My first Cub. 1641 PTO question

[Jerry Blair]

I purchased my first cub yesterday, used, from the second owner. It is in very nice condition with only 410 hours on it. Looks like it has new tires and new battery and a nice seat cover. (the original seat is cracked) The engine runs awesome. Super smooth and quiet. I can't wait to get the grass mowed with this thing!

I've downloaded an owners manual and also a general service manual I found on this site. Thanks. Neither manual really discusses the attachment of the deck however. Is there a manual for the 48" deck specifically? It looks as if I might be missing a bolt on the front of the lift assembly. Not a big deal. The belts should probably be replaced soon. I think the blades are installed upside down as well. The "curve" behind the cutting edge curves down toward the ground. I'm pretty sure it should curve UP!

My primary question concerns the PTO. It has a very harsh engagement. Is this normal? The mower also has significant vibration with the PTO engaged. Moreso than the belt driven mowers I've had in the past.

Thanks for any advice you might offer. I found this forum after about an hour of searching cub-related items yesterday and it appears to be a gold-mine!

[_DX3_]

You might need to check your mower spindles and see if any of them feel rough when rotating them. Also this past summer a neighbors deck was vibrating something awful. We could find nothing wrong with the deck or PTO so he purchased a new belt and that took care of the vibrations. When you engage the PTO are you at full throttle or half throttle. The electric PTO's are designed to be turned on at half throttle.

[Jerry Blair]

Thanks for the help.

I've tried it both ways. Seems to be smoother engaging at full rather than half. Definitely might be something sticking on the deck. I didn't know which way it was supposed to be engaged, so thanks again for the advice.

[timbo2]

also make sure to grease the fittings on the deck.

I've had a old 2284 super for a couple weeks and the 54 inch deck initially killed the engine when the PTO was engaged.
Took it off and greased it, then a couple drops of oil, sharpened the blades and it fired right up although abit loud compared to my 60" haban deck.

good luck!

[Jerry Blair]

FIXED!

The main trouble with the rough PTO was a pulley rubbing the frame. The left vertical pulley on the front of the mower appears to be a tensioner for the belt. You adjust the L-shaped bolt to tighten the belt by moving the pulley forward. Someone had adjusted it out until it hit the front "bumper". The pulley had nearly worn through the heavy steel on the front of the mower but miraculously didn't show any wear on the pulley itself.

Just a guess, but I assume the previous owner adjusted it out trying to get the blades to stop slipping. I had tried to mow with it yesterday and the deck would slip in tall grass and leave bare patches. It just felt like the mower was underpowered. I was more than a little disappointed.

I was correct in assessing the blades as being installed upside down as well. After turning them over I can't find grass tall enough to stall the deck! IT CUTS PERFECT!

So, now, I have a smooth running tractor that mows an incredibly smooth path. Next up is to build a little toolbox for the tractor and a cooler rack for the rear.

Thanks for all the help.

[ACecil]

Great job! Glad you got it fixed!

[CC1450]

Welcome to OCC forums Jerry! You are correct, this is a gold mine of a forum for cub info. Glad to hear you are enjoying your new tractor and were able to fix it up pretty easily so far.

Post some pics of your setup when you get a chance!

[Methos]

Congrats on getting it fixed Jerry! Now time to go get some seat time and get us some pics!

[Jerry Blair]

Thanks for the welcome.

The seller I bought it from called me today and told me he had a set of factory wheel weights he forgot to give me. I went right over and picked them up!

Now the big question??? When/how should I use them? Is there a reason I shouldn't just leave them on all the time?

The seller also told me another buyer called and told him to pass the word to me that he would like to buy the cub and would give me a profit... I think I'll just keep it.

Pics to follow.

[_DX3_]

Slap them weights on and leave them there.