devices. Check

or may be non-serviceable (no attempt should be made to open the vents).

b. Batteries may contain lead (Pb) and

sulfuric acid, and they must be recycled and not disposed of nor aban doned. Sulfuric acid can cause severe burns, and in the event of contact, the areas should be flushed with water and a physician contacted. Battery cases should not be punctured. Lead is poisonous and is contained within the positive and negative terminals as well as within the battery’s internal grid-work of plates and active materi als.

c. Explosive gases are generated when

batteries are re-charged, so sparks, flames and heat sources should be avoided. Loose connections at the battery terminals can produce sprks and heat...connections to the terminals must be kept tight, and the terminals and battery surfaces kept clean of acids and corrosion. If batteries are re-charged or “jumped” from external sources, make sure that the connec tions are made properly and in the correct sequence (see page 19 under jump starting).

of grass, leaves or other debris build-up. Clean up oil or fuel spillage. Allow the machine to cool at least 5 minutes before stor ing.

certain the blade and all moving parts have stopped. Disconnect the spark plug wire, and keep the wire away from the spark plug to pre vent accidental starting.

frequent intervals for proper tightness. Also visually inspect blades for damage (e.g., excessive wear, bent, cracked). Replace with blades which meet original equipment specifi cations.

sure the equipment is in safe working condi tion.

their proper operation regularly. Use all guards as instructed in this manual.

WARNING-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.

9. After striking a foreign object, stop the engine, remove the wire from the spark plug and thor oughly inspect the mower for any damage. Repair the damage before restarting and operating the machine.

10. Grass catcher components are subject to wear, damage and deterioration, which could expose moving parts or allow objects to be thrown. For your safety protection, frequently check the components and replace with man ufacturers recommended parts when necessary.

11. Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the blades or wear gloves, and use extra cau tion when servicing blades.

12. Check park brake operation frequently. Adjust and service as required.

13. Muffler, engine and belt guards become hot during operation and can cause a burn. Allow to cool down before touching.

14. Do not change the engine governor settings or overspeed the engine. Excessive engine speeds are dangerous.

15. Observe proper disposal laws and regulations. Improper disposal of fluids and materials can harm the environment and the ecology. a. Prior to disposal, contact your local

Environmental Protection Agency to determine the proper method for dis posing of the waste. Recycling centers are established to properly dispose of materials in an environmen tally safe fashion.

b. Use proper containers when draining

fluids. Do not use food or beverage containers that may mislead someone into drinking from them. Properly dis pose of the containers immediately following the draining of fluids.

c. DO NOT pour oil or other fluids into the

ground, down drain or into a stream, pond, lake or other body of water. Observe Environmental Protection Agency regulations when disposing of oil, fuel, coolant, brake fluid, filters, batteries, tires and other harmful waste.

16. We do not recommend the use of high pressure washers to clean your unit. They may cause damage to electrical components; spin dles; pulleys; bearings; or the engine.

SAFETY DECALS

WARNING

SHIELD MISSING

DO NOT OPERATE

Part Number: 00030635

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF INJURY, D O NOT O PERATE MOW ER UNLESS

DI SCHARGE CHUT E COVER O R GRASS

CATCHER IS IN IT S PROPER PLACE.

DANGER

K EEP HAND S and FE ET AW AY

Part Number: 01002166

DANGER

KEEP HANDS AND FEET AWAY. DO NOT OPERATE MOWER UNLESS CHUTE DEFLECTOR OR ENTIRE GRASS CATCHER IS IN ITS PROPER PLACE.

ASSEMBLE CHUTE DEFLECTOR TO THIS UNIT BEFORE OPERATING.

Part Number: 777S30503

S30503

Part Number: 01003451

Part Number: 01003452

! WARNING

Engage parking brake when leaving the machine. Do not add fuel while the engine is hot or running. Stop engine, disconnect spark plug before adjusting or servicing. Before leaving operator's position: Disengage implement drive. Place speed controls in neutral and set park brake. Wait for all movement to stop. Do not allow operation by untrained personnel.

Part Number: 02000162

! WARNING

Serious bodily injury may result from failure to follow safe operating procedures. Read the Operator's Manual before operating this machine. Clear area of debris and other objects before mowing. Do not operate machine when children and others are around. Do not operate machine without guards, shields and safety devices in place and working. Avoid slopes greater than 15 degrees. Slow down and use caution on slopes. Go across slopes!

Part Number: 01006536

OFF

Part Number: 02000163

SPECIFICATIONS

GENERAL INFO. Controls: Engine ignition and start switch; throttle; choke; left and right

steering levers; electric blade clutch switch; parking brake; mower deck lift

Parking Brake: Internal, mechanical linkage attached to the brake handle Seat: Adjustable seat with armrests. 5" Adjustment (fore-aft) Frame: 2” Steel square tube and plate, all welded construction Instrumentation: Hour meter, Tachometer, Maintenance-minder Front Caster Wheels: 11 x 4 - 5.00 Drive Wheels: 23 x 9.5 - 12 Turf Pro Tire Pressure: 8-10 psi Rear, 20-25 psi front caster Fuel Tank: Two 5 gallon w/individual shutoff valves Ground Speed: 0-8.0 + MPH forward. 0-4.3 MPH reverse Net Weight: 863 lbs. w/60" deck

ENGINE INFO. Engine: 23 HP Kohler, 23 HP Kawasaki Type: Vertical crankshaft, air cooled V-Twin Air Cleaner: Paper Element Lube System: Pressurized with oil filter Hydraulic System: 2 quarts and 1 pint filter per transaxle Starter: 12-volt electric Blade Brake Clutch: Electric

TRACTION DRIVE INFO. Traction Drive: Engine to two variable-speed hydraulic pump/motor, Hydro-Gear

ZT-2800 transaxles

CUTTER DECK INFO. Cutter Deck;Drive: 60", Belt Driven Deck Lift: Hand lever w/pin lock for height adjustment Cutting Height: 1-1/2" to 4" No. of Blades 3, belt-driven, power take-off from engine

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

Figure. 1 Figure. 2

Electric Blade Clutch Switch

Ignition Switch

Tach and Hour Meter

A.General

1. When Mowing:

a. Keep adults, children, and pets away from

the area to be mowed.

b. When operating this mower, in the forward

direction, do not allow the steering levers to return to Neutral on their own. Always maintain a firm grip on the levers, operate them smoothly and avoid any sudden movements of the levers when starting and stopping.

c. If the mower is equipped for side dis-

charge, never use the mower without the discharge chute installed and placed in the down position.

d. Always remove debris and other objects

from the area to be mowed (Note: debris

and loose grass will reduce traction). e. Mow only in daylight. f. Watch for holes, sprinkler heads, and other

hidden hazards. g. Avoid driving too close to trees, creeks,

ditches, sand traps, and other obstacles. h. Before backing up, check behind and

watch where you are going. i. Always reduce speed when making a turn,

and when grass is wet. j. Always mow across slopes, never up and

down the slope. Do not operate on steep

slopes and slow down before turning.

Avoid turning downhill if possible, start at

the bottom and work up to the top. Use

extra care and go slowly when turning

downhill. Control the speed and direction

of the zero turn machine “primarily” with

the speed/directional control (lap bar) of

the downhill side of the machine...I.E.,

maintain the uphill side lap bar “essen

tially” in a fixed position.

Engine throttle

Choke Lever

k. Be careful when crossing gravel paths or

roadways. Always turn off the blade clutch switch and wait until the blades stop rotat ing and raise the cutting deck to the transport position. Always allow other vehicles to have the right of way.

l. If you hit a solid object while mowing, turn

off the blade clutch switch, place the steer ing levers in the neutral, opened-out position, move the throttle to slow, set the parking brake, shut off the engine, and take the key from the ignition switch. Inspect for damage. Repair the damage. Make sure the blades are in good condition and that the blade bolts are tight before restarting the engine.

m. Never leave the mower unattended without

observing the following: turn off the blade clutch switch, placing the steering levers in the neutral open-out position, moving the throttle to slow, setting the parking brake, shutting off the engine and taking the key from the ignition switch.

n. Never walk or stand on the discharge side

of the mower when the engine is running. Turn off the blade clutch switch if another person approaches while you are operat ing the mower.

o. Never attempt to operate the traction unit

without having the mowing deck attached.

p. Keep the mower and especially the engine

and hydraulic components clean and free of grease, grass, and leaves to reduce the chance of fire and permit proper cooling.

q. Always mow at full throttle.

2. Safety Awareness when Mowing

a. Do not operate on steep slopes, those

above 15 degrees (27% slope).

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