[cloey123]

Today I purchased a new Cub Cadet LTX1045 from Home Depot. I checked things out pretty good at the store as far as making sure the fluids seemed proper, no obvious construction issues, and it would crank easy and idle properly... but there was a good bit of traffic in the parking lot so I did not actually drive it around. While I was finishing up the purchase the workers loaded it onto my trailer.

When I got it home and backed it off of the trailer I quikly noticed a strange sound when I pushed the peddle to go in reverse... the sound seemed like a squeal or a high pitch grind. When I push the gas peddle to go forward or reverse it makes the same sound... sometimes rather loudly. It also makes the sound when it comes to a stop when i let off of the gas peddle.

I plan to take it back to Home Depot and let them check it out but I am curious to draw on the forums knowledge before I do so. I don't know if this is something common that "breaks in" or if I really have an issue. I want to get advice and maybe some ammunition in case I wind up working with someone at Home Depot that tries to give me the run around.

Thanks
Cloey123

 

[Five Points]

First off welcome to MLF!
Just to make a few guesses, it sounds like a transmission issue whether its lack of fluid, a pulley,or linkage issue or maybe when this mower was set up at the store it was done improperly.
Other issue is the brake could be partially engaged on the tranny, the bypass rod could be slightly engaged.
I have never heard of a break in period involving high pitched, grinding noises coming from anything
Don't let anyone give you the run around, insist upon repair or replacement, it's new and should be covered by some kind of warranty.
Let us know how it works out and its good you are doing your homework!
FP

 

[Austen]

Welcome to the site!

I agree with Bruce's points. It sounds like it could be the transmission, or any number of things related to it. Being that it is a brand new machine and you literally just got it, I would personally would not touch anything and simply take it back.

Keep us udpated!

 

[cloey123]

Thanks for the advice guys... I have made plans to use my father-in-laws trailer again in the morning and will be taking it back. I hope to just swap it out for a different mower of the same model. Since I have literally done nothing but drive it around the yard a bit I would hope they will swap it out for me instead of just working on it.

 

[cloey123]

Well... I took the Cub Cadet LTX1045 back to Home Depot and they had 2 others. The first one I didn't want anything to do with because the entire steering column was very loose. The second looked like it had been sitting outside for months. I tried to start it and the battery was dead. The HD employee took the battery out of the mower I had returned and installed it into the mower. I tried to start it and it made about 4 clicks and then did nothing else... He hooked the battery up wrong. I got a refund and left.

I went to another Home Depot about 10 miles away. They had 2 of the LTX1045. Both of them did the exact same thing as the original I had purchased. Very rough forward and reverse peddle and it made a squealing sound while accelerating and stopping. Also when you turned the mowers off they made a grinding sound when winding down. I am scared to purchase and use a piece of equipment that makes these sounds... and the HD employees were less then helpful. Time to regroup and come up with a different plan.

 

[Five Points]

Well sorry to hear that, sometimes for something new you may have to go to a reputable dealer to get good service as they tend to service their own equipment such as John Deere for example. No I do not work for JD
I can't imagine trying to sell new equipment like that, sounds more like a used cart. I hope your next experience will be more pleasant.

 

[Austen]

I agree and sorry to hear about what happened! I would look into a purchasing from a dealer as they tend to be easier to work with and you have a lot more support.