Is there anyone happy with their 1000 series?

[lsc86]

Picked up a LT1050 June of 2005. With the changes that John Deere had made to their consumer line, it seemed that Cub was giving you much more tractor for your $$$ on paper. Didn't really 'need' the 50" deck as it's just under 1/2 acre of residential sloped and uneven yard, but wanted the 26HP Kohler Command engine vs the smaller engine of the LT1046. Toro didn't have much to impress me and no way was I going to go with a Sears or other lower brand after far too many years working on junk mowers. Would have likely jumped at a Husqvarna with the Kawasaki engine had their been a dealer nearby at the time, but felt pretty good about the choice of my Cub when I bought it.

First issue I had was excessive smoke on start-up. Talked with a Cub Cadet dealer mechanic I know [lives too far away to have them work on it] and he suggested running the oil level right at or slightly below the low oil line, which helped but didn't resolve the issue. Eventually took it back to the dealer and they ended up replacing the head gaskets and breather valve assembly. Much better now, but still some smoke at start-up- which is more annoying than anything I guess.

41 hrs on it now and overall I'd say it gets a grade of B- or maybe B:

* Ground speed way too slow for a tractor with such a big engine. Read a few posts about shimming the hydro pedal, which I'll likely do as mine is quite sloppy before engagement. Have neighbors with all sorts of other tractors and even the el cheap MTD gear drive units run circles around mine and if you're not mowing it sure would be nice to have a lot more ground speed.
* Throttle control seems very limited with basically idle, fast, and wide open and not enough variation of speed through the throttle range.
* Fuel consumptions seems a bit high, but then again it is rated at 26HP
* Deck is very tall, even when lifted all the way up ground clearance is kind of poor for doing general yard work with the deck still attached.
* Deck cleaning system helps but still need to get under there to keep it properly cleaned between mowings.
* Oil drain sucks and still a bit more messy than it should be to change the engine oil.
* Overall cut quality is good, blades seem easy to service
* No other real issues to report.

Bottom line is that I'm not as overwhelmingly satisfied with this tractor as I thought I would be for the nearly $2300 investment. If I could sell it and not lose a ton of $$$ on it, I'd be very tempted to either go with a John Deere or a Husqvarna with the Kawi engine [like my neighbor now has], both of which I've driven and seem to not have the ground speed or other issues I find very annoying with my LT1050.....

 

[cadet]

I'm on my fourth season with an LT1018 (now known as the 1042). Haven't bought a replacement part other than oil filters and a battery. Everything is still tight as it was when new. Mow a 1.5 acre lot once a week. Have about 140 hours on it. Does a nice job, comfy, and it always works. What's not to like?

I've added the following minor modifications:
A power plug and switch for a pull-type 12 volt sprayer.

A piece of 1 inch plastic tubing fastened to the lower formed lip of the deck
on the left side to cut down on blow-out.

I grease it regularly, sharpen the blades rarely, keep it dry, and clean it with a leaf blower.

If you just want to cut the grass, it's great.

 

[Redcon1]

Picked up a LT1045SE in June 06. Special edition, with the Kohler Courage 20hp twin installed to relplace the single that Kohler had trouble sourcing to CC. 1.25 acre lot, sloped continuously in back (traction is sometimes an issue... thinking about switching tires) 30 hours so far, no major complaints. Going to wire in a headlight switch to avoid driving around in glaring sunshine with the lights on. Overall, very pleased.

 

[CMRVA]

I've added the following minor modifications:
A power plug and switch for a pull-type 12 volt sprayer.

Great idea, how do you do that? Thanks

 

[Vernonator]

I've added the following minor modifications:
A power plug and switch for a pull-type 12 volt sprayer.

Dittos on how you did this...I would love to see it....

 

[WilliamBos]

My Parents just bought a LT1042. Only has 5 hours on it, but quite happy with it. It has cut grass, hauled a few wagons of wood, and a few other chores.

Our MF 12 will soon be getting a full restoration. It is not fare to expect the CC to perform like the MF, but for what it was built for, it works well.

I only wish they had of put a drain plug in the hydrogear tranny. Oh well, I think doing the drain and fill like one of the guys on here did will be in order.

JMHO.

 

[CMRVA]

"The deck wash system is a feature I'm still not real sure about. I had never even thought about setting up a mower deck that way, but it does appear to be a pretty good selling point for Cub. "

Hate to admit it, but I have never used this feature, have lost the manual and don't know how to do it. Can you explain? It doesn't seem to me that the fittings accept a standard garden hose. What height should the deck be when using it? I assume you are to put the mowing unit "on" also- correct?

Also, I have not scraped much of the deck underside- do you guys run the machine up on ramps to do this? Thanks

 

[JSharp]

Bottom line is that I'm not as overwhelmingly satisfied with this tractor as I thought I would be for the nearly $2300 investment. If I could sell it and not lose a ton of $$$ on it, I'd be very tempted to either go with a John Deere or a Husqvarna with the Kawi engine [like my neighbor now has], both of which I've driven and seem to not have the ground speed or other issues I find very annoying with my LT1050.....

Are you aware that the Husky and a number of Sears units are the same tractor with different engines? AYP makes them both, along with the Poulans...

 

[JSharp]

"The deck wash system is a feature I'm still not real sure about. I had never even thought about setting up a mower deck that way, but it does appear to be a pretty good selling point for Cub. "

Hate to admit it, but I have never used this feature, have lost the manual and don't know how to do it. Can you explain? It doesn't seem to me that the fittings accept a standard garden hose. What height should the deck be when using it? I assume you are to put the mowing unit "on" also- correct?

Also, I have not scraped much of the deck underside- do you guys run the machine up on ramps to do this? Thanks

You tractor should have come with a quick connect fitting that connects a standard garden hose to the male fitting on the deck. You connect it up and run the water with the deck running and at mowing height.

 

[xmitterengineer]

LT 1045 update:

46 hours

The hydro fluid has been changed as preventative maintenance.
This was done in an attempt to remove any break-in metal debris.
There was lots of "glitter" in the drained fluid.
Changing the hydro fluid on this unit was a major undertaking for me.

The engines oil and filter have been changed twice to remove any break-in metal debris.
It appeared that the engines oil filter did a good job of catching any "glitter" if there was any.

The air filter pre-cleaner has been serviced. I oiled it with Marvel Mystery oil.

The drive belt and mower belt idler arm step spacers have all been adjusted to eliminate the sloppiness that existed in the idler arms.
Making the idler arms more stable has resulted in less flopping of the belts IMHO.

The belt tensioner springs on both the mower deck and drive belts have all been replaced with slightly shorter units to extend their effective tensioning range as the belts age and stretch.

The mower belt would be thrown occasionally at the mower's lower height settings prior to the adjustments to the springs, and idler arm step spacers.

The drive belt would slip on steep inclines prior to the spring and idler arm step spacer adjustments.
This is proven to me by the disappearance of a screeching noise that was produced when climbing steep inclines, and more power/speed under that condition.

Finally, some washers were used in a strategic location to eliminate most of the looseness in the hydro linkage.
This adjustment has given me more ground speed.
My GPS says 6.8 MPH going forward at max now!

Now I am not saying that every 1000 series has these shortcomings.
However these adjustments have made my particular 1045 a very enjoyable tractor.

And I admit it.....I am probably somewhat of a perfectionist.

Also noteworthy is the performance that Kohler has provided in the form of their 20Hp Courage unit.
Strongest one lunger that I personally have sat behind.

Rickey.