Cub Cadet XT1 LT42E ENDURO SERIES Electric Battery Riding Mower Review
Mow up to two acres, or 1.5 hours, on a single charge without power fade. Recharges in about 4 hours
No need for oil changes, filters to change, spark plugs to change, no more buying gas
13-gauge, 42-inch, twin blade deck with side discharge
Backed by a 3-year limited residential and 4-year limited battery warranty
The Cub Cadet XT1 LT42E takes advantage of the sweeping evolution in 21st Century lithium-ion technology to provide a battery-powered electric lawn mower that appeals to homes and residential properties that need to maintain a large yard. It is powered by a 60Ah, 3000Wh lithium-ion battery bank. It was specifically engineered to be charged by a standard electric outlet and can be recharged in roughly 4 hours or less.
The 42-inch cutting deck has dual cutting blades for a superior harvest rate. It is powered by a 56 Volt MAX brushless electric motor. Not only does the brushless engineering make for impressively quiet operating, which is helpful in a residential setting, but it also translates into cooler operating temperatures as well as longer motor life.
The 42-inch cutting deck of the Cub Cadet XT1 LT42E has 12 different cutting settings. This lets you set it up to side discharge the harvested grass clippings to the conditions of the turf. It can be set as low as 1-inch or as high as 4-inches depending on how fast the grass is growing or how much available moisture there is in the underlying layers of the turf.
Key Features
- 56 Volt MAX brushless electric motor
- 60Ah, 3000Wh lithium-ion battery bank
- Charged using a standard 110-Volt outlet
- Run time of 2 acres, or 1.5 hours, on a single charge without power fade.
- Recharges in roughly 4 hours
- 42-inch, twin blade deck
- 12 deck height settings
- Cutting height range from 1 to 4-inches
- A maximum forward speed of 5.5 MPH
- A maximum reverse speed of 3 MPH
- 3-year limited residential and 4-year limited battery warranty
Performance
The 60Ah, 3000Wh lithium-ion battery bank provides plenty of power for the drive system as well as the dual cutting blades under the 42-inch diameter cutting deck. This gives it a maximum forward speed of up to 5.5 miles per hour and a maximum reverse speed of up to 3 miles per hour. This is more than enough speed to cut a residential lawn.
The lithium-ion batteries that the Cub Cadet XT1 LT42E uses have a reputation for not fading in power as they discharge. This gives you an effective range of roughly 2-acres or around 90-minutes of runtime on a single charge.
Ease Of Use
The Cub Cadet XT1 LT42E was designed to be easy for homeowners and residential property managers to use. The deck height can be quickly adjusted through all 12 settings. The driver’s seat is comfortable, and the control they are ergonomic.
You will also appreciate the fact that for as powerful as 60Ah, 3000Wh lithium-ion battery bank, you can still charge it to capacity using nothing more than a standard outdoor electric outlet.
Special Features
Several of the Cub Cadet XT1 LT42E’s special features stem from the electric lithium-ion battery bank that serves as its beating heart. The 60Ah, 3000Wh lithium-ion battery bank’s ability to power this electric riding lawn mower for up to 90-minutes is typically enough to cut most residential lawns and then some!
The fact that you can charge it up with a simple 110 Volt residential electric outlet without needing a special charging station is also very convenient.
The cutting deck adjustments might not seem all that “Special” on paper, but it can come in really handy for times when the local weather pattern is stressing out your turf. If it has been hot and dry for more than a week, you can simply adjust the 42-inch cutting deck up to as high as 4-inches to leave the grass long, and shade the moisture still lingering in the turf.
Cut Quality & Options
The 42-inch diameter cutting deck on the Cub Cadet XT1 LT42E is just the right size for most residential lawns and multi-family residential properties with a large grassy common area. It’s just wide enough to be efficient at making short work of the open stretches, while also being just small enough to work close to trees and other landscaping features.
The 12 different height settings of the Cub Cadet XT1 LT42E also let you give your lawn a custom cut based on the prevailing weather conditions. You can set it as low as 1-inch for times when a combination of sun and seasonal rain has the grass growing vigorously. If dry times are threatening to rob the underlying turf of essential moisture, you can leave the lawn as long as 4-inches to help shade the turf until the rain returns or you can run the sprinklers again.
If there is a minor complaint with this battery-powered riding lawn mower it’s that only comes set up for side discharge. If you are concerned about thatch buildup, or you want to use harvested grass clippings for your compost pile, then you need to purchase the universal bagger for the Enduro Series.
Maintenance
One of the truly nice things about the Cub Cadet XT1 LT42E is just how little maintenance it requires. There is no need for oil changes, filters to change, no spark plugs to change and no more buying gas. Though you will still need to periodically lubricate moving parts, and replace the dual cutting blades.
Safety Features
The Cub Cadet XT1 LT42E comes with all the standard driver presence features that you expect on a high-quality riding lawn mower. If the operator so much as stands up it disengages the cutting deck. Though this isn’t as big of a deal with a battery-powered electric riding lawn mower, as it easily restarts with the press of a button.
Cost-Effectiveness
The fact that the Cub Cadet XT1 LT42E is backed by a 3-year limited residential and 4-year limited battery warranty is a statement of quality in engineering and material components that lends itself toward a robust return on your investment.
You also have to like how this battery-powered electric riding lawn mower doesn’t need for oil changes, filters to change, or spark plugs to worry about. Not to mention the fact that the cost of gasoline is much higher than the per-unit cost it takes to recharge the robust lithium-ion battery pack of the Cub Cadet XT1 LT42E.
