Name: Cub Cadet XT2 Lawn Tractor
Brand: Cub Cadet
Rating: 6 (1 reviews)

December 23, 2021April 21, 2024

Cub Cadet CC800: Wide walk-behind beast

The Cub Cadet CC800 is a wide area walk-behind mower from Cub Cadet. If you think this is your ordinary push mower, you better chill.

This thing is pretty dang big but super easy to use. You might not be familiar with walk-behind mowers, but they are another term for self-propelled push mowers. That means you just grip it and rip it – through your yard.

Let’s get started with the review below:

Is a walk-behind right for me?
Cub Cadet CC800 features
Price of a CC800 walk behind
Cub Cadet CC800 final grade

Why we review lawn tools

The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site.

As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something.

Cub Cadet’s history

Their first lawn tractor was designed and engineered in the early 1960s here in America. They did not develop another type of equipment until the early 90’s, when they developed a snow blower. Their first 30 years were dedicated solely to lawn tractors.

While they do not have the same reputation as some of the older brands like Husqvarna, they absolutely are known for their innovation. In fact, they work on some pretty neat pieces of equipment. They develop consumer-centric upgrades like electronic power steering, robotic golf course mowers, and the first mobile app for maintenance.

When to buy a large walk-behind mower

Okay – I’ve been through this a few times, but never with walk-behind mowers this large. With most push mowers, the deck size is about 21 inches. If you think about this in terms of yard passes, a push mower will have the highest number of passes you have to make in your yard to cut the whole thing.

Riding mowers, or lawn tractors, are around 36-42 inches and zero-turn mowers are anything above that. Basically, if you have a big yard, you will want a riding mower or zero-turn mower.

There is this weird in between world where large deck walk-behind mowers like the Cub Cadet CC800 live. They are perfect for people who have between 10,000 sq. ft and ½ acre. Basically it can still be covered with a push mower, and is too small for a riding mower, but you still want to get it done more quickly. Kind of niche, but actually a ton of American households fall into this group.

The second group is someone who mows a lot of small yards as a business. My co-founder, Tyler, used to own a landscaping company and had a walk-behind mower just like this one. They help you do smaller yards at a much faster rate.

The Cub Cadet CC800: Feature review

The Cub Cadet CC800 is a high end walk-behind mower. Basically the nicest one available. There are some others that have a pretty big deck, like the Toro recycler, but not many others come close. Let’s check out some of its features.

Power

No shortage here. The Cub Cadet CC800 has 11.5 horses in the back. One thing to love about this mower is that it outsourced its engine. Yeah, sounds like a weird thing to like, but Briggs & Stratton is the best in the game when it comes to small engines. All the top brands have Briggs and Stratton own the manufacturing over their mowers. There simply isn’t a better option on the planet.

The Cub Cadet CC800 also has a 33 inch cutting deck. This is almost on par with most lawn tractors and riding mowers. This is huge! In combination with the 11.5hp engine, you have a walk behind mower on absolute steroids. The CC800 is the Mike Tyson of mowers.

The CycloCut (where the CC in CC800 comes from) mowing system ensures an even discharge of grass from the deck, meaning that it won’t get clogged up and force you to stick your last good arm inside.

Usability

Alright, walk-behind mowers to me have always been girly. Just push the dang thing like a man! I have been given a new lease on life with the CC800 and am finally confident in my masculinity. I have no shame walking behind this mower because it is a beast. A few things I love right off the bat:

The ability to go into reverse. While this is not all that common while actually mowing, it is great for storing. Being able to reverse into the garage or shed, or even into the back of the trailer makes this a super easy to use mower.
Electric start. No more cranking the pull string every 10 minutes. This thing has a push button start that allows you to get going right away. The push button start is also reliable and can save you a ton of time.
A single point for having to change the height of the mower. With most push mowers, each wheel has its own adjustment on the front of the mower. The Cub Cadet CC800 has a single lever that will adjust the height of the big ole deck.

One complaint I have seen from others is that the drive controls use a single lever, meaning there is no variable speed control. You are either going full speed or you are sitting still. Fine for most people, but you have to be really nimble when navigating around tight corners or garden beds.

Durability

Again, off the bat I can tell you that Cub Cadet has a great reputation in reliability. The other thing you need to know is that Briggs and Stratton is super trustworthy. They totally dominate this space because they simply provide the best engines for mowers.

Small things matter when it comes to durability. One of those is the hour meter that comes on board the CC800. The hour meter keeps track of how long you are going between oil changes, letting you know exactly when to change the oil.

The front wheels on this resemble a zero turn mower and allow for super easy steering.

The CycloCut system will also help the engine from stopping up or from allowing one side of the mower to cake up with grass. The deck wash also allows for a quick and comprehensive clean that will keep this puppy moving all day.

It does come with a three year limited warranty for residential owners, but nothing for commercial owners.

Cost and value

The Cub Cadet CC800 costs around $2,000 at Home Depot, but the price changes a lot so you can check it here. This is a pretty good deal for what you are getting and about half the price of a zero-turn mower.

The product is great for folks with a bigger yard who don’t want to fork over three grand for a zero turn. It is also perfect for those of us with smaller yards that don’t have time to waste.

The official review: Cub Cadet CC800

Feature	Cub Cadet CC800	Comparable walk behinds
Difficulty to use	Slightly more difficult due to no variable speed control	Average difficulty
Durability	Average durability	Average durability
Maintenance	Relatively easy to maintain	Relatively easy to maintain
Value	Medium value	Medium value
For lots <10,000 sq. ft	Not recommended	Not recommended
For lots <1 acre	Recommended	Recommended
For lots >1 acre	Not recommended	Not recommended

October 31, 2021April 20, 2024

The Cub Cadet XT2 is the Official Mower of Dads

The Cub Cadet XT2 LX46 is the most popular model in the XT2 Enduro series by Cub Cadet. I have reviewed a few Cub Cadet mowers in the past, including an XT1 mower as well as one of their zero turn mowers.

Cub Cadet XT2 Enduro series, from the back!

The XT2 series is a slightly higher-end version compared to the XT1. They were both built on the same chassis, but some details were changed (more on that later). Let’s take a look at what we will be reviewing today:

Features of the XT2 series
Cost and value: The price of a Cub Cadet XT2
Pros and cons
The official review
Cub Cadet: A brief history
Lawn tractors 101

Cub Cadet XT2 Riding Mower: Feature review

The Cub Cadet XT2 Enduro series mower has a few options, but today I will look at the best seller – the XT2 LX46. The XT2 LX46 is a step up from the older and similar series from Cub Cadet and has new features not previously available. Let’s get started by checking each important feature out and then comparing the price and overall value of this lawn tractor.

Cub Cadet XT2 LX46 boasts a high horsepower engine

The XT2 Enduro LX46 has a 21.5 hp Kawasaki engine. This is a moderate to high horsepower engine for a lawn tractor. I always like seeing lawn mower companies outsource engines to quality companies. Folks like Briggs and Stratton, Honda, and Kawasaki have divisions that focus specifically on small engines and can provide outsized power and quality in ways that John Deere, Cub Cadet, etc. cannot. This takes a bit of humility on their part, but you will be thankful.

Another feature of this mower that separates it from the XT1 series and most lower-end mowers is the AGM battery that has slightly more voltage. This allows for reliable starting and reduces the chances that your battery will die in the offseason. Cub Cadet must have heard some negative feedback about the battery dying in the winter because this is a great adjustment.

Lastly, this thing has the power to pull a lawn mower trailer – which is cool.

Usability

The 46 inch mowing deck on the Cub Cadet XT2 LX46 is pretty standard for most lawn tractors. A differentiator for this mower is that it has a heavy-duty “AeroForce” deck. Frankly, I cannot tell much of a difference from this deck compared to others, other than the shape. It has a more angular shape instead of a smooth, round circle. The benefit to this is that it is sturdier and more reinforced than curved metal.

The deck also comes with 4 gauge wheels and 12 deck positions to protect against scalping. Scalping is when you are using a lawn tractor and hit an uneven surface and the blades start digging into the earth. There are two blades at the bottom of this mower, meaning you can drive at higher speeds and it will keep up compared to one bladed lawn tractors. The 16 inch turn radius means that you can still make tight turns without having to shell out the cash for a zero-turn mower.

The XT2 LX46 can go up to 5.5 mph forward and 3 mph in reverse, both are totally standard for a lawn tractor. One new feature to the XT2 not found on the XT1 enduro series is the front bumper. This can help keep brush away from the tires and body of the mower.

Comfort: what this mower does best

The Cub Cadet XT2 LX46 has done one thing that is absolutely perfect, and that is comfort. A noticeable difference from the XT1 to the XT2 series is the presence of armrests. While seemingly trivial, armrests make a huge difference if you are out moving for a long time. My arms get particularly tired as a tall person having to lurch over and keep my hands on the steering wheel.

The arm rests and cup holder on the Cub Cadet XT2 Enduro series.

Another feature that Cub Cadet always gets right is the high seat back. The seat back on Cub Cadet lawn tractors is higher than most other lawn tractors in the business. They truly understand that a comfortable ride makes a huge difference. With this in mind, this mower also comes with a cup holder.

Again, these small trivial features seem like they would not and should be make or break issues, but experienced mowers will pick these things out each time. To be completely honest, the functionality and performance of most of these lawn tractors are marginally noticeable to normal consumers. The difference makers will be the comfort and operator-centric designs on the Cub Cadet XT2 enduro series.

Maintenance

The Cub Cadet XT2 LX46 comes with a Tuff Torq hydrostatic transmission. Basically, this just means that the mower has a smooth transmission that requires less maintenance than standard automatic or manual transmissions.

Otherwise, this mower has a standard oil change system. This feature is basic, but a lot of folks like John Deere have figured out a way to save you 10-15 minutes on an oil change by just adding a simple cartridge. To me, this should be a negative for this mower because they simply have not innovated in this space.

I like the large Aeroforce deck on this mower, but I haven’t seen a washout port on it for getting rid of the clumps and mess after a long season. With attention to some details and not others, the durability of this machine is put into question. Keeping grass on the blades and inside the deck can lead to erosion and rust over time. Make sure to life up the deck and spray out after a few mows.

Cost and value: Price of the XT2 Enduro

The Cub Cadet XT2 LX46 comes in at just over $3,000. This is a pretty big price tag and slightly over the standard range for similarly sized lawn tractors. What sets apart the Cub Cadet from its peers is the attention to user experience as well as a powerful cutting engine.

I would rank the XT2 series at about expected value. Quite simply, you get what you pay for. The value is definitely there, but you will have to pay for premium features.

Pros and Cons

Now that we have a good understanding of some of the features, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of the XT2 Enduro series

Pros

Powerful Kawasaki engine compared to its peers
Large, reinforced cutting deck means heavy-duty cuts
Attention to user experience, high seat back, arm rests, and cup holder
New features and upgrades from the XT1 including a stronger battery and front brush guard

Cons

A little bit on the pricier side
Nothing innovative in the maintenance space to help reduce time spent on oil changes

Attachments and accessories

Cub Cadet does a great job with attachments and accessories. One thing I love about the diversity in attachments is that it turns your mower into a year-round vehicle.

Some of the attachments include a snow cab, leaf collector, tire chains, double bagger, cargo carrier, sun shade, sprayer, snow plow blade and more.

The official review

Feature	Cub Cadet XT2
Difficulty to use	Less difficult due to tighter turn radius than peers.
Durability	Average durability of engine and transmission but above average durability of deck due to reinforced steel “Aeroforce”
Maintenance	Average maintenance, maybe even below average compared to peeers.
Value	You get what you pay for.
For lots <10,000 sq. ft	Less recommended
For lots <1 acre	Highly recommended
For lots >1 acre	Highly recommended up to about 2 acres.

Why we review lawn tools

Cub Cadet’s reputation

The first Cub Cadet lawn tractor was designed and engineered in the early 1960s here in America. They did not develop another type of equipment until the early 90’s, when they developed a snow blower. Their first 30 years were dedicated solely to lawn tractors, but made cool walk-behind mowers as well.

Who should purchase a lawn tractor

Lawn tractors are great pieces of equipment and essential for many suburbanites. When choosing between a push mower, lawn tractor, or zero-turn mower, it really comes down to lawn size.

I recommend push mowers for those with yards up to ½ of an acre. After that, the job just takes too long and is not worth it. For those with a yard between ½ of an acre to 1.5 acres, I suggest lawn tractors. For those with 1.5 acres and up, a zero turn mower is essential.

Lawn tractors and zero turn mowers are mostly similar, but zero-turn mowers have additional speed, larger cutting decks, and more nimble turning capabilities. They are great for large yards as mentioned, but also can slow down and handle curves near garden beds or structures very well.

October 7, 2021April 9, 2024

Cub Cadet’s New Ultima ZT1 Series Is Intense: I Found Out

The Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 zero-turn mower is a beast. I have not been more excited to review a lawn mower than I am right now. This bad boy is not simply a lawn mower, it is a lawn experience.

Riding mowers like the Cub Cadet Ultima have developed significantly over the past decade. The days of the silly looking tractor sitting in your garage are gone. Many of the commercial mowers have been revamped for the modern household, allowing for comfortable and convenient features with the power of a commercial mower.

Let’s get started – here is what we will cover today – click a link to jump ahead:

Who should buy a zero-turn mower
What to look for in zero-turn mowers
Things I love about the ZT1 series
Criticisms of the Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1
The official review

2024 Update: As I re-read this post and update key features for 2024 – I can’t help but reflect on just how freaking luxurious this mower is.

Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 22 HP Zero-Turn features

Let me start off by saying this zero turn mower from Cub Cadet won an innovation award from Home Depot in 2019. It is pretty sweet and I will explain more below:

Usability and comfort: the Ultima ZT1’s best feature

The details matter in a riding mower that you are going to spend three grand to take home. The Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 has details like an anti-vibration floor mat hat helps provide a smooth ride. This zero turn mower also has a fully adjustable 18 inch seat back, adjustable arm rests, and ergonomic hand groups that allow for more comfort.

Simply put, Cub Cadet has thought through the rider’s experience when crafting this zero-turn mower.

Another detail I like about this machine is the smooth tread front wheels that are crafted to not damage your lawn as you cut. The command center where all of the controls are located is slightly off to the side, allowing for maximum leg room. As a very tall person (6’ 7”), I can comfortably fit on this without having to bow my legs at a weird angle.

Power

The Ultima ZT1 42 inch boasts a 22 horsepower, 725 cc Kohler engine. The 50 inch version comes with a Kawasaki engine.

Either way, you get some serious power out of this mower. This bad boy can move almost 8mph forward and almost 4mph in reverse. You can move quickly through your yard and get back to enjoying football and family on your weekends.

The 20 inch tires on the back provide some nice tread and traction for moving on uneven grounds and can help master rolling hills. For the normal residential owner with two to five acres of land, power is not much of a factor. Almost all zero turn mowers are going to have enough power to get the job done for a residential job.

For those in the commercial space, I would recommend a higher power mower with a bigger blade. While I do not have any concerns about durability with this mower, you will likely want something with a little more speed and horsepower to get you through the workday.

Transmission

A standard feature on the Cub Cadet Ultima is the hydrostatic transmission. As I mentioned previously, hydrostatic transmissions use fluid instead of belts to power the engine and blades. These typically require less maintenance and last much longer. This transmission type is what separates Cub Cadet from some of its peers and takes it out of the “cheaper” or “lower end” zero turn mowers.

This picture from Cub Cadet’s website highlights all the major maintenance needs and when you need them.

Criticisms of the Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1

One of the most common criticisms of this mower is that it lacks a gas gauge and an hour meter. While this mower boasts a 3.5 gallon fuel capacity that can get you through most major jobs, you are clueless as to when the gas will run out. Others love having an hour meter that can help you better understand when to change the oil.

Cub Cadet has a good reputation in the residential world. I expect most folks who use this product for up to 3 or 4 acres will not have an issue for the duration of their ownership.

The beauty of this Cub Cadet mower is that it has a three year limited warranty. If something seems fishy, make sure to have it checked out while it is still under warranty.

The official review of the Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 42 inch mower

Feature	Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1	Comparable residential ZT mower
Difficulty to use	Slightly above average	Average
Durability	Average durability	Average durability
Maintenance	Less maintenance due to hydrostatic transmission	More maintenance
Value	Medium value	Medium value
For lots <10,000 sq. ft	Would not fit	Would not fit
For lots <1 acre	Probably overkill but is fun and looks cool	Probably overkill but is fun and looks cool
For lots >1 acre	Highly recommended	Highly recommended

Overall, the Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 mower is awesome. It is super comfortable, easy to use, and provides a great cut. The engine is high quality and the transmission is best in class. If you are using this mower for residential purposes and not mowing the side of a highway, then you should have great results.

You can check the price of these bad boys at Home Depot.

We compare this one to the super popular Toro TimeCutter SS4225 mower here (both sell at Home Depot).

Why we review lawn tools

Riding mower vs push mower

When purchasing a riding mower, you want to make sure to consider a few things. The first thing to consider is the size of your lawn. If your lawn is less than ½ of an acre, you are likely better off with a push mower. If your lawn is above half of an acre, consider a riding mower for comfort and speed purposes.

To read our other Cub Cadet riding mower reviews, check out the my experience with the XT1 or read the latest on the XT2 or even the electric Cub Cadet.

For those with ½ acre to one acre of land, the conventional riding mower or garden tractor with a steering wheel can be great. They are relatively straightforward and intuitive to operate.

For those of us with over an acre of land and/or many obstacles in our yard, zero-turn mowers can be a life saver. Many zero turn mowers offer a reverse functionality as well, so the ability to navigate hurdles and obstacles becomes very simple.

Why would I buy a zero-turn riding mower?

If you have ever used a traditional riding mower on your lawn, you will know the frustration that comes with making sharp turns or maneuvering near a garden bed. Trying to move between trees makes me feel like Austin Powers stuck in the hallway.

This is a visual of me trying to navigate my yard without a ZT1 mower.

Zero-turn mowers work exactly how you think they would. These are the big mowers you see people using who are mowing a beautiful country event space or a huge property. The beautiful thing about them is that they are actually pretty simple to use. They are steered with two levers that help shift the machine in a circular motion without having to make forward progress (hence zero-turn).

I must admit, I was intimidated by all the knobs and gears on this mower until I gave it a try. The driving process is actually very intuitive and comfortable. Simply bring the levers together, push forward to accelerate, and shift the handles in the direction you would like to go.

This is a very authentic conversation.

What to look for in a zero-turn mower

A few things to look for in zero-turn mowers are blade size, transmission, accessory capabilities and cost. Blade size is important to keep consistent with the size of your lawn. Obviously longer blades are best for larger lawns, but begin to sacrifice a little bit of the agility afforded by a smaller blade.

Transmission is also an important consideration for a zero-turn mower. Most zero turn mowers do not have manual transmissions, but have either automatic or hydrostatic transmissions. Automatic works just like an automatic car does with a gas pedal and belts. Hydrostatic transmissions use fluid to transfer their power to the blades and the rest of the engine. I prefer and recommend hydrostatic transmissions because they typically require less maintenance and have a longer life (plus it sounds cooler).

Having nice lawn mower accessories on a riding mower is often overlooked, but absolutely necessary. There is nothing like adding on a nice hauler component to the back of your mower to move chopped wood, mulch, or plants across your property. Make sure whichever mower you purchase has a hitch that allows for accessories.

Cost is generally of the utmost importance as well. Zero-turn mowers are expensive. In fact, you can buy an old Honda Civic for less than most zero turn mowers. Expect to spend no less than $3,000 for a zero turn mower. Keep in mind that these will last a long time and save you a ton of weekend time when compared to a riding tractor or push mower. Zero turn mowers are an upfront investment, but reap a huge return over time.

For a link to the Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 42 inch mower, check out this link:

https://images.thdstatic.com/catalog/pdfImages/0f/0fd454fc-0a8d-4deb-b577-82dca3eb4a15.pdf

For a replacement parts list, check out this link:

https://images.thdstatic.com/catalog/pdfImages/db/db49cec3-9bdc-46ec-9f83-888869081e78.pdf

September 27, 2021April 8, 2024

Why I Love the New Cub Cadet XT1 LT series (including Electric)

The Cub Cadet XT1 LT series is a new series of lawn tractors that is plastered everywhere at Home Depot To help break this down, Cub Cadet has the XT series with LT (short for Lawn Tractor), with either a 42 or 46 inch deck cutting width.

As two of the most popular lawn tractors on the market, many people have asked me to review the Cub Cadet XT1 LT series and give my thoughts on the new electric version as well

Let’s get started:

All about Lawn Tractors (the LT in LT42 and LT46)
Features of the Cub Cadet XT1 series
Criticisms
Our overall review of the XT1 LT42 and LT46

The two new Cub Cadet tractors are really nice

Looking at the Cub Cadet XT1 LT 42 and 46, you would think they are absolutely identical. From the outside, they are mostly the exact same other than the deck width. Let’s take a look underneath the hood and compare their overall functions.

Measuring the comfort and usability

Frankly, Cub Cadet is known for their comfortable mowers. They prioritize this feature over a lot of other things in their mowers, which I greatly appreciate. Both the LT42 and LT46 have an adjustable seat, a 15 inch high seat back, and straightforward operating functionality.

While the XT1 series has a 16 inch turn radius, the masters at Cub Cadet have fashioned the steering system to feel like a zero turn mower. They are very easy to operate and provide a comfortable ride.

As a tall person, I was saddened by the lack of steering wheel height reach. I have to slightly hunch over to grab the steering wheel or otherwise have my arms extended way out in front of me.

This is what you look like when you use this mower.

Transmission – Hydrostatic and what that means

The Cub Cadet XT1 LT series offers “Tuff Torq” foot controlled hydrostatic transmission that gets rid of the need for manual shifting. You simply apply your foot to the pedal and get moving. I love hydrostatic transmissions because they offer longer lives and less maintenance. To make things better, Cub Cadet offers a 3 year warranty on this product, regardless of hours used.

Accessories for the XT1 series make it convertible to a year-round tool

The accessories available on the LT42 and LT46 are flat out sweet. The options turn this 4 to 5 month per year machine into a year-around utility vehicle. There is an attachment snow plow blade, a leaf collector, tire chains, double bagger, mulching kit, brush guard, rear cargo carrier, rear sprayer, and front bumper kit. You can also purchase armrests, sun/snow shade, or a full on snow cab. With all of these features, you can save a ton of money and time with the Cub Cadet XT1 instead of five or six different machines and tools.

Power is super important and these mowers have a LOT of it

Upfront I can tell you that both of these mowers will have adequate power for those with up to 2 or 3 acres. That being said, you have a choice to make between the LT42 and LT46.

The LT42 has a single cylinder, 541 cc, 18 horsepower, 5400 Kohler engine. The Kohler engines are great and moderately reliable. For the 42 inch deck, this engine is more than enough power to get a job done. The LT42 has the ability to move up to almost 6 mph forward and 3 mph in reverse.

The LT46 has a twin cylinder, 725 cc, 22 horsepower, 7000 series Kohler engine. What I love about the horsepower on this engine is that it is the same amount of horsepower as a lot of heavier, bigger zero-turn mowers.

Other than the horsepower and deck width differences, the two have almost identical features in all other aspects.

What about the electric version – the blue LT42E?

The XT1 LT42E, the electric version of the XT1, is similar in almost every way except for the engine (duh). This battery powered machine can go for about one and a half hours before needing a recharge, which takes about 4 hours.

The Cub Cadet XT1 42E (photo cred: Cub Cadet).

A main difference you will notice between this machine and the other XT1 series is the price. While I do like some electric lawn equipment, this thing has a much bigger price tag – which can be totally worth it to some people.

Criticisms of the XT1 Series (mostly looks)

Some of the common criticisms of both the LT42 and LT46 Cub Cadet XT1 series tend to be aesthetic. A few folks have pointed out the “cream-colored” rims on the tires. Another criticism I have seen is that sometimes the blade will bump the soil when going over hills or rough terrain. This is totally normal and is just like when you take your car into a steep driveway – you will get some drag sometimes.

Others boast about the smooth and quiet ride. Cub Cadet prides themselves on the mower’s experience which is why they consistently make comfortable riding mowers that leave you wanting to mow your neighbor’s yard.

Overall review of the LT series riding mowers

Feature	Cub Cadet XT1 LT42 and LT46	Comparable lawn tractors
Difficulty to use	Slightly less difficult due to steering ease	Average difficulty
Durability	Average durability	Average durability
Maintenance	Relatively easy to maintain	Relatively easy to maintain
Value	High value due to comfort and add-on capabilities	Medium value
For lots <10,000 sq. ft	Not recommended	Not recommended
For lots <1 acre	Recommended	Recommended
For lots >1 acre	Recommended up to 2-3 acres	Recommended up to 2-3 acres

Overall, the Cub Cadet mowers will mow just about as well as any other lawn tractor on the market. What distinguishes the XT1 LT42 and LT46 from its competitors is its comfortable and quiet ride. Another beautiful feature of this series is the ability to have attachments that turn this from a summer machine to a year-round wonder.

Cost and value of the Cub Cadet XT1 series

The XT1 LT42 and 46 can be found at Home Depot – where you’ll have to check the price because it changes all the time. Both are great options, but if you have a bigger yard I would go with the LT46. This will save you time as it has larger blades and a larger deck width.

What to look for in a lawn tractor

With the dawn of zero turn mowers, electric riding mowers, and flying hovercraft mowers with drone weed whackers (only kidding), the classic lawn tractor is often overlooked.

The reality is that lawn tractors are great machines that still have a place in the modern lawn care garage. Lawn tractors are great for people with a half of an acre up to two acres. They are also fine for people with more than 2 acres with few obstacles to navigate.

The zero-turn mower craze (of which Cub Cadet has some awesome mowers) is largely hyped up by the admittedly cool features. The downside of these mowers is the massive price tag and difficulty with storage.

Cub Cadet’s XT1 LT42E even made our list of our favorite electric riding mowers that have surprisingly freakish power.

Convenience of lawn tractors

Lawn tractors are still convenient for many folks. The beauty of lawn tractors is that they can easily squeeze into your garage between two cars. Zero-turn mowers need their own separate garage or storage facility simply due to the size. Lawn tractors are also straightforward to operate and have less moving parts than zero turn mowers.

The XT1 series body style is pretty cool.

Another thing I love about lawn tractors is their ability to add on attachments to the front. Zero turn mowers often have attachments and trailer features on the back, but for those of us in snowy climates there is nothing quite like putting a snow pusher on the front and moving some snow. The same goes for piles of mulch or anything else you feel like pushing.