782 starter is not working

[Rockracer]

I have a cub cadet 782 with a series 2 motor on it and I was plowing snow with it a day or two before and I went to start it today and it turned over but would not start. I thought battery was dead so I tries jumping it and the starter was turning over slowly and eventually just stopped working altogether.

I would like to note that the engine was cold and that it was 2 degrees Fahrenheit outside.

Did my starter motor die or is there any other things that could be affecting it?

[Cub Cadet 123]

First. Leaping over a cub cadet is one heck of a way to try to get it to run. Never heard of it before. (Just couldn't resist that one!).

Sounds like a low battery to me. Cold weather never seems to help a battery. Try putting a deep cycle charge on it and you should be fine. Then, on very cold nights, people often either take the battery inside or put a trickle charge on it until put to use. Those hydrostats are always more challenging to start than the gear drives in the really cold weather. Keep us posted on if you have any more difficulties and share some pics of your cub.

Cub Cadet 123

[Rockracer]

I did some more investigating on my starting problem. Tonight I was able to start the tractor by using jumper cables to directly tie the starter to the battery. I now am wondering if my switch assembly is bad or if I have a wiring issue.

When I turn the key to start I can hear the click of the magnetic switch like before and when I turn on the PTO switch the magnetic switch no longer works, leading me to believe that it is not the PTO switch or the key switch. I am wondering if the magnetic switch is just worn out or if it is another problem.

[Billy-O]

The click you heard is likely the starter solenoid. Jump just the solenoid alone and see if the tractor turns over. If it does, start with making sure the connections there are clean, bright and tight before thinking about replacing it.

[Cub Cadet 123]

Originally Posted by Rockracer

I did some more investigating on my starting problem. Tonight I was able to start the tractor by using jumper cables to directly tie the starter to the battery. I now am wondering if my switch assembly is bad or if I have a wiring issue.

When I turn the key to start I can hear the click of the magnetic switch like before and when I turn on the PTO switch the magnetic switch no longer works, leading me to believe that it is not the PTO switch or the key switch. I am wondering if the magnetic switch is just worn out or if it is another problem.

Your cub has a safety switch on it. When you engage the PTO, nothing will start it. This is to prevent injury so blades do not begin turning on a mower deck when your cub is started. Please read Post #2.

Cub Cadet 123

[Rockracer]

I got my tractor up and running today. I had to replace the starter solenoid. Luckily I was able to get one at my local auto parts store.

Thanks for all the help.

I also got a few pics!
cub cadet 2.pdf
cub cadet.pdf

[sorner]

I'm late to the party but I would say check your ground wire too. My 782 was being a slug starting, I kept charging the battery and even jumper cables wouldn't crank it over fast enough. I thought my starter motor as going bad. I had a loose ground from the battery to the frame, specifically the bolt to the frame was loose. I cleaned it up and tightened it down, and now it spins like a top.