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Cub Cadet Riding Lawnmower Basic Operation and Troubleshooting

Updated: Jan 20

How To Start and Drive a Cub Cadet Riding Lawnmower

First you need to have your behind in the seat because there is a safety mechanism under the seat that will not allow the Cub Cadet Mower to start unless it's being engaged. The next thing to do is to press the brake on the left side down with your left leg/foot and then turn the key to the right. It should start right up. If not, first troubleshooting step is to make sure it has gas in the tank. This takes regular unleaded gasoline or ethanol free premium gas. Once the motor starts and you want to go, you will simultaneously slowly release the brake with your left foot and then engage throttle with your right foot by pressing the forward most lever. There are two levers located at your right foot. The front one is forward and the back one is for reverse.


This riding mower is a cub cadet riding mower and is an XT2 enduro series. I laugh about that and every time I think about "enduro" which to me means it's street legal.


Whenever I'm done I make it a habit to pull the key out because that battery will go dead as it has many times in the past which ends up costing me a battery replacement.


The throttle adjustment is important as well too. I usually like to keep it up high when I'm mowing an lower if I'm not mowing rather just transiting from one location to the other.


Here's a paid link to a 2win2buy Riding Lawn Mower Cover, Heavy Duty Waterproof Polyester Oxford Tractor Cover UV & Dust & Water Resistant,Universal Fit Decks up to 54" with Drawstring & Storage Bag (Black):


DIY Starter Solenoid Change Out

I'm gonna go ahead and replace the starter on this thing. The starter's been slowly going bad but this is it right here that's it so the first thing I'm gonna do is pop this one over to do that the first thing you want to do is just come down here this thing comes off really easy but to pop that loose there it actually just pulls straight off after you disconnect that it's really nice so see I'm just taking my hand here and just pulling up on it it just pops right off.


To gain access to this we're going to want to pull this off too so i'm going to unloosen these we're going to loosen them okay these bolts here are 5/16.


You don't need to pull them all the way out either because you can see the thing's just going to lift off did a lot of nice things on designing this thing which i really like one of them making sure you know you don't have to get the bolts all the way out so anyway we'll go around here and loosen up all these.


We might have to get these as well okay now this thing will just lift right off of here just set it aside just kind of do that and now you can see what we're looking at here see the teeth on that are pretty chewed up so what happens is when you fire it up this thing springs up and engages this bigger one here.


Okay, so the first thing i'm going to go after is this here all we gotta do is disconnect that and then we're gonna just we're gonna loosen these up here too hey if you guys can find a cheaper spot to get this part please do because this this killed me! I almost didn't do it but yeah they wanted 194 bucks for this baby so yeah I was really debating on whether or not to change it so anyway if you can get one for cheaper than 194 you're doing good okay before i go ripping everything apart i just want to make sure that you know this thing looks like uh the old one and it does it's gonna go on that same way all right this one down here is an 11 millimeter fits perfect so the socket works uh but the problem is you know i've been jumping it off of this too so you can see these two are kind of fused together so i'm going to grab onto this with my i guess it's not going to be an 11. that's going to be like a 12 or anyway this is kind of fused to that so it's having a hard time coming off of it


I'd like to take this thing apart and see why it's bad too all right now we'll get this take these off of there those that is and that's a 10. man those babies so this thing it's just a little quarter inch drive but those were torqued on they're pretty good they were tight so they just come right off but man


I almost had to go get some help with the torque there pull this off slap the other water that's it this comes right off uh we're gonna pull that bolt out i'm just gonna leave this one hanging on here because uh we're gonna reuse these babies I'll leave that one there set that up here.


It's not that old, I'm guessing 2016 is when when this was made.


Well this is going on there pretty good. There's no tricks to it you just kind of support it with this hand and then tighten it up with the other and just line those up with the holes and put them back in so nothing nothing too crazy so i'll go ahead and tighten these up.


Hopefully get my other socket on all right gotta crank back down and installed let's put that cover back on same way it came off there we go


All right I got all that stuff on just pop the hood back on ready to go. I love it when my fixes work out.


DIY How to Change the Fuel Filter

There were a few fuel filters to choose from at tractor supply. The cub cadet one was $14.99 and the briggs and Stratton one was 4.99. Once purchasing the cheaper one for my fine cub cadet here i'm going to change it out. What you want to do is get some vice grips or some hemostats or some other type of fuel hose clamp and then just clamp it off so you're you're not leaking fuel everywhere. I just clamped it off there now using my hemostats. I've got that clamped off. I'm going to go ahead and disconnect those so i usually like to use these these here because you can get more of a bite on the those two than you can with those but i got those just in case all i did was take these and just move these you can see where it sat before it clamps that around there so i just scooted them down so now I'll just be able to pull it off of there.


I really had to give it some force to yank that baby off I'm gonna pull this side off okay just remember this thing here is full of fuel so it gets everywhere should have worn some gloves oh well put the new one on.


Stick this in this end there yeah it fits nice in there


Put that in that's okay there we go and uh i'll just scoot these on down around the ends there yeah i love these clamps so you can move them all around as you need to i'm just going to clamp it right up against right up against that filter there we go same thing with this okay there we go as you can see we got both clamps right up snug there and we'll go ahead and fire it up make sure it runs.


How to Change the Oil

In my "DIY How to Change the Oil On your Cub Cadet Riding Lawnmower Tutorial [Cub Cadet Oil Change]" video I'm going to change the oil on this cub cadet here. Nararation words: I put the lid up here. Here's my filter and there is my fill spot so now i just need to find out where it drains from i haven't done this before it's the first time for me but i bought an oil change kit for it so I just need to find the drain plug on here all right they made it really nice actually so everything you need to do this oil change is right here there's three things you got to worry about so this is where you're going to drain your oil it's actually really nice so this cap here what this thing will do i'll show you when i get to it but you'll twist it and pull it and then then you'll pop that cap off and then the oil will drain out of course this is your filter and then this is where we're gonna we're gonna add our oil so first things first and we're gonna go ahead and put our pan underneath there but i wanna show you this oil change kit i got so you don't necessarily need this thing but it's kind of nice to have um so we'll go ahead and crack it open but it's got the oil and the filter and of course the catch basin here for it too, this is what it's so checking the filter we're going to make sure the filter is the right size too before we do anything so really all you're paying for is the right filter and the right oil that goes in this so this was the filter cap. There we go and they're recommending sae 10w30 for this thing well i can see why they did the triangular design because it fits right in there all right because you got this i lowered this all the way by the way go right in there sit on there and once i pop that off i'll kind of hold it there all right let me show you how to get after this thing so this is where your drain plug is get a glove if you can but once you pop that cap off right there that's where all the oil is going to come out so be ready you can see a little bit down there so there it's kind of hard to see right in there but we're going to turn it to the left a little bit and then pull it straight out there we go that's how you drain it. You pop that a little bit get some air in there and then we'll just keep an eye on this to make sure it doesn't go all over the floor but take a little bit of time and just drain it right out of there. It's kind of nice they do this because you know really if you had your drain plug underneath there it'd probably get all marred up by you know from running around and uh mowing and hitting rocks and all that good stuff but we'll see how long this takes i think it'll be a little while for it to drain based on the uh the flow right there so i'll let that go for a little bit once it stops i'll go ahead and pop the filter off and change it all right now i'm just going to pop this back in turn it to the right like that put the cap back on it now we're ready to do the filter all right you guys so i drained that oil sorry uh got the pressure washer going in the background the electric one oh man i think i'm gonna need a oh either two hands or an oil wrench for that one so i had to bust these babies out to loosen that up so i anticipate some oil coming out of here usually drains out quite a bit of car a little bit i'll take some of this oil and lube the new gasket on the new one i'll just show you all right here's the new one so i'll just take a little bit of this just kind of move the gasket up a little bit sorry it's probably hard to see but let's take this one screw it back on there. Take this one see how much oil is in there let it sit up like that. Just hand tight there we go now we're going to add our oil all right i'm going to go ahead and add oil to this honestly i don't know how much oil is supposed to go in here i'm thinking with the oil kit they gave us like the exact amount so let me open this up i'm at least going to put this as soon as i popped the top on that thing it started leaking. I'll let you guys know how much oil this thing's supposed to take or how much this one takes yeah there's the end of the first court i'm guessing it takes probably close to two quarts but i'm gonna pop this off and check it anyway just to see where we're at probably do well just depends okay let's see where we're at after one quart.


Hard to say let me uh wipe it off and dip it in there actually you can see that uh so after one quart it's just just above that l so it's going to take another quart so that oil kit was accurate go ahead and put one more cord in there all right here goes court number two oh geez


Hopefully you guys got a better funnel than I do because this funnel sucks as it's not the correct size for what I'm doing. All right go ahead and add this thing all right we added that second one


Check the oil fill levels. Oh i didn't overfill it. We're looking good we're right there just above full perfect right the oil is now changed that's how you do it and i thank you so much for watching


Quickly Change the Tire on Your Cub Cadet Riding Lawnmower Trailer


Step 1: Unhook trailer from mower

Step 2: Turn trailer on side so flat tire is facing up

Step 3: Grab pliers and pull locking pin from axle

Step 4: Remove old tire and slide new one on

Step 5: Re-install pin and re-connect trailer


Paid link to (Set of 2) 15x6.00-6 Husqvarna/Poulan Tire Wheel Assy .75" Bearing:


How to Jump Start Your Cub Cadet Riding Mower When It Won't Start

To follow along in my "How to Jump Start Your Cub Cadet Riding Mower When It Won't Start! [Cub Cadet Troubleshoot]" instructional video you first must have your behind in the seat because there is a safety mechanism under the seat that will not allow the Cub Cadet Mower to start unless it's being engaged. The next thing is to press the brake on the left side down with your left leg/foot and then turn the key to the right. It should start right up. If not, first troubleshooting step is to make sure it has gas in the tank. This takes regular unleaded gasoline or ethanol free premium gas. Once the motor starts and you want to go, you will simultaneously slowly release the brake with your left foot and then engage throttle with your right foot by pressing the forward most lever. There are two levers located at your right foot. The front one is forward and the back one is for reverse. This riding mower is a cub cadet riding mower and is an XT2 enduro series. I laugh about that and every time i think about "enduro" which to me means it's street legal. Whenever I'm done I make it a habit to pull the key out because that battery will go dead as it has many times in the past which ends up costing me a battery replacement. The throttle adjustment is important as well too. I usually like to keep it up high when I'm mowing an lower if I'm not mowing rather just transiting from one location to the other.


Here's a paid link to a 2win2buy Riding Lawn Mower Cover, Heavy Duty Waterproof Polyester Oxford Tractor Cover UV & Dust & Water Resistant,Universal Fit Decks up to 54" with Drawstring & Storage Bag (Black): https://amzn.to/39kdLDG


How to Remove the Engine Hood


Step 1: Make sure mower is not running, on flat ground and in safety in gear

Step 2: Open engine hood

Step 3: Disconnect headlights at snap together electrical connection

Step 4: While in the upright position (open) pull straight out on the hood and it's free from the mower now


How to Replace an Ignition Module


In my "DIY How to Replace an Ignition Module on a Cub Cadet Riding Lawnmower [Cub Cadet Ignition Module]" video I show you how to do exactly that. I replaced the battery with a brand spanking new one and it still didn't run. I knew I had brand new fuel in it and also it was getting fuel as well. The ignition on this started to slowly regress until it finally didn't work anymore at all. One the ignition module was replaced I still had to jump start it with my portable battery charger/jump starter off the solenoid, however, it was the only time I had to do that as it started normally with the key after that. It was a relatively cheap fix compared to other things. Note that if you are choosing to replace the ignition module, there are TWO (2) of them, so buy two when you go for the replacement. This was really easy to do so don't be afraid to swap these out for new ones if you need to.


Here's a paid amazon link to one: CUB CADET 19A30030100 FastAttach Double Bagger 42" 46" Deck XT1 XT2 LX46 LX42: https://amzn.to/3gG4YAl


Air Filter Removal Tutorial

Quick demonstration on how to easily change the air filter on your cub cadet riding lawn mower. You don't need to completely remove the hood to change the air filter (the hood does easily detach with minimal effort as shown in my video here: https://youtu.be/_eeUKdvqSKc).

Air filters are cheap and easy to replace on these riding mowers so as a part of normal maintenance and upkeep I like to slap a fresh one in there every season or two.


Here's a paid amazon link to the replacement air filter:

HEYZLASS 2 Pack 32 083 09-S Air Filter, Replace for Kohler KT715 KT725 KT730 KT735 KT740 KT745 Engine Cub Cadet Lawn Mower Air Filter, Premium 32 083 09 32 883 09-S1 Air Filter:


Here's a paid amazon link to CUB CADET 19A30030100 FastAttach Double Bagger 42" 46" Deck XT1 XT2 LX46 LX42:


How to put your Cub Cadet Riding Lawn Mower in Neutral

Youtube Short on "How to put your Cub Cadet Riding Lawn Mower in Neutral". This is simply done by pulling the lever down below being the seat. It's a little inconspicuous so if you don't know how to do this or you've lost your owner's manual for this machine than you may find yourself trying to push it while it's in gear which is really tough. I did just that until I though "there has to be a way to put this in neutral". It was easy enough once I looked around and tried a few things before finally figuring out that the answer lies in just simply pulling this "L" shaped piece of round wire/stock coming out of the back of the mower.


Here's a paid amazon link to one: CUB CADET 19A30030100 FastAttach Double Bagger 42" 46" Deck XT1 XT2 LX46 LX42: https://amzn.to/3gG4YAl


Cub Cadet Mower Not Working? DIY Lawn Mowing Deck Serpentine Belt Fix

Is your Cub Cadet Mower Belt/Deck Not Working? Check out the quick and easy fix in my "DIY Lawn Mowing Deck Serpentine Belt Fix [Cub Cadet Mower Belt Fix]" video. This is a beginner type "for dummies" tutorial type video demonstrating what to do when your mower deck belt comes off one or more of the spools. It's a quick and easy fix that just takes a socket and ratchet to remove the protective cover. A lot times grass and debris excess build up down below can cause this.


My amazon influencer page: https://www.amazon.com/shop/diytechnician


Cub Cadet Riding Lawnmower Blade Replacement | Step by Step Instructional Tutorial

Is your Cub Cadet riding lawnmower in need of a blade replacement? This comprehensive, step-by-step instructional tutorial guides you through the entire process, making blade replacement a breeze for your Cub Cadet riding lawnmower. 🔧 Before you begin, you'll find a list of tools needed and essential safety precautions to ensure a smooth and secure blade replacement. Whether you're an experienced DIY enthusiast or a beginner looking to save on maintenance costs, this user-friendly tutorial is designed to be accessible. 🚜 The aim here is to make the process stress-free, with clear visuals and explanations that empower you to successfully replace the blades, ultimately improving your lawnmower's performance. ✅ Why pay for professional repairs when you can do it yourself? Not only will you save on maintenance expenses, but you'll also gain a sense of accomplishment. Additionally, valuable tips and tricks are shared to make the process even more efficient. 🔄 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with more DIY guides and maintenance tips for your Cub Cadet riding lawnmower. If you have questions or need assistance, please leave them in the comments below, and the community will be there to assist. 🛠️ It's time to roll up your sleeves and give your Cub Cadet riding lawnmower the care it deserves. Follow this step-by-step tutorial, and you'll have those blades replaced in no time. Thanks for watching, and happy mowing! 🌱🚜🔧


Forgetting standard house maintenance items can be costly. Avoid this by using my homeowner's and renter's quick reference: https://www.diy-technician.com/product-page/handy-homeowner-s-checklist


Cub Cadet Mower Deck Serpentine Belt Replacement | Step by Step Guide

Is your Cub Cadet mower deck serpentine belt showing signs of wear and tear? It's time to replace it, and you are covered with this comprehensive step-by-step guide. In this video, I walk through the entire process of replacing the serpentine belt on your Cub Cadet mower deck. 🔧 From tools you'll need to safety precautions, we cover all the basics before diving into the DIY process. We'll show you the step-by-step instructions, ensuring that you can easily follow along, whether you're an experienced DIY enthusiast or a beginner looking to save on maintenance costs. 🚜 This video demonstrates visuals and explanations to help you successfully replace the serpentine belt. You'll learn how to safely disengage the deck, remove the old belt, and install the new one, restoring the cub cadet mower's performance. ✅ Why spend money on professional repairs when you can do it yourself? Not only will you save on maintenance costs, but you'll also gain a sense of accomplishment. Plus, we'll offer tips and tricks to make the process smoother. 🔁 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit that notification bell to stay updated with more DIY guides and tips for maintaining your Cub Cadet mower. Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below, and our community will be there to help you out. 🛠️ It's time to roll up your sleeves and give your Cub Cadet mower the maintenance it deserves. Follow this step-by-step guide, and you'll have that serpentine belt replaced in no time. Thanks for watching, and happy mowing! 🌿🚜🔧


Slime Fixes Cub Cadet Riding Lawnmower Tubeless Front Tire | Save $$ With Cheap Fix!

In today's video, we're addressing a common issue encountered by Cub Cadet riding lawnmower owners—fixing a tubeless front tire using Slime. Join me as I guide you through the process of repairing a punctured tire without breaking the bank, saving you both time and money.

🚜 Problem Overview:

If you've found yourself dealing with a flat or punctured tubeless front tire on your Cub Cadet riding lawnmower, worry not! We understand the frustration and the hassle that comes with this issue. Our goal is to provide a simple and affordable fix that gets your mower back in action without the need for expensive replacements.

🔧 Materials and Tools:

I'll walk you through the materials and tools needed for this quick repair. From Slime tire sealant to basic tools required I''ll ensure you're well-equipped to tackle the fix effortlessly.

🛠️ Step-by-Step Repair Process:

Learn the step-by-step process of fixing the punctured tire using Slime. I'll demonstrate how to locate the puncture, prepare the tire for repair, and effectively apply Slime to seal the hole. This easy-to-follow guide will help you restore functionality to your tire in no time.

💰 Cost-Effective Solution:

Discover how this Slime-based repair is a cost-effective alternative to purchasing a new tire. I'll highlight the affordability of Slime compared to traditional repair or replacement options, helping you save money while keeping your lawnmower in top condition.

If you find this video helpful, consider subscribing for more money-saving tips and DIY solutions!

Ready to get your Cub Cadet riding lawnmower's tire back in action without breaking the bank? Join me in this easy and affordable Slime-based fix, and let's get those lawns mowed efficiently and economically!


Front Tire Replacement Tutorial | Riding Lawnmower Flat Tire Change Out


This DIY tutorial on replacing the front tires of your Cub Cadet XT2 Enduro Series riding lawnmower! If you've found yourself with a flat tire and are in need of a quick and efficient solution, you're in the right place.

In this video, I'll walk you through a step-by-step process to easily change the front tire on your Cub Cadet XT2 Enduro Series riding lawnmower. Whether you're a seasoned DIY enthusiast or a beginner looking to tackle this task, this tutorial is designed to be informative and accessible.

🔧 What You'll Learn:

- Identifying the tools and materials you'll need for the tire replacement.

- Safely lifting and securing your lawnmower to ensure a stable working environment.

- Removing the damaged tire while avoiding any potential pitfalls.

- Installing the new tire and ensuring it's properly seated and inflated.

- Tips and tricks to make the process smoother and safer.

Maintaining your riding lawnmower is essential for its optimal performance, and knowing how to replace a flat tire can save you time and money. This tutorial will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to handle this task on your own, without the need for professional assistance.

If you've been putting off fixing that flat tire, now is the perfect time to take action. Join us in this easy-to-follow tutorial, and you'll have your Cub Cadet XT2 Enduro Series lawnmower back in action in no time!

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on our latest DIY tutorials and lawnmower maintenance tips. We're here to help you keep your outdoor equipment in top shape, so you can enjoy a beautifully manicured lawn all season long. Thanks for tuning in, and let's get those tires rolling!

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