5000 Series Safety Problem

[viking65]

I received a "Important Safety Notice" from Cub Cadet today.

"We have determined that, under certain conditions, your tractor's transmission may unexpectedly pop out of High or Low range into Neutral during use. This potential performance problem occurs if the machine's High/Low shift linkage gors out of adjustment. It is most likely to occur when the transmission is under heavy load such as when operating on a slope. If this occurs on flat ground, the tractor will just come to a stop and not move until the shift lever is used to place the transmission back into either range (gear). However, if on a slope, the tractor may begin to FREEWHEEL until the brake is applied and the transmission is engaged."

The notice goes on to say they (Cub Cadet) have reported this problem to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Also in large, bold caps the notice says "DO NOT USE YOUR COMPACT TRACTOR ON SLOPES UNTILIT HAS BEEN INSPECTED AND REPAIRED PER CUB CADET SERVICE ADVISORY CC-496."

My tractor has freewheeled going DOWNHILL from the transmission popping out of gear. I was lucky that I had plenty of room to get the tractor stopped safely. If you have a 5000 Series (5252, 5234 or 5254) get it repaired as soon as possible.

 

[CubTech]

Do not disregard this notice.

Please see your local Dealer to get this important safety service update.

If you received this notice you are affected. If you received nothing, you are fine.

If you purchased one 2nd hand and the serial falls in 1H055G60001 and prior.. see your local Cub Dealer to see what we can to make sure you are safe.

 

[Cub5k]

I wonder if Cub is paying the transport charge back to the dealership to fix this problem?

 

[CubTech]

Yes, P&D will be paid for.

If any dealers have any issues they need to contact Cub Service as soon as possible.

 

[westy]

I transported my tractor (5234D) to the dealer, took him about an hour to perform Cub Cadet Advisory CC-496. He also made a repair to the throttle linkage assembly (friction washer) so the throttle would not creep back. Great dealer makes all the difference.

 

[wojnaroski]

Today I called Cub directly, they said my tractor definately needed this service kit. I then called my dealer, he said my tractor was ok without even looking at it. Not all dealers are the same, it is up to you to check.

Wish I could always be calm, cool and collected. The kit is now on order.

I never received a letter from Cub about the recall. Please check your serial number and follow up for your own safety.

 

[OhioGuy]

I need to get my 5252 back for the recall. I had the throttle creep problem at about 10 hours. It returned the past couple of weeks at 70 hours.

I also have a real "touchy" brake pedal with respect to the starter. I need to search for the spot with the pedal where the starter energizes. Anybody else had that problem?

Curt

 

[wojnaroski]

May be the switch that is activated by depressing the brake peddle. There is a piece of spring steel that presses in on the button of the switch. This may be bent or not pressing in the button far enough. You can find the switch under the tractor along the frame.

The spring on mine was bent, not sure how as it is above the bottom of the frame. Easily straightened.

Never had the throttle problem. Hope this helps.

 

[OhioGuy]

Thanks Wojo,

I'll take a look at that spring. When I had it in for the throttle problem I asked them to look at that and was told it was optimally adjusted.

Ya want sometin done right, ya got to do it yerself, I guess!

Hope you're not offended by the name abbreviation.

Curt

 

[wojnaroski]

Curt,

No problem. That was my son's nickname through out high school.

The only adjustment to that switch or spring is a good old fashioned bending. Very low tech.

Been very happy with my tractor. Looked at the 5252 for a year, but had to go with the 5254 because of the extreme slope of my property. 1.12 acres of at least 35 degrees. Not pretty, but all mine.

Please post more about your tractor or what you are doing with it. Need more input from 5000 owners.

Wojo

 

[OhioGuy]

I've primarily just mowed with it. I have a older (late 80's) Ford 1220 with the FEL backhoe that I use for all the 3 point jobs.

The mowing deck on the 5252 isn't the easiest to get off and on and the luxury of having two tractors makes life a lot easier.

I was thinking of buying a back blade for the 5252 as a backup for snow removal this winter, OK, I really have three tractors, I have an old Cub 1872 SGT with a 45" snowblower.

I paid less, a lot let for this (the 1872) rig with a 60" deck that the blower was going to cost for the 5252. I would love to have the 5252 set up with a blower but from the dealer it was around $3500.

I will say the 5252 is the finest mowing machine I've ever owned in terms of quality of the cut, turning radius, ease of operation.


Curt

 

[wojnaroski]

Curt,

You will probably want to add some weight to the front for any rear attachments. I know my tractor is very light in the front with the box scraper. It can make it hard to steer.

In the process of getting some suitcase weights from a John Deere dealer for $40 each. My local Cub dealer wants $85 each. Go figure.

No pardons at our house. Put the bird in two hours ago and only now realized that I forgot to turn the oven on! True story.

Happy Thanksgiving. Wojo

 

[Hard]

Well your cub dealer is ripping you off at $80 each for sure. I bought mine for $85 a pair at my Cub dealer. I have 8 in total that I use when I run my tiller, box scrapper, PHD, dirt scoop, 6' rear blade I use for snow removal or 5' rear blade. I leave 4 on when I'm just mowing.

That MMM can be a pain to take off and put back on. I'm thinking about buying another 5234D next spring with a FEL and just leave the MMM on my present 5234D so I don't have to mess it anymore. A rather expensive option, but what the heck, it's only $$$$.

 

[ducati996]

You would be better off getting the suitcase weights from Deere - they are more than 50% less than Cub. You can always paint them if its that important /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I have them both hanging off the back, dont care long as it works /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif