Cub Cadet LTX 1045, LTX 1046 Riding Lawn Tractor Review
This review includes LTX 1045, LTX 1046, LTX 1046 M ,LTX 1046 KW Riding Lawn Tractors
LTX 1045 20 HP Cub Cadet® professional-grade Kohler® Courage® Single Cylinder
LTX 1046 23 HP* Cub Cadet® professional-grade Kohler® Courage® V-Twin OHV engine
LTX 1046 M 22 HP* Cub Cadet® Professional-Grade Kohler® Courage® V-Twin OHV Engine
LTX 1046 KW 20 HP* Cub Cadet® Professional-Grade Kawasaki® V-Twin OHV Engine
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 decks mow well, evenly and gets rid of the grass well. The RevTek™ system allows you to mow in reverse.
LTX 1046
Any of these motors will power this tractor for its entire life, but as you know I am a Kohler fan so I would pick the 23 hp Kohler. I’m not sure why Cub Cadet calls any of these motors “Professional Grade.” I do know the Kohler Courage Pro motor all have hardened crankshaft bearing, platinum spark plug, large-capacity air, oil, and fuel filters. Change the oil and filter every 50 hours and this great single cylinder motor will last you the life of the mower.
These models do have a hydrostatic transmission with heavy-duty pump so you can pull all the non-ground engaging attachments. These models will mow on hills as well as the other brands in this price range.
Compare this mower to the John Deere 140 and the Craftsman 28852, Craftsman 28853, the Craftsman 28888 and the Craftsman 28857. Read my review when you are done here.
My Value/Cost Rating: Yard Tractor: Mows Lawn Well, Mulches, Gets Through Tight Spaces Well. Great for 1/2 to 2 Acre Lawns, Light Hauling, Snow Removal. Accepts Non-Ground Engaging Attachments & Bagger.
Type: Yard Tractor. See Tractor Rider Mower Types for a complete explanation.
Engine Type: Better. See Engine Types for a complete explanation.
Transmission Type: Hydrostatic. See Transmission Types for a complete explanation.
Speed Control: Foot Infinite with cruise
Accepts Non-Ground Engaging Attachments: See Attachments for a complete explanation.
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.
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.
@William, I believe that one has a hydro not the automatic. If it has an automatic write back and I’ll tell you a few things to inspect. Does it make noise when you go to move with it?
The first thing I would check and replace is the engine to transmission drive belt. Replace it if it looks worn at all. Also check the idler pulley spring to make sure it is not broke.
Second, purge the trans. Pull the transport rod (the little rod in the back) so the tractor moves freely when the engine is not running. Start the motor and push the drive pedals all the way forward and back a few times. Push the rod back in and see if that helps.
your right, not worth buying,need help,won’t run at normal speed,not engin, feels like drive pedal week?
CUB CADET LTX1046KW- 20HP KAWASAKI -Bought at Home Depot on line (A NIGHTMARE)
After receiving the tractor, got it off the crate, filled up with fresh gas, checked the oil, pulled the choke, made sure that the parking brake was on and finally turned the ignition key and the motor started for about 2(Real) seconds and then quited for not restarting ever again.
Well, very disappointing .
We ordered another one, when we received it did the same routine but this time it started and kept going and going and going, AMAZING!!!.
So now the KW motor was purring nicely, I toke it for a ride everything was fine , the full speed is a little too slow compared to my other rider, but not a deal breaker as it’s after all a lawn mower and not a race car.
Nice turning radius A+
I mowed a little bit and the electric P.T.O stated smoothly and the deck went down easy ,no problem at all, the cutting was nice and regular, very nice.
The deck cleaning system is more a sale’s gimick as it’s not very efficient.
Now for the quality or would I say the lack of it.
Well it’s not what Cub Cadet used to be, no more 4 bolt hubs for the rear wheel just one now like all the cheap MTD.
The deck gage is like thin tin can, the quick connect front release system for the deck is now a single pin instead of the much more stable and stronger 2 points sliding lock .
The lowering deck handle is cracked at the top as it’s a cheap molded foam. I tried to take it off but it’s glued on the lever so I don’t know how I’m going to change it .
The gas tank is under the hood, but you can fill it up with out opening the hood.
The battery is now under the seat where the rain water is going to rust the battery housing (What was wrong with having the battery well protected under the hood).
The lights are not sealed at all so expect the dust to go inside the lights housing:
Oh, by the way the lights are always ON, an OFF switch would have be nice
The belt protectors on the deck are now plastic instead of strong steel.
NO MORE FRONT BUMPER, How cheap are they going to go!!!!.
Conclusion.
At the end IT still is a good riding lawn mower with a good, smooth Kawasaki twin motor, a nice ride and cutting properties, BUT the overall quality is going down the drain. Thanks to MTD Cub Cadet (at less the 1000 series) is no better that the competition anymore, to bad!!!
Claude
@Jeff, go to mysears.com log into the discussion boards. Find the tractor section and tell your story. Just copy and paste what you wrote here. They may be able to get you service faster.
For some reason Husqvarna is getting the wrong idler pulley on the 46 inch deck and it is tearing up the belt right away. I thought this problem was fixed with the new assembly plant getting fully operational, but it seems it is back………..again.
I would just like to comment on your Sears warranty work. I just bought a sears lawn tractor and only had one hour on it when the belt broke. This was May 10 they said they could fix it on June 7th. So I guess I might have to buy a goat to eat the grass till then. I am taking it back and buying a cub cadet form a local dealer who can service it quickly or who will have the parts in stock so I can do it myself if necessary.
I bought a new LT 1046 in 2005. It was a very good outfit and trade (530 hours on it) it for a new 2010 LTX 1046. What a mistake. At 50 hrs I took it back to the dealer to get deck guage wheel welded back on. I showed them the left front wheel was really wearing bad. They replaced the spindle but that didn’t help. They said the waranty didn’t cover the tires and said it was the tire company’s fault. The steering always seemed too lock up when turning and they said I was turning too sharp(its suppose to have a 12″ turning radius).
My old LT 1046 with 530 hours was on its third set of blades. I was on my third set at 60 hours on my LTX 1046. They said the blades were so much heavier. They bent like a piece of licorece.
I wish they wouldn’t cheapen up the quality so they wouldn’t have to raise the price. This could be my last Cub Cadet.