Cub Cadet 1415 User manual

Ownerfe Manual
Model Numbers
1415
1420
Important:
Read Safety Rules and Instructions Carefully
Thank you for purchasing an American-built product.
CUBCADETCORPORATION • P.O. BOX36930 • CLEVELAND, OHIO44136
PRINTED IN U.S.A FORM NO. 772-3932

Cub Cadet Corporation’s
Promise To You
We promise you, the first user purchaser, that we will
replace or repair any part or parts of your new outdoor
power product which is defective in material or workman¬
ship without charge for either parts or labor during the first
year following delivery to you.
We also promise you, the first user purchaser, a second
year warranty on the engine and drive train of your new
Cub Cadet Tractor, Lawn Tractor or Riding Tractor.
What the second year covers
(A) it will cover the engine internal parts contained within
the engine shielding except for points, condensers, spark
plugs, air filters, oil filters, and routine maintenance parts.
(B) It will cover the tractor drive train including drive shafts,
drive shaft clutch, all parts enclosed by transmission hous¬
ing, and axle housing, axle shafts, final drives, spindle
pulleys, spindle bearings, and electric PTO clutch.
Home Maintenance Products: We promise you, the first
user purchaser, a 1 year warranty on all Home
Maintenance Products. This will cover Push Mowers, Self
Propelled Mowers, Utility Trailers, Walk Behind Tillers,
Chore Performers and Snow Throwers.
The Tecumseh engine, used on Walk Behind Snow
Throwers, will carry a 2 year warranty on the engine only.
Cub Cadet Attachments:
We promise you, the first user purchaser, that we will
replace or repair any part or parts which are defective in
material or workmanship without charge for parts or labor
during the first year following delivery to you. This will
cover all Cub Cadet attachments. This does not include
Approved Allied Equipment which is sold and warranted
directly by the manufacturer.
Obtaining Warranty Service
Through Cub Cadet Dealers
Warranty repairs will be made by your selling Cub
Cadet dealer or any Cub Cadet dealer authorized to
sell the type of equipment involved during the normal
working hours of the dealer service department. You,
the purchaser, are responsible for transportation of
the equipment to the dealership for warranty service
or for any service call expense, along with any over¬
time labor you request.
Replacement Parts Warranty
Cub Cadet parts which are furnished and installed under
this warranty are themselves within the coverage of this
warranty for the duration of the original warranty period
or for ninety days after installation, whichever period shall
expire last.
Cub Cadet
Power Equipment
What is not Covered
Tires and tubes are not covered by this warranty, but are
warranted by their manufacturer. Regular maintenance
replacement items such as spark plugs, ignition points,
condensers, belts, cutting parts, filters and lubricants, and
maintenance adjustments such as fuel system cleaning,
engine tune-up, brake and/or clutch inspection or adjust¬
ment, when such replacement or adjustments are made
as part of normal maintenance service are excluded from
coverage. Any non-Cub Cadet product which you may
have installed in or upon the product is also excluded.
No person is authorized to give any other warranty or to
assume any other liabilities on the Company’s behalf
unless made or assumed in writing by the Company, and
no person is authorized to give any warranties or to
assume any liabilities on the seller’s behalf unless made
or assumed in writing by the seller.
Limitations On Our
Responsibility
Please carefully note that this is a two-way agreement.
We promise to make free repairs or replacements as
stated, but you agree, that except for our obligation to
make good on this promise, we shall not be responsible
for any expenses or inconvenience which you might in¬
cur or experience with respect to our product, nor shall
we be liable for defects, damage, or failures caused by
unauthorized alterations, unreasonable use, accident or
abuse, including failure to provide reasonable and
necessary maintenance, after our product has been
delivered to you. Some states do not allow the exclusion
or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so
the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may
also have other rights which vary from state to state.
Personal Use
The foregoing paragraphs constitute Cub Cadet Corpora¬
tion’s entire warranty with respect to any product pur¬
chased and used for personal, family, or household
purposes as distinguished from commercial usage.
Commercial Use:
All Cub Cadet products will be warranted against
defective parts or workmanship. This is for Cub Cadet
Tractor, Attachments and Home Maintenance prod¬
ucts and for one year only.
'HIS WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EX-
•RESSED OR IMPLIED. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND
TTNESS FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE EXCLU p E D >
U_L OTHER REPRESENTATION TO THE USER-PURCHASER, AND
U_L OTHER OBLIGATIONS OR LIABILITIES, INCLUDING LIABILI-
FY-FOR INCIDENTAL AND CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, ON THE
»ART OF THE COMPANY OR THE SELLER.
2

CONTENTS
Warranty . 2
Safe Operations. 3
To The Owner. 7
Serial No. Location. 7
Controls. 8
Operation. 11
Adjustments . 15
Maintenance . 20
Off-Season Storage. 25
Optional Equipment and Accessories. 25
Mowing. 26
Maintenance Chart. 27
Trouble Shooting. 28
Lubrication Table . 30
Lubrication Guide. 30
Specifications.33
Slope Gauge.35
A Instructions given with this symbol are
for personal safety. Be sure to follow
them.
A 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
muffler is available at your nearest engine authorized service center.
WARNING
To reduce the potential for any injury, comply with the following safety instructions,
the instructions may result in personal injury.
Failure to comply with
SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES FOR RIDING VEHICLES
1. Read the owner’s manual carefully in its entirety
before attempting to assemble or operate this
unit. Keep this manual in a safe place for future
and regular reference and for ordering replace¬
ment parts.
2. This unit is a precision piece of power equipment
not a plaything. Therefore, exercise extreme cau¬
tion at all times.
3. Know the controls and how to stop quickly -
READ THE OWNER'S MANUAL.
4. Do not allow children to operate vehicle. Do not
allow adults to operate it without proper instruc¬
tion. Only persons well acquainted with these
rules of safe operation should be allowed to use
your mower.
5. No one should operate this unit while intoxicated
or while taking medication which impairs the
senses or reactions.
6. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-
fitting slacks and shirts to avoid entanglement in
the moving parts. Never operate a unit in bare
feet, sandals, or sneakers.
7. To prevent injury, do not carry passengers or give
rides. Keep children, pets and bystanders out of
the area while mowing. Only the operator should
ride on the unit and he/she should ride only in the
seat.
8. Check overhead clearance carefully before driv¬
ing under power lines, guy wires, bridges or low
hanging tree branches; before entering or leaving
3

buildings, or in any other situation where the
operator may be struck or pulled from the unit.
Such negligence could result in serious injury.
9. To maintain control of the unit and reduce the
possibility of upset or collision, operate the tractor
smoothly. Avoid erratic operation and excessive
speed.
10. Keep the area of operation clear of all persons,
particularly small children and pets. Stop engine
when they are in the vicinity of your mower.
Although the area of operation should be com¬
pletely cleared of foreign objects, a small object
may have been overlooked and could be acciden¬
tally thrown by the mower in any direction and
cause injury.
11. Clear work area of objects which might be picked
up and thrown in any direction by the mower and
cause injury.
12. Stop the blade(s) when crossing gravel drives,
walks or roads.
13. Disengage all attachment clutches and shift into
neutral before attempting to start engine.
14. Disengage power to attachment(s) and stop
engine before leaving operating position.
15. Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating
parts. Stay clear of the discharge opening at all
times as the rotating blade(s) can cause injury.
16. Disengage power to attachment(s) and stop
engine before making any repairs or adjustments.
Disconnect the spark plug wire(s) and keep the
wire(s) away from the plug to prevent accidental
starting.
17. Before attempting to unclog the mower or
discharge chute, stop the engine. The mower
blade(s) may continue to rotate for a few seconds
after the engine is shut off. Therefore, be sure
the blade(s) have stopped completely. Discon¬
nect the spark plug wire(s) and keep the wire(s)
away from the plug to prevent accidental starting.
18. Disengage power to attachment(s) when tran¬
sporting or not in use.
19. Take all possible precautions when leaving vehi¬
cle unattended such as disengaging power-take¬
off, lowering attachments, shifting into neutral,
setting parking brake, stopping engine and
removing key.
20. Do not stop or start suddenly when going uphill or
downhill. Mow up and down face of steep slopes;
never across the face. Use extreme caution if it is
necessary to drive the tractor up an incline or
back the tractor down an incline because the front
of the tractor could lift and rapidly flip over back¬
ward which could cause serious injury.
21. Reduce speed on slopes and in sharp turns to
prevent tipping or loss of control. Always keep
the tractor in gear when going down steep hills to
take advantage of engine braking action.
22. Stay alert for holes in terrain and other hidden
hazards.
23. Use care when pulling loads or using heavy
equipment.
A. Use only approved drawbar hitch points.
B. Limit loads to those you can safely control.
C. Do not turn sharply. Use care when backing.
D. Use counterweight(s) or wheel weights when
suggested in owner’s manual.
24. Watch out for traffic when crossing or near road¬
ways.
25. When using any attachments, never direct
discharge of material toward bystanders. Do not
allow anyone near vehicle while in operation.
26. Handle fuel with care. It is highly flammable.
A. Use approved fuel container.
B. Never remove cap or add fuel to a running or
hot engine or fill fuel tank indoors. Wipe up
spilled fuel.
C. Open doors if engine is run in garage.
Exhaust fumes are dangerous. Do not run
engine indoors.
27. Keep the vehicle and attachments in good operat¬
ing condition, and keep safety devices in place.
Use guards as instructed in operator’s manual.
28. Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to be sure
the equipment is in safe working condition.
29. Never store the equipment with fuel in the tank
inside a building where fumes may reach an open
flame or spark. Allow engine to cool before stor¬
ing in any enclosure.
30. To reduce fire hazard, keep engine free of grass,
leaves or excessive grease.
31. The vehicle and attachment should be stopped
and inspected for damage after striking a foreign
object. The damage should be repaired before
restarting and operating the equipment.
32. Do not change the engine governor settings or
overspeed the engine.
4

33. W hen using the vehicle with mower, proceed as
follows:
A. Mow only in daylight or in good artificial light.
B. Never make a cutting height adjustment
while engine is running if operator must
dismount to do so.
C. Shut the engine off and wait until the blade
comes to a complete stop before removing
the grass catcher.
D. Check blade mounting bolts for proper tight¬
ness at frequent intervals.
34. Check grass catcher bags frequently for wear or
deterioration. For safety protection, replace only
with new bag meeting original equipment
specifications.
35. Look behind to make sure the area is clear before
placing the transmission in reverse and continue
looking behind while backing up. Disengage
blades before shifting into reverse and backing
up.
36. This unit should not be driven up 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 to load prop¬
erly.
5

PRODUCT GRAPHICS missing, painted over or can no longer be read.
Keep safety product graphics (decals) clean. Replace Replacement safety graphics are available through
any safety graphic that is damaged, destroyed, your dealer.
A CAUTION
LOOK 1
BEFORE
BACKING
RECEIVE INSTRUCTION - Read operator's manual Learn to operate this machine
SAFELY Don t risk INJURY or DEATH
1. Before starting engine or operation Be familiar with controls Be in operator's
position with transmission in neutral. PTO turned off. and brake depressed
2. Keep shields in place Keep away from moving parts
3 NO RIDERS' Keep all people and pets a safe distance away
4. Don’t point mower discharge at people
5 Avoid slopes Tractors can be rolled over
6 Before leaving operator s position
Shut off PTO Place transmission in neutral Set brake lock Shutoff engine
Remove ignition key Wait for all movement to stop before servicing or cleaning
7 Do not fill gasoline tank when engine is running or while engine is hot
Tighten cap securely 44v ,. V i
GENERAL SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS CAUTION LOCATED ON THE FRAME COVER.
Electrical system is 12 volt negative ground.
When using booster with jumper cables, precau¬
tions must be taken to prevent personal injury or
damage to electrical parts.
1. Attach one end of jumper cable to positive
terminal of booster battery and other end to
positive terminal of vehicle battery.
2. Attach one end of second cable to negative
terminal of booster battery and other end to
vehicle frame away from battery.
3. To remove cables, reverse above sequence
exactly to avoid sparks. See operator's
manual for additional information.
CAUTION —BOOSTER BATTERY INSTRUCTIONS
LOCATED UNDER THE HOOD.
6

TO THE OWNER
Assembled in this manual are operation, lubrication,
and maintenance instructions for the Cub Cadet 1415
and 1420 Tractors. The material has been prepared
in detail to help you better understand the correct care
and efficient operation of your tractor. Before you
operate the tractor, study this manual carefully. Addi¬
tional copies may be ordered from your dealer at a
nominal price.
Your local authorized dealer is interested in the per¬
formance you receive from your tractor. He has
factory-trained servicemen, informed in the latest
method of servicing tractors, modern tools, and
original-equipment sen/ice parts which assure proper
fit and good performance.
The Cub Cadet 1420 Tractor has a hydrostatic drive
unit and will require minimum service if recommended
operation and maintenance procedures are followed.
To obtain top performance and assure economical
operation the tractor should be inspected, depending
on its use, periodically, or at least once a year, by your
authorized dealer.
When in need of parts, always specify the model,
chassis, and engine serial numbers, including the
prefix and suffix letters. Write these serial numbers in
the space provided on this page.
Should you have difficulties with the unit, consult your
authorized dealer. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES
SHOULD YOU ATTEMPT TO SERVICE THESE
UNITS YOURSELF. Only your dealer is authorized to
repair or replace units on this drive under the terms of
the warranty. Should you desire additional information
not found in this manual, contact your authorized Cub
Cadet dealer.
SERIAL NUMBER LOCATION
■ fc NOTE
LEFT and RIGHT indicate the left and right
sides of the tractor when facing forward in
the driver’s seat. Reference to FRONT indi¬
cates grille end of the tractor; to REAR the
drawbar end.
Chassis serial numberplate is on the left hand side of Engine serial number plate is located on the engine
pedestal. (Refer to Figure 1.) shroud. (Refer to Figure 2.)
Figure 1 Figure 2
MODEL_
DELIVERY DATE
7

CONTROLS
Your Cub Cadet Tractor has been safety engineered.
Thoroughly acquaint yourself with all the instruments
and controls before attempting to start or operate the
tractor.
NOTE
PTO will not be engaged with tractor in
reverse - switch only will engage.
A. C HARGE INDICATOR
This instrument indicates whether the alternator is
charging or the battery is discharging. If it shows
discharge continuously, investigate the cause to avoid
completely discharging the battery and possible dam¬
age to the charging circuit. (Refer to Figure 3.)
Figure 3
A. Charge Indicator
B. Electronic Monitor
C. Ignition Switch/Light Switch
D. Lift Handle
E. Power Take-Off (PTO)
F. Brake Pedal Lock
G. Choke Control
H. Brake/Clutch Pedal (1415 Tractor)
Brake Pedal (1420 Tractor)
I. Throttle Control Lever
J. Gear Shift Lever (1415 Tractor)
Speed Control Lever (1420 Tractor)
B. E LECTRONIC MONITOR (Refer to Figure 4)
In Reverse Gear - will be illuminated when tractor is
in reverse. Light must be off to start tractor.
Do Not Engage PTO - will be illuminated if PTO
switch is engaged while tractor is in reverse.
PTO On - light will be illuminated when PTO switch is
engaged. Light must be off to start tractor.
Place in Neutral - light will be illuminated when start¬
ing tractor and gear shift is not in neutral. Light must
be off to start tractor.
Full Throttle Required (two indicators) - top light will
be illuminated when the PTO is engaged. Bottom light
will be illuminated when the light switch is on.
NOTE
The unit should be run at full throttle when
using PTO operated equipment or when the
headlights are on.
'->
In
Reverse
Gear
<_ j
'-^
Full
Throttle
Required
L_ J
^ l " S
PTO
On
-
r ^
Do Not
Engage
PTO
rail
Full
Throttle
Require^
f -\
Place
In
Neutral
v_
Figure 4
C. 1 GNITION/LIGHT SWITCH
NOTE
Remove the key from the tractor when the
tractor is not in use to prevent accidental
starting and battery discharge.
The combination lights and ignition switch is a four-
position switch. (Refer to Figure 5.)
IGNITION
OFF
, ON/LIGHTS
0))-ON
\ START
Figure 5
8

D. L IFT HANDLE
This lever is used to raise and lower equipment used
with the tractor. The equipment can be set in six posi¬
tions by depressing the button on the top of the lever
and releasing it when the desired position is reached.
(Refer to Figure 6).
E. P O WER TAKE-OFF (PTO)
The power take-off is an electric clutch operated by a
toggle switch on the left side of the instrument panel.
When PTO is engaged, throttle should be in fast posi¬
tion. (Refer to Figure 3.)
G. CHOKE CONTROL
The choke control is located on the instrument panel
directly below the steering column. The choke control
is operated manually. Pull knob out to choke engine.
Push knob in to open choke. (Refer to Figure 3.)
H. BRAKE/CLUTCH PEDAL (1415 Tractor)
The brake/clutch pedal is located on the left side of the
tractor. This pedal serves a dual purpose. When the
brake/clutch pedal is slightly depressed, the drive belt
is disengaged from the engine pulley. Fully depress¬
ing the brake/clutch pedal actuates the brakes to stop
the tractor. (Refer to Figure 3.)
i 2
1. Brake/Clutch Pedal (1415 Tractor)
Brake Pedal (1420 Tractor)
2. Brake Pedal Lock
F. B R AKE PEDAL LOCK
A WARNING
The hydrostatic transmission will not hold
the tractor on a hill. In a short period of time
(depending on the steepness of the hill) the
oil will drain from the transmission and allow
the tractor to roll downhill. To avoid an
accident and/or possible injury, lock the
brake.
Always lock the brake when tractor is parked on a
grade. To lock the brake, depress brake/clutch pedal
(1415 Tractor) or the brake pedal (1420 Tractor) and
place the brake pedal lock in the engaged position.
(Refer to Figure 7.) To disengage the lock, press
down on the pedal, lift the lock up and place it in the
disengaged position.
I. BRAKE PEDAL (1420 Tractor)
The brake pedal is located on the left side of the trac¬
tor. When the pedal is fully depressed, the speed
control lever is automatically moved to the neutral
position. (Refer to Figure 3.)
J. T HROTTLE CONTROL LEVER
This lever controls the speed of the engine., When set
in a given position, it will maintain a uniform engine
speed. (Refer to Figure 3.)
When using power take-off operated equipment, best
performance is achieved with the throttle lever in the
"FAST" position.
“Turtle” This symbol shows slow position.
“Rabbit” This symbol shows fast position.
9

K. G E AR SHIFT LEVER (1415 Tractor)
NOTE
Brake/clutch pedal should be slightly
depressed before shift lever is moved.
The gear shift lever Is located on the upper right hand
side of the instrument panel. This lever is used to
select various gear ratios provided in the transmission.
There are five forward speeds and one reverse speed.
Refer to "SPECIFICATIONS." (Refer to Figure 8.)
Figure 8
L. S P EED CONTROL LEVER (1420 Tractor)
The speed control lever Is located on the upper right
hand side of the instrument panel. Move the speed
control lever forward for various forward tractor
speeds or backward for various reverse tractor
speeds. (Refer to Figure 9.)
Figure 9
M. I NTERLOCKS
This tractor is equipped with a safety interlock system
for 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.
The purpose of the safety interlock system is to
prevent the engine from cranking or starting unless
the gear shift lever (1415 Tractor) or speed control
lever (1420 Tractor) is in the neutral ("N") position, the
PTO switch is in the "OFF” position and the operator
is seated.
If the operator leaves the seat when the PTO is on, or
the unit is shifted into reverse when the PTO is on, the
PTO will automatically disengage. To re-engage the
PTO, shift into neutral ("N"), move PTO switch into the
"OFF" position, and then reactivate PTO while seated.
N. H YDROSTATIC DUMP VALVE LEVER (1420
Tractor)
The hydrostatic dump valve lever is located on the
frame cover.
The dump valve disconnects the transmission from
the pump so the unit can be pushed without running.
1. To engage the dump valve (making the tractor
free-wheeling), push the lever forward and hold in
this position. (Refer to Figure 10.)
2. To disengage the dump valve, release the lever.
(Refer to Figure 11.)
HYDROSTATIC
DUMP VALVE
LEVER
HYDROSTATIC DUMP
VALVE LEVER
10