Cub Cadet 1042 Be Aware. Cannot handle any slopes

[Mickey_Fx]

Humm, don't care what an item is designed for, you'd be dissipointed if it didn't do what you wanted to use it for.

I suspect the design limit has to do with the hst and the max power it is designed to handle. Exceed the designed load and internal pressure relief valve will open.

Don't believe these entry level models are intended to be used for more than mowing on a level grade.

With increased mfg costs and customer not wanting to spend more than about $1k, something has got to give and design margin and durability doesn't show up very much on the showroom floor.

IMO if you have needs beyond the designed intent, you need to get something more substantial to begin with.

 

[Sanford12]

I bought a 19 horse 1042 Cub hydro a week ago at Farm & Fleet. Used it 3 days later for the first time pulling a light wieght 38" dethatcher on a 1/2 acre with a slight slope. This was a 60 degree day and within 25 minutes the hydro had overheated and it wouldn't move until it cooled off. Took it back and they said that Cub told them to bleed the hydro unit. Got it back tried again to dethatch on a 50 degree day, took 35 minutes to heat and quit this time. Well I packed it up again and off to the Fleet store and to the credit of the manager he apologized and took the tractor back. The service person though was not to forthcoming until the manager had takin the Cub back and then the full story came out that Cub had told them that the 1042 wasn't made for this type of yard work. Hummmm? This is a real shame as the Cub is a feature rich tractor with a great engine and it got saddled with crummy weak hydro unit. Now the tractor I had for 12 years was a White 15 horse manual with belt drive and it never had a problem with dethatching and was still a good tractor when I sold it. Upon the request of my wife I bought a 19 horse John Deere 115 hydro and to test it I dethatched the yard on a 60 degree day and it went smooth as silk and I do have to say I like the steering better on the Deere. If your going to buy a tractor in this class listen to your wife and buy a Deere.

 

[Fordlords]

These CC 1000 series just sound to me to be a chancy thing to buy regardless of price-- Questions to ask: Are you going to get a new one with a tranny that is going to work? If it is working right, is it capable of working in your yard if it has slight grades to mow? Can it be used for tasks other than trying to mow such as pulling roller, thatcher, or yard cart? If it does not work, what it the problem, the belt tensioner or the hydro unit itself? If it does not work, will the problem be resolved the first time in the shop? If you buy at box store will there be a local dealer to honor warranty repairs without grief? You will not find the answers to these questions in CC's brochures or website. I don't mean to hurt the business of respected CC dealers, but it's plain to see here the CC 1000's are at buyer risk of hydrostatic transmission issues that may or may not be able to be resolved in a manner considered to be satisfactory. If it is only a simple drive belt tensioner fix, why are people bringing them in for service multiple times and then giving up and getting a refund and going to JD or ? and getting a similar tractor with one main difference that being it works?

OK, we might be talking a bottom end machine with the CC 1000's. We own an 8 year old inexpensive Craftsman with Kohler engine and belt drive hydro that performs every task we ask of it with no problems at all including the above mentioned chores, and I don't hear of these issues at least not at this magnitude with low priced hydro tractors from other manufacturers. Just MHO, but CC's 1000 series sound like risky machines to purchase especially at the box stores.
A purchase of one of these machines with the CC name should be one where an owner will be happy and proud as it was in the past, not a question if they are holding the right cards in their hand.

-Fordlords-

 

[JTKub]

Sanford- I have to agree. Until CC can resolve this issue on the 1000 series, you are better off with a JD 100 for the same money. The JD tufftorq hydros are light-duty on the 100's, but you dont hear of the issues right off the bat with them.

G/luck
Joel

 

[stevebig]

Here is the latest update to what I have found out about the SLT 1554.
I talked to a Cub Tech yesterday and he did agree that these CC models are not meant to go past a 20% slope which is a 1 on 5 slope. He even went as far as saying the engine oil at a greater slope may not pump properly.
So I asked him why CC don't tell you this information before a person buys something that will not work for their site. He responded well it is in the operating manual, well the only thing I see in there is for safety on slopes and not mowing over the 20% slope. I know I have mowed my 25% slope for 11 years with no problem going up and down with that Yard Man made by MTD which was cheaper by a $1,000. I asked why this kind of information is not provided under the technical data for the lawn tractors on their web site, he said he would mention that to the appropriate people.
Also I did take my tractor up and down the hill with the roller attached again. It lasted 2 times up and down until it would not work. So as it was straining to move I looked with a mirror at the fan over the transmission and it was still spinning. So the result is it's not the belt slipping but the transmission.

Well I talked with the sales person I bought it from yesterday and we will see today what they are going to offer to take it back.

So now I'm wondering if the 2500 series tractors can make it up my hill or not? I think I will test it on my hill pulling the roller before buying one of those.

Steve

 

[PaulTN]

Well, thought i would update everyone. The second service dealer has now had my 1050 for over two weeks. I now need a bush hog to do my grass and not sure when I will get it back. Although I thought they would replace the idler spring per the service bulletin they are planning to install a new throttle cable and test some more. Considering my experience and the messages from others I am not very optimistic about the outcome. Three service trips, only 30 hours and still under the one year warranty and I thought the mower would be good for years. It is absolutely wrong for Cub to show all the attachments available for this model and have so many buyers discover that the mower cannot handle them. Mild slopes and an aerator brings the thing to a stop. Now for my options: 1) cannot sell it since that is plain dishonest 2) although I only recommend dealers now I would glady pay Lowe's extra for a JD or Husqvarna if they would swap so I plan to talk to manager again. 3) Call Cub again and see if they will step up and do the right thing. Any opinions or guidance is appreciated. For now I need to see if I can find my dog under the tall grass that has not been cut in almost 3 weeks with my new $2,000 Cub.