Any info on an '05 1042 or 1045?

Fresh_Cut · Feb 20, 2005

Any info on an \'05 1042 or 1045?

Can anyone fill me in on the '05 1042 vs. the 1045? They both seem like pretty decent tractors for our needs. We mow about 2/3 of an acre, mostly flat with a few hills/slopes, and pull a 400lb roller once a year. Also, we mulch for the most part, unless the grass is really thick or wet. Based on the specs of both, I wasn't sure if the extra hundred bucks is worth it. Does the 46" triple blade deck provide any better cut than a 42" double blade? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

DmansPadge · Feb 20, 2005

Re: Any info on an \'05 1042 or 1045?

I don't have any experience with either but I would think that either would be just fine for your needs. I would imagine that a 3 blade deck would provide a better cut but I have never had a problem with a 2 blade setup. It might boil down to what width cut you need.

gamble77 · Feb 20, 2005

Re: Any info on an \'05 1042 or 1045?

Both machines are practically identical. Just a 1hp difference and the obvious deck size difference. I always recommend the triple blade decks for people who have hilly or uneven land, but that doesn't sound like a problem for you. But doing mulching the triple blade set up usually works better on cubs.

Both have the new Kohler Courage motors which are state of the art for their hp. Good luck shopping.

cowboy2005 · Feb 22, 2005

Re: Any info on an \'05 1042 or 1045?

For an extra $100 I would definately go for the tripple blade if your mulching. The larger deck size may be more then neccessary, but simply means you'll run the tractor for less time which translates into a longer life for the tractor in the long run.

Fresh_Cut · Feb 22, 2005

Re: Any info on an \'05 1042 or 1045?

Does anyone have any thoughts/experience on the deck wash system? On the surface it seems like an easy way to keep things clean but it sure seems like a rust magnet as well. In the past I've only scraped underneath, never hosed anything down at all.

gamble77 · Feb 23, 2005

Re: Any info on an \'05 1042 or 1045?

Yes, being a Cub dealer we also sell White Outdoor (or did should I say). The only machine that White has had success with is the (now old) model LT1650. It was rated a "best buy" by consumers digest like three years in a row and that is what sold it.

Anyway, they had deck wash systems, same unit as the Cubs now have. They work fairly well actually. They really clean the grass out well and customers are pleased with them. Actually have had customers mod them to their Cubs. Only advice I can give about the whole water/rust issue is to keep you blades engaged for a few minutes once the water is off to help dry out the underside of the deck. Hope this helps.

Bob_Bainbridge · Feb 23, 2005

Re: Any info on an \'05 1042 or 1045?

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Does anyone have any thoughts/experience on the deck wash system? On the surface it seems like an easy way to keep things clean but it sure seems like a rust magnet as well. In the past I've only scraped underneath, never hosed anything down at all. )</font>
I posted my thoughts on this in another thread:

I went to my local dealer's open house today and saw the 2005 models with the deck clean hose fitting. I asked the owner about retrofitting it to my 2004 3235 54 inch deck. He said it could be done but he wasn't that much in favor of introducing water to the underside of the deck. I kind of agree with him from my own experience. I had a 1978 Cub Cadet 1450 with 44 inch deck. I never rinsed the deck underneath but scraped the dead grass from the deck with a putty knife everytime I greased it. The deck lasted 18 years before rusting out. I bought a new shell and started rinsing it underneath after every cutting. When I traded in the mower 8 years later the deck already had rusted through in a couple spots. Maybe it just wasn't as good as the original (it looked as sturdy) or else the frequent water washing accelerated the rusting. I rinsed my 54 inch deck once last season and didn't experience the grass buildup of the old one.

Bob B.

DmansPadge · Feb 23, 2005

Re: Any info on an \'05 1042 or 1045?

I would imagine that running the blade for a few minutes after washing it would dry it out pretty good. I read a thread on here probably a year or so ago about spraying the underside of the mower deck with truck bed liner spray. That would seem to work quite well to reduce rust and prolong the life of the deck.

cowboy2005 · Feb 23, 2005

Re: Any info on an \'05 1042 or 1045?

I'm not sure where I read it, either here or in a cub manual, that you have to engage the deck/pto during and after washing it for something like 3 minutes. Whereever I read that I recall they were very specific about running it for a few minutes after turning the water off. I'm sure that was to dry things out.

cowboy2005 · Feb 24, 2005

Re: Any info on an \'05 1042 or 1045?

duh... now I know where i read it... it was a few posts earlier then yours...look for the thread called "New L1042 deck clean fitting"