Cub Cadet 1042 Be Aware. Cannot handle any slopes

[tlg125]

I purchased a Cub 1042, unit arrived with bad vibrations.

Had the unit completely replaced at 1.5 hours due to starter not firing.

The transmission completely replaced at 3.5 hours.

It went OK till 21 hours then once again couldnt get up our 25 degree slopes with any kind of strength.

We choose a wonderful dealer who has now at 21 hrs offered us our money back in full, or another new machine completely different.

BUYER BEWARE with 1042.

Please note our dealer has had another returned under same circumstance with the chap using on same gentle incline.

To me if it can't manage the incline after 21 hours it certainly isnt going to manage the 'test of time'.

 

[JTKub]

Sounds like you have a great local dealer! Trade that 1042 in for a leftover 2005 2042 or a 2006 2542+. They can take the hills & then some.

Joel

 

[Fordlords]

That is great hearing of a dealer who is, "Coming up to bat," for a customer who has obviously taken delivery of a machine that is a complete lemon. It is becoming quite obvious on this forum that many of the '05 and '06 belt driven 1000 series CC's have major issues with slipping on their drives, and servicing dealers don't seem to have any answers to correct the problem. I imagine that those who bought similar 1000 series machines at the box stores have not received the same treatment, or will have to go through long red tape to get what is fair for warranty repairs, refunds or machine replacements.

There has been some discussion here about people only buying enough machine for their needs, to have the convienience of a riding mower to cut their grass. But when these so called new premium brand lawn, "Tractors," can't even get out of their own way doing the lightest of work, they are clearly defective merchandise that should have never got past the intitial engineering/testing stages products of this nature should endure- And these are USA built products engineered in the USA- what a shame these entry level machines seem to be the recipies of new college grad engineers out of Disneyland and these companies won't hire and pay for those of us who can design and build things that will work in our own country /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif International Cub Cadet made 7 HP lawn machines in the 1960's that worked, and many still work today. What is the problem now?? Too much technology being forced into use that nobody understands, or just flimsiness of materials used in manufacturing? I know it isn't the people putting them together, because the American worker really WANTS to build the best products, if they will just be given them to build again!

-Fordlords-

 

[CubTech]

I apologize for the inconvenience.

Please have your dealer look at the Idler Drive Bracket and spring.

Have the dealer call Cub Service if he can't get it to work properly. The drive idler is what actually makes the unit move. If the unit is slipping on inclines than the idler bracket is not tensioned correctly. The transmission itself needs to be inspected as well. Make sure there is enough fluid in the transmission.

Also, the unit has to be operated at FULL throttle while mowing.

The drive system used.. is no different. We have used this system for quite some time!

Dealers with questions can post here or call Cub Service for answers.

 

[gamble77]

Yeah, my understanding is that is is a known problem with the 1000 series...although it is not much of a problem. Like CubTech said it is an easy fix.

 

[KJO]

This is scary to hear about these types of problems...on NEW machines. What is going to happen to these machines five years from now? Whether it is a belt drive hydro or shaft drive hydro...it still should be able to pull its own weight up a hill. Geez....my 30 year old junk at home can even do that with a tired old Kohler single! They will keep climbing till the wheels loose traction!
Consumers really need to be cautious when buying anything these days. A nice paint job and fancy features never got the work done in the past and it still doesn't in the present. Some of you are buying lawn tractors that cost as much as a new car cost only a few years ago. When you pay that kind of money, there is an expectation that the equipment is going to work as advertised and last a long time. If it doesn't and can't...all you can do is consider it a lesson learned, get rid of it and look for something else. Posting your story here will warn others...and just maybe...the company in question will either get their act together or go out of business.
Myself personally, I really want to buy American whenever possible. I have faith in American industry, but if we start seeing substandard junk being marketed from American companies....first off..I will be very disappointed, then I will get upset and understand why some have chosen foreign made products.

 

[PaulTN]

CubTech and Gamble - thanks for the info, it is appreciated. I am awaiting a call from a second service dealer today and will mention this. I am a bit surprised that the first service dealer said everything checks out as normal. I was also able to obtain the number for our regional MTD rep and plan to talk to him later today. All I ask is that the thing perfrom as expected and would even be willing to pay more $$ and swap to a better series if needed. I just do not want to be stuck with a unit that will not perform my needed tasks that any Murray will do without issue.

 

[JTKub]

That is unreal that root cause is a simple belt tension issue! You do hear of an occasional sears machine with the same issue (hydro-gear drive as well), but I dunno if I've heard it on the JD 100's which are tuff-torq systems?!? C'mon CC! Read these forums and GET IT FIXED!

Joel

 

[wojnaroski]

Truly sorry you are having a problem. Nothing detracts from a quality machine like a problem while it is new.

Never the less, Cub has always came through for me. Overall I am very satisfied with the outcome of any problem I have had.

I believe that the fix to your machine is as CubTech says and is a simple fix.

Not surprising to me about the difference in dealers. They are not all as good as Gamble. I have two dealers and only one is competent to work on equipment.

Hope your problem is resolved soon. Alan

 

[PaulTN]

My thanks again to CubTech and others. I had conversations today with Cub and MTD. Since my local (and as I have heard from others very poor) service dealer could not find anything wrong I asked if they would pay for another service dealer 23 miles away to check into the problem. This servce dealer is very aware of the service bulletin and idler issue and thinks this can fix my problem. Fingers crossed, hopefully I will have a healthy CC over the next week. You would think any authorized service center would know/check for these bulletins when you report a specific issue.

I will update evryone on progress and look forward to sharing good and bad on this board in the future. Thanks again - this is an awesome web community.