new person with a 1250

[powerpooch]

Hi everyone,
My parents got a cub cadet 1250, I just do most of the maintenance on it. It seems original as far as I can tell, with one engine rebuilt (and the piston is at .1 over)
We have had it for probably 3 months now, and so far the engine has been through a cylinder head, 2 head gaskets and some electric issue which all this has been fixed as far as it seems. Only thing left is it seems to run too slow (govern I think since when I play with the throttle to the carb or adjust the govern spring it does run better).
Few other things still need to be worked on like the hydro seems rough (to go backwards you have to hold it all the way down, and going between forwards and reverse is choppy, otherwise it is good).
Just going to take my time, we have a second mower (we have around 3 acres so with one it takes some time).
Also, I'm a college student, part time right now, so I do have to study and go to class, so yet another reason I would be taken my time.
Anyway, I am mechanically inclined, but haven’t dealt with small engines until recently, and never dealt with a hydrostatic before. I have looked into them, I understand mostly how they work, but never got into one before.

I happened to join here since I was reading some of the posts and everyone seems nice, and probably helpful.
So hello everyone.

[ACecil]

powerpooch! Glad to have you!

[Diz Jr.]

powerpooch

[R Bedell]

powerpooch:

Welcome to our Forum.......


I would suggest, that you look at your Hydro Linkage from the beginning point to the end. Adjust or replace any worn or sloppy part. That often takes care of the Hydro problems. Additionally, click on this linkage for Trunion information.... Trunion

[RPalmer]

powerpooch,

[powerpooch]

Hi, thank you everyone, and thank you Bedell
I have come across another site that mentions to check to check that part, but the guide you put up I think is nicer, thank you.

[truckntran]

We should get together.. my 1250 likes to run too fast!

There is a procedure for setting the governor, involves loosening the 7/16 nut that clamps the governor arm on, then twisting the shaft with pliers as far as you can counterclockwise, while holding the throttle CLOSED. Hopefully that will get ya fixed, but if your spring isn't in the third hole from the bottom on the arm tht may also affect it. Also if your governor arms and springs have lots of hole wear you may have to do some parts replacing or overadjust..

Welcome to the page!

[truckntran]

By the way the nuetral position on all my quietlines is a very very small area of the linkage travel, and it seems to change with throttle position. If you don't have your brakes adjusted up, do so, and always set the brake when off the seat of a running 1250. Otherwise the tractor may decide on its own to go on a field trip.

I have a feeling even correctly set up with all new parts neutral is a tricky devil to get..

I was told recently not to jerk my shift lever as it puts a lot of strain on the charge pump. Smooth and slow is the way to drive the hydro lever..

[powerpooch]

I have to look into that procedure for setting the govern better, I think it will take some over adjustments, the holes the spring goes in are getting worn down, and I don't know how old the spring is either. I want to get a tachometer first just to make sure I'm not setting it too high and blow the engine apart.

As far as the neutral position is, I would agree, I noticed it is a very picky thing about that, and even when you think it is in neutral, and you get off, it will start to slowly move away. The brakes on it defiantly either need new pads or be adjusted, they don't do anything at all.

thank you everyone, already lots of good advice.

Also just looked today, this lawn mower say to have about 425 hours on it, don't know when the engine was rebuilt except a few years ago, so don't know how many hours are on the re-built engine. Luckly the person who re-built the engine is one of the more local people who does have a good rep for being very good with small engines.