Cub Cadet 71 Tips and Tricks to Make it Run

[64ozwaterclub]

My new to me 71 Cub Cadet has been sitting in storage for 5 months. It ran before it was parked. What do I need to do to before I try and start it up? I am new to Cub Cadets and garden tractors.

Thanks,

Kyle

[Dane in PA]

Originally Posted by 64ozwaterclub

My new to me 71 Cub Cadet has been sitting in storage for 5 months. It ran before it was parked. What do I need to do to before I try and start it up? I am new to Cub Cadets and garden tractors.

Thanks,

Kyle

Fresh gas, new oil, a new filter wouldnt hurt either. A little Seafoam, too maybe.

[jmroy]

Try turning the key, 5 months isn't that long.

[sawdustdad]

Originally Posted by jmroy

Try turning the key, 5 months isn't that long.

x2. That's all I do after 5 months. Usually works unless the battery's gone dead. Then it's just a jump start.

[Dane in PA]

Originally Posted by jmroy

Try turning the key, 5 months isn't that long.

Originally Posted by sawdustdad

x2. That's all I do after 5 months. Usually works unless the battery's gone dead. Then it's just a jump start.

I wouldn't, as he doesn't know the last time the oil was changed, or anything like that. I always do that, even if they say they just changed it. I don't trust anyone.

[jmroy]

He's talking about starting it up, not regular maintenance. Unless it's wicked dark its probably fine to run anyway.

[Yosemite Sam]

Yeah, I would put a hot battery in it and fire it up... Find out what you've got, then take care of your maintenance.

[Darrell]

Originally Posted by Dane in PA

I wouldn't, as he doesn't know the last time the oil was changed, or anything like that. I always do that, even if they say they just changed it. I don't trust anyone.

That is a good idea if you heard the tractor run when trying to buy it , but unless the oil looked like sludge before starting it , why change it and it turns out something is wrong with the engine. That would be oil wasted.

Just my .02 !!!

[Grampie]

If the oil level is ok, start it, let it warm up,(mix all that dirty oil & sediment off the bottom of the oil pan ) shut it off then drain the dirty oil out. At the same time your burning any old gas that may have been left in the tank & carb. Also before you start the engine, you may want to add a little gumout or seafoam to the gas tank to help clean the fuel system while your running it too! Sorry, I just thought of this, Pull the spark plug and look at it before you do anything. It'll tell you alot about the engine condition before you even try to crank it over. Good Luck!

[Dane in PA]

I always change the oil first, and just check it for debris. I started a K-181 that was on a WH without first changing the oil, and it seized. Found out that there were lots of shavings from the cylinder wall in the oil, and I'm guessing they had something to do with it.