In what has become an almost weekly ritual for many homeowners, a typical Saturday morning involves walking to the garage, locating the Cub Cadet walk-behind mower, filling it with new gas, and pushing it through the yard in order to create the perfect, well-manicured look that will make all the neighbors jealous. Keep reading to find out how you can easily change the gas on a Cub Cadet Walk-Behind Mower.
Sometimes – especially after the rough summer storms we’ve been experiencing, it will not be enough to refuel, it might be necessary to completely remove the existing gas and replace it. This ensures a more efficient engine, helps to clean out any debris from the existing fuel supply, and can eliminate water from the fuel supply if the mower was recently left out.
Changing the gas in a Cub Cadet mower might not be the most enjoyable way to kick off a weekend of intense lawn care, but it’s an essential way to ensure that the mower enjoys a long and productive life, and keeps the lawn looking its best all summer long. Best of all, swapping out old gas for new is relatively easy compared to more complicated maintenance routines needed by lawnmowers.
For those new to Cub Cadet walk-behind mower ownership, or those who have simply never had to change the gas in their mower before, the steps below will help explain the process and make it as easy as possible to complete. If you have any additional questions, consult the Cub Cadet Owner’s Manual for your specific walk-behind mower.
Step 1: Remove the Spark Plug Ignition Wire
One of the best ways to prevent any kind of accidental injury – from sparks and shocks to actual fires and severe damage to the lawnmower’s engine- is to disconnect the spark plug ignition wire. This wire is typically near the side of the engine, and it is easily dislodged from the casing which holds it into place. The spark plug ignition wire should only be replaced after the entire process has been completed.
Step 2: Remove the Gas Cap and Insert a Siphon Pump
Simply enough, the gas inside the mower isn’t going to run out just because the gas cap has been removed. It must instead be siphoned out using a special tool known as a siphon pump.
Step 3: Priming the Pump
The next step in the process involves “priming the pump,” as this step is known. Cub Cadet walk-behind mower owners simply need to move the pump’s handle up and down several times, probably between three and five, to get the gas flowing from the mower’s gas tank to the container where the old gasoline will be stored and contained. Once the pump has been successfully primed, the gas itself will keep flowing until there is no more liquid left in the mower’s gas tank.
Step 4: Remove the Pump and Proceed with New Gas
The siphon pump will continue moving gas from the mower to the specified container until there is simply no more gas within range of the siphon pump’s tube. That tube should be moved around to ensure that all liquid is truly out of the mower’s gas tank. When all the fuel is out of the gas tank, the pump itself can be removed from the gas tank, as well as from the container where it is placing the mower’s old gas. The old container should be sealed off, and new gas should be placed into the mower’s gas tank from a separate container full of new fuel.
Step 5: Tying Up Loose Ends
Once the gas has been successfully removed, and replacement fuel has been added to the lawn mower’s gas tank, the process is generally complete. Replace the gas cap onto the engine to prevent damage to the mower’s engine. Reconnect the spark plug ignition wire. Finally, Cub Cadet walk-behind mower owners will need to properly dispose of the used fuel that they have extracted from the mower’s gas tank. When those steps have been completed, the mower is ready.
A Great Way to Ensure Longevity and Efficiency
A lawn mower’s fuel can degrade over time, especially when natural elements get into the fuel tank and cause conflicts with the gas itself. Additionally, debris may get into the tank during a typical mowing and cause problems for the engine at some point down the road. The best way to avoid these things is to periodically replace the gas, ensuring a long and healthy life for the mower. It’s easy and quick to do, and it will pay dividends in the future.
During your fuel change, if you discover you need any fuel system components, make sure to buy genuine Cub Cadet parts from an authorized Cub Cadet dealer.