Deck Leveling - Riding Mower

What should be checked if a riding mower cuts unevenly?

Here we answer some common questions regarding Cub Cadet snow throwers...

1. 

SOLUTION

Our two-cycle snow throwers use a 50:1 ratio of gasoline to 2-cycle oil.
A 50:1 ratio is a mix consisting of 2.5 ounces of 2-cycle oil with 1 gallon of gasoline.

NOTE:  Always mix 2-cycle fuel oil and fuel in an approved gasoline safe container prior to filling the engine. Make sure to use a separate gas can for this 2-cycle fuel mixture and label it accordingly. Keep in mind that the fuel capacity of these engines normally is less than a gallon, therefore you will have to use this mixture for multiple fuel fills. Adding a fuel stabilizer will help to increase the shelf life of fuel.

2.

PROBLEM

How is the single-stage snow thrower shave plate adjusted?

SOLUTION

The shave plate adjustment on our single stage snow throwers can be made by first checking the shave plate to find how much adjustment is needed.  To do this, place snow thrower on a level surface.


Drawing that shows, the auger, shave plate and wheels.


Components on an actual unit.

These components should all be touching the ground at the same time. If either the auger or wheels are not touching the ground, this means that the shave plate is adjusted too low and needs to be raised.  If the wheels and auger are both touching the ground and the shave plate is not, this means that the shave plate is too high, and needs to be lowered to meet the auger and wheel levels. The shave plate has four nuts and bolts that fasten it on. To make this adjustment, loosen these four fasteners and slide the shave plate up or down as needed.

3.

PROBLEM

How are the skid shoes on a multiple-stage snow thrower adjusted?

SOLUTION

Adjusting the "skid shoes" (a.k.a. "slide shoes" ) on a multiple-stage snow thrower allows you to select how close to the ground the unit will clear snow.

Smooth Surface Adjustment:
Note:  Something will be needed to support the auger housing during this adjustment (thin wood plank, cardboard, etc..) that is approximately 1/8" H x 20" W x 6"D. Make sure the width is slightly less than that of your snow thrower auger width. To properly support your unit for this adjustment, do not use anything that is unstable or unable to support the snow thrower.

1. Place the supporting device below the center of the shave plate. This support should then elevate the sides of the auger housing slightly.
2. Next loosen the hardware securing the skid shoes on both sides of the auger housing, slide both shoes until they are positioned even with the ground, then tighten the tighten the hardware and remove the support material.
3. The shave plate should now be positioned just slightly above the ground with the shoes properly supporting the entire auger housing.

Irregular and Gravel Surface Adjustment:  
If you are clearing a surface that has an unusually irregular surface you should follow the instructions above, with the exception that you should use something thicker than 1/8 of an inch for support during the adjustment. The actual height needed will depend on the severity of the surface irregularities. 

4.

PROBLEM

How can the ground traction on a snow thrower be improved?

SOLUTION

To improve the traction on a snow thrower we have optional tire chains available for most tires. The tire size and/or the name ‘Snow Hog’ or 'X-Trac' should be molded into the side of the tire. Use the following chart to identify which chains fit the tires.

TIRE SIZE	SNOW HOG or X-TRAC	PART # FOR CHAIN SET
13 X 4.1	Yes	OEM-390-062
15 X 6	No	OEM-390-145
16 X 6.5	No	OEM-390-146
16 X 6.5	Yes	OEM-390-655
16 X 4.8	Yes	OEM-390-991

NOTE: All tire size measurements are in inches. NOTE: All chain sets above consist of 2 chains.


Tire chains installed on a snow thrower.

EFI FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS EFI?

Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) is a high pressure fuel management system. Just like on today's cars, EFI uses an onboard computer, injector nozzle, and multiple sensors to reliably deliver exactly the right amount of fuel to get the most performance and efficiency out of your engine. Cub EFI is an advanced electronically controlled "Closed Loop" system that uses real time feedback to sense the usage conditions and instantly optimize combustion to give you smooth running, and exceptional starting you can count on... no matter what.

HOW DO EFI ENGINES WORK?

EFI, or any Fuel Injection system, utilizes a special high pressure fuel delivery nozzle to inject an ultra-fine mist of fuel into the engine. An electronic control unit uses sensors around the engine to deliver the precise amount of fuel the engine needs, improving response, efficiency and starting. Cub EFI adjusts the fuel metering on-the-fly to compensate for variations in load, speed, fuels, temps, and pressures to always feed your engine the perfect charge that it needs for maximum performance at any task.

DO EFI ENGINES REQUIRE LESS MAINTENANCE?

Yes. EFI systems produce cleaner combustion resulting in a cleaner engine. Clean engines can go longer between regular oil changes and required major maintenances. We do still recommend a fuel stabilizer for long term storage to make sure the fuel in the tank stays fresh and you'll be ready to mow with a push of button next spring.

ARE EFI ENGINES MORE RESISTANT TO FUEL SYSTEM CORROSION AND "ETHANOL DAMAGE" SO OFTEN SEEN TODAY?

Yes. The fuel system is ethanol resistant and compatible with gasoline fuels up to E20 (20% ethanol) blends. Unlike carburetors, the EFI system doesn't rely on mechanical components, and easy to clog jets. Critical EFI components are totally sealed making the entire system more tolerant to today's common automotive gasoline blends.

DOES THE CUB EFI ACCEPT E85?

No. E85 is a blend of gasoline containing mostly ethanol (85% ethanol and only 15% gasoline). Today, Cub EFI engines only accept up to E20 (20% ethanol) blends.

DOES CUB EFI ACCEPT DIESEL FUEL?

No, only gasoline with blends of ethanol up to 20%.

How Much Snow Blower Do You Need?

Depends on how much snow you need to move and how quickly

The number of inches of snow you need to move per storm is an important consideration, but so is how quickly you want to move it, how much snow your town’s plows leave at the end of your driveway, and how much storage space you have in the garage or shed to stow equipment. If you’re concerned about your driveway freezing, you’ll also need a flat snow shovel or a steel-bristled broom and ice melt.

Cub Cadet 3X 30HD

Up to 24 inches

Go for a heavy-duty two-stage model. All models have a spinning auger that breaks up the snow, and an impeller that hurls it out the chute. Better models also have beefier engines, easier steering, and better tires. Lighter-duty two-stage models have the same auger and impeller as larger models and are easier to store. But they don’t clear as fast.

Pros. These models clear the widest swath and handle steeper inclines. They can muscle through the snow as well as the frozen piles at the foot of the driveway.

Cons. They’re heavy and expensive, and they can take up as much storage space as a lawn tractor. They don’t usually clean right down to the pavement, a plus only for gravel driveways, and they need maintenance.

Our picks. For sheer power, the Cub Cadet 3X 30HD, $1,650, and the Troy-Bilt Vortex 2890, a CR Best Buy at $1,300, come with a second impeller in front that helps with plow piles. And if you’ve gotten complaints about noisy snow clearing, go with the Craftsman 88694, $900, which was quieter without sacrificing performance.

Up to 18 inches

Lighter-duty two-stage models have the same auger, impeller, and driven wheels as larger models, but they don’t clear snow as quickly because of their narrower clearing widths.

Pros. They cost a bit less and require less storage space than their larger siblings.

Cons. The less expensive ones come with fewer additional features, such as freewheel steering and single-hand controls.

Our picks. The 24-inch Troy-Bilt Vortex 2490, a CR Best Buy at $1,100, costs more than most others in this group but has the same second impeller as larger units and was as effective against plow piles. Its freewheel steering and single-hand controls also make handling excellent. The 24-inch Cub Cadet 2X 24HP, $900, carries an extra year of warranty, for three total, and cleaned closer to the surface than any other compact two-stage. And though the Craftsman 88173, a CR Best Buy at $680, gives up some helpful features for the price, including easy handling, it did as well as pricier models at ramming through plow piles and ran a bit more quietly.

Up to 9 inches

When you have less than a foot of snow, a single-stage model, which has a high-speed auger to loosen and hoist the snow through the chute, will suffice. These machines have a rubber-­tipped auger that helps propel them forward and is safe for deck finishes.

Pros. They’re fairly light and easy to handle, and they clean down to bare pavement. They also take up only about as much storage space as a lawn mower.

Cons. These smaller models have the most trouble with dense, wet snow, particularly plow piles, and they can’t be used on gravel surfaces. Their modest pulling power is no match for steep slopes and tends to make the machine pull sideways.

Our picks. The Toro Power Clear 721E, a CR Best Buy at $570, remains the standout for this category, with impressive speed and power for plow piles; it falls short only in throwing distance. The Cub Cadet 221 LHP, $550, offers single-lever chute adjustment and comes with a three-year warranty, a year more than the Toro’s. But it scored a notch lower for removal speed, throwing distance, and surface cleaning.

—Ed Perratore

Today Ariens introduced the newest addition to their equipment lineup, the first ever snowblower to use EFI (electronic fuel injection) technology in the industry!

While Ariens has been using EFI technology in their commercial equipment for years, this is the first time they've applied it their snowblower line. Here are a few highlights on the equipment that Ariens touched on in their press conference:

• Easy to start
• Virtually eliminates maintenance, no draining gas during the summer.
• Maximum fuel efficiency
• Maximum power in all conditions

The benefits of the engine are obvious for any demographic, but particularly those who aren't as familiar with these machines because they're so easy to start, use, and maintain. 

We should be seeing these groundbreaking machines hit the market in October 2016! Check back for more details as we have them!

At Mowtown Equipment, we only carry the best mower brands on the market today, that's why we carry Ariens mowers and products. 

One of the newest additions to the Ariens line is the IKON XL Zero-Turn, which was introduced in November 2015. If you're a landscaper or a homeowner with a lot of lawn to care for, this is the mower for you.The IKON was created with the same durabilty and quality that Ariens is known for, but includes several new features needed for cutting larger properties. 

Here's a quick highlight of some of the features you can expect from an Ariens IKON XL Zero-Turn:

• The IKON is built on a single, tubular steel frame which is welded rather than bolted for maximum stability
• Operator comfort is key, and the IKON incorporates features such as a plush, high backed seat with padded armrests, (ideal when tackling a large job), a dial height-of-cut selection, foot operated deck lift, cup holder, storage compartments, and advanced vibration isolation to increase efficiency.
• Larger front and back tires to add to durability and efficiency. 

Like what you see? Check out Ariens IKON XL Zero-turns at Mowtown Equipment today!

The Myth: While weeds are unsightly, they don't really pose a threat to your lawn. 

The Truth: Weeds that are allowed to grow compete with grass, flowers, and trees for water, light and nutrients in the soil. Many types of weeds grow at a rapid pace, and thus consume the resources other "good plants" need to grow. 

The Solution: Make sure to give your lawn everything it needs to grow strong and healthy, and when those weeds to peek through, make sure your mower can handle them!

If you've just purchased a new Cub Cadet riding lawn mower and you aren't sure where to start, here is a quick overview of lawn mower basics to get you going.
You'll also find helpful lawn mower tips to keep your machine running strong through the years.
Before beginning any maintenance on your Cub Cadet lawn mower, ensure your mower is on a flat, level surface.