How to Change the Oil in a Cub Cadet 1050

The Cub Cadet 1050 riding lawnmower is packaged with oil in the engine, which you should replace after 24 hours of use, according to Cub Cadet. After changing the oil sent with the lawnmower, you should change the oil after every 100 hours of use. You should also change the oil filter each time you change the oil. Changing the oil and the oil filter ensures that your lawnmower operates efficiently.

Things You'll Need

• Oil drain hose (supplied)
• Collection pan
• Clean rag
• Oil filter Model No. 12-050-01-S
• 10W-30 motor oil

Instructions

1. Turn on the lawn mower and let it run for several minutes to heat the oil. Warm oil flows better than cold oil.

2. Turn off the engine and open the engine cover by pulling it up from the area of the steering wheel. The engine cover pivots forward to give you access to the engine. Work from the left side of the engine when changing the oil.

3. Locate the oil fill cap, the oil filter and the oil drain port. The oil fill cap is found near the top front of the engine. The oil filter is located directly below the oil fill cap, and the oil drain port is found to the left of the oil filter.

4. Pull the protective cap off of the oil drain port and attach the oil drain hose. The oil drain hose will slide onto the port. Place the opposite side of the hose into a collection pan.

5. Press in on the oil drain port, turn it to the left and then pull out to begin draining oil from your engine. Return the drain port to its original position once all of the oil is drained by pushing in on the port, turning to the right and then pulling it out. You can remove the drain hose from the port and reattach the protective cap.

6. Wipe off the base of the oil filter to remove any dirt or debris that could enter the engine and cause damage.

7. Remove the old oil filter by turning it to the left until it is released from the filter adapter. Dispose of the old oil filter.

8. Place the new oil filter on a flat surface so the opening is facing up and pour replacement oil into the filter. Fill it so it reaches just under the thread and then let it sit so some of the oil is absorbed by the filter.

9. Rub a small amount of oil onto the rubber gasket of the new filter. This helps prevent the filter from seizing to your engine, which would make it difficult to remove during the next oil change.

10. Attach the new filter to the filter adapter by turning it to the right until the gasket touches the base. Once the gasket touches the base, turn the oil filter an additional half turn.

11. Remove the oil fill cap from the fill tube by pulling it straight up and wipe off the dipstick with a rag. Stick the dipstick back into the tube and pull it out again, checking the level of the oil. The oil should make a mark between "Add" and "Full."

12. Add oil to the engine by pouring it into the fill tube and rechecking the oil level until it reaches the proper service area.

Tips & Warnings

• Use caution when working around the engine after it has run for awhile to prevent injury.

References

• "Cub Cadet Operator's Manual Series 1000 Hydrostatic Lawn Tractor Models LT1042/LT1045/LT1046/LT1050"; Cub Cadet LLC; 2004