Cub Cadet 182 User manual

CUB CADET LLC, P.O. BOX 361131 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-0019
Printed In USA
Op e r a t O r ’sMa n u a l
Safe Operation Practices • Set-Up • Operation • Maintenance • Service • Troubleshooting • Warranty
WARNING
READ AND FOLLOW ALL SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS MANUAL
BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE THIS MACHINE.
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.
Electric Mower — Model 182
Form No. 769-04456
(October 8, 2008)

Customer Support
Please do NOT return the machine to the retailer or dealer without first contacting our Customer Support Department.
If you have difficulty assembling this product or have any questions regarding the controls, operation, or maintenance of
this machine, you can seek help from the experts. Choose from the options below:
Visit us on the web at www.mtdproducts.com◊
Call a Customer Support Representative at [phone] or [phone]◊
Write us at MTD LLC • P.O. Box 361131 • Cleveland, OH • 44136-0019◊
Thank you for purchasing a Lawn Mower manufactured by
MTD LLC. It was carefully engineered to provide excellent
performance when properly operated and maintained.
Please read this entire manual prior to operating the equipment.
It instructs you how to safely and easily set up, operate and
maintain your machine. Please be sure that you, and any other
persons who will operate the machine, carefully follow the
recommended safety practices at all times. Failure to do so could
result in personal injury or property damage.
All information in this manual is relative to the most recent
product information available at the time of printing. Review
this manual frequently to familiarize yourself with the machine,
its features and operation. Please be aware that this Operator’s
Manual may cover a range of product specifications for various
models. Characteristics and features discussed and/or illustrated
in this manual may not be applicable to all models. MTD LLC
reserves the right to change product specifications, designs and
equipment without notice and without incurring obligation.
If you have any problems or questions concerning the machine,
phone your local authorized MTD service dealer or contact us
directly. MTD’s Customer Support telephone numbers, website
address and mailing address can be found on this page. We want
to ensure your complete satisfaction at all times.
Throughout this manual, all references to right and left side of the
machine are observed from the operating position
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 separately with your
machine, for more information.
Thank You
Record Product Information
Before setting up and operating your new equipment, please
locate the model plate on the equipment and record the
information in the provided area to the right. You can locate the
model plate by standing at the operator’s position and looking
down at the rear of the deck. This information will be necessary,
should you seek technical support via our web site, Customer
Support Department, or with a local authorized service dealer.
MO d e l nu M b e r
se r i a l nu M b e r
To The Owner 1
2
Safe Operation Practices ........................................ 3
Assembly & Set-Up .................................................. 8
Operation................................................................12
Maintenance & Adjustment..................................18
Service .....................................................................16
Troubleshooting .....................................................17
Illustrated Parts List ...............................................18
Warranty ..................................................Back Cover
Table of Contents

Important Safe Operation Practices 2
3
Operation
General Operation:
Read this operator’s manual carefully in its entirety before 1.
attempting to assemble this machine. Read, understand,
and follow all instructions on the machine and in the
manual(s) before operation. Keep this manual in a safe
place for future and regular reference and for ordering
replacement parts.
Be completely familiar with the controls and the proper use 2.
of this machine before operating it.
This machine is a precision piece of power equipment,3.
not a plaything. Therefore, exercise extreme caution at all
times. This machine has been designed to perform one job:
to mow grass. Do not use it for any other purpose.
Never allow children under 14 years of age to operate this4.
machine. Children 14 and over should read and understand
the instructions and safe operation practices in this manual
and on the machine and be trained and supervised by an
adult.
Only responsible individuals who are familiar with these 5.
rules of safe operation should be allowed to use this
machine.
Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is to be6.
used. Remove all stones, sticks, wire, bones, toys and other
foreign objects which could be tripped over or picked up
and thrown by the blade. Thrown objects can cause serious
personal injury.
Plan your mowing pattern to avoid discharge of material 7.
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.
Double Insulated Lawn Mower
Double insulation is a concept in the safety of electric lawn mowers, which eliminates the need for the usual
three-wire grounded power cord and grounded power supply system. Wherever there is electric current in the
mower, there are two complete sets of insulation to protect the user. All exposed metal parts are isolated from
the internal metal motor components with protecting insulation.
Servicing of a lawn mower with double insulation requires extreme care and knowledge of the system and should
be performed only by a qualified service technician. For repair service we suggest you take the lawn mower to
your nearest authorized service dealer. Always use original equipment manufacturer’s (OEM) replacement parts
when servicing.
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 manual before attempting to operate this machine. Failure to comply
with these instructions may result in personal injury.
When you see this symbol, HEED ITS WARNING!
DANGER: This machine was built to be operated according to the safe operation practices in
this manual. As with any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the
operator can result in serious injury. This machine is capable of amputating fingers, hands,
toes and feet and throwing objects. Failure to observe the following safety instructions could
result in serious injury or death.
WARNING: When using electric lawnmowers, basic safety precautions should always be
followed to reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, and personal injury. These basic
precautions include the following:

4se c t i O n 2 — iM p O r t a n t sa f e Op e r a t i O n pr a c t i c e s
To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object injury,8.
stay in operator zone behind handles and keep children,
bystanders, helpers and pets at least 75 feet from mower
while it is in operation. Stop machine if anyone enters area.
Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles during9.
operation and while performing an adjustment or repair
to protect your eyes. Thrown objects which ricochet can
cause serious injury to the eyes.
Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-fitting10.
slacks and shirts. Shirts and pants that cover the arms
and legs and steel-toed shoes are recommended. Never
operate this machine in bare feet, sandals, slippery or light
weight (e.g. canvas) shoes.
Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under11.
cutting deck. Contact with blade can amputate hands and
feet.
A missing or damaged discharge chute can cause blade12.
contact or thrown object injuries.
Many injuries occur as a result of the mower being pulled13.
over the foot during a fall caused by slipping or tripping.
Do not hold on to the mower if you are falling; release the
handle immediately.
Never pull the mower back toward you while you are14.
walking. If you must back the mower away from a wall or
obstruction first look down and behind to avoid tripping
and then follow these steps:
Step back from mower to fully extend your arms.a.
Be sure you are well balanced with sure footing.b.
Pull the mower back slowly, no more than half way c.
toward you.
Repeat these steps as needed.d.
Do not operate the mower while under the influence of15.
alcohol or drugs.
Stay alert — Watch what you are doing. Use common16.
sense. Do not operate lawn mower when you are tired.
The motor/blade control handle is a safety device. Never17.
attempt to bypass its operation. Doing so makes the
safety device inoperative and may result in personal injury
through contact with the rotating blade. The motor/blade
control handle must operate easily in both directions and
automatically return to the disengaged position when
released.
Never operate the mower in the rain or in damp or wet18.
grass. Always be sure of your footing. A slip and fall can
cause serious personal injury. If you feel you are losing
your footing, release the motor/blade control handle
immediately and the blade will stop rotating within three
seconds.
Mow only in daylight or good artificial light. Walk, never19.
run.
Stop the motor/blade when crossing gravel drives, walks or20.
roads.
If the equipment should start to vibrate abnormally, stop21.
the engine and check immediately for the cause. Vibration
is generally a warning of trouble.
Shut the motor off and wait until the blade comes to22.
a complete stop before removing the grass catcher or
unclogging the chute. The cutting blade continues to
rotate for a few seconds after the motor is shut off. Never
place any part of the body in the blade area until you are
sure the blade has stopped rotating.
Never operate mower without proper trail shield,23.
discharge chute, grass catcher, motor/blade control handle
or other safety protective devices in place and working.
Never operate mower with damaged safety devices. Failure
to do so, can result in personal injury.
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protection should24.
be provided on the circuit(s) or outlet(s) to be used for the
lawn mower. Receptacles are available having built-in GFCI
protection and may be used for this measure of safety.
To prevent electric shock use only with a UL listed25.
extension cord set suitable for outdoor use, such as Type
SW-A, SOW-A, STW-A, STOW-A, SJW-A, SJOW-A, SJTW-A, or
SJTOW-A.
Extension Cord—Make sure your extension cord set is in 26.
good condition and is heavy enough to carry the current
load your lawn mower will draw. If in doubt, use the next
heavier gauge cord. The smaller the gauge number, the
heavier the cord. An undersized cord will cause a drop in
line voltage resulting in loss of power and overheating.
MINIMUM WIRE SIZE FOR EXTENSION CORDS
FOR 120 VOLT APPLIANCES USING 10 - 12 AMPS
Cord Length (ft.) 25 50 100 150
Wire Size (AWG) 16 16 14 12

5se c t i O n 2 — iM p O r t a n t sa f e Op e r a t i O n pr a c t i c e s
To reduce the likelihood of disconnection of the extension27.
cord set from the mower, be sure to use the cord restraint
provided as well as a modern, tightly fitting extension cord.
To reduce the risk of electric shock, this lawn mower has a28.
polarized plug (one blade is wider than the other) and will
require the use of a polarized extension cord. The mower
plug will only fit into the polarized extension cord one way.
If the plug does not fit fully into the extension cord, reverse
the plug. If the plug still does not fit, obtain a correct
polarized extension cord. A polarized extension cord will
require the use of a polarized wall outlet. This plug will fit
into the polarized outlet only one way. If the plug does not
fit fully into the wall outlet, reverse the plug. If the plug
still does not fit, contact a qualified electrician to install
the proper wall outlet. Do not change the equipment plug,
extension cord receptacle, or extension cord plug in any
way.
If extension cord is damaged in any manner during use,29.
disconnect extension cord from house receptacle before
unplugging mower.
Circuit Breaker/Fuses—The mower should be operated 30.
on a 15 AMP or 20 AMP circuit. If difficulty in starting
is experienced with a standard 15 AMP fuse or circuit
breaker or the mower’s built-in overload protection switch
frequently trips, contact your nearest authorized service
dealer. Do not use a higher rated circuit breaker or fuse
without consulting your power company.
Do not abuse the cord by pulling the mower by the cord or31.
yanking it to disconnect it from the receptacle. Keep cord
from heat, oil, and sharp edges.
Only use parts and accessories made for this machine by 32.
manufacturer. Failure to do so can result in personal injury.
If situations occur which are not covered in this manual, use33.
care and good judgment. Contact Customer Support for
assistance or the name of the nearest service dealer.
Slope Operation:
Slopes are a major factor related to slip and fall accidents which
can result in severe injury. Operation on slopes requires extra
caution. If you feel uneasy on a slope, do not mow it. For your
safety, use the slope gauge included as part of this manual to
measure slopes before operating this machine on a sloped or
hilly area. If the slope is greater than 15 degrees, do not mow it.
Do:
Mow across the face of slopes; never up and down. Exercise 1.
extreme caution when changing direction on slopes.
Watch for holes, ruts, rocks, hidden objects, or bumps2.
which can cause you to slip or trip. Tall grass can hide
obstacles.
Always be sure of your footing. A slip and fall can3.
cause serious personal injury. If you feel you are losing
your balance, release the motor/blade control handle
immediately, and the blade will stop rotating within three
(3) seconds.
Do Not:
Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or embankments, you1.
could lose your footing or balance.
Do not mow slopes greater than 15 degrees as shown on2.
the slope gauge.
Do not mow on wet grass. Unstable footing could cause3.
slipping.

6se c t i O n 2 — iM p O r t a n t sa f e Op e r a t i O n pr a c t i c e s
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.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!
Children
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the
presence of children. Children are often attracted to the mower
and the mowing activity. They do not understand the dangers.
Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them.
Keep children out of the mowing area and under watchful1.
care of a responsible adult other than the operator.
Be alert and turn mower off if a child enters the area.2.
Before and while moving backwards, look behind and 3.
down for small children.
Use extreme care when approaching blind corners,4.
doorways, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure
your vision of a child who may run into the mower.
Never allow children under 14 years of age to operate this
machine. Children 14 and over should read and understand the
instructions and safe operation practices in this manual and
on the machine and be trained and supervised by an adult.
Service
When servicing mower, use original equipment1.
manufacturer (OEM) replacement parts listed in this
manual. “Use of parts which do not meet the original
equipment specifications may lead to improper
performance and compromise safety!”
Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, make certain the 2.
blade and all moving parts have stopped. Disconnect the
power cord when not in use and to prevent unintended
starting.
Follow instructions for lubricating and changing3.
accessories.
Inspect lawn mower cord and extension cords periodically4.
and replace immediately, if damaged. Lawn mower cord
should be repaired by an authorized service dealer only.
Keep handles dry, clean and free from oil and grease.5.
To reduce a fire hazard, keep the motor free of grass, leaves6.
and debris build-up.
Check the blade and motor mounting bolts at frequent7.
intervals for proper tightness. Also, visually inspect blade
for damage (e.g., bent, cracked, and worn) Replace blade
with the original equipment manufacturer’s (OEM) blade
only, listed in this manual.
Maintain your mower with care — Keep mower blade sharp8.
and clean for best and safest performance. Mower blades
are sharp and can cut, wrap the blade or wear gloves and
use extra caution when servicing them.
Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to be sure the9.
equipment is in safe working condition.
Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper10.
operation regularly.
After striking a foreign object, stop the motor and11.
disconnect the power cord. Thoroughly inspect the mower
for any damage. Repair the damage before operating the
mower.
Grass catcher components, discharge cover, and trail shield12.
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
(OEM) parts only, listed in this manual.
When not in use, store lawn mower indoors in a dry area,13.
locked-up and/or out of the reach of children.
Maintain or replace safety and instructional labels, as14.
necessary.
According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission 15.
(CPSC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
this product has an Average Useful Life of seven (7) years,
or 140 hours of operation. At the end of the Average Useful
Life have the machine inspected annually by an authorized
service dealer to ensure that all mechanical and safety
systems are working properly and not worn excessively.
Failure to do so can result in accidents, injuries or death.

7se c t i O n 2 — iM p O r t a n t sa f e Op e r a t i O n pr a c t i c e s
Sight and hold this level with a vertical tree...
or a corner of a building...
or a fence post
Fold along dotted line (represents a 15° slope)
15°
Use this page as a guide to determine slopes where you may not operate safely.
WARNING: Do not operate your lawn mower on such slopes. 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. Operate riding mowers up and down slopes, never across the face of slopes. Operate walk-behind mowers across the face of slopes, never up and down slopes.

Assembly & Set-Up 3
8
Contents of Carton
One Lawn Mower• One Grass Catcher• One Side Discharge Chute•
One Cord Guide Bar• One Lawn Mower Operator’s Manual•
Assembly
Handle
Remove any packing material which may be between1.
upper and lower handles.
Loosen each hand knob found on the inside of thea.
upper handle.
Gently lift and pivot the upper handle into theb.
operating position as shown in Fig. 3-1.
Remove star knobs from handle mounting bracketsc.
and secure the lower handle onto the handle
brackets by placing the lower hole of the lower
handle onto the pins of the handle brackets.
Secure the upper handle and lower handle byd.
tightening the hand knobs. Each carriage bolt must
be seated properly into the square hole found in the
plastic connector.
Figure 3-1
2. Tighten star knobs securing lower handle to handle
brackets. See Fig. 3-2. Make certain the lower handle is
seated securely into the handle mounting brackets.
Cord Guide Bar
Attach the cord guide bar with extension cord retainer to the
upper handle as shown in Fig. 3-3.
Figure 3-2
Figure 3-3

9se c t i O n 3 — as s e M b l y & se t -up
Grass Catcher
Follow steps below to assemble the grass catcher (if1.
needed). Make certain bag is turned right side out before
assembling (warning label will be on the outside).
Place bag over frame so that its black plastic side is a.
at the bottom.
Slip plastic channel of grass bag over hooks on theb.
frame. See Fig. 3-5. All the plastic channels except
center top of bag attach from outside of bag.
Attach center top of bag from inside of bag.c.
A
C
B
NOTE: Do not plug your extension cord into the power source
receptacle (outlet) prior to routing it through the cord retainer
and connecting the extension cord to the mower’s cord outlet
receptacle.
To properly route your extension cord through the cord retainer:
Approximately 14- to 16-inches from its end, crease your1.
extension cord to form a tight loop.
Push the loop through the bottom hole in the cord retainer. 2.
See Fig. 3-4a.
Position the loop over the clip found on the cord retainer 3.
and pull down until the cord fits snugly into the clip. See
Fig. 3-4b.
NOTE: Use a UL-approved extension cord. A 100-foot,
14-gauge cord is recommended. A 50-foot, 16-gauge
cord is acceptable. Refer to the small chart found in Safe
Operation Practices.
The cord retainer and the guide bar work together to secure your
extension cord and safely limit its movement. The cord retainer
(with the extension cord) will slide along the guide bar as the
mower is moved to the left or to the right.
A
B
Figure 3-4
Figure 3-5

10 se c t i O n 3 — as s e M b l y & se t -up
Side Discharge Chute
To convert to side discharge, make sure grass catcher is off of
the unit, the rear mulching baffle is removed, and rear discharge
door is closed.
On the side of the mower, lift the mulching plug.1.
Slide chute hooks under hinge pin on mulching plug2.
assembly. Lower mulching plug. See Fig. 3-7. Do not
remove side mulching plug at any time, even when you are
not mulching.
Adjustments
The cutting height adjustment lever is located above the1.
rear left wheel. See Fig. 3-8.
Pull the lever out and away from the mower.a.
Move the lever forward or back for desired cuttingb.
height.
Release lever towards mower deck.c.
Follow steps below to attach grass catcher:2.
Lift rear discharge door.a.
Remove rear mulching baffle.b.
Place grass catcher on the pivot rod. Let go of c.
discharge door so that it rests on the grass catcher.
See Fig. 3-6.
To remove grass catcher, lift rear discharge door on the mower.
Lift grass catcher up and out, off of the pivot rod. Release rear
discharge door to allow it to close rear opening of mower.
WARNING: Never operate mower unless the hooks
on the grass catcher are firmly seated on the pivot
rod and the rear discharge door rests firmly against
top of the grass catcher.
1
2
Figure 3-7
A
C
B
Figure 3-8
Figure 3-6