Cub Cadet LT1042 Operator'S Manual Download Page 2

Customer Support

If you have difficulty assembling this product or have any questions regarding the controls, operation, or maintenance of 

this machine, you can seek help from the experts. Choose from the options below:

Visit us on the web at www.cubcadet.com
Call a Customer Support Representative at (800) 965-4CUB
Locate your nearest Cub Cadet Dealer at (877) 282-8684
Write us at Cub Cadet LLC • P.O. Box 361131 • Cleveland, OH • 44136-0019




Thank you for purchasing a Lawn Tractor manufactured by Cub 

Cadet LLC.  It was carefully engineered to provide excellent 

performance when properly operated and maintained. 
Please read this entire manual prior to operating the equipment.  

It instructs you how to safely and easily set up, operate and 

maintain your machine.  Please be sure that you, and any other 

persons who will operate the machine, carefully follow the 

recommended safety practices at all times.  Failure to do so could 

result in personal injury or property damage. 
All information in this manual is relative to the most recent 

product information available at the time of printing.  Review 

this manual frequently to familiarize yourself with the machine, 

its features and operation.  Please be aware that this Operator’s 

Manual may cover a range of product specifications for various 

models. Characteristics and features discussed and/or illustrated 

in this manual may not be applicable to all models. Cub Cadet 

LLC reserves the right to change product specifications, designs 

and equipment without notice and without incurring obligation.

This product has met the rigid safety standards of the Outdoor 

Power Equipment Institute and an independent testing 

laboratory. If you have any problems or questions concerning 

the machine, phone your local Cub Cadet dealer or contact us 

directly.  Cub Cadet’s Customer Support telephone numbers, 

web site address and mailing address can be found on this page. 

We want to ensure your complete satisfaction at all times.
Throughout this manual, all references to 

right

 and 

left

 side of the 

machine are observed from the operating position
The engine manufacturer is responsible for all engine-related 

issues with regards to performance, power-rating, specifications, 

warranty and service. Please refer to the engine manufacturer’s 

Owner’s/Operator’s Manual, packed separately with your 

machine, for more information.

Thank You

Record Product Information

Before setting up and operating your new equipment, please 

locate the model plate on the equipment and record the 

information in the provided area to the right. You can locate the 

model plate by looking beneath the seat. This information will 

be necessary, should you seek technical support via our web 

site, Customer Support Department, or with a local authorized 

service dealer.

M

Odel

 n

uMber

s

erial

 n

uMber

To The Owner

1

2

Safe Operation Practices ........................................ 3

Assembly & Set-Up .................................................. 8

Controls & Features ................................................11

Operation ................................................................15

Maintenance & Adjustment ..................................19

Service .................................................................... 25

Troubleshooting .................................................... 30

Replacement Parts .................................................31

Attachments & Accessories .................................. 33

Table of Contents

Summary of Contents for LT1042

Page 1: ...t Up Operation Maintenance Service Troubleshooting Warranty WARNING READ AND FOLLOW ALL SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS MANUAL BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE THIS MACHINE FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH TH...

Page 2: ...adet LLC reserves the right to change product specifications designs and equipment without notice and without incurring obligation This product has met the rigid safety standards of the Outdoor Power...

Page 3: ...ich ricochet can cause serious injury to the eyes Wear sturdy rough soled work shoes and close fitting slacks and shirts Loose fitting clothes and jewelry can be caught in movable parts Never operate...

Page 4: ...s occur which are not covered in this manual use care and good judgment Contact your customer service representative for assistance 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Slope Operatio...

Page 5: ...h can ignite Wash your skin and change clothes immediately 1 a b c d e f g h 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 Use only an approved gasoline container Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on a truck or trailer bed...

Page 6: ...th do not modify engine in any way Tampering with the governor setting can lead to a runaway engine and cause it to operate at unsafe speeds Never tamper with factory setting of engine governor 5 6 7...

Page 7: ...1 5 s l o p e 15 Use this page as a guide to determine slopes where you may not operate safely WARNING Do not operate your lawn mower on such slopes Do not mow on inclines with a slope in excess of 15...

Page 8: ...2 Shipping Brace Removal Warning Make sure the lawn tractor s engine is off set the parking brake and remove the ignition key before removing the shipping brace Locate the shipping brace if present an...

Page 9: ...our unit may be over inflated for shipping purposes Reduce the tire pressure before operating the tractor Recommended operating tire pressure is approximately 10 p s i for the rear tires 14 p s i for...

Page 10: ...no more than 30 days old unleaded gasoline Fill the tank no higher than four inches below the top of the filler neck to allow space for fuel expansion Warning Use extreme care when handling gasoline...

Page 11: ...ver PTO Blade Engage Knob Lawn Tractor controls and features are illustrated in Fig 4 1 and described on the following pages WARNING Read and follow all safety rules and instructions in this manual in...

Page 12: ...t Lever Found on your tractor s right fender the deck lift lever is used to change the height of the cutting deck To use move the lever to the left then place in the notch best suited for your applica...

Page 13: ...anual Brake If the Brake light illuminates when attempting to start the tractor s engine depress the brake pedal PTO Blade Engage If the PTO light illuminates when attempting to start the tractor s en...

Page 14: ...PTO set parking brake stop engine and remove key to prevent unintended starting Cruise Control Lever The cruise control lever is located in the center of the tractor s dash panel Engaging the cruise c...

Page 15: ...OFF position Engage the tractor s parking brake Activate the choke control Turn the ignition key clockwise to the START position After the engine starts release the key It will return to the NORMAL MO...

Page 16: ...resuming forward motion return the key to the NORMAL MOWING position The REVERSE CAUTION MODE will remain activated until The key is placed in either the NORMAL MOWING position or STOP position or The...

Page 17: ...Warning Never leave a running machine unattended Always disengage PTO set parking brake stop engine and remove key to prevent unintended starting 1 2 3 4 Setting The Cruise Control warning Never enga...

Page 18: ...e discharge to the outside for the balance of cutting This will give a better appearance to the lawn Do NOT attempt to mow heavy brush and weeds or extremely tall grass Your tractor is designed to mow...

Page 19: ...he oil has finished draining push the end of the oil drain valve back in until the tabs click into place Re cap the end of the oil drain valve to keep debris from entering the drain port Replace the o...

Page 20: ...e operator s position on the tractor start the engine and place the throttle lever in the FAST rabbit position Move the tractor s PTO Blade Engage into the ON position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Remain in the oper...

Page 21: ...he cutting deck is supported by a stabilizer bar that can be adjusted to level the deck from front to rear The front of the deck should be between 1 4 inch and 3 8 inch lower than the rear of the deck...

Page 22: ...tment instructions Warning Before operating the tractor make sure the seat is engaged in the seat stop Engage the parking brake Stand behind the machine and pull back on seat until it clicks into plac...

Page 23: ...or Damaged Parts P Clean and Re oil Air Filter s Foam Precleaner P Replace Air Filter Element P Change Engine Oil and Replace Oil Filter P Clean Battery Terminals P P Lube Front Axles and Rims P P Cl...

Page 24: ...Maintenance Log Please keep a record of the maintenance performed on your tractor Date Hour Meter Maintenance Performed By 24 Section 6 Maintenance Adjustments...

Page 25: ...he belt for it to be easily removed from the electric PTO clutch carefully insert a 3 8 inch drive ratchet wrench set to tighten from the bottom into the square hole found in the left side of the deck...

Page 26: ...ess 7 8 9 10 Cutting Blades WARNING Shut the engine off and remove ignition key before removing the cutting blade s for sharpening or replacement Protect your hands by using heavy gloves when grasping...

Page 27: ...a damaged or frozen battery Be certain the vehicles do not touch and ignitions are off Do not allow cable clamps to touch Connect positive cable to positive post of your tractor s discharged battery C...

Page 28: ...See your Cub Cadet dealer to have the transmission drive belt replaced Changing the Deck Belt WARNING Shut the engine off and remove ignition key before removing the cutting blade s for sharpening or...

Page 29: ...Figure 7 8 29 Section 7 Service...

Page 30: ...tank Refill with clean fresh gasoline Replace air cleaner paper element or clean foam precleaner 1 2 3 4 5 6 Engine overheats Engine oil level low Air flow restricted 1 2 Fill crankcase with proper a...

Page 31: ...il Filter KH 25 050 22 S1 Kohler Fuel Filter 754 04045 Drive Belt Mowing Deck 942 04126 3 in 1 Deck Blade 918 04461 Deck Spindle Phone 800 965 4CUB to order replacement parts or a complete Parts Manua...

Page 32: ...ads are also available free of charge at www mtdproducts com Component Part Number and Description 734 04155 Deck Wheel Front 734 0973 Deck Wheel Rear 925 1707D Battery 951 3124B Fuel Tank Cap 746 041...

Page 33: ...plow Use of this type of equipment WILL void the tractor s warranty Model Number Description 190 032 Snow Thrower 42 190 670 Twin Bagger 42 190 215 Wheel Weights 190 679 Front Bumper 190 833 Dozer Bl...

Page 34: ...Notes 11 34...

Page 35: ...rranty period stated above If the part fails during the period of warranty coverage the part will be repaired or replaced by MTD Consumer Group Inc according to subsection 4 below Any such part repair...

Page 36: ...OBTAIN SERVICE Warranty service is available WITH PROOF OF PURCHASE AND APPLICABLE MAINTENANCE RECORDS through your local authorized service dealer To locate the dealer in your area In the U S A Check...

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