LTX1045

[McGruff 138]

Purchased my LTX1045 last spring (2009). Since that time, I have mowed for one season and experienced the following issues:
1. Replaced the mower belt 3 times.
2. Replaced the two pulleys twice each.
3. The mower brake (allows the engine to run when you get off) will no longer engage.
4. Mower belt slips off constantly.

I owned a Sears Craftsman for 12 years and NEVER had these type of issues. After conducting some research, it is apparent that these issues are common in the LTX1045 and that Cub Cadet/MTD refuses to provide a fix, much less honor any warranty. I am seriously considering a lawsuit against CC to recoup the cost of this defective product so I can purchase something that actually works. I cannot find any "contact us" section on the CC website that would allow me to email them. I have registered a complaint with Consumer Affairs.

For what it's worth, my property is a little under 2 acres and it's all grass. I have not been using the mower for purposes other than what it was intended. This is extremely frustrating and I'm to the point of looking into a Class Action suit.

 

[CCinCT]

What is your dealer telling you about this, and is he charging you for the parts and labor?

 

[MUD&GRASS]

what does the forward pitch look like. if the front of the deck is too low compared to the rear of the deck you'll go through belts pretty quick, they also fly off fairly often. if this is the case a couple of turns of the front hanger will raise the front of the deck. def worth checking into

question -was this bought from a big box or a dealer ???? could be a setup problem. sort of sounds odd that cub would not honor warranty for what you have listed or is this what a dealer said. the only hangup i could see would be more than 120 hrs use since spring 2009 which would be a whole lot of seat time for one season.

as far as a phone # there is 1-800 one on the back page of your owners manuel.

 

[VinceSMTA]

I agree with what has already been said. I'd work with your dealer first and try to work something out. Actually, I am surprised that the dealer didn't recommend something a little different for 2 acres of mowing...seems like a little much for an LTX.

 

[Undercover]

That sounds like a big box store purchase if not, that dealer will not be a dealer for long.
Also i agree 2 acres is a bit much for it.But that shouldn't be hurting it yet unless it is mowing some good sizes hills.
McGruff138 how many hours on it.You are under warranty.When you got your Lawn tractor Didn't they give you a owners manual?The 1-800 number on it is at the beginning of that book.
Try these #'s
customer support 1-800-965-4cub
locate dealer 1-877-282-8684

 

[RandyT]

Some MTD products are prone to through belts if mowing at the lower cutting height position. The dealer may have his hands tied by Mtd as far as warranty even if he did sell it. Belts are not normally covered under warranty unless caused by another failure. If the deck is too low in the front it can cause belt flip off and is considered a setup issue and is not covered by warranty. The idler pulleys should be covered under warranty.

I have run into cases such as this and the Mtd tech department response was to tell the customer to not mow as low if the belt keeps coming off. If another dealer preforms a warranty repair and the repair doesn't hold and the customer takes it to another dealer for the same repair Mtd may deny his claim because it was repaired by another dealer previously.

I know it can be fustrating but it may not be the dealers fault that the customer may be paying for repairs. Mtd has had several cases of deck belt problems and they may fix it eventually or not. I once had a case where the belt was slipping off of the idler pulley when mowing in the lower positions and Mtd fix was to shim the pulley with a washer to raise up the pulley, but was not a warranty authorized repair.

 

[VinceSMTA]

Hmmm, 1 post, doesn't comeback to explain situation and he's mentioning a class action lawsuit? I'm sorry, I try not to get too negative too often but this is what's wrong with America. I know I might be old fashioned but I think lawsuits should be a last resort type thing. When I was farming I had a CaseIH 7140 that I had terrible luck with, however I worked with the dealer and worked out a solution. Yes its frustrating and yes it cost me more money than 10 LTX1045's but in the end I was happy and there was not even a second thought of a lawsuit. Thanks for letting me vent.

 

[CCinCT]

I think this was a drive-by venting. I'd like to see this thread removed if he doesn't respond after some period of time, say 1 week.

 

[Undercover]

I think this was a drive-by venting. I'd like to see this thread removed if he doesn't respond after some period of time, say 1 week.

Not having the phone # to CC made me wonder,That is why i put the #'s in the above post.
I agree this post should be removed!
~~~~~~~
CC 3235
CC 1872
IH CC 782
~~~~~~~

 

[McGruff 138]

Hmmm, 1 post, doesn't comeback to explain situation and he's mentioning a class action lawsuit? I'm sorry, I try not to get too negative too often but this is what's wrong with America. I know I might be old fashioned but I think lawsuits should be a last resort type thing. When I was farming I had a CaseIH 7140 that I had terrible luck with, however I worked with the dealer and worked out a solution. Yes its frustrating and yes it cost me more money than 10 LTX1045's but in the end I was happy and there was not even a second thought of a lawsuit. Thanks for letting me vent.

Sorry guys.. I was away due to work... I wasn't conducting a "driveby." I'm not a "lawsuit happy" person, and in all reality, I will just try and sell this lawn tractor and pass the problem on to someone else, although that goes against everything I believe in...

I will say this... Why should I pay $1700.00 for a product made in America that has an issue such as this, AND JUST TAKE IT?? If a company markets a product and a consumer purchases the product believing he/she is purchasing a well-made item, only to find out the cub cadet has a "belt issue" that has to be constantly fixed during the mowing season, then why should the consumer just "take it" and not "take action." Your decision to not have a "second thought of a lawsuit" is your right and/or decision.. I have mine as well. I really didn't want to make this a legal thread, but America also lacks accountability/responsibility... Who will hold this company accountable if we just "take it." I saved money for a year to buy this mower. I assure you, I'm not the only Cub Cadet owner who is very frustrated and dissatisfied. My biggest mistake was buying this thing from Home Depot... I will not make that mistake again..

I do appreciate the advise regarding leveling the deck. I will give that a shot in hopes it alleviates the problem.

 

[Undercover]

I must apologize:
I thought this was a one post and run.
If I went through what happened to you i would be p!$$ off too.I have had nothing but great luck with Cub Cadet.But i go through a dealer.Last winter a bought a $1800 snow blower(walk behind)IT was a Toro my CC dealer sells toro also.But anyway i got a Toro because i thought it was one of the best brands when it comes to snowblowers.I had nothing but trouble.After about 2 weeks i called and said i didn't like it.I had picked out a Cub Cadet that i liked,and said i wanted it.Well they didn't have it in stock,they would have to order it.The next day they drove out to my place dropped off a loaner at no charge and took the Toro.When the new one came in they delevered it no question asked,
I have 2 neighbors and a brother that have bought the low end Cub Cadet lawn tractors like you and have had zero trouble.But than again they got them from the same dealer.You can go to any box store and get a different color but i don't think you be will get a better tractor maybe get lucky.
I live in john Deere country and are JD implement will not even sell the cheap John deere's that they sell at Lowes or who ever sell them.
But i do wish you the best of luck.
~~~~~~~
GT3235
SGT 1872
IH 782
~~~~~~~

 

[CCinCT]

Sorry guys.. I was away due to work... I wasn't conducting a "driveby.

Glad to hear that. Some people just want to vent and don't want advice. We prefer to provide assistance and help out as best we can.

I will say this... Why should I pay $1700.00 for a product made in America that has an issue such as this, AND JUST TAKE IT??

You shouldn't. What happened when you tried to get it fixed through Home Depot?

If a company markets a product and a consumer purchases the product believing he/she is purchasing a well-made item, only to find out the cub cadet has a "belt issue" that has to be constantly fixed during the mowing season, then why should the consumer just "take it" and not "take action."

Cub, nor any manufacturer that I'm aware of, have a belt issue that can't be resolved. There are individual cases of pulley problems and such, but they aren't systemic. And they occur with all brands. Most are the result of poor (or no) dealer setup, or end user abuse. Because you bought yours at Home Depot, I'm guessing it wasn't set up AT ALL by them or the Cub dealer assigned to prep their machines.

I assure you, I'm not the only Cub Cadet owner who is very frustrated and dissatisfied.

Absolutely true, there are plenty to be found. Most that come here look for help and solutions, and most leave with a solution. And most of them end up happy with their Cubs. But a lot of the rants on the Internet are people who've been told what the problem is, and they don't like the answer.

My biggest mistake was buying this thing from Home Depot... I will not make that mistake again..

This is probably the biggest thing we try to convey here, and I'll go on a rant about it now.

Cub has poorer quality control out of the factory than, say, John Deere. As a result, they rely heavily on the dealers to inspect and prep their tractors prior to a consumer taking one home. That can work, as long as the dealer is competent and cares. The upside is that feature for feature, you get more with a Cub than with a John Deere. The downside is that you don't get the "polish" that JD's have, because their factory has taken the steps to make the product "showroom ready" right out of the factory door. (That's an over-simplification, but you get the idea) Some of us, like myself, have excellent dealer support and couldn't be happier with their Cub. But many who've bought from Home Depot, Lowes, or TSC, have found out that although those stores have service contracts with a local Cub dealer, they don't always prep the tractors. This can be the fault of the big box store or the dealer, it's different everywhere.

As for your problems, was a dealer involved in diagnosing or performing the fixes you've done? If so, did he say specifically what he thought the cause of repeated pulley failures was? The belts are failing and slipping off because of the pulley issue. If the initial replacement didn't solve the problem, then it's probably the spindles that are to blame. In any case, all of this should have been covered under warranty. Has the dealer told you different?

 

[McGruff 138]

[As for your problems, was a dealer involved in diagnosing or performing the fixes you've done? If so, did he say specifically what he thought the cause of repeated pulley failures was? The belts are failing and slipping off because of the pulley issue. If the initial replacement didn't solve the problem, then it's probably the spindles that are to blame. In any case, all of this should have been covered under warranty. Has the dealer told you different?[/QUOTE]

Thank you all for your responses.. I took the mower to a local dealer/repair shop. The mechanic told me one of the pulleys was slightly bent, so he replaced it, along with a new belt. (No warranty - "It was caused by the operator.") I hadn't mowed for more than a week with it, when once again, the belt slipped.. I put it back on and continued mowing, only to have it slip off again. I went back to the dealership, purchased two pulleys and put them on. The belt stayed on for about two weeks and then began to slip off again.

The dealership is 30 miles from my home and it's frustrating to take the mower to them and have them tell me that MTD will not honor the warranty because the pulley(s) were damaged. My yard is all grass, BUT, I do have some fallen limbs, and near the driveway there is gypsum rock. I'm sure I ran over a limb or two and probably hit some rocks, but geez, I cannot believe that would damage the pulleys.... (Although, they are very weak and probably the major contributor to the belt slippage issue)...

In any event, I very much appreciate the advice I've gotten on this forum and I will try the deck leveling idea before I take drastic action and trade this is on a John Deere EZ Track (AT THE DEALER, OF COURSE)...

One thing is for sure, this is a self-correcting mistake. Dealership, dealership, dealership, is my new motto...

 

[rcbe]

Mcgruff - just gotta chime in here - I'm a CC owner and have more than passing interest on how the lt1000 series are faring. For mebbe the past 6 yrs or so, I've lurked a number of these L&G tractor forums on a daily basis - and usually design weaknesses by model or family manifest themselves as a problem pattern... and are not too hard to spot.
Your belt problems as described just don't match up with any of the product weaknesses I've seen. (Yeah, I coulda missed such.)
I agree with the other observations where you may have gotten a machine that was not or poorly prepped before you took delivery. For instance, didja hafta drop yer tire pressures after you took delivery? Tractors are crated at the factory and tires are overinflated to reduce chance of machine rocking inside crate and taking damage. Mower decks are not leveled for the very same reason as overinflated tires affect how the deck fits up and hangs. All that in turn affects belt/pulley alignment....

OTOH, if you or another operator wus out there in 12 inch high grass just hogging away for all it wus worth, then might agree with yer current dealer's assessment. None of the CC 1000 series are designed to work as bush hogs do - and if you read thet manual closely, they do talk about taking 1/3 cuts off taller grass - mostly to end up with a better looking job - but also to reduce overloading the machine.
As long as yer machine is under warranty, MTD has got to honor such. But - if yer repair dealer is telling them "no, it was mis-used" then MTD will attempt to deny warranty.
Try another dealer if at all possible next trip in - ask for a CC district rep to arbitrate if you still feel you are getting an incorrect dealer analysis. Would only use an attourney as last resort.
Good luck and don't hesitate to trade for green - just keep in mind that JD works their warranty about the same way, give or take some.

 

[McGruff 138]

Mcgruff - just gotta chime in here - I'm a CC owner and have more than passing interest on how the lt1000 series are faring. For mebbe the past 6 yrs or so, I've lurked a number of these L&G tractor forums on a daily basis - and usually design weaknesses by model or family manifest themselves as a problem pattern... and are not too hard to spot.
Your belt problems as described just don't match up with any of the product weaknesses I've seen. (Yeah, I coulda missed such.)
I agree with the other observations where you may have gotten a machine that was not or poorly prepped before you took delivery. For instance, didja hafta drop yer tire pressures after you took delivery? Tractors are crated at the factory and tires are overinflated to reduce chance of machine rocking inside crate and taking damage. Mower decks are not leveled for the very same reason as overinflated tires affect how the deck fits up and hangs. All that in turn affects belt/pulley alignment....

OTOH, if you or another operator wus out there in 12 inch high grass just hogging away for all it wus worth, then might agree with yer current dealer's assessment. None of the CC 1000 series are designed to work as bush hogs do - and if you read thet manual closely, they do talk about taking 1/3 cuts off taller grass - mostly to end up with a better looking job - but also to reduce overloading the machine.
As long as yer machine is under warranty, MTD has got to honor such. But - if yer repair dealer is telling them "no, it was mis-used" then MTD will attempt to deny warranty.
Try another dealer if at all possible next trip in - ask for a CC district rep to arbitrate if you still feel you are getting an incorrect dealer analysis. Would only use an attourney as last resort.
Good luck and don't hesitate to trade for green - just keep in mind that JD works their warranty about the same way, give or take some.

Perhaps my expectations were too high to begin with and I probably purchased an under-sized tractor for the amount of acreage I have to cut. BUT, It's difficult to hide my frustration and so, I break into a rant...

You guys have all given me great suggestions (my reason for signing up to the forum) and I plan to try and level the deck this weekend. I readily admit part of my initial post was me venting my anger, and the other half was me looking for solutions. (Which I've received).

I'm not very mechanically oriented and that only adds to my spastic responses.. As for the dealer... If the deck leveling solution doesn't solve the problem, I will be going back to the dealer in hopes of finding a true solution to the problem.

Again, I thank each of you for your input. I will keep ya'all posted on how it goes.....

 

[McGruff 138]

Okay guys.. I raised the front of the deck and did a little mowing yesterday.. The belt stayed on and the cut was good. My next question: The belt is brand new, but seems very loose when not engaged. I mean, very loose. This doesn't seem normal to me. Any suggestions? Thx

 

[rcbe]

try adjusting the deck front to rear and side to side as described in the manual: http://www.cubcadet.com/wcsstore/Cu...t/owners manuals/residential/2010_LTX1045.pdf

If you have taken up way too much on the deck front pull rods, that may be affecting your drive belt slop when dis-engaged.

Make sure you have an OEM deck drive belt routed/installed as shown in the manual. Your current belt may have already over-stretched, causing excessive slack when dis-engaged. But - as long as it is functioning alright - leave it be.

 

[JTKub]

McGruff, are you letting the mowing deck ride on the ground perhaps? That's a situation that these machines will not handle well. This deck needs to hang from the tractor, with the gauge wheels only contacting the ground on high/uneven spots. If you let the deck bounce around on the ground 100% of the time you're mowing. Lots of things are going to break.

Joel

 

[VinceSMTA]

If my memory is correct the LTX1045 does not have an electric clutch on it. That means when you disengage the mower your belt needs to be loose or the deck will continue to drive...it looks weird but thats just the way it is.

 

[McGruff 138]

If my memory is correct the LTX1045 does not have an electric clutch on it. That means when you disengage the mower your belt needs to be loose or the deck will continue to drive...it looks weird but thats just the way it is.

That explains alot.. It may have always been loose and I never paid any attention before the problems began to arise..

As for the deck, I am guilty of letting the wheels touch the ground, although I try and keep the grass height at 3"... I will continue to mow w/it and see how it goes...

Thanks for the advice...