Cub Cadet LTX 1040 Riding Lawn Tractor Review
My Review:
I have not actually mowed with this tractor yet this year, but I have mowed with last year’s version of the deck. The 42 inch deck mows well, evenly and gets rid of the grass well. The RevTek™ system allows you to mow in reverse.
I know everyone is in a power race but the 19 hp Kohler will have plenty of power to handle this deck and tractor under all normal mowing conditions. Change the oil and filter every 50 hours and this great single cylinder motor will last you the life of the mower.
The only real downfall with this tractor is the transmission. It is the normal MTD Automatic CVT. You will like this trans for mowing, but don’t plan on using it for more than light duty attachments. A small cart, dethatcher, 75 lb fertilizer spreader. If you want to pull more choose a tractor with a hydrostatic trans.
LTX 1040
Even though Cub Cadet has a snow thrower available I would recommend at least the LTX1045 if you want to blow snow.
By the way the order page on homedepot.com is wrong. This tractor does not have a stainless steel frame, and 6 speed trans. I don’t know who wrote it, but……..
Compare this mower to the John Deere 110 and the Craftsman LT 2000. Read my review when you are done here.
My Value/Cost Rating: Rider: Mows Lawn Well, Mulches, Gets Through Tight Spaces Well. Great for 1/4 to 1 Acre Lawns, Light Hauling, No Snow Removal. Accepts Light Attachments & Bagger.
Type: Lawn Tractor. See Tractor Rider Mower Types for a complete explanation.
Engine Type: Good. See Engine Types for a complete explanation.
Transmission Type: Automatic. See Transmission Types for a complete explanation.
Speed Control: Foot Infinite
Accepts Non-Ground Engaging Attachments:
Tractor Attachments:
Final Thoughts:
MTD is a great company and Cub Cadet is the best of their large, varied line. Like Craftsman and John Deere they have a tractor for every homeowner’s budget and lawn. The Cub Cadet’s have a great reputation for good quality lawn tractors and have many loyal fans. The Cub Cadet dealer network is good, though mainly located in rural areas. If you buy one from Home Depot or Lowes be sure you understand the service options available including extended warranties and local service options. One major downfall to me is many of the servicing dealers have the “You buy it here, we service it here” attitude. Meaning if you bought your tractor from a big box store and didn’t set up service from them, your local dealer may not want to do warranty work on your machine. If you end up buying a Cub Cadet and then find out that you have to haul your lawn tractor 40 miles to get it serviced or repaired …. the Cub Cadet may not be the best choice for you.
(As you know I feel that service is a major part of deciding which tractor to buy and I compare all the other service to the Sears nationwide service network. I know no matter where you live in the U.S. you will get the same service from Sears. I am not saying Sears is the best for you. Buying a tractor from the dealer down the street may be the best for you. So compare the repair services offered from the other retailers to the Sears plans BEFORE you buy your tractor from them and be sure you can live with their rules. The most common problem today is fuel related issues so be sure their warranty and extended warranties cover this. (Sears Protection Plan Does) Sears has 10,000 service techs that come right to your home to service and repair the tractor you purchased from them. Sears protection plans cover all trip charges, fuel related problems and labor for up to 5 years. They also will give you a 25% discount through searpartsdirect.com on parts not covered)
There are very few negatives with this mower as long as you understand that it is a good quality mower designed to mow lawns well. Take care of it (do the normal maintenance all lawn mowers need) and it will last you a long time. I like this lawn mower for what it is designed for.
Tractor Supply has the best and most up-to-date description this year. The following is from their website.
The Cub Cadet® Series 1000 Lawn Tractor is one of the most innovative and maneuverable lawn tractor in its category. It features a welded steel frame that is the thickest in the industry – giving you the dependability you deserve. Combine that with a premium cutting system that leaves no grass uncut, and you’ve got a lawn tractor that can’t be beat. Not to mention its industry leading 3-year limited warranty, so you know that your Cub Cadet® 1000 Series Lawn Tractor will continue to keep the investment you call home looking beautiful.
- 19 HP* Kohler® OHV engine
- 42 in. twin blade deck
- Exclusive 12 in. turning radius easily mows around obstacles, reducing trimming and the need to back up
- Adjustable seat and comfort grip steering wheel gives everyone a relaxing day behind the wheel
- Cutting deck system engineered with a 2 in. blade overlap
- SmartJet™ deck wash system lets you attach your hose directly to the deck for cleaning
- Accurate, easy-to-read gas gauge
- Mulch kit available
- *As rated by engine manufacturer
- 3 year limited warranty
It’s one thing to talk innovation – it’s another to back it up. Cub Cadet®, has been backing it up for decades. How? By building riding tractors, utility vehicles, commercial mowers, and compact tractors that work harder and perform better than anything else. Cub Cadet is committed to moving outdoor power equipment forward. The world around us is constantly advancing. Shouldn’t the machines we use to care for it advance too?
Note: This product is not available for sale in or shipment to all states.
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Cub LTX1040 Excellent Tractor
Our LTX1040 is a 2012 model.About a $1,500 investment. Excellent is our overall view. Has 42\" deck with factory 2 in 1 blades.
Automatic trans, cruise, REVERSE mow option which is a big plus,handle adjustable seat,12 position deck height,brake lock,headlights on when starts,An Hour Meter (big plus), battery voltage readout when you first start it, idiot lights for major problems,cup holder and a carrying pouch area.It has a DECK WASH set up. Very Happy with that!
Controls are easy to access. Accepts fast attach optional setups, 12\" turning,gas cap fill Outside the hood area.Big gas tank.I think it 2 1/2 gals or more with a dashview tank level sight area.
The 19 hp Kohler is a powerful engine. Comes with an oil filter set up. When you engage the PTO we suggest ear plugs and a earmuffs be worn.
We installed the mulch kit plug and blades ourself.Got it $15 cheaper at Home Depot and it is a Cub Cadet brand. A minus is the plug setup requires the discharge shoot to be straight up all the time and we had to hammer the tabs under the hinge to have it stay on. It is a loose fit and we had to use cable ties to have shoot 180.
Another small minus.Not too happy with mulching blades. Not a great cut. It will leave grass chunks WHEN IT WANTS TO if you #1.drive to fast and #2.if the grass is about 5 inchs or more. WHICH MEANS YOU HAVE TO MOW IT OVER AGAIN.
If you keep the grass around 2 1/2\" to 3\" all the time like we do, you just have to REMEMBER TO Slow down with this mulch kit. We may just go back to the factory 2 and 1 blade stock setup.But not sure yet.
LTX1040 mows quickly,fast steering,nice handling. Like driving a car. Have almost two acres,mostly flat and have just about 10 hours and NO Issues at all. We give it a 4.90 star rating,even with the optional mulch kit.
Response: @Dan, Mulching blades work best when you mow at 3 to 4 inches. At that length the grass is long enough that the clippings get driven down into the turf instead of clumping on the surface.
I\'m wondering if there are Gator blades available for the 1040. If there are they give a much better lift on the grass when cutting and chew up the grass as well as a mulching blade. You may be able to mow faster with them instead of the standard \"wave\" mulching blade.
I think the belt falling off issue is due to the spring the holds the tensioner. I feel if you put a little bit heavier spring on that arm it will not fall off. I am testing it with my mower now.
@Donny, No, they design the geometry of the steering so you have the 12 inch turning radius. It is not adjustable like on a car. I am assuming you are having problems because it’s so dry out. Dry grass is slippery and the dry ground tears up easily. About the only thing you can do right now is slow way down for your turns.
Is there an adjustment to tow the front wheels out. I have to go slow in a radius or else it slides and cuts into the ground
I didn’t quite believe that this was a real review and not one from a “paid reviewer” I don’t often get this “gushy” of a review. So I emailed Dan back and asked him to rewrite his review. Dan came back with the following.
Paul,
What can I say but I wrote it from my feelings. We finally have a great Lawn Tractor. I don’t and never did work for any tractor co.. I am a retired State Employee. My review I wrote was actually a cut and paste from the review I wrote on Tractor Supply. I also sent a review to the cub cadet site, but have not heard from them yet.
I’ll write another review and submit it to your site once again. Thanks for your time and I understand your view.
Dan
I posted his original review……………..
We Highly Recommend LTX1040. This is a Powerful and FUNTASTIC Riding Mower. We call it a Tractor. Even the Reverse Mow is a 5 star added feature along with the Deck Wash ! Wow! Plus the cruise control is nice and the deck height adjustments is great for a perfect mow. We Recommend ear plugs or ear muffs. Lots of Sound Power when PTO is engaged. The Funny thing. You have to slow down if you buy the mulch blades and mulch plug kit. Or you Will leave Cow Clump Droppings of Grass . The 2 in 1 blades that comes with it work fine but we wanted the mulch setup and added that ourself. Then the discharge shoot is not in the way.Very Happy and It out ranks the Troy Bronco and the Risky Craftsmans. This IS a Top Quality mower and the Kohler engine DOES beat out the Briggs. Easy Access to change oil, plug, air filer. Even Adding gas is just like a car and the Auto trans makes it ride like one. Like the start up battery voltage readi and it also HAS an Hour Meter! Lots of high priced extras that others don’t have. Even has adjustable seat with a lever. 1 2 3 and you have the right feel and Fit. Forget the Other Brands. This IS the One with the Right Stuff ! 8 mows and counting and NO Problems ~2 acre lot ! It’s Top Quality.
@Todd, The biggest complaints I have heard about the LTX 1040 is belt problems. What I can’t figure out is why the other brands that MTD makes don’t seem to have this problem. I wonder what’s different on this model over the other tractors?
I purchased this tractor in May of 2011. The first one I got blew up after less than one hour. I got a replacement from the store I bought it at, used it to mow over the summer and now the drive belt fell off! I paid $1400 for this mower and am extremely disappointed! Cub Cadet…..NEVER AGAIN!