Cub Cadet 1046 kw vs Craftsman YT4000

If you're a bit of a DIY-er, have you thought about saving a bunch of money and going with something used?

Otherwise, IMO most all of these $1,500 riders are about the same. Sure, they might have different features, but it's sort of a mix and match game, and then they juice it up by trying to outdo each other with big horse power and wide decks.

I've worked on a ton of Craftsman stuff, from the big old GT's with hi/lo range transmissions, to the most recent plastic wiz-bang models. They all seem about the same to me, with quality trends varying based on era of build. I've got a late model one in right now with a big v-twin. It's like brand new, low hours, garage stored....2 broken connecting rods(or the rod caps have fallen off, haven't opened it up yet.

I had my first Cub Cadet about 2 weeks ago. An LT1045 with automatic. I wasn't impressed. Same-ol'-same-ol' IMO. Appears to be the same as the Toro HXL's, just not red. It's Kohler Courage 20hp wouldn't start because the stud that holds the rocker arm for the exhaust valve had fallen out of the head, and the rocker arm was just laying there. Fixed that and it ran another hour before the compression release spring (a cheesey little 10cent spring) broke inside the engine and caused the exhaust valve to collide with the piston, bending the valve and breaking the valve spring seat and retainer. Ran great when all repaired and I really like the motion pedal you step on with that automatic. Made for nice hands free driving. But I like that in the Toro HXL machines too.

Personally, for the money, and how simple these are to work on, I'd never buy a new one, but that's not for everybody. Between outdoordistributors.com and a couple other online sources, common parts are inexpensive.

What ever you get, I'd suggest getting a front bumper on it asap. Grills, headlights, and hoods are super expensive and I see a lot of these (of all makes) with damage there. The 1045 I had came with a bumper built in. I've not seen that on Craftsman, but they sell a really nice bumper for under $30 that sticks way out and really protects the entire machine.

Good luck!

country fried said:

alot of the craftsman line are built by MTD, who also now owns the cubcadet name. i don't know about each modle, but these two might have more in common than you think.

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I have a 2011 YT4000 42" with 24 hp B&S Twin. It has Husquvarna stickers under the seat.(is made by AYP American Yard Products)



I have pretty rough property with a few hills. It is useless on the hills but you cut going down.

I keep the mower off of it as I use the tractor way more hauling stuff around the property than I do cutting grass and the with the rough sports the mower hangs it up. Takes about 2 minutes to install or remove the deck.

Lots of power, poor brakes on an incline. I just added weight to the tires and hopefully that will help.

I love the tight turn radius for getting around all the trees that I have.

There was a problem with the guage wheels not moving as they hit the deck in the third position and after fighting with sears about it I just took a hammer to the deck and fixed it. Poor customer service.

I am amazed at how much that it has improved my productivity with cart on the property let alone cutting my grass cutting from about 10 hours to 3 hours a week.

I like the hydro foot pedal and the ability to order parts.

I put 65 hours on it and I would say great on flat land. Not so good on hills.

austinado16 said:

You should buy a set of the "tractor" tires for the rear......you know, the ones with the diagonal paddles (outdoordistributors.com) and I think you'll love that thing.

A gal I know had a set of chains built for hers, and that's what she uses on her farm/ranch for everything the big 3 point mower and Massey-Furguson can't reach. She runs the bag off the thing, on steep slopes, etc. I've mowed with in areas where I had to scoot over with half my a$$ off the seat, and the back end was slightly canted out. No problems. I'm not a fan of the chains though. They just aren't as good as the tractor tires.

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The ag tires are too agressive and tear up those areas that I have decently landscapped. I got rid of my Terra Jet cause it was just chewing up too much grass.

Of course Sam lost his ride!



I have thought about chains but according to the owners manual you cannot keep them on with the mower deck and there is not a lot of clearance between the mower and the deck.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Thanks for the info guys! I'd would go the used route, but right now I don't really have the time to deal with something that I'd either have to fix right away or that might have hidden problems. I've been looking and haven't seen anything that's peaked my interest either. I'd rather have something new that I can fix in the future and that I will know it's service history. I also have a bit of an OCD issue where I like keeping my stuff in good shape - something a lot of people wouldn't do with a tractor lol.

It's sad that I've gone back and forth on this so much, but I think I am going to go with the YT4000. Yeah, I like the feel of sitting on the 1046 a little more, but I like the idea of having the Sears parts direct support system. As an added bonus, my lawn mower and snow blower also have B&S motors, so maybe I'll get to know the motors a little better if they're all made by the same company. (I'm working on becoming more of a DIYer) The topper was that I showed them to my 5 yr old son last night, and his vote went to the fire red craftsman even though his favorite color is yellow lol. It'd be nice to get something that he was excited about too...just gotta remember to hide the keys.

MikeInParadise said:

I have a 2011 YT4000 42" with 24 hp B&S Twin. It has Husquvarna stickers under the seat.(is made by AYP American Yard Products)

I have pretty rough property with a few hills. It is useless on the hills but you cut going down.

I keep the mower off of it as I use the tractor way more hauling stuff around the property than I do cutting grass and the with the rough sports the mower hangs it up. Takes about 2 minutes to install or remove the deck.

Lots of power, poor brakes on an incline. I just added weight to the tires and hopefully that will help.

I love the tight turn radius for getting around all the trees that I have.

There was a problem with the guage wheels not moving as they hit the deck in the third position and after fighting with sears about it I just took a hammer to the deck and fixed it. Poor customer service.

I am amazed at how much that it has improved my productivity with cart on the property let alone cutting my grass cutting from about 10 hours to 3 hours a week.

I like the hydro foot pedal and the ability to order parts.

I put 65 hours on it and I would say great on flat land. Not so good on hills.

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Thanks for the pics. My front yard is little bit of an incline, but I wouldn't call it hilly. Over a span of about 80 feet it goes up about 10 feet. Think that should give it any problems? The other issue is that I am at the bottom of a hill, so my yard can get a little swampy. (working on that too)

I'll definitely be ordering a cart for it to haul stuff around the yard. I won't overload it or anything, but something to help with some dirt or wood.

It kind of sucks that I saw it was on sale with free shipping on the 1st, but I didn't pull the trigger. I figured that I could probably do better than the 5% off if I keep looking.