Here's How to Repair Your Cub Cadet Lawn Mower

Having a Cub Cadet mower can truly make the arduous task of lawn mowing fun. However, just like any other mechanical device out there, it is likely that it will eventually run into enough problems that it needs repair. When that time comes, it is essential to know the common problems, what causes them, and how to fix them.

In general, to repair your Cub Cadet lawn mower, you can try a few things. For example:

Replace fuel in the fuel tank
Unclogging the fuel cap
Clean parts like the fuel filter, air filter, and more
Replace damaged or non-functional parts
Approaching a repair shop or the Cub Cadet customer support team

To truly understand what you need to do, let’s take things from one problem to the next. In this article, we will start out by listing out a problem, the possible causes, and what you can do to address each cause. This way, you can genuinely troubleshoot and get to the bottom of the issue at hand.

How To Repair Common Issues With Your Cub Cadet Mower

There are plenty of reasons why your Cub Cadet mower may not be working how you expect. This can happen because of issues with several parts, such as the fuel system or the engine. However, you can get to the bottom of the real issue by taking a systematic approach. So, let’s list out common issues you can run across and the problems behind them. Then, finally, we can get to the fixes we suggest for each issue.

When Your Cub Cadet Mower Won’t Start

If your Cub Cadet Mower is struggling to start, this might be because the engine isn’t getting access to the fuel it needs in order to operate. As such, that is the first place to look for issues. However, alternatively, you could be running into an issue with the spark plug as well.

Lack of gas in the tank: in this case, you need to need to fill the tank with new and fresh fuel to get it running again.
Older fuel in the tank: if this is the issue, what happens is your engine can easily face clogs. You will need to drain what is in the tank and then replace it with new fuel.
Clogging in the fuel cap: in some cases, your fuel cap is clogged, which restricts the flow of fuel to the engine. You can try to clear the clog with a piece of wire, but if it doesn’t work, you can replace the cap.
Spark plug not working: in this situation, you may have to replace the old plug with a brand new spark plug.
Clogs in the air or fuel filter: if you notice clogs in either filter, you will need to replace them before the damage worsens.
Clogs in the fuel line: in such a case, you can use a cleaner to clean the fuel line, although it might need replacing.
Dirt in the carburetor: the best way to tackle this problem is to clean all the engine parts in the carburetor.
Damage in the charging system: this is an issue that you will need assistance to fix. You can do this by contacting a repair shop.

When Your Cub Cadet Mower Keeps Dying

If your mower switches on but can’t stay on, that is a significant problem. The most common reasons behind this are because of issues with the fuel systems once again. Here are some of the issues you can identify and how to fix each one to resolve this problem.

Damage to cooling fins: when you use the mower, cooling fins will eventually gather dirt and debris. You can clean them to resolve this issue.
Clogs in the fuel lines: you can take care of this problem by cleaning up the fuel line using a carb cleaner.
Dirt in the carburetor: carburetors get dirty as part of the normal flow of engine work. This can cause clogs, and in such a situation, you will need to clean these parts, and you may need to replace them.

When Your Cub Cadet Mower Emits Smoke

Smoke coming out of a machine is never a good sign, and that is also the case with the Cub Cadet lawn mower. This is typically a sign that the oil is escaping and is starting to burn where it should not. This can cause severe damage to the parts of the lawn mower and even lead to total engine failure. However, there are some ways to fix this problem.

Clean the air filters or the fuel filters.
Remove excess oil: too much oil in the tank can push it out of place, leading to leakage. You will need to drain some of the oil off.
Lack of engine oil: at the same time, when there is not enough oil, this can lead to friction, releasing heat and smoke. At this stage, you will likely have to visit a professional for help.
Engine problems: in some cases, internal engine issues can severely damage the lawn more. For this, you also need to visit a repair shop to find out what the issue is, so it does not cause more damage.

When Your Cub Cadet Mower Isn’t Steering Correctly

Steering is an integral part of being able to use a lawn mower, so if you are struggling with keeping the Cub Cadet on track, you have a problem with your hands. This can be because of tire pressure or steering system faults. Either way, here is what you can do:

Issues with the tire pressure: if the tire pressure is unequal, the mower may shift to one side. To fix this, always check the pressure and follow the guidelines in the manual for the best results.
Damage to the dampers: when your dampers aren’t working as they should, the Cub Cadet may jerk out of its path. You can fix this by replacing the damper with a new one.
Adjust tracking and speed: if your tires move at different speeds, there is a chance the mower may turn towards one side. As the instructional manual mentions, you can adjust this through a bolt on your tire.

Related: How to Care for a Dwarf Lime Tree

When Your Cub Cadet Mower Is Vibrating

Suppose your lawn mower vibrates while in use; the most significant problem could be loose parts. These can cause the motor to vibrate and eventually cause engine issues.

Loose engine bolts: engine bolts prevent vibration, so if they loosen, the engine will vibrate more. If any are missing, replace them and tighten the available bolts to keep the engine in place.
Clutch failure: a failure in the clutch system leads to bearings falling out. These can result in vibration. To solve this, you will need to replace the clutch system.
Blades unbalancing: before you start using the lawn mower, always make sure to adjust the blades. If this is needed, make sure to adjust them, so they balance.
Debris in the Cub Cadet: in some cases, rogue dirt and debris can become pulled into the lawn mower. This may result in vibrations. You will need to remove them from your lawn mower thoroughly.

Conclusion

Sometimes, a repair can be a complicated process with many factors to consider. We hope this article has made some of the common causes behind Cub Cadet mower issues clear. Happy lawn mowing!