Cub Cadet XT1 Accessories
Article by Mark Trotta
Having a riding mower makes lawn care easy, and adding a few accessories will make yard work even easier.
The following is an overview of what I've found to be the most helpful attachments and accessories for the Cub Cadet XT1 lawn tractor.
Yard Cart
Probably the most multi-functional riding mower attachment is a yard cart. It will allow you to haul items easily around your property, such as dirt, mulch, debris, fertilizer, fire wood, etc.
There are many types of lawn tractor yard carts. Since ours stays outside all year round, we chose one with a poly-bed cart.
Read: Lawn Tractor Yard Cart Review
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Leaf and Mulching Attachment
Another useful lawn tractor accessory is a leaf and mulching bagger attachment.
The MTD bagger was a perfect fit on our 46" deck Cub Cadet, and 42" decks have the same configuration.
Read: Install Bagger on Cub Cadet Lawn Tractor
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Lawn Dethatcher
There are many styles of lawn dethatchers. All are designed to penetrate hardened soil, which then allows water, seed, and fertilizer to reach the roots.
Of course, a dethatcher can be as simple as a hand rake, but pulling one around with your lawn tractor gets the job done much easier.
Tow-behind dethatchers for riding mowers will have either metal blades or spring tines. Both styles get the job done.
Shop: Lawn Dethatcher
Most tow-behind dethatchers have a single-pin universal hitch that attaches to lawn tractors, as well as most zero-turns and ATVs.
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Cub Cadet Tractor Cover
Our house has a two-car garage, but it's filled up with old motorcycles and assorted parts. There's no room for the lawn tractor and accessories, so the Cub stays outside all year round.
When we purchased the new tractor, we also purchased an outdoor cover. Like all quality tractor covers, it's water repellent and doesn't shrink or stretch.
With the bagger installed, a cover will still fit the mower, but it does not fit over the bagger.
Shop: Lawn Tractor Cover
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Towing
We have a 4' x 6' utility trailer, which can be used to transport the lawn tractor, but it's actually for motorcycles.
The trailer stays behind the shed in the back yard. When needed, the Cub gets called upon to pull it up to the street.
How Much Weight A Cub Cadet XT1 Pull?
From the Cub Cadet website:
"As a general rule of thumb, using a single-axle trailer and a properly maintained and adjusted tractor, you should be able to pull approximately half the weight of the tractor fairly safely and with control over level ground and over slopes less than 5 degrees."
An XT1 weighs about 575 pounds, so on fairly level ground, about 300 to 350 pounds would be considered safe. But you also have to factor in what the rider weighs.
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Metal Gas Can
Week after week, filling up the lawn equipment with gas, and those cheap plastic jugs kept leaking gas all over. Finally, I had enough and bought the best metal gas can on the market.
No leaks ever.
Read: Best Metal Gas Can
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There's a few lawn tractor add-ons to make the Cub a little more comfortable, such as a sun shade and an armrest kit.
Cub Cadet sells a front bumper for the XT1, but be aware it's made of plastic, not metal. It's more for preventing scratches than for pushing things.
Other accessories for the XT1 include snow plow attachments and a snow cab to help keep warm while plowing.
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Replacement Key
The tractor only came with one, so I bought a replacement key in yellow.
Not only does the key match the tractor...
If I drop it on the lawn, I can find it easily!
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Nothing gives your home a nicer look than a well-maintained lawn. Having a couple of accessories along with a Cub Cadet XT1 riding mower will let you to get more stuff done in less time.
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Kohler Twin-Cylinder Maintenance
Our Cub Cadet is powered by the Kohler 7000 twin cylinder engine. Since purchasing new in 2021, I've done all the required maintenance myself, including oil and filter changes, air filter replacement, and new spark plugs.
Read: Kohler 7000 Engine Specs and Maintenance
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Related Articles:
Install Bagger on Cub Cadet Lawn Tractor
Lawn Tractor Yard Cart Review
Best Gas For Small Engines
Best Metal Gas Can
