Is Your Cub Cadet Ready for Spring? The 10-Point Pre-Season Checklist

The snow is finally melting across Elgin County, and soon that familiar hum of lawn mowers will return to neighborhoods from St. Thomas to Tillsonburg. But before you rush to cut that first growth of green grass, ask yourself: Is my mower actually ready?

After sitting in the shed or garage for four or five months, your Cub Cadet lawn tractor or zero-turn needs a little wake-up call. Firing up a machine with stale gas, dull blades, or old oil is the fastest way to turn a 15-minute job into a costly repair bill.

At H. Broer Equipment (HBI), we want your equipment to last. Whether you are a DIY pro or prefer to leave it to the experts, this 10-point spring maintenance checklist will ensure your Cub Cadet cuts perfectly from day one.

1. Safety First: Disconnect the Spark Plug

Before you touch a blade or turn a wrench, always disconnect the spark plug wire. This ensures the engine cannot accidentally start while you are working on it. It’s a simple step that keeps your fingers safe.

2. Drain and Replace the Fuel

Did you leave gas in the tank all winter? If you didn’t use a fuel stabilizer, that gas has likely degraded. Old fuel can gum up the carburetor and cause surging or starting issues.

• The Fix: Siphon out the old fuel and fill it with fresh, clean gasoline.

 

• Pro Tip: Always use a quality fuel stabilizer, for the first tank of the season to clean out any varnish in the system.

3. Change the Oil and Filter

Think of this as a detox for your engine. Old oil contains moisture and acids that can damage internal components over the winter.

• – Warm up the engine for a minute (if it starts) to get the oil flowing.

 

• – Drain the oil, replace the oil filter, and refill with the grade recommended in your owner’s manual (usually 10W-30 or SAE 30).

 

• 👉 Shop Cub Cadet Engine Parts & Filters

4. Check the Air Filter

Your mower breathes through this filter. If it’s clogged with dust and grass from last autumn, your engine will run rich, lose power, and burn more fuel.

• Paper Filters: Replace them. Do not try to blow them out with compressed air, as this can create microscopic holes.

 

• Foam Pre-Cleaners: Wash with warm soapy water, let dry, and re-oil lightly.

5. Sharpen or Replace Mower Blades

This is the most critical step for a healthy lawn. Dull blades rip the grass instead of cutting it, leaving jagged tips that turn brown and invite disease.

• – Inspect your blades for nicks, dents, or bends.

 

• – If they are just dull, sharpen mower blades with a file or grinder (and be sure to balance them correctly!).

 

• – If they are worn thin or bent, replace them immediately.

 

• 👉 Browse Replacement Mower Blades

6. Inspect Belts for Wear

Your mower deck belt does the heavy lifting. Look for cracks, fraying, or glazing (shiny spots) on the belt. A snapped belt in the middle of a mow is a hassle you don’t need. If it looks worn, replace it now while the machine is already in the shop.

7. Check Tire Pressure

Cold winter temps cause tire pressure to drop. Uneven tire pressure leads to an uneven cut (one side of the deck will sit lower than the other).

• – Inflate all four tires to the psi listed on the sidewall.

 

• – While you’re there, check for dry rot or leaks.

8. Level the Deck

Even if your tires are full, your deck might be out of alignment. Park on a flat surface (like your driveway) and measure the distance from the blade tip to the ground on both sides. If it’s off by more than a quarter-inch, adjust the leveling links. A level deck is the secret to that “carpet-like” finish.

9. Grease the Fittings (Zerks)

Your Cub Cadet has several grease points (spindles, front wheels, axle pivots) that keep metal parts from grinding together. Grab your grease gun and pump fresh grease into these fittings until you see a little bit squeeze out. This pushes out dirt and moisture.

10. Clean the Deck (Underside)

If you put your mower away dirty, hardened grass clippings might be stuck to the underside of the deck. This restricts airflow and reduces lift, leading to a clumpy cut. Scrape off any dried debris to restore proper suction.

DIY vs. The “Hassle-Free” Service

Does this list sound like a fun Saturday project? If so, HBI has all the Cub Cadet parts you need, from oil filters to blades, right here in Aylmer.

Prefer to just turn the key and mow?
Skip the dirty work and let our factory-trained technicians handle it. Our Service Department offers full pre-season tune-ups where we handle all 10 points (and more).

Beat the spring rush—spots fill up fast in April and May!

👉 Book Your Service Appointment Now

Related Resources

• 👉 Official Cub Cadet Maintenance Schedule
• 👉 How to Level Your Mower Deck (Guide)
• 👉 Popular Mechanics: Comprehensive Mower Tune-Up Guide
• 👉 Landscape Ontario: Healthy Lawn Care Tips