Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro Series LT42” Kohler Hydrostatic Gas Front-Engine Lawn Tractor Review

Curious to see how a fully featured and award-winning lawn tractor can make your life easier and help reclaim those lost hours? 

When you have a task ahead of you that only a lawn tractor can put a dent into, you want a machine that’s reliable, can handle inclines and keeps on running whether it is slicing down grass or blowing snow. Cub Cadet steps onto the scene with their XT1 Enduro Series Kohler Hydrostatic Gas Front-Engine Lawn Tractor, a heavy-duty, smartly engineered machine that is built to exceed expectations. This is a beloved machine, even if you haven’t had any experience with the brand previously, and it deserves the consideration to be your new favorite tool. After winning awards from leading publications and the Consumer Digest Best Buy award, the XT1 Enduro LT42” is more than ready and willing to turn your landscaping and property care into a simple, easy, and even enjoyable task.

DESIGN & BUILD | Sports Car Aesthetic, Heavy Duty Heart

No one will miss you riding around on this bright yellow and black machine with its smooth, crisp angles and powerful profile. Outward appearances aside, the heart of the Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro Series beats strong with a 18HP Kohler professional-grade Courage OHV engine, feeding pure power into the Tuff Torq foot-controlled hydrostatic transmission with soft touch engagement. If that isn’t enough to impress you, the 42” reach, twin-bladed stamped metal cutting deck with its spring-assisted 12 position height adjustment just might. Want to switch to mulching, bagging, plowing, or any other extra accessories? Pop them on and off with tool-less ease thanks to the QuickAttach system. Still not impressed? How about the fully robotically welded frame protected with a corrosion resistant e-coating defense system? All of this together defines a property maintenance beast that is ready and willing to take down long grass, big tasks, and keep on going season after season.

“…42” reach, twin-bladed stamped metal cutting deck with its spring-assisted 12 position height adjustment…”

While the XT1 Enduro LT42” is a beefy machine at 68” by 50”, length and width, it has a surprisingly tight turn radius of 16”. This agility comes in extremely handy when you’re running the dual-bin bagger or hauling a small trailer behind. Some owners have even stated that the XT1 Enduro LT42” is more maneuverable than their walk-behind mowers, and once you get your hands on it, you’ll definitely be impressed as well.

Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro Series LT42” Kohler Hydrostatic Gas Front-Engine Lawn Tractor motor

SAFETY & DURABILITY | Durable & Dependable

Cub Cadet makes sure that every potential owner and operator are aware of the safety features included with the Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro Series Neutral start and an operator presence, pressure-activated safety switch is fairly industry standard, the important thing to note is the reverse safety switch and RevTek reverse mowing technology. Whether you’re a veteran operator or a fresh owner, it is important that you are always aware of your surroundings when using reverse mowing. Cub Cadet’s RevTek places a warning light on the dash to remind you that the blades will remain engaged even if you’re going in reverse, so you don’t have to repeatedly toggle the override off and on. If others approach you, or there is a chance of injury, you can toggle the feature off and manually engage the override each time you wish to mow in reverse.

“Cub Cadet’s RevTek places a warning light on the dash to remind you that the blades will remain engaged…”

The XT1 Enduro LT42” is built to last and last beyond each season. Its build quality is excellent, from the welded frame to the stamped cutting deck with multiple anti-scalping wheels. Owner and operator reviews state years of quality and continuing service, praising its heavy-duty quality. Cub Cadet has put a great deal of thought into the smallest design choices, culminating with an e-coating for the frame that works hard to prevent corrosion on top of already using quality materials.

Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro Series LT42” Kohler Hydrostatic Gas Front-Engine Lawn Tractor comfort grip

PERFORMANCE | Season to Season

Ease of Use

Even if you’re new to the lawn tractor scene, the XT1 Enduro LT42” is a great option to consider. Thanks to the smooth engagement pedal tied into the hydrostatic transmission, you’ll get less of the jerks and bumps and more comfortable control. The QuickAttach system makes accessories simple to add and remove, a tool-less system designed to make your chores less complicated. The only thing it is missing at this point is a cupholder for your bottle of water.

Best Features

When a machine is set to take up a corner of your garage or tool shed for years, you want to know that you’re getting your money’s worth out of it. The Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro Series has taken the deck wash port and amped up its effectiveness. Because leaving clippings caked on underneath your cutting deck prevents proper grass lift and can promote corrosion, you want to get rid of whatever leftovers are overstaying their welcome as easily as possible. Thanks to the high-pressure nozzles that work with your blades, you’ll be able to clear up both sides of the deck, clean off both blades, and get back to full effectiveness faster.

Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro Series LT42” Kohler Hydrostatic Gas Front-Engine Lawn Tractor blades

LONGEVITY & PRICE | Built to Last

Everything about the XT1 Enduro LT42” is made to work and last. From cast iron to steel, the parts that matter most are built to keep on going and take whatever comes. We’ve talked about these components already. What should really get your attention is Cub Cadet’s warranty system. The XT1 Enduro LT42” comes with 3-year warranty with unlimited hours that also includes the powertrain and a 5-year warranty covering the chassis & front axle, also with unlimited hours. Last but not least, they also include a limited lifetime warranty for the fabricated deck shell. Come what may, you’ll be able to handle it.

Be sure to check the current Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro Series – Amazon price here.

This workhorse edges in with an MSRP of $2151.20, putting it well in the range of affordable for most anyone looking to step into the lawn tractor realm. Considering the excellent quality, robust durability, and dependability that comes packed into this lovely machine, this machine is well worth the investment. The only downside we can see is that there are more accessories available for larger sized cutting decks in the same series, which raises the price a bit more. Ultimately not a concern if you’re considering your own fabrication or don’t need a snow plow blade attachment, but worth mentioning.

Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro Series LT42” Kohler Hydrostatic Gas Front-Engine Lawn Tractor full view

Pros

• Durable and dependable
• Excellent cost/benefit ratio
• Multiple awards from both publications and consumers
• You get so much for the price (see current Amazon Price)

Cons

• 42” doesn’t have as many accessories as other models
• Lower horsepower than some comparable tractors

THE BOTTOM LINE | Excellent Quality Investment