With more than fifty years of experience manufacturing high-grade lawn and garden equipment, Cub Cadet is not a brand that you just overlook when you want to buy a new lawnmower. For any casual homeowner who wants to keep their house looking fresh, the brand offers plenty of options at different price ranges.
The Cub Cadet RZT 50 for one is an extremely popular choice among homeowners partly because of its reasonable price tag of around three thousand dollars, but mostly because of the level of performance it delivers at that price tag. Unfortunately, there are also a lot of complaints surrounding this lawnmower.
But that’s what surprised me. Having used the mower myself, I have never faced any issue that I couldn’t solve myself. So, if I had to guess, I would say it has more to do with a lack of maintenance than durability on the mower’s end. And that’s why I decided to address some of the complaints here.
In this article, I will talk about the common issues with the Cub Cadet RZT 50 that you might be facing and try to help you figure out how you can fix these issues. So without any delay, let’s dive in.
Common Issues with the Cub Cadet RZT 50 and How to Fix Them
As I said before, the Cub Cadet RZT 50 is a pretty well-made and popular lawnmower. But if you fail to maintain it regularly, you will notice weird issues coming up here and there.
Let me give you a quick rundown of some of the common issues that come up in the Cub Cadet RZT 50 due to poor maintenance.
1. Starter Issues
The first issue you might face with your lawnmower is that the starter doesn’t work. While this may seem like a problem with the electric starter, you should first check the fuel tank. If the fuel level is not optimal, then the mower will not run.
You also need to check if the PTO switch and the parking brake are disengaged when you turn on the mower. There is a specific way you need to start the Cub Cadet RZT 50 and consulting the instruction manual should give you all the information you need to start it.
However, if it still doesn’t work, then the electric switch might be the problem. Check the connections around the switch and tighten them if needed. If it still doesn’t start, you should take it to a professional for a thorough checkup.
2. Failing Batteries
Another reason why your mower might be refusing to start up is that the batteries are failing. You should first check the charge in the battery. Recharge it if needed and try starting the mower in this condition.
If the mower doesn’t start, then check the wiring around the battery terminal. After extensive use, batteries can sometimes lose the ability to hold their charge. So, it’s best to replace them at this point.
You should also inspect the terminals in the battery. If the terminals look corroded, that’s a telltale sign that you need to replace them and get a new battery.
3. Excessive Vibration
Sometimes you might notice that your Cub Cadet RZT 50 is vibrating excessively when you use it. Needless to say, this can make it extremely uncomfortable for the operator. So, you need to fix it if you want to use the mower properly.
The most obvious reason behind this issue is that the drive pulley belt slipped. So, you need to check the belt and readjust the tension to make sure it doesn’t slip again in the future. If the belt looks worn down, then replacing it is the only option.
In some cases, the issue is caused by loose blades in the deck. If that’s the case, then reseating the blades and tightening the screws should fix the problem.
4. Hydrostatic Transmission Failing
Although rare, there is always a chance that the transmission system in your lawnmower is failing. If the transmission system fails completely, then you need to replace it.
However, before you discard your transmission, check the fluid level in the system. If the fluid level is not optimal, it will cause the transmission to act up, leading you to believe that your lawnmower is malfunctioning.
5. PTO Switch Issues
The PTO switch for the blades in the Cub Cadet RZT 50 can sometimes malfunction. Of course, if your mower came with a faulty switch, the only option you have is to replace it with a compatible one.
But in most cases, the issue here is the wiring. So, you need to access the PTO switch and check all the wirings for loose connections. Tightening the connections should fix the issue at least 9 out of 10 times.
6. Uneven Cutting
One thing you should always make sure of is that your lawnmower is cutting the grass evenly. If you suddenly notice that your Cub Cadet RZT 50 is cutting grass at different heights, leaving your entire lawn looking irregular, you need to fix it.
But first, you need to understand what can cause this issue. The most obvious culprit here is the blades. If the blades in your lawnmower have lost their edge, then it won’t be able to cut grass efficiently, causing the lawn to look uneven.
So, you need to resharpen the blades, or, on the off chance that the blades are damaged, replace them. Sometimes, the issue is caused because of improper height adjustment in the lawnmower deck.
So, you should also check the height level in the deck and reset it if needed. For the last step, check the tire pressure in the front and rear wheels. If the tire pressure is not set correctly, it can also cause the mower to cut unevenly.
7. Engine Problem
If you suddenly notice engine issues in your lawnmower, it can be pretty scary. But thankfully, there are a couple of different ways to diagnose and fix engine issues in the Cub Cadet RZT 50 lawnmower.
The first thing you should do is check the fuel level in the tank. Sometimes the most obvious answers are the right one, and if the mower is low on fuel, it will not start up, leading you to think that there’s a problem with the engine.
Next, make sure the PTO switch is turned to the OFF position and set the mower to park by engaging the brakes. Then move the throttle control lever to its default position and inspect the internals of the engine.
You need to make sure the interior wirings are all intact and the spark plug is seated properly and working as it should. Also, make sure there is no debris or dirt blocking up the air and fuel filters.
Blockages in the filter can put a lot of stress on the engine, mess with the air/fuel mixture ratio, and cause your engine to overheat. You might also need to replace the filters if it is in poor condition.
The last thing to check is the gap between the spark plug and the ignition coil. If the spark plug sits too close to the coil, it can prevent the engine from starting up as safety measure. So, you need to readjust the spark plug to the correct distance to avoid this issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
In this section, I will try to address some of the common questions people may have about this lawnmower. Perhaps reading through my answers will help you figure out whether you want to pick up the Cub Cadet RZT 50 or if it’s better to go with another lawnmower.
What are the main highlights of the Cub Cadet RZT 50?
The Cub Cadet RZT 50 is a four-stroke, two-cylinder lawnmower featuring a powerful 22HP Kawasaki engine with a displacement rate of 726 ccs. This lawnmower boasts a hydrostatic transmission system and has an electric clutch PTO along with a 50-inch cutting deck.
Is the Cub Cadet RZT 50 an expensive mower?
While the three thousand dollar price tag that the RZT 50 boasts is not exactly cheap, it is not really that expensive by lawnmower standards. Of course, there are more affordable options out there if you are on a budget, but this mower’s pricing is pretty decent for the level of performance that it offers.
Final Thoughts
Taking care of your Cub Cadet RZT 50 is the easiest way to prevent any weird issues cropping up in it. While it’s a pretty good mower, it is not indestructible. Natural wear and tear will cause issues in it if you use it regularly without maintenance.
If you want my advice, it’s best to clean your mower at least once a month. You should also consider taking it to a servicing station once every six months for deep inspection.
I hope my article on the different issues of the Cub Cadet RZT 50 could help you troubleshoot any issues you might be having with your machine. Good luck!