Buying Advice Need advise on Cub Cadet purchase

[Geo148]

I really want some opinions and viewpoints on;
Cub Cadet LT1018 with the 18hp Kohler command, 42" deck.
Or.
The Cub LT 1042 with the 19hp Kohler courage, (new engine design) 42" deck & spray wash nozzle.
There is only a $100 difference. Which one would be better?

 

[wildcatman]

I just bought a 1042 from TSC. They gave me 10% off with a Lowe's coupon I had and also gave me free delivery and another 10% off the bumper guard. I have only used it once so far, but it seems like a solid mower. Seems to have a very nice cut and is easy to operate. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the lawn striping it left. This is my first tractor that I'm using on about 2/3 acre that is relatively flat and few obstacles (besides my house). I have no complaints so far. The reverse pedal is a little awkward, but I just need to get used to it. I'd say it was a pretty good deal for $1440 plus free delivery.

 

[IowaAndy]

We purchased the 1018 late last fall with a dozing blade. We now have about 11 hours on the Cub, and there are a few disappointments.

We own 7 acres, and mow about 1.5 acres. We definitely have a hilly yard. When I am mowing downhill, the engine will suddenly start knocking hard and blue smoke (oil) blows out of the exhaust. My wife thought the mower was on fire the first time she saw this happen.

The cub will also cough smoke when mowing sidehills with the left side of the tractor downhill.

When going uphill, the drive belt starts chattering and it can't pull itself up the hill. I know we have hills, but I can run a Deere L120 or an old toro rider up and down the hills all day.

The deck belt is also chewing itself up very quickly. It has about 7 hours of runtime, and won't last another 3-4. When you have the deck in the lowest position, the angle of the belt to the pulleys is fairly severe, which causes the belt to ride on the edge of the idler.

Fuel economy is fair compared to my past mowers, and power is substantial. The steering is fairly light duty for bumpy years, as we have also started to see paint cracking and slight bowing in the tie rods.

Just some thoughts! By the way, we only used the dozing blade once for snow, and it worked ok!

Andy

 

[ducati996]

IowaAndy,

Is this an April fools Prank Post ? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Ducati

 

[cubmaster]

</font><font color="blueclass=small">( We purchased the 1018 late last fall with a dozing blade. We now have about 11 hours on the Cub, and there are a few disappointments.

We own 7 acres, and mow about 1.5 acres. We definitely have a hilly yard. When I am mowing downhill, the engine will suddenly start knocking hard and blue smoke (oil) blows out of the exhaust. My wife thought the mower was on fire the first time she saw this happen.

The cub will also cough smoke when mowing sidehills with the left side of the tractor downhill.

When going uphill, the drive belt starts chattering and it can't pull itself up the hill. I know we have hills, but I can run a Deere L120 or an old toro rider up and down the hills all day.

The deck belt is also chewing itself up very quickly. It has about 7 hours of runtime, and won't last another 3-4. When you have the deck in the lowest position, the angle of the belt to the pulleys is fairly severe, which causes the belt to ride on the edge of the idler.

Fuel economy is fair compared to my past mowers, and power is substantial. The steering is fairly light duty for bumpy years, as we have also started to see paint cracking and slight bowing in the tie rods.

Just some thoughts! By the way, we only used the dozing blade once for snow, and it worked ok!

Andy

)</font>
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
So how much air did you catch when you jumped those hills in your yard remember you should always wear a helmet, because stupid hurts..... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[IowaAndy]

I wish it WAS a prank, but its not. The Cub is trailered and going back to Lowes. Unfortunately, I am borrowing a neighbor's green mower to finish the yard. When I stopped at Lowe's, the service tech asked me if I overfilled the oil, which I had already checked.

To make sure I could show the tech the symptoms, I backed the Cub onto the trailer at home. Even before the front wheels get on the ramps, it starts knocking hard and smoking. The ramp on the trailer is a 17% slope (my calculations).

The deck belt broke yesterday afternoon, but I am hopeful its a fluke issue that can't be corrected.


I'll grab the digital camera and take some pictures of the smoking problem before I take it in...

 

[cadet]

Check the oil level on your dipstick (on level ground) I
would almost guarantee that it is overfilled. On hills this will cause the oil to temporarily go above the breather, which then feeds it into the intake on the engine where it burns and produces knocking and smoking.

 

[kstandley]

I purchased a Cub Cadet 1042 in March '05 and at about 15 hours (according to the Hobbs) the engine seized. Oil level is fine. The starter bendix engages but since the engine is seized nothing more happens. I'm taking it back to TSC on 4/10 for what hopefully will be a replacement mower. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Geo148]

Where these Cubs set up at all by a dealer?
What type of motor, Kohler (which model), B&S?
How long was the motor "run in" before you started useing it?
I'll be taking delivery this Fri. on a LT 1018 special edition, with a Kohler 18hp command, from the local dealer. I would like to know if there are any spacific things I should be looking for or asking about, In other words learning from other folks "expirences". /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[gamble77]

The motors on any Cub's from Lowes and TSC have the cheaper Briggs motors in them. Independent dealers get the Kohler motors, which are considered "premium" engines.