[ccguy]

As a newer Cub owner who religiously checks these posts daily (even before checking the news), not only have you taught me a lot about my machine but also about Cubs in general - and it's been a heck of an education over the last year. And you all have saved me a lot of Benjamins in the process. For someone who is not a Tech, owning an old machine (which is a gambit to begin with) and never having to have to bring it to a dealer to fix things is a hoot. (I couldn't anyways as I don't own a trailer) For example, when the tab broke off from one of my fragile plastic engine shields, I thought I was looking at $180+ plus for a new shield. Then after some research here I found the solution - JB Weld. At $5.95 it worked wonders...and the shield is fixed.

Then the Amp light went on...and stayed on under full load. Well, $79 for a new battery I guess. Then after some research, I then cleaned every electrical contact and every blasted wire...and voila, no lit Amp light (Sam Mac IS THE MAN)!

Then there was the brakes, and the rough idle and the leak from the front of the engine and on and on and on. Yet I have resolved them all and although I may have learned a lot in college, the OCC Continuing Education program here has taught me quite a bit. A few of them are as follows:

• Use Seafoam/MMO in the gas
• The mystery of the 14/16HP B+S Vanguard
• P B Blaster smokes WD-40
• Always check the service manual first
• Patience
• Don't guess - figure it out
• Don't cut corners...unless you want to do it again
• Check the service manual again
• Have replacement parts ready BEFORE you take everything apart
• Hi-lift CC blades are light years better than Flat CC blades
• When they say use Hi-Tran Fluid, they mean Hi-Tran Fluid
• Where the great yards and parts are: Patton Acres, IHCCW, Houtz, Messicks, Maple Hunter
• Never ever scrimp on the quality of grease
• Never spray parts on the machine, take the part off and do it right
• The secret to rattle cans of power coat paint - never shake up and down (clogs spray head) just roll the rattlers around on the bottom around and around
• Shooting Gumout in the carb is NOT cleaning the carb
• Keep the engine fins clean
• Never wash the mower deck, use a leaf blower
• Don't forget the Zerks on the Drive Shaft
• When something starts leaking, don't postpone the inevitable
• JB Weld is a miracle
• If you are going to take it apart -get the camera!
• Electrical/fuel problems are the gremlins, check the wires/connections and fuel delivery first
• You guys DO have all the answers!

Many thanks,

ccguy
1994-1440