Cub Cadet ZTX4 54 User manual

7
ASSEMBLY
NOTE: This Operator’s Manual covers several models. Tractor features may vary by
model. Not all features in this manual are applicable to all tractor models and the
tractor depicted may differ from yours.
NOTE: All references in this manual to the left or right side and front or back of the
tractor are from the operating position only. Exceptions, if any, will be specified.
Preparation
Manually Move the Tractor
1. To engage the
transmission bypass
rods, pull the rod
back (a) and into
lower section of
“J” slot. Repeat on
opposite side. See
Figure 1.
2. After moving tractor,
reverse Step 1 to
disengage the
bypass rods.
Install Hitch
(If Necessary)
1. Locate Hitch (a) and
install on the rear
of the frame using
the two hex washer
screws (b) provided.
See Figure 2.
NOTE: Hitch and hex
washer screws will be
in the hardware pack.
Roll Over Protective
System (ROPS)
Refer to Figure 3 and the
following descriptions and
uses for the three (3) positions
for the Upper ROPS.
• TRANSPORT: Only to be used
when transporting the tractor or
when they need to be momentarily
folded-down to avoid contact with
items such as tree limbs, clothes
lines, guy wires, utility poles,
buildings, etc.
• TRANSPORT WITH BAGGER:
Allows for the ROPS to be lowered
for situations outlined for the
TRANSPORT position when the
tractor is equipped with a bagger.
• OPERATION: The ROPS should
always be in this position when
operating unless the situations
involved outlined in the TRANSPORT
and TRANSPORT WITH BAGGER
descriptions arise.
(a)
(b)
Figure 1
(b)(b)
(a)(a)
(b)(b)
Figure 2
Transport Position
Transport with
Bagger Position
Operation Position
Upper ROPS Positions
Figure 3
To change the position of the ROPS:
1. Pull slightly up on the ROPS to relieve
any tension on the locking pin (a)
and rotate the locking pin (a) from
the LOCKED (b) position into the
ADJUSTMENT (c) position. Repeat the
procedure for the locking pin on the
opposite side. See Figure 4.
2. Move the ROPS into the desired
position. See Figure 5.
NOTE: The three positions are TRANSPORT
(a) position, TRANSPORT WITH BAGGER
(b) position and into the OPERATION
(c) position.
3. Rotate both locking pins into the LOCKED
position. Move the upper ROPS slightly
until the locking pins settle, engaged in
the LOCKED position.
NOTE: See properly seated (fully engaged)
ROPS pin in Figure 6.
DANGER
Always verify that both right and left
locking pins of the ROPS are settled and
fully engaged all the way through the
hinge assembly so that each locking pin is
visible on the inside face. Failure to fully
lock each locking pin may result in serious
injury or death.
Operator’s Seat
Seat Installation
(If Necessary)
1. Cut any straps securing
the seat assembly to
the tractor. Remove all
packing material.
NOTE: Be careful
not to cut the seat
wiring harness.
2. Install the seat onto
the seat pan (b) using
flange lock nuts (a). See
Figure 7.
3. If necessary, securely
connect the seat
switch wiring
harness (a) to the
seat switch (b). See
Figure 8. Secure
excess wire away
from pinch points
before continuing.
NOTE: Tractor will not
operate without the
seat switch wiring harness connected.
(c)
(b)
(a)
Figure 4
(a)
(b)
(c)
Figure 5
Figure 6
(a)
(a) (b)
(a)
(a)
Figure 7
(a)
(b)
(a)
(b)
Figure 8

8
ASSEMBLY
Adjusting Seat from Shipping Position (If Necessary)
1. Remove and discard packing material,
as applicable.
2. Remove the two screws (one right side,
one left side) securing seat in shipping
position. See Figure 9.
3. Pivot seat forward into operating
position. See Figure 10.
4. Secure with two screws (one right side,
one left side) removed in Step 2. See
Figure 11.
NOTE: Torque screws to 68-102 in-lbs (7.7-
11.5 N-m).
Position Lapbar Drive Control Levers
The lapbar drive control levers can be adjusted up/down and forward/backward for
the operator’s comfort. Three height positions are available and/or levers can be
rotated forward or rearward using the knob.
To adjust the lapbar drive control lever
height, proceed as follows:
1. Remove the two carriage
screws (a) and two flange lock
nuts (b) that secure the lapbar
drive control lever (c) to the
upper handle adjuster (d). See
Figure 12.
NOTE: The multi-tool (if
equipped) can be used to make
this adjustment.
2. Move the lapbar drive control
lever into one of the three
available heights and secure in
place with the carriage screws
and flange lock nuts. See
Figure 12.
To adjust the lapbar drive control
levers forward/rearward, proceed
as follows:
1. Rotate the knob (a) counter-
clockwise to loosen the knob
(a). See Figure 13.
x2
Figure 9
Figure 10
x2
Figure 11
(b)
(b)
(a)
(a)
(c)
(d)
Figure 12
(a)
Figure 13
2. Lift and rotate the lapbar drive control lever into the desired position.
3. Rotate the knob clockwise to secure the lapbar drive control lever into
position. See Figure 13.
4. If the lapbars do not line up after making the knob adjustment, loosen nuts
(b), align lapbars and retighten nuts. Once this fine adjustment is made, the
lapbars will align when using the knob adjustment. See Figure 12.
Lower Deck Discharge Chute Deflector
WARNING
Never operate the mower deck without the chute
deflector installed and in the down position.
1. The chute is shipped attached and with a stop
bracket holding the chute upright. The stop
bracket must be removed prior to operating the
tractor. See Figure 14.
2. Holding the chute deflector fully upward, remove
the stop bracket (see Figure 14):
a. Grasp the bracket (a) from behind the
chute on top of the deck.
b. Lift up slightly to free the bracket from the
notch (b).
c. Pull back to fully remove the bracket.
Setting Deck Wheels
NOTE: The deck wheels are an anti-scalp feature of the deck and are not designed to
support the weight of the cutting deck.
1. Move the tractor to a level surface, preferably pavement.
2. Check tire pressure, adjust, if necessary. See tire side wall for proper
tire pressure.
3. Make sure the deck is level side-to-side and properly pitched. See the Service
and Maintenance section for deck leveling information and instructions.
4. Place knob in the desired mowing height position and lower the deck.
5. Check the deck wheels for contact or excessive clearance with the
surface below.
NOTE: The deck wheels should have between 1/4” (6.35 mm) and 1/2”
(12.7 mm) clearance above the ground.
6. Remove the lock nut (a)
securing one of the front
gauge wheels to the deck.
Remove the shoulder
screw (b), tube spacer (c)
and shoulder spacer (e) to
remove the wheel (d). See
Figure 15.
7. Line up the gauge wheel
with the tube spacer
through the center, the
shoulder spacer on the
shorter side hub of the
gauge wheel and position
the assembly inside the brackets at the desired height.
NOTE: Allow a 1/4-1/2” (6.35-12.7 mm) clearance between the ground and
gauge wheel.
c
b
a
Figure 14
(a)
(b)
(c) (d) (e)
Figure 15

9
ASSEMBLY
8. Insert the shoulder screw into the chosen index hole on the front gauge
wheel bracket.
NOTE: On the left side and right side deck gauge
wheels, the shoulder screw must be installed
from the outside of the tractor inward, through
the square hole on the bracket. On center deck
gauge wheels (if equipped) the shoulder screw
side of the assembly can be installed from either
direction. See Figure 16.
9. Secure with the lock nut
previously removed.
Battery Information
WARNING
CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65 WARNING: Battery posts, terminals, and
related accessories contain lead and lead compounds, chemicals known to
the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm. Wash hands
after handling.
WARNING
Should battery acid accidentally splatter into the eyes or onto the skin,
rinse the affected area immediately with clean cold water. Seek prompt
medical attention.
If acid spills on clothing, first dilute it with clean water, then neutralize
with a solution of ammonia/water or baking soda/water.
NEVER connect (or disconnect) battery charger clips to the battery while
the charger is turned on, as it can cause sparks.
Keep all sources of ignition (cigarettes, matches, lighters) away from the
battery. The gas generated during charging can be combustible.
As a further precaution, only charge the battery in a well ventilated area.
Always shield eyes and protect skin and clothing when working
near batteries.
Batteries contain sulfuric acid and may emit explosive gases. Use extreme
caution when handling batteries. Keep batteries out of the reach
of children.
CAUTION
When attaching battery cables, always connect the POSITIVE (Red) wire to
the terminal first, followed by the NEGATIVE (Black) wire.
NOTE: The positive battery terminal is marked Pos. (+). The negative battery
terminal is marked Neg. (–).
Connecting Battery Cables
WARNING
Always connect the positive lead to the battery before connecting the
negative lead. This will prevent sparking or possible injury from an
electrical short caused by contacting the tractor body with tools being
used to connect the cables.
For shipping reasons the factory may leave both battery cables disconnected from
the terminals. To connect the battery cables, proceed as follows:
1. If present, remove the plastic cover from the positive battery terminal.
Attach the red connector to the positive battery terminal (+) using the bolt
(a) and hex nut (b). See Figure 17.
Outer bracket
Inner bracket
Figure 16
(b)
(b)
(a)
(a) (c)
Figure 17
2. If present, remove
the plastic cover
from the negative
battery terminal
and attach the black
cable to the negative
battery terminal
(–) with the bolt (a)
and hex nut (b). See
Figure 17.
3. Position the red
rubber boot (c) over
the positive battery
terminal (+) to help
protect it from corrosion. See Figure 17.
NOTE: If the battery is put into service after date shown on top/side of battery,
charge the battery as instructed in the Service and Maintenance section, prior
to operating.
Battery Maintenance
• The battery is filled with battery acid and then sealed at the factory.
However, even a “maintenance free” battery requires some maintenance to
ensure its proper life cycle.
• Spray the terminals and exposed wire with a battery terminal sealer, or
coat the terminals with a thin coat of grease or petroleum jelly, to protect
against corrosion.
• Always keep the battery cables and terminals clean and free of corrosion.
• Avoid tipping. Even a sealed battery will leak electrolyte when tipped.
Battery Storage
• When storing the tractor for extended periods, disconnect the negative
battery cable. It is not necessary to remove the battery.
• All batteries discharge during storage. Keep the exterior of the battery clean,
especially the top. A dirty battery will discharge more rapidly.
• The battery must be stored with a full charge. A discharged battery can
freeze sooner than a charged battery. A fully charged battery will store
longer in cold temperatures than hot.
• Recharge the battery before returning to service. Although the tractor may
start, the engine charging system may not fully recharge the battery.
Battery Removal
WARNING
Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories contain lead and lead
compounds. Wash hands after handling.
The battery is located beneath the seat
frame. To remove the battery:
1. Remove the hex washer screw (a)
securing the battery hold-down
bracket (b) to the frame. Then flip
the battery hold-down bracket (b)
up to free the battery. See Figure 18.
2. Remove the hex cap screw and sems
nut securing the black negative
battery lead to the negative
battery post (marked NEG). Move
the cable away from the negative
battery post.
(a)
(b)
Figure 18