My first Lawn tractor LT1042
 

And my first post!! I just picked up this tractor to tow stuff around my yard, like a wheel borrow full of wood chips, fire wood maybe a wood splitter. Didn't pay much for it and come to learn from here that that's a good thing as they are a bit weak and disposable. So, changed the oil filters plugs and hoping for the best, No deck or need for one. Seems to run and roll ok, original motor and with the Hydro tranny. Is there anything else i should check or keep a eye on? thanks!! Good info on here as i have learned a lot!

You will not hear a lot of praise around here for the Courage engine nor the Hydro Gear transmission in that thing.
But I know a few folks with 1042's and similar models who take good care of them maintenance wise and they have been happy campers.
I've also flipped a couple with no comeback complaints.
Yours appears to not have been abused, that's a big plus. Treat it well and you'll be ok.

If you ever start to notice smoke, check for a leaking valve cover gasket. It sits right above the muffler and if leaking, oil will drip on the hot muffler and smoke like hell.

Ok thanks for the Negative feedback on my new investment... I think this modern piece of crap is gonna work fine! climbed some hills today and runs like a champ...


Two questions

Why does it wanna drive backwards out of gear?
This thing just wants to do wheelies! Do i need a helmet?

They don't mean to be mean here.
They just think every lawn mower needs to be built like a tank and used for plowing fields or is junk.
I've seen many lt1042's with many hours that just needed a little love to provide many more usable hours.
I think they're great lawnmowers.

Welcome, Your tractor looks very nice and well kept. This is a bit of a better one with standard wheels with lug nuts in the rear. I"m sure it will serve you well for your intended uses.

PS, regarding the drive backwards in N. I would think that it would have a neutral adjustment. I recommend looking through the manual. It's not uncommon after some time for neutral adjust to need some tweaking.

The biggest problem with the courage single is its design.
I'd guess if it's made it this far that somebody may have already checked.

Take the engine cover off and there is a ring of bolts with 10mm heads, some are under the flywheel. Make sure they are all good and tite. If you find lose ones you will want to remove them and lock tite them.

The engine is built like a bucket, there are a couple locating pins for the cover but when the bolts get lose those pins waller out their holes allowing the bucket to flex and eventually crack. The crack leaks oil, usually cracks on the front side with the starter. I've seen several that cracked all the way from the top edge to the bottom crank seal.

Only other real problem with those engines as Mentioned above is the valve cover will leak. That can be fixed with "right stuff"

Why does it wanna drive backwards out of gear?


Do you mean, rolls or drives on its own?
Usually if you can push a hydro without pulling the release it means the trans is worn pretty good.
If it's driving in reverse when it should be in nuetral? Something just needs adjusted.

It's a hydro
LT1040 was the only cvt of that series.

Thanks for the Info, And the Manual link, ill pull it back in the garage and check some of those known issues, It does creep backwards slightly when running in neutral, i see there is a Adjustment.. Thanks!!