Cub Cadet LT1042 Operator's Manual page 16

• For best results it is recommended that the first two
laps be cut with the discharge thrown towards the
center. After the first two laps, reverse the direction
to throw the discharge to the outside for the
balance of cutting. This will give a better
appearance to the lawn.
• Do not cut the grass too short. Short grass invites
weed growth and yellows quickly in dry weather.
• Mowing should always be done with the engine at
full throttle.
• Under heavier conditions it may be necessary to go
back over the cut area a second time to get a clean
cut.
• Do NOT attempt to mow heavy brush and weeds or
extremely tall grass. Your tractor is designed to
mow lawns, NOT clear brush.
• Keep the blades sharp and replace the blades
when worn. Refer to Cutting Blades on page 25 of this
manual for proper blade sharpening instructions.
Mulching
Cub Cadet Series 1000 tractors are equipped with a
mulch kit which incorporates special blades, already
standard on your tractor, in a process of recirculating
grass clippings repeatedly beneath the cutting deck.
The ultra-fine clippings are then forced back into the
lawn where they act as a natural fertilizer. Observe the
following points for the best results when mulching.
• Never attempt to mulch if the lawn is damp. Wet
grass tends to stick to the underside of the cutting
deck preventing proper mulching of the clippings.
• Do NOT attempt to mulch more than 1/3 the total
height of the grass or approximately 1-1/2 inches.
Doing so will cause the clippings to clump up
beneath the deck and not be mulched effectively.
• Maintain a slow ground speed to allow the grass
clippings more time to effectively be mulched.
• Always position the throttle control lever in the
FAST (rabbit) position and allow it to remain there
while mowing. Failing to keep the engine at full
throttle places strain on the tractor's engine and
does not allow the blades to properly mulch grass.
NOTE:
It is not necessary to remove the discharge
chute to operate the mower with the mulch kit installed.
42- and 46-inch Decks
On model LT1042, LT1045 and LT1046 the mulch kit is
installed at the factory. To operate the cutting deck
without mulching, simply remove the mulch plug by
unthreading the plastic wing nut which fastens it to the
cutting deck. This will allow the clippings to discharge
out the side. See Figure 8
Carriage Screw
Plastic Wing Nut
NOTE: 42-inch Deck Shown.
50-inch Decks
On model LT1050, the mulch kit is installed at the
factory. To operate the cutting deck without mulching,
simply remove the mulch plug by pivoting the discharge
chute up and pulling the plug outward. To reinstall plug:
Locate two rectangular holes on the cutting deck
surface.
• Pivot the discharge chute up to access the deck
opening. See Figure 9.
• Insert the mulch plug, aligning the top edge of the
plug with the deck as shown in the Figure 9. Make
sure the notches on the plug are in the slots on the
deck opening.
• Lightly tap on the plug with your hand to assure that
the notches fit snugly under the chute tabs.
Mulch Plug
16
Mulch Plug
Figure 8
Figure 9