942-04308 Mower High Lift Blade Replace Cub Cadet Troy Bilt MTD 742-04308 742-04312 942-04312 942-0656 942-0616, 2-In-1 Blade for XT1-LT42 XT2-LX42 LT1000 LT2000 LT3000 Lawn Tractor (2 PCS) - 42" Deck

What It Is

This is a 2-pack of high-lift 2-in-1 (mulch & discharge) blades designed for 42-inch cutting decks on Cub Cadet, Troy-Bilt, and MTD lawn tractors. The high-lift profile improves grass clipping discharge and bagging performance compared to standard blades, making it ideal for thick or damp grass.

Fitment & Compatibility

• Deck size: Fits only 42-inch decks—measure your deck width (blade tip to tip, not housing) to confirm.
• Model fit: Works with Cub Cadet XT1-LT42, XT2-LX42, LT1000, LT2000, LT3000 series, plus Troy-Bilt and MTD tractors using the same 42" deck.
• OEM cross-references: Replaces Cub Cadet 742-04308, 742-04312, 942-04312, 942-0656, 942-0616, and MTD 742-04308.
• Measurements: Each blade is 20.5 inches long, with a 5-point star center hole and 1-inch diameter center hole—verify your spindle matches before ordering.
• Aftermarket note: These are aftermarket blades, not OEM Cub Cadet. Quality is consistent, but if you need exact factory balance, buy OEM.

Key Things to Know

• Installation: Straightforward—remove the old blade bolt, washer, and blade. Torque the new blade bolt to 70–90 ft-lbs. No special tools needed beyond a socket wrench.
• Sharpness: Blades come sharp but not razor-sharp. Expect to touch up after a few hours of use in rough conditions.
• High-lift trade-off: Better discharge and bagging, but slightly more engine load and noise. Not ideal for extremely dry, dusty conditions (can create dust clouds).
• Balance check: Aftermarket blades sometimes need balancing out of the box. Use a blade balancer or a nail in the wall to check—return if they wobble.

Should You Buy It

Buy this if you have a 42" Cub Cadet, Troy-Bilt, or MTD tractor and want improved grass throwing and bagging performance at a lower price than OEM blades. Skip it if you need exact factory balance, prefer mulching-only blades, or have a deck smaller/larger than 42 inches.