6 Common Cub Cadet Tank M60 Problems And Their Simple Solutions

Just like the issues faced on various Cub Cadet mowers like the LT1050 model, the RZT 50, the XT1 or the XT1 LT50, LT1042, you may face various Cub Cadet tank M60 problems which may adjourn your regular gardening activities and prolong lawn maintenance. 

But don’t you worry! Facing issues while operating heavy machinery like these, is congenital. 

If you ask me about the most commonly reported Cub Cadet tank M60 problems, they’re engine issues, hydraulic pump issues, hydrostatic transmission issues, PTO issues and problems with the seat’s switches. 

This article will guide you extensively about all the common Cub Cadet tank M60 problems and their respective solutions. Hence without any ado, let’s get started with Cub Cadet tank M60 troubleshooting.  

Cub Cadet Tank M60 Problems, Symptoms And Their Solutions

Look at this brief table, summarising the Cub Cadet tank M60 problems. You’ll have an explicit idea about the common issues that can occur on the mower and their solutions. 

Problem	Solution
Engine issues	Change the old fuel, clean the clogged cooling fins, carburetor and the filters. Don’t overload the engine. Check Spark plug.
Hydraulic Pump issues	Change the hydraulic fuel and replace the pump if it leaks or is worn-out.
PTO problems	Check the PTO Switch, the Clutch and the Clutch Cable. Change if it’s defective.
Faulty seat switch	Check the paddle of the safety switch and change the switch if it’s broken.
Weak hydrostatic transmission system	Check the transmission belt and the pulleys. Replace the defective parts and lubricate the transmission system.

Now, let me explain these issues in detail so that if you ever deal with one, you are well-prepared in advance and can resolve the issues without professional intervention. 

1. Cub Cadet Tank M60 Engine Issues

The Cub Cadet tank M60 engine knocks down when there is wrong combustion in the engine’s cylinders. The possible reasons of such a complication can be-

• The fuel is weak due to being old or is insufficient
• The engine components like the carburetor and the filters are clogged
• Piston rings or the cylinder are defective 
• Spark plug is defective
• Weak compression system 

And how do you identify the engine knocking? –When there is an odd, different sound produced by the engine’s knock.

Solution:

• Check the fuel in the tank. Drain the fuel if it’s of incorrect grade or has become stale. It won’t let the engine start but more than that, it can clog the engine’s components and the damage can be irreversible. 
• Cut down the load on the engine. Maintain the load precisely up to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
• Clean the mower’s carburetor and check the entire fuel system( the fuel cap, the fuel filters and the fuel pump). Replace the worn-out parts. 
• Add in more fuel if the fuel is less. Never let the mower starve for fuel as it can lead to overheating of the engine and can make the mower stall intermittently.
• Check the cooling fins and clean them if they’re clogged. Dirty cooling fins cause the tank M60 engine to overheat. Replace them with new ones if they’re worn-out.
• If the M60 engine still shows engine issues, check the spark plug and the piston rings. Also check the ignition system if it’s creating enough sparks for the combustion. Replace the parts that have developed defects.

2. Cub Cadet Tank M60 Hydraulic Pump Issues;

If there is a crunch with the Cub Cadet tank M60 hydraulic pump, the mower would produce a noisy chatter when it moves forward or if there are more hydraulic issues, the mower may not move forward, at all. 

Moreover, due to hydraulic issues, the temperature of the fluid in the mower’s tank increases and the mower’s capacity to bear load decreases. So, overall, the performance of the tank M60 drops down. 

You might wonder why it happens?It happens due to-

• The hydraulic fuel leaks;
• Cylinder of the hydraulic system malfunctions;
• Hydraulic fluid used if of poor quality or low grade;
• The filters of the hydraulic system are clogged.

Now let’s see how these hydric issues can be fixed. 

Solution: 

• First of all, check the level of hydraulic fuel in the tank. Add in more hydraulic fuel if the fuel level is low. But if the fuel has not been changed in the last 30 days, drain the old fuel and pour in fresh fuel. Refer to the tank M60 user manual to learn about the correct grade of hydraulic fuel as proposed by Cub Cadet.
• Check the fuel filters and clean them. Replace them if they’re worn out.
• Check the hydraulic pump. If the pump is worn-out, it may leak, further causing hydraulic issues. So, change the pump if it’s defective.
• Inspect the cylinder and replace it if it’s damaged. 

3. Cub Cadet Tank M60 Battery Issues;

If the mower’s battery fails to work properly, the performance of the engine becomes sluggish. The mower’s lights do not illuminate and the engine may backfire. 

Such poor battery issues can occur due to-

• Weak or faulty electrical connection 
• The battery is drained out and the voltage is low
• The internal wiring is loosely or incorrectly connected
• The terminals of the battery have corroded. 

If you’re also facing battery issues on your tank M60, here’s a list of fixes-

• Check the terminals of the battery. If required, change the terminals. 
• Change the battery if it does not charge.
• Check the wiring and change the wires if they bear any cuts. 
• Secure the electrical connection tightly and correctly. 

4. Cub Cadet Tank M60 PTO Issues;

When there are any PTO( Power Take off) issues on the tank M60, the RPM of the engine reduces when the blades are engaged. 

The PTO problems can arise if the-

• The PTO Switch is broken;
• The PTP clutch is broken;
• The clutch cable is broken;
• If all these parts are working, the pulleys, the idler or the deck belt might be faulty.

Take a look at the simple fixes to resolve the PTO issues:

• Check the deck alignment first. The deck should be correctly leveled and aligned from left to right.
• Replace the PTO switch if it’s broken. 
• If the PTO switch is working, check the clutch and the clutch cable. Change them if required.
• If all these parts do not bear any complication, check the idler, the pulleys and the belt. The pulleys should be lubricated and there should be sufficient tension in the deck belt. Change them if needed. 

5. Cub Cadet Tank M60 Defective Seat’s Switch;

The issues with the seat switches are common not only to the tank M60 mower but also to  the Cub Cadet tank M48 model. 

How would you figure out if the seat switch is faulty? – If the brakes of the tank M60 die down in the middle of a mowing operation. 

Solution: 

• Check the brakes and ensure that it’s not installed at the safety switch paddle’s bottom as at this location, it can slip off easily. 
• Check the safety switch. Replace it if it’s broken. 

6. Cub Cadet Tank M60 Poor Hydrostatic Transmission;

When the hydrostatic transmission system of the tank M60 becomes weak, the stalls the mower from performing and it forbids it from running smoothly. 

The transmission system can falter due to 

• Low or stale transmission fluid
• Loose or broken transmission belt
• Broken pulleys or no tension in them

Here’s a small list of fixes to help you fix the Cub Cadet tank M60 transmission system: 

• Check the level and condition of transmission fluid. Change the fuel if it’s old and add more fuel if the level of fuel is low as per the oil-level mark.
• Change the transmission belt if it is loose or has no tension. When you replace the belt, secure it tightly around the pulleys. 
• Check the tensioner pulleys. Change them if they’re defective. 

With all these troubleshooting techniques, you would be able to solve the Cub Cadet tank M60 problems and using the preventive measures, would be able to avoid them from occurring, at all. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the weight of a Cub Cadet Tank M60?

Answer – The Cub Cadet tank M60 weighs around 1150 lbs ie. 521 kgs. 

Q2. How fast is a Cub Cadet tank M60?

Answer – With HTG Parker Torqpact 14cc pumps and 280cc wheel motors, the Cub Cadet tank M60 moves pretty fast with the speed of 10.5-12 mph. 

Q3. Are Cub Cadets fuel injected?

Answer – Yes, it’s a powerful new addition to the Cub Cadet engines. Cub Cadet now has EFI ( Electronic fuel-injected engines) which sets new standards of strength and power. These EFI powered engines offer a very reliable start and come with intelliPower technology which makes the engine a high-performance one. 

Q4. Do the Cub Cadet lawn equipment have fuel filters?

Answer – The Cub Cadet lawn mowers and tractors have excellent filtration technology with a very low restriction to the fuel-flow. They’re built for longevity and increase the life of the engine on average. 

Q5. How do I know if the filters of my Cub Cadet engine have gone bad?

Answer – If the Cub Cadet tank M60 or the ZT mower struggles to start, runs roughly, stalls, overheats or makes loud buzzing noises, there’s an issue with the filter. They might be clogged or completely worn-out and if that’s the case, they must be replaced with new ones. 

Conclusion 

Every kind of machinery develops certain issues after being used regularly. Either the components wear out or the machine demands maintenance. 

The Cub Cadet tank M60 completely justifies that ‘built like a tank, handles like one too!’ It’s a Kawasaki-engine suspension mower which has a huge 60 inches deck. It is very natural for mowers to develop engine issues and transmission problems and you have learnt now that they can easily be avoided by changing the fuel regularly and replacing the worn-out components. 

So, maintain your Cub Cadet tank M60 regularly and you face any other issues even then, write to me in the comments section below. I will surely come up with a remedial measure.