Cub Cadet’s LTX1040 is a smart choice for homeowners looking for a riding mower that’s easy to use, efficient during mowing, and easy to maintain. Even so, some basic maintenance will be required at regular intervals to ensure that the mower’s parts remain in excellent condition. Homeowners new to Cub Cadet equipment will find this maintenance to be rather easy to schedule and pursue, with several different requirements based on the type of fluid or part being checked.
A General Outline of the LTX1040 Maintenance Schedule
Cub Cadet recommends that air filters, oil levels, and fuel levels be checked before each use. After ten hours of use, the company recommends cleaning battery terminals and checking pedal points and hood louvers. More extensive maintenance requirements begin around 25 hours of active mower usage. For homeowners making a maintenance plan, here’s what to check and when to check it.
After 25 Hours of Use
– Check and change front axle and rim lubrication
– Clean and lubricate the air filter
– Lubricate front deck wheels and spindles
– Clean the engine’s cooling fins
After 50 Hours of Use
– Change engine oil
– Replace oil filter
After 100 Hours of Use
– Replace air filter
– Replace fuel filter
– Check spark plug condition
Before Storage
– Conduct all 25, 50, and 100-hour maintenance checks and procedures
Changing the Engine Oil and the Oil Filter
Before changing the oil, allow the engine to run for a few moments so that the oil warms up and becomes a bit easier to drain. When the oil is warmed up, remove the protective drain plug under the hood and expose the drain cap. Remove the oil cap and dipstick, and then attach the oil drain hose to the drain cap. Turn the drain cap one quarter of a turn and allow the oil to drain into an approved container for safe disposal afterward.
In the meantime, remove the oil filter and replace it with an OEM Cub Cadet model. When the oil is finished draining, use Cub Cadet’s recommended oil to refill the oil compartment until it meets the fill line on the dipstick.
Air Filter and Spark Plug Maintenance
The air filter and spark plug should both be checked, cleaned, and replaced at regular intervals. It’s worth noting, however, that Cub Cadet’s LTX1040 riding mower can come with a number of different engines and each engine has a unique maintenance schedule and associated procedure. Be sure to consult each engine’s unique owner’s manual to find out how often each of these key parts should be checked, cleaned, and replaced, as well as the specific part numbers needed when replacement must be conducted.
Battery Maintenance
The battery used to power many of the LTX1040’s functions is sealed away and thus requires no actual maintenance other than cleaning the battery terminals. Generally, battery terminals should be cleaned and checked every ten hours of mower usage to ensure that there is no excessive carbon buildup that might prevent efficient operation. After cleaning these terminals free of any carbon residue, be sure to apply a light coat of petroleum jelly in order to lubricate the terminals and make them easier to clean and check in the future.
Cleaning the Cub Cadet LTX1040
One of the great things about Cub Cadet’s LTX line is that virtually all of the mowers feature a Smart Jet port for easy deck cleaning. The LTX1040 is one of those models, with a smart jet port located atop the deck that makes it easy to connect a hose and give the deck what amounts to a brief power wash. Before using Smart Jet, however, operators must ensure that the mower is on a flat surface, that the blades have been disengaged, and that the mower’s engine is off. Only turn the mower on when the hose is firmly connected and the wash is about to begin. Make sure the blades are set to “fast” in order to get the best wash.
Lubrication of Key Mower Parts
There are three key points that must be lubricated on a regular basis to keep the LTX1040 in great shape for the long-term. By adhering to the maintenance schedule and using approved lubricant, these joints and fittings will stand the test of time and be less likely to require replacement.
Front Wheels and Deck Wheels
The front wheels and deck wheels each contain a grease fitting, and they should be lubricated using a no. 2 multi-purpose lubricant after every 25 hours of use.
Pivot Points
The mower’s pivot points and linkage should be lubricated at least once per summer season with a light oil.
In addition to regular lubrication of these joints, operators should consult their owner’s manual concerning adjustments that can be made to the mower deck, the steering system and the seat, as some of these adjustments are simply easier to perform when the mower is already in maintenance setting.
CubParts.com Has What Equipment Owners Need
For the best selection of OEM parts, which are essential to great mower maintenance, CubParts.com can help. The site features an easy-to-use parts lookup tool that indexes a dizzying amount of filters, lubricants, blades, bolts and more.