Cub Cadet LT1042 oil change & deck work - EXPLAINS EVERYTHING!

I drop the deck on my Cub Cadet LT1042 riding lawn mower in order to change a spindle and some spacers which kept cracking. Chat blades and a whole bunch more. Basic preventative maintenance shown as well.
Detailed video on how to change your deck belt and your transmission belt (just the explanation - I wasn't filming when I actually changed the belts - but you'll know enough after watching to do it yourself).
MUSIC from Soundcloud "to use commercially" tracks:
- Summer by Ventura
- Summer House by Light Sound Preview
- Gasoline by Prashan Subasinghe
Parts List / Helpful Preventative Maintenance Tips:
Tire Pressure:
10 psi rear
14 psi front
Grease gun the fittings (#2 multi-purpose grease)
Purchased in one kit referenced at bottom):
Air filter (precleaner) (Kohler 20-083-03-S)
Air filter (paper element) (Kohler 20-083-02)
Champion spark plug (RC12YC) (5/8” spark plug socket). Gap to .76mm (0.030”). Torque to 28-32 ft lbs.
Oil filter (10W-30 oil, 1.5 liters (50.75oz) total capacity w/filter)
Fuel filter
Transmission Belt:
www.amazon.com/Oregon-75-813-...
Deck Belt:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...
Deck Spacer (748-3065A):
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...
Spindle (918-04124A):
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
Blades (make sure you know if it's a center hole or star and torque blades to 70-90 ft lbs):
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...
Battery Charger:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01...
Oil change kit (oil purchased separately at Advanced Auto):
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...

[@ournortonboxers]

This video was more informative than anyone I’ve ever seen and I just got a secondhand lt1042 so this helped

[@durk1980]

Thank you! Glad it helped!

[@glennhawley5981]

Very nice video with a great explanation of “do’s and do not do’s” I am glad I found this video, my son was gifted the same mower and it needed some work. Thanks again for sharing!

[@durk1980]

Thank you Glenn!

[@wtpj5536]

Thanks Durk! 2 belts ordered saying they were "right" and both were wrong. Found your video for the right belt, and it wasn't a crap explanation. Fought with the belt guard for 20mins , 3 mins after watching back in place. Now thanks to you the "right" belt will be here tomorrow!

[@durk1980]

Happy to hear! Hope it went well.

[@aaronwilliamson4045]

Thanks for the straight forward and useful reply to my comments. Best answers i have gotten to a query in a long time.

[@rockydelnegro550]

Dirk , your video is fantastic! Your explanation is very clear. You've helped me out a lot !! Thank you so much!!

[@durk1980]

Glad it was helpful!

[@shaniaa9287]

I was all confused about the front deck bracket that fell out when changing my belt. This us a super great video....thanks so much👍❣🏆

[@durk1980]

Awesome, thank you!

[@mblack360]

Great video. I just got one of these used for $150 with 140 hours and both belts were on wrong. Now it's working perfectly.

[@durk1980]

Awesome!

[@clarkkent4991]

Thanks sooooo much for the video!!!! I have a Cub Cadet also. I knew your video was going to be good and clear and detailed when I saw you clean the mower first. Lol. I laugh because I just saw another video and they guy had leaves all on the deck etc. I told my wife I could tell that his video was going to be hard to follow and he is going to skip and miss important details. You did a GREAT job! This will be my first time taking the deck off myself. I have to put a new steering gear and ball joint on the tie rod arms. Attention to detail is key. Thanks

[@durk1980]

Lol, there’s no way I work on anything when it’s dirty. Glad it helped!

[@jand78a]

Mate thanks so much for your straight forward simple explanations to fckn hard issues and your tips save the flesh on my fingers so cheers I love my ride on.

[@durk1980]

Everyone needs more skin on their knuckles!

[@scottgm321]

A friend of mine just bought one of these for $500 and said the blades quit turning. I watched your video before he got here. As soon as I got the mower up in the air on my forklift, I saw that bar that locks the PTO clutch into place was on backwards. Not even close to the notch in the pto. The previous owner also put on new blades but did not tighten the nuts so the blades were about to fall off. Your video is perfect, I knew exactly what to look for when it got here. Thanks. Someone gave away their mower because they put the bar on backwards.

[@durk1980]

Thanks! It’s amazing what passes as “broken” that’s easy to fix huh? Glad the video helped!

[@Yellowjacket1977]

@@durk1980 I have the Cub 1000 Series LTX1040. I was told the blades needed to be installed with one horizontally and the other vertically so they wouldn't touch in the middle. Is that true?

[@durk1980]

@@Yellowjacket1977 I'd have to check online. I know my blades did NOT touch, no matter their alignment. Same for my current John Deere zero turn. That said, I DO know there are models which require blade alignment for exactly what you're referencing. Hopefully you can find the manual online and it should be an easy find. Good luck!

[@trendinvestor2893]

@@durk1980 I recently bought an LTX1042 cheap because it had a broken timing belt. The timing belt, or spindle belt, keeps the 2 blades from hitting each other. Actually, I really should order the new belt this evening so that I can use that mower next weekend.

[@burrdock2]

Thank you! Great video! Thanks for all the detail!

[@durk1980]

Appreciate the support!

[@danielhovermale6862]

Great vid. 12/10, would recommend

[@durk1980]

Thanks!

[@user-yh3lx4ls7l]

Thanks bro very well explained. Bout to give it a go

[@durk1980]

Have fun! Hope it worked out.

[@MrRudyc]

Very well done. Thanks for your info 😊

[@durk1980]

Thank you!

[@markmcconnell3086]

Thanks so much. Video helped me make repair on my deck

[@durk1980]

Awesome!

[@stephanandree131]

This video is very helpful !

[@durk1980]

Thank you Stephen!

[@wshauck9527]

Thanks for tripod mounting the camera.

[@AJDIYNetwork]

Great video. Thanks for the information, durk

[@durk1980]

Thanks!

[@NorthernHomeGarage]

Great video!

[@durk1980]

Thanks!

[@budgunter8950]

Hi Durk, This is a GREAT Video, Clear illustrations and simple instructions, Thank You for the help! Just one Question .....How did you Stand up and balance the Tractor on the Back wheels?

[@durk1980]

Thanks! Grab it where shown in the video, and once up, have a helper throw a 2x4 or wheel chock on opposite sides of the rear tires, so it can’t spin. Lift with the legs!

[@aaronwilliamson4045]

On unbolting the engine to get the drive belt off, i resorted to cutting the belt keeper tabs with a 3" cut off tool and bending them out of the way.. I was working underneath so it was dangerous and a pain to say the least.

[@durk1980]

Oh wow. Sounds fun! Yeah, I was almost there my friend.

[@curtisbeiersdorf4420]

Saved me $400 by having to take this to the dealer to get a new belt and blades installed!!!!

[@durk1980]

Awesome!

[@jeanelie6704]

Great Job!! Just what I was looking for :) Going to be replacing deck belt today :)

[@durk1980]

Hope it went well! Thx!

[@codymessenger4572]

I know this video is from a while ago but where do you find your blades. I just put new spindles on mine and the ones from before had a star pattern, my new spindles are a circle pattern like yours here. I’m having trouble finding 3/4” round hole 42” deck blades.

[@durk1980]

It's in the description. From Amazon. Good luck!

[@mjc691]

Thank you for making this video. It was a huge help

[@durk1980]

Hey man. My email shows another comment from you, but maybe you edited it off. Curious about the nut size for the blades? I sold that mower long ago, but I still have the old nuts. You can go standard 1-1/8”, or 29mm 12 point. I think 28mm 12 point would be more snug, but I don’t have one.

[@mjc691]

Hi Dirk I did edit it I found the part number right after I asked the question. I still wanted to thank you for taking the time to make this video seriously was a huge help.

[@mamcalli1]

Durk, what is the correct deck belt length for your model Cub Cadet. I bought a replacement belt that is too long and I cannot find the correct information online what what length belt to use. I have a 1042 with the same pulley configuration as yours.

[@durk1980]

It's in the description - but it looks like a 78" belt. I sold that forever ago - so I can't remember!

[@rockydelnegro550]

Oh , I forgot Spring . I found one tension spring ( broken ). How many tension spring (s) on your lt1042 ?? I'm not sure if there is suposed to be 2 . ?? Or just the one that I found. ? Please let me know. You're a great you-tuber guy.

[@durk1980]

At 10:57 my hand is on a pulley that is above the one spring I had. I’ve since sold that mower, and I have a John Deere zero turn now. It looks like there was just one spring.

[@rev.cstrazz212]

Hi Durk, I have a 2006 LT1042 model, but the pulley set up is completely different, having a bit of trouble, any suggestions? Is your machine a 2007?

[@durk1980]

I have since sold this, I’m sorry I don’t know! If there’s not a sticker or diagram on the deck, you can always Google it. It’s a fairly simple set up though, the belt should look the same as mine, because there’s only one combination of inside or outside of the Spindles that it can go. It would only very if you had a different number of spindles, or they were in a different location, but there’s still only one way it’ll work. good luck!

[@rev.cstrazz212]

Thanks for the video Dirk!! So, I have a 2006 LT1042 and the pulley system is different...I recently found out its been changed, do u know how to position the new set up? Any info would be greatly appreciated...Thanks again Dirk

[@durk1980]

Hmm. Unfortunately I don't. If you can't find the owner's manual online, I'd have to google it to be honest. Sorry!

[@rev.cstrazz212]

Oh ok, thanks...I've been searching online for the manual...I appreciate you getting back to me...

[@aaronwilliamson4045]

Thanks for the video. I have an old 1525 and am replacing a bearing on a jack shaft and the blades.. I have been looking for what mechanism is used to keep the blades from hitting each other if not staggered. From your pictures (video) it looks like the blades don't touch (are not long enough to reach each other) . Now wondering why a strip of uncut grass is not left between the blades... Anyone?

[@durk1980]

Hey Aaron. Thx for the comment. I prefer non-timed decks (decks w/out a timing belt). If the timing belt slips, it can cause damage when the blades hit each other. This Cub Cadet model is a 2 blade model. The only way to have 2 blades w/out a separate timing belt is to stagger the blades. Think about drawing 2 circles, slightly overlapping, then move one up until it's barely not touching. Same horizontal plane, just staggered. Hard to tell in my video because I don't run a string line, but when I'm tightening the blades, and you see both center points, the right most blade is SLIGHTLY higher than the left one. All they need is that slight offset. Pretty cool actually.

[@Walczyk]

What's the little sensor switch on the transmission? It's on the passenger side under the body. We bought ours used and it was clipped out

[@durk1980]

Man, no idea. I’ve since sold this, and I wouldn’t be able to tell without looking. Hopefully, Google will provide!

[@sidrojoe]

I have a lt1042, I'm having to relocate the idler pulley, belt keeps coming off, they changed the deck idler pulley configuration on 2007 and later models to correct the belt problem, great video, thanks.

[@durk1980]

Glad it helped!

[@bruceaugustine6486]

Ok my rule of thumb is this, if i pull the top pully off, the spindle, if i can see the balls in the bearing then i will grease them but the ones on my mower the bearings have a black cover over both sides that seal the bearing, but the spindles also have a zerk, but the grease can't get to the ball bearings under the plastic caps.

[@durk1980]

Makes sense. I don’t know why they’d put a zerk to nowhere, but makes sense to me.

[@johnviewer2305]

I take my leaf blower and blow clean everytime i finish...plus every outher mow i spray wd40 on all the linkage under the battery...the linkage that sets the hyd pumps into position for the drive tires...makes a world of difference when steering...mine is a zero turn...good video tho...

[@durk1980]

Thanks!

[@rockydelnegro550]

Sorry I spelled name wrong. " Durk" not Dirk .again thank you

[@durk1980]

All good:)

[@JP-pk6sc]

Any tips for a mower that’s been sitting for awhile that won’t turn over? Charged the battery, oil light turns on (I’ll try it next), and I’ll watch the fan on top of the motor turn but it won’t start

[@durk1980]

Mowers are pretty easy. If there’s a fuse, make sure it’s good. Throw a multi-meter on the battery and verify it’s good. If it is, start tracking the wire harness and check for shorts. You can also look at the wiring under the ignition where you turn the key. Something may have worked itself loose.

[@durk1980]

Duh, forgot to say that it could be the starter. I had to get a new one on our Cub Cadet and that fixed it.

[@dontblameme6328]

Likely one of the many safety switches are open/faulty.

[@nicholasbarcomb93]

What's the belt size for that exact mower

[@durk1980]

It’s in the description. Scroll down and there’s links. It’s been so long, I don’t remember, but I know those links will show it.

[@AJDIYNetwork]

What caused the spindle to break?

[@durk1980]

I think it got dry from a lack of grease before we even bought it, then it all went downhill from there. I used it for light commercial use in addition to my house, and if you don’t properly maintain those with that amount of hours it will wear them out fast.

[@Walczyk]

did you ever show when the oil drain is?

[@durk1980]

I touch it at 3:30 in the video.

[@sissymurphy9620]

I have a problem with the deck height on my cub cadet 2016 1042kw At the heighest level on the deck handle the deck wheels are already on the ground . I just did the spindles the deck and drive belts on it and can't figure out why the height of the deck is so low . I have cables that hold the deck up in the back and i inspected them and the pulleys and they look OK . The deck wheels should no be touching the ground at the heighest setting What am I missing here that I am not seeing . I used youtube to do most of the work on the mower as there are no repair shops anywhere near me . I live in a rural area

[@durk1980]

Without seeing it, I wouldn’t know, but it’s not a very complicated set up. When you pull the handle up, to raise the deck, it only goes up so high. There could be something wrong with the transition where the handle meets the deck. Perhaps something is stuck, and not allowing it to go all the way up. I would assume that the wheels you have are the original wheels, so that wouldn’t be anything. Maybe it was broken at some point, and somebody put in a different part that altered the specifications such that it doesn’t allow it to go all the way up. Unfortunately without seeing it I don’t know. I’m sorry! Good luck.

[@durk1980]

Go to 7:25 in the video. You see how there’s 2 holes? My deck was aligned for the bottom holes. If you place that pin in the spring, in the upper holes, it will make it a very different adjustment when you pull the handle. Perhaps see if that is the same as mine in the video?

[@sissymurphy9620]

@@durk1980 it worked fine when i bought it new and after I put on the new deck belt is when this got worse . before that it was a little low but not as low as it is now

[@sissymurphy9620]

@@durk1980 As per parts tree it is the same . I printed it ou and will try the upper hole . for some reason there are printed numbers on the upper hole and i took pics of the placement of everything before I ever took the deck off the second time . A shop under warranty replaced the first set of pulleys and spindles after they sheared off from no grease in the bearings with only 20 hours of run time and i only had it 3 days but I always have owned 2 mowers for my 3 + acres . It was really less than 20 hours since had to come back up to the house

[@bruceaugustine6486]

the good news is that the bearings are sealed top and bottom so filling the spindle with grease is useless because it will never gets into the bearings.

[@dontblameme6328]

Actually... That's not true on these particular spindles. It does not have sealed ball bearings. It has tapered roller bearings that run on a tapered race with a seal that is pressed into the spindle housing much like an automotive wheel bearing.

[@durk1980]

I didn't see them sealed, and there was a grease fitting (zerk). If there's a fitting, I'll always to to squish some in there:)

[@philliphall5198]

You can cut out the clean up time and get to the repair work 😊😊

[@durk1980]

I could, but then someone would ask to cut out repair and show how to clean. Good thing we can fast forward KZbin videos😉

[@masohafdu8839]

what type of oil?

[@durk1980]

10W-30; it's in the notes (by oil filter) along with everything I used. Good luck!

[@rev.cstrazz212]

Sorry, spelled your name wrong....

[@durk1980]

Wouldn't be the first time, all good!