Purchased in early May 2010 new with a few hours registered??on odometer.
Screeching when engaging blade lever. Pulling power diminished gradually after mowing every 10 days. Final seasonmowing today 11/10/2010. Traction stops at full depression of forward pedal resumes at half pedal. Called local CubCadetDealer.Very helpful.Advise to check for stretched transmission belt. None shown in operators manual. Removed mower deck, 3 pins, one cotter pin, simple.
Inspected v- belt from engine to transmission. Reversed, flat side on pully, v-side to the outside. Slackend belt, twisted and prodded with tool, pulled through and repositioned correctly. Reassembled, no more screech, new "kick-ass" torque. Better than first run back in May. OBVIOUSLY BELT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY UPSIDE-DOWN. PROBLEM NOW IS BELT IS PREMATURELY WORN WITH A NICK FROM JAMMING AND STRETCHING. REPLACEMENT TAKE 2-3 HOURS AT SHOP, PRICE $165 PLUS PARTS. BELTS NOT COVERED UNDER MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY WHICH IS STILL ACTIVE PURCHASED EXTENDED AT HOME DEPOT. MANAGER WILL CHECK INTO IT, CALL BACK NEXT MONDAY. SO FAR HOME DEPOT HAS FIXED SUBSEQUENT PROBLEMS NO MATTER WHAT I BUY FROM THEM. THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER ITEMS AT OTHER STORES WITH SIMPLE MISTAKES BEARING EXPENSIVE CONSEQUENCE MORE OFTEN THAN I WOULD PREFER. WHAT IS GOING ON WITH MANUFACTURING THESE DAYS, DOMESTIC OR FOREIGN? WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN IN THIS CASE IS FOR THE MANUFACTURER TO "OWN-UP" TO "SCREW-UPS". ALL TOO OFTEN EVERYBODY WANTS TO BLAME THE CUSTOMER FOR THE WRONG FUEL, THE WRONG GRASS, THE WRONG TIRE PRESSURE...IT IS ALL WRONG BS. BE PERSISTANT AND YOU WILL GET SERVICE. WHEN PERSISTANCE CEASES TO WORK, I WILL START NEGATIVE BLOGS AS I AM RETIRED AND HAVE THE TIME TO GATHER GROUPS OF DISSATISFIED CONSUMERS TO BAND TOGETHER WITH A GOOD LAWYER AS A LAST RESORT. CONSUMER RIGHTS ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER IN A WORLD OF MARKETABLE "JUNK".