Is your Cub Cadet pressure washer not working as well as it used to? Do you want to make sure you get maximum life out of the pump? Here’s what you need to service your pressure washer and keep it running like new.
Pump Oil
Simpson recommends using their Premium Pump Crankcase Oil, but if this isn’t available, 15W40 motor oil can be used. The oil should be changed after the first 50 hours of operation, then every 100 hours or three months after that. AAA pumps are made by Simpson and have the same maintenance requirements.
To check the oil, look at the sight glass on the side of the pump. The oil level should come up the middle of the glass.
To change the oil, remove the oil fill plug on the top of the pump, followed by the drain plug on the bottom of the pump. Collect the oil in a suitable container for recycling. Once the pump is empty, reinstall the drain plug. Add oil through the fill port until it comes up to the middle of the sight glass, then reinstall the fill plug. Oil capacity varies from model to model, but it should need somewhere between 6 and 8 ounces.
Fittings
Connections to pressure washer hoses, the gun, and the spray wand should be cleaned regularly. Apply a light oil or lithium grease to prevent leaks and O-ring damage.
Nozzles
If a nozzle becomes clogged, flow will be restricted and the pump will pulsate. The nozzle should be cleaned immediately to prevent pump overheating.
Shut off the engine and squeeze the gun trigger to relieve any remaining water pressure. Remove the nozzle. Use the cleaning tool included with your pressure washer to push debris out from the outside of the nozzle. Flush the outside opening with water.
Water Inlet Filter
This filter sits inside the fitting that attaches to the garden hose. It should be inspected before each use and cleaned if there is any visible debris.
To clean the filter, pull it out by hand and flush both sides of the screen with water. Reinstall the filter with the screen facing out.
Storage
When storing your pressure washer, be sure the high-pressure hose and wand are free of water.
Simpson recommends using Pump Guard or Powerwasher Protector to protect the pump seals during long-term storage. Set up the bottle according to the instructions on the label and screw it into the pump inlet. With the ignition off, pull the engine starter handle while squeezing the bottle. This is easier if you have one person handle the bottle while another person pulls the starter. Stop once the fluid is coming out of the pump outlet.
Tips for Increasing the Life of Your Pressure Washer
When the engine is on and the wand isn’t being used, the pump is recirculating high-pressure washer. This leads to heat build-up that can cause pump damage. If you won’t be using the pressure washer for more than two minutes, shut off the engine and relieve the pressure by holding down the trigger. It’s normal to see a leak after two minutes of idling. This is the emergency pressure relief valve opening, However, repeated overheating can crack the pump case.
The pump needs a steady supply of water. The recommended flow rate for all models is 20 psi at 5 gallons per minute. Municipal water sources should be at or above this flow rate so long as the hose used is no longer than 50 feet. If you’re drawing from a well, Cub Cadet recommends limiting hose length to 30 feet. If the flow is insufficient, the pump will starve, leading to poor performance and overheating.
Get the Parts You Need for Your Cub Cadet
Take the hassle out of getting parts for your pressure washer by going to www.cubparts.com. We’re a certified dealer for Cub Cadet and their manufacturing partners including AAA, Simpson, and Honda Engines, so we stock everything you need to maintain your equipment. Ordering is easy, too, thanks to the factory descriptions and parts diagrams built into our search system. We can ship what you need to any address in the U.S. or Canada.