New purchase questions CC 3204

BarryK · Apr 25, 2005

I've just purchased a 2004 3204 CC with a 54" deck and have some questions about the tractor. When I got it home from the Dealer, I noticed the low fuel indication light was on but the dealer had said that he had filled the tank for me. So I checked and the tank was full. Now that I've mowed with it and the gas level is about empty, the light is going off. Additionally, the deck doesn't seem to be riding as high as it should. When fully lifted the height indicator reads midway between the 5 and 6" mark and won't move up any further. Even at the 5 1/2 reading the blades appears to be only about 4" off the ground. I only have 4 1/2 hours on the mower and am going to take it into the dealer for them to look it over, but thought I'd toss out my situation to see if there are other similar things (that appear to be setup related) that I should look for before taking the tractor back to the dealer to service? Or if there are any nifty modications I should consider making to this rider...which is my first. Thanks all.

JTKub · Apr 25, 2005

Barry, I'd bet the float in the gas tank was just stuck from sitting dry for a long time. Once it stays saturated in gasoline for awhile, it should float nicely. I'm not real familiar with the shaft drive 54" deck on the 3000 series, but I don't *think* the 1-6 on the deck hight adjustor is exactly calibrated in inches. The blades dont seem to be 6" off the ground on my 2005, 2544 when I have the deck set at 6. The indicator needle doesn't exactly line up either, but its really close. Check the tire air pressures real well & make sure they are set to what your manual says. Mine were WAY off. NICE TRACTOR by the way!! I was drooling over the 3K series when I bought my 2544. If you are unsure about anything, let your cub dealer worry about it! You have a 2yr bumper/bumper warranty on that baby!!
G/luck
Joel

BarryK · Apr 25, 2005

Thanks Joel for the fast reply. While I have the sale still fresh in the dealers mind, I think I take it on in. Air in the tires and a certain inaccuracy in the length of cut gauge sounds right... and the low fuel indicator light has gone off, but I think I'm about out of gas. If I refill, I think the light will come back on. The Service guy at the dealer said to go ahead and bring it back in and they would look at it. Is there some type of break-in period checkup that I should request as well? The manual states to change the oil after the first 5 hours...but I could find no other instructions regarding Breakin.
Thanks again,
Barry

JTKub · Apr 25, 2005

There's no real break-in period. Just use it as designed. An engine oil & filter change after 5hrs is important. Dont forget, that oil's been sitting in there for atleast a year. You should also change the transaxle spin on filter & top off it's oil after 5-10hrs as well.
G/luck!
Joel

BarryK · Apr 26, 2005

OK, I'm going to whine for a little bit. I dropped off the 3204 at the dealer this morning and have been informed this afternoon that the tractor won't be available until they get a new float to replace the defective one. The awful part of the news was that it could take a week or more for the part to get here from Cub Cadet. I know it's my fault for taking the tractor in when I had grass I wanted to mow, but who can blame me for wanting to have all the kinks ironed out on what I see as an awesome product. On a good note, I am happy with the service folks for fitting me in to their schedule. I'm supposed to call back tomorrow to see if there is a loner tractor for me to use while mine is in the shop, none where available today. They are also going to look into adjusting the deck so that it at least displays all of the available height indicator numbers. Does anybody know what the indication numbers equate to in inches?

Frank03 · Apr 26, 2005

/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gifWhy won't they give you a loner? I got one when mine went back to the shop for warrenty work. Tell them you want one!! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

gamble77 · Apr 26, 2005

Yeah, they should have the loanner, and a week wait seems a little odd to me, i never have to wait that long for parts when warranty is involved.

JTKub · Apr 26, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( .......and a week wait seems a little odd to me, i never have to wait that long for parts when warranty is involved. )</font>

I think that all depends on the part being ordered. A gas tank level indicator float is probably not a high demand unit, so they dont keep them on the shelf. For non-critical warranty work, if you've got lots of warranty time left, you are better off having them addressed on the off season.
G/luck
Joel

BarryK · Apr 27, 2005

Ok, here's an update. I called the dealer today and am getting a loaner delivered later this afternoon. Hope the loaner doesn't spoil me....it's a TC25 NewHolland Compact with 60" belly mower. Don't know if it is hydrostatic or not, but hope now that the part for my Cub takes a week or so to come in /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I'm sure I can find things to keep the TC busy. Thanks for letting me know that requesting a loaner was common and shouldn't require a special act of congress!

BarryK · Apr 29, 2005

Cub is back home with working low fuel indicator light. They delivered it and picked up the loaner...shoot, wish I could have had that for a little longer!!(have some half buried rocks I wanted to see if I could devise a way to yank them out..oh well...) The deck lift is still the same and they didn't give any feedback on if there is absolutely nothing that can be done. Perhaps the 54" deck is not really designed for the 3204...it is a monster...so I'll tinker around to see if there is any adjustments to the lifter arms that I can change to get the deck higher. The front casters don't come off the ground when the deck is fully lifted and the caster wheel height set in the 4 position (the deck height indicator on the floor panel of the cub indicates a setting halfway between 5 and 6).

I'm a little unsure of how to feel about the dealership at this point. They did deliver me a loaner after I asked twice for one. They did then deliver my Cub after installing the new part and picked up the loaner. The deck issue may be a non-issue. I admittedly know very little about mechancal items and rely on feedback from others to help guide my hardware purchase decisions...from tablesaw, chainsaw, brushcutter/trimmer and push mower; so maybe I am missing something in the translation of grunts and non-verbal communication from the dealer...who chose to deliver my Cub in the rain and was surprised when I said that I needed to meet them at my house when they drop it off, they just wanted to swap them while I was at work...I had their loaner locked away in my tool shed. I should stop whining...but I'm gifted at it /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif....I guess a little water won't hurt anything. I'm going to stop by the dealers and pickup a oil and trans filter for the breakin maint.
Barry