In-depth Review of the Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro Series Lawn Tractor
When you invest in a riding mower from a renowned manufacturer, you definitely expect it to be agile, efficient and user-friendly. In this regard, the Cub Cadet XT1 46” V-Twin Hydrostatic Riding Mower undoubtedly exceeds your expectations! Its superior V-Twin Hydrostatic Engine stands miles ahead of the plethora of lawn mowers that run on less efficient, single-cylinder engines. You needn’t be a ‘mowing expert’ to master its various controls, thanks to the pliable Push Button Cruise Control System for speed-adjustments, the highly responsive, automotive-style steering and the super-tight 16” turn radius for precision-based cutting. Armed with a bigger sized 46” cutting deck whilst being powered by a 22HP Kohler Engine, this riding beauty from Cub Cadet takes on 1-2 acre yards with great ease. Not to forget, you have the option of taking your pick from various add-ons like a twin bagger, mulch kit, rear spreader, snow blade, steel and poly cart and so on!
Let’s see how this XT1 model performs:
Product Overview
Product Info:
- Riding Lawn Mower
- Lawn Tractor
- 20HP, 725cc V-Twin Kohler Engine
- Hydrostatic Transmission
- Not CARB-Compliant
Features:
- 46 inch rust resistance deck
- Side-Discharge
- Cruise Control
- 12 height Settings
- Weight: 420 lbs.
- 3-years warranty
Cub Cadet New Enduro Series XT1 LT46 Lawn Tractor, 13AQA9TTA10
Tractor Supply Cub Cadet New Enduro Series XT1 LT46 Lawn Tractor, 13AQA9TTA10
Ease of Use
When you first reckon a riding mower that weighs close to 420 pounds and with reasonably big dimensions of 67 x 43 x 56 inches, you’re bound to think it’s going to be a hell of a task using it! But that’s absolutely not the case, with the Cub Cadet XT1 46” riding mower that belongs to the brand’s premium Enduro Series. Though getting it off the crate requires a great deal of effort, the assembling-part is extremely simple (as long as you stick to the instruction manual to the hilt!) Ergonomics-wise, I’ve had no complaints so far. Bulky no doubt, but the easy electric start and auto-transmission ensures that you don’t get perturbed with operational complexities. You can actually realize the attention to detail that Cub Cadet has put in, to make you feel comfortable. Unlike the Poulan Pro 15.5HP Automatic Riding Mower, the seat is non-slippery, oversized and the back-rest is elevated. Also, the gas tank is quite huge (capacity of 3 gallons), so you needn’t worry about frequent re-fuelling. The sight-gauge on the tank acts as a ready-reckoner for the fuel level, making your life a lot easier!
Cut Quality
One of the myriad benefits of opting for the Cub Cadet XT1 22HP Riding Mower, is its wide 2-blade cutting deck as wide as 46”. Normally, a riding mower from Troy Bilt or Snapper in a slightly lower price bracket, comes with cutting decks ranging from 30 to 42 inches only. So it takes close to 3 hours for me to perfectly mow my almost 2-acre yard using a smaller mower, but with this huge Cub Cadet model, the job gets done in half the time! The front wheel measured at 15” and rear wheel measured at 20” offer ideal maneuverability for all kinds of turfs that I’ve tested the mower on. And I’ve already spoken about the 16” turn radius, which is really good for a lawn tractor, delivering the finish almost equivalent to a zero turn mower. The only downer is that the mulch kit, twin bagger and rear spreader need to be purchased separately. There are several other optional multi-seasonal attachments to choose from as well, but I’ve opted for the mulching and bagging units only. Just so you know, the mulching is of very fine quality, and makes for the perfect manure for your lawn!
Height Adjustment
The fact that this V-Twin Hydrostatic Riding Mower from Cub Cadet provides 12 cutting heights between 1 to 4 inches, itself speaks of the superlative features it has to offer. Most of its counterparts offer only 5-7 cutting height adjustments, so this one offering twice the number is a clear advantage. Just lightly drag the single lever across the height markings, and you’re good to go!
Motor Power
With the kind of profound experience I’ve had with riding mowers and lawn tractors in particular, I can tell you for sure that very few mowing tractors in the budget-friendly zone can take on steep slopes (almost 10 to 20 degrees incline) with so much ease! Another great aspect of the robust 22HP, 725cc engine from Kohler is that, it very easily and neatly cuts through the toughest grass varieties- Tall Fescue, Centipede and Bermuda. Over the course of 7 months, I’ve also tried mowing over wet grass twice, and the engine did not give up even then! But the ride was definitely bumpy, so I’d advice you not to mow wet patches if you’re a rookie. Similarly, you should be careful with speed control in sloping yards; always keep one foot on the brake/clutch pedal. Once you’re well-versed with the controls, you could cruise as fast as 5.5 mph forward and 3.1 mph reverse!
Maintenance
I wouldn’t say this is much of a problem area, but it’s somewhat not in line with what I expected from such a popular riding mower. The front axle starts to squeak after a few uses, and needs some greasing every now and then. Also the adjustable levers on the fender, and one even next to the driver’s seat is made of not-so-sturdy plastic. But apart from this, everything else seems to be in order with the Cub Cadet XT1 46” Riding Mower. The cutting deck is definitely rust-resistant and there’s a cleanout port for hassle-free washing. Even the warranty is generous as compared to similar riding mowers from other brands. You get 3 years overall warranty and a special 5-year coverage period on the front axle.
Special mention for the incorporated Blade Brake Clutch (BBC) which stops the blade from spinning while the engine continues running so that you can empty grass bag or remove debris from your path.
Cost Effectiveness
The Cub Cadet XT1 46” V-Twin Hydrostatic Riding Mower definitely features in the category of cost-effective riding mowers, but is somewhat higher-priced as compared to its counterparts like the Murray 42” Riding Mower. But considering the fact that it boats of a superior twin-cylinder engine from Kohler with batteries and engine oil included, has a longer warranty, and is much more powerful, fuel efficient and has a larger cutting deck, this makes for a one-time investment that’s absolutely worthwhile!
