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Lawn Tractors
- Best lawn tractor overall John Deere X304 *Est. $3600
- Best value, medium-duty lawn tractor John Deere LA115 *Est. $1750
- Budget lawn tractor for light duty Poulan XT PXT16542 *Est. $1000
- Best zero-turn lawn mower Toro TimeCutter Z4200 *Est. $2700
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- Fast speed (6 mph)
- Uses steering wheel, not levers
- Can take gardening attachments
- Kohler OHV engine with full-pressure lubrication
- Stiff and uncomfortable ride
- Weak mulching performance
- Reports of quality-control issues
The Cub Cadet iSeries ZTT 42 zero-turn lawn tractor speeds mowing by moving at a fast 6 mph and maneuvering like a zero-turn mower -- leaving no circle of uncut grass when turning. Yet it uses a regular steering wheel (instead of two levers as on a zero-turn mower) and can take attachments. Reviews say the 42-inch Cub Cadet iSeries ZTT 42 cuts evenly. The main drawback is that owners report many quality-control issues and early breakdowns with this lawn tractor. For a true zero-turn mower, reviews recommend the 42-inch Toro TimeCutter Z4200 (*Est. (*Est. $2,700). It moves faster (up to 7 mph) and mulches better. It steers with two levers, but owners say it takes only about half an hour to learn to use them.
The Cub Cadet iSeries ZTT 42 isn't covered in the 2009 tests by ConsumerReports.org, but it was tested in 2008 under the old model name, the Cub Cadet i0142. This report ranks 27 lawn tractors based on several weeks of objective tests, outlining each model's ratings on six factors. ConsumerGuide.com reviews a larger model in the same series, rating it on four factors and providing a lot of detail. Consumer's Digest and Popular Mechanics recommend it largely based on its unique features. About two dozen readers add comments to the review at Popular Mechanics. Users also discuss it at TractorByNet.com.
Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
Consumer Reports compares the Cub Cadet iSeries lawn tractor with 26 others, based on ratings from several weeks of objective mowing tests. The review rates each lawn tractor in handling grass clippings (side discharging, mulching or bagging) and for evenness of cut, overall handling and ease of use.
Review: Lawn Tractors, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, May 2008
This detailed expert review tests the larger Cub Cadet ZTT 46 lawn tractor and finds the ride uncomfortable and the engine a bit underpowered. The overall rating is average, but the tractor is still deemed a good budget buy.
Review: Expert Review: Cub Cadet iSeries ZTT 46 Zero-Turn Mower, Editors of ConsumerGuide.com
3. Consumers DigestDetails/Subscribe
This review recommends the Cub Cadet i1000 series lawn tractor, which includes the Cub Cadet ZTT 42, as an excellent buy. The recommendation, however, is based on features and price rather than any testing or actual use.
Review: Best Buys in Riding Mowers and Lawn Tractors, Steve Trusty, March/April 2008
4. PopularMechanics.comDetails/Subscribe
This brief review makes special mention of the iSeries' steering wheel, which makes it easier to steer than the dual-lever steering that is offered on most zero-turn mowers. Unfortunately, no testing is reported in this review, which is based solely on features. About two dozen readers add comments, many reporting problems with models in this series.
Review: Cub Cadet i1050 Zero-Turn Tractor: Not Just for Lebron James, Editors of Popular Mechanics, April 2007
A handful of owners and tractor enthusiasts discuss the Cub Cadet iSeries, saying that it does pull attachments well. The main drawback is that holding the foot pedal down gets very tiring. In an earlier discussion at this forum (in 2007), owners report that the Cub Cadet is very easy to steer, and one owner comments that it doesn't dig into the lawn on turns.
Review: iSeries and Attachments, Contributors to TractorByNet.com, 2008
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