Cub Cadet LTX1050 Fire….

hotrodpapa

New User
This is a photo of my 2 year old cub cadet. I need everyone’s help locating any other people that have had this happen to their mower. While mowing I noticed some smoke coming from the engine area and stopped to look. When I raised the cowling, the top, front of the engine was on fire. Before I could get anything to help put it out, all the plastic had caught fire and there was no putting that out. I contacted the Cub Cadet customer support and they were very nice and helpful until I heard this was NOT going to be under warranty. Seems they have never seen such a thing and said it was more than likely a bird nest under the carburetor, near the exhaust pipe. This nest must have caught fire causing a malfunction in the fuel system which then feed gas to the fire. How many birds would build a nest 8” off the ground in a piece of equipment that is used every week? It was also mentioned that I could prove otherwise, so their best guess is a new mower is less than a lawyer (great company policy). What ever happened to helping a customer in a weird circumstance?

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I wouldn't go for the birds nest but I have seen mice build nest up under cowling of engine. I have had the mice build nest in a Kohler garden tractor engine. The only reason I never had a fire is they chewed through insulation on plug wire causing it to foul out.
 
Kawasaki engine? There was a recall for fire hazard, also a recall on Cub zero turns for fire hazard....check Cub Cadet website for recall details.
 
I'm thinking homeowner's insurance, and if there is a case they'll pursue MTD for restitution, you see most insurance companies have a pool of lawyers on salary
and they figure the more folks they mess with the cheaper it is to keep 'em.
 
"How many birds would build a nest 8” off the ground in a piece of equipment that is used every week?"

NOT saying that is what destroyed your tractor, but in answer to that question, I'd have to say "quite a few"!

You'd be surprised how quick they can build a nest even in something that's used almost every day. And I HAVE seen nests in the engine area of LGT's.
 
It may have been a mouse or chipmunk nest. Here's what I found on my tractor when it was over heating. Your home owner's insurance may cover the loss. Hal
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" so their best guess is a new mower is less than a lawyer " Their not guessing, you can take that for a fact. I doubt it was a birds nest, but have had mice build nest over night in the engine compartment of my mower. Know, I lift the hood and check every time before starting it, along with the gas and oil. I'm sorry for your loss, but thank you for posting this, as it may be a lesson to others, thankfully you were not hurt..
 
(quoted from post at 03:04:12 04/03/15) I'm thinking homeowner's insurance, and if there is a case they'll pursue MTD for restitution, you see most insurance companies have a pool of lawyers on salary...

Not quite, companies use local counsel with cases managed by salaried lawyers. On something this small a company probably wouldn't pursue it beyond a demand letter, if that. Thirty five year insurance company veteran here.

Sorry for your loss.
 
Did it have the Kohler engine? Ours has valve cover leaks right onto the hot exhaust. It smokes like crazy. Apparently that
is very common with them. Ours has 260 hours on it. I wouldn't be horribly upset if ours turned into a flaming torch of plastic
and cheap metal.
 
Never seen a LT that wasn't a fire hazard. Between grass, leaves, nests (various kinds), spider webs, an enclosed hot exhaust and operators who hardly ever check under the hood it's a wonder you don't see this a lot more often.
 
(quoted from post at 09:14:47 04/04/15) Never seen a LT that wasn't a fire hazard. Between grass, leaves, nests (various kinds), spider webs, an enclosed hot exhaust and operators who hardly ever check under the hood it's a wonder you don't see this a lot more often.

I have seen some of the abuse you speak of with some of my friends equipment. Some I think never change the oil or clean it. However I have raced and built motorcycles and cars and understand the value of proper maintenance. The heat would be the biggest threat to this engine so we open the cover and clean after every use. We also clean off the deck of any grass or trash there. My thought is what the above person mentioned as head gasket or intake leaking. When I opened the cowling there were flames facing down from the head on the outside. There was not flames coming up from the deck nor from the top of the engine. There had to be a combustable source. Once the flames destroyed the gas line then we have enough fuel to keep it burning. Now wanting a liquid cooled model..........
 
those units had valve cover gaskets that leaked oil because of being right above the muffler there was update kits sent out for
those. you probably got this at discount store correct.
 
Really curious if it had the Kawasaki engine on it. Kawasaki recalled engines on the LTX1050KW built between Oct 2011 and Aug 2012 for leaking gas filters.......
 
(quoted from post at 17:16:40 04/04/15) Really curious if it had the Kawasaki engine on it. Kawasaki recalled engines on the LTX1050KW built between Oct 2011 and Aug 2012 for leaking gas filters.......
It was purchased at home depot and has Koehler engine but need to ck to make sure as the fire was from the front area.
 
I have the same mower, and I also have had smoke from the engine. what I've found is what others have stated about the valve covers leaking oil on the exhaust. I repaired it hopefully, however I will NEVER buy another Cub Cadet. This has been the biggest piece of crap I've ever purchased. Sorry for your loss of your mower.
 
(quoted from post at 18:03:02 04/05/15) I have the same mower, and I also have had smoke from the engine. what I've found is what others have stated about the valve covers leaking oil on the exhaust. I repaired it hopefully, however I will NEVER buy another Cub Cadet. This has been the biggest piece of crap I've ever purchased. Sorry for your loss of your mower.

I also found this weekend that the gas line input runs to the front of the engine near the top of the head where the fire originated. Once gas was introduced there would not be much that could be done. Guessing we all need to carry fire extinguishers and video. So just video the fire and don't spend any time trying to put it out as you only have less than 2 min.....that should provide the proof they need just before it goes up in a ball of flames.
 

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