Cub Cadet Mower Blade OEM Numbers by Deck Size
2026-10-20 · 8 min read
Cub Cadet mower blade OEM numbers follow the MTD family format — a 942- or 742-series code stamped near the centre hole. Because Cub Cadet shares deck tooling with MTD, Craftsman and Troy-Bilt, many numbers cross directly to those brands. Match the number with your deck width and centre hole to get a blade that seats correctly.
How Cub Cadet numbers its mower blades
Cub Cadet numbers follow the MTD house-code style: a three-digit prefix, a dash, and a four- or five-character suffix such as 942-0611A or 742-0616. The prefix marks a deck-family tooling run rather than a hardness or steel grade, so two blades sharing a prefix can still differ in length and hole type. Recognising the style keeps you from quoting a rider blade when you need a walk-behind size. Our guide to matching a blade by OEM number explains how to read the format before you order.
Which Cub Cadet blade numbers cross to other brands
Many Cub Cadet numbers cross cleanly to Craftsman, Troy-Bilt and MTD because all four share the same MTD-family decks. A 942-0741A fitted to a Cub Cadet rider will often also fit a Craftsman or Troy-Bilt deck of the same width and hole type. The overlap is a tooling fact, not a coincidence, so the same drawing serves several brand labels. We are an independent manufacturer and not an authorised Cub Cadet dealer; brand names appear here only for fitment reference.
| Brand family | Number style | Typical deck | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cub Cadet / MTD | 942-XXXX | 42–54 in rider / zero-turn | 942-0611A |
| Cub Cadet / MTD | 742-XXXX | 21–46 in rider / walk-behind | 742-0616 |
| Craftsman (MTD) | 942-XXXX | 42–54 in rider | 942-0741A |
| Troy-Bilt (MTD) | 942-XXXX | 42–50 in rider | 942-04053C |
These share tooling, so confirm deck width and centre hole before treating a cross as exact.
Where to find the Cub Cadet blade number
The blade number is stamped on the flat near the centre hole, but grass and rust usually hide it, so wire-brush the area first. If the old blade is gone, the deck or model plate under the seat or near the discharge chute gives the machine model, which is enough to look the number up. The owner's manual and Cub Cadet parts diagrams both list the blade number by model. Read the stamping on the model index to see which profiles we keep for Cub Cadet-fit decks.
Common Cub Cadet blade numbers and what they fit
The numbers below are real public Cub Cadet part-number styles, shown so you can recognise the format on your own blade. They are fitment reference only — we are an independent manufacturer and not an authorised Cub Cadet dealer.
- 942-0611A — a 42-inch mulching blade used across many Cub Cadet riders and zero-turns.
- 942-04053C — a 42-inch high-lift blade quoted for bagging setups.
- 742-0616 — a 42-inch mulching-high-lift blade shared with the MTD family.
- 942-0741A — a 21-inch mulching blade for small riders and walk-behinds.
- 942-04308 — a 42-inch high-lift blade listed by many Cub Cadet owners.
- 942-04244A — a 46-inch high-lift blade for wider zero-turn decks.
If your number is not in this short list, that is normal — Cub Cadet has issued many blade numbers across its model years. Send the exact stamping and your deck width and we will cross-reference it against the model index.
How to cross-reference when the number is worn
Cross-referencing without the old number is straightforward when you record four facts from the machine instead. Measure the old blade tip-to-tip, note the centre-hole type, caliper the thickness, and say which way the blade turns. With those four facts plus the deck width, a supplier can name the right profile even when the stamping is illegible.
What a correct Cub Cadet-fit blade must match
A replacement is correct only when every mounting and cutting dimension lines up, because a close-enough blade vibrates, cuts unevenly or fails to seat. The table below is the checklist we use before quoting any Cub Cadet-fit blade.
| Spec | Why it matters | How to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Overall length | Seats the spindle and clears the deck | Measure tip to tip |
| Centre hole | Mounts on the mandrel | Match hole type exactly |
| Thickness | Load rating under impact | Caliper the old blade |
| Lift type | Decides cut result | Compare blade profile |
Length and hole type cause the most fitment failures, so double-check those two before anything else.
Are all 942-0611A blades the same?
No — 942-0611A-style blades are not identical just because they share the number, because deck width and hole detail decide the actual length and fit. A blade cut for a 42-inch deck will not suit a 54-inch deck even when the number matches. Always confirm the deck size printed on the machine plate against the blade you intend to fit, then check the centre-hole type.
How Cub Cadet-fit blades are made to spec
Cub Cadet-fit blades we supply are made to match the original specifications of the OEM number you send, cut from 40Mn manganese steel and hardened to a 45–50 HRC band so the edge holds through grit yet will not crack on hidden stone. The same heat-treat control that decides working life is detailed on our quality page, which is the part of production that most affects how a blade performs under real mowing load. We are an independent manufacturer; brand names are used for fitment reference only.
Can you order custom Cub Cadet-fit blades?
Yes — custom Cub Cadet-fit blades are made to a supplied sample or drawing, typically from 40Mn steel and held in the 45–50 HRC band we run across the catalogue. Share the old blade or its part number and we will confirm fitment, profile and run size. The minimum order for a custom profile is normally 300 pieces, which covers the setup and heat-treat run for a made-to-sample blade. Send your part number or a photo of the old blade to start, or browse the model index for stock shapes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Cub Cadet and MTD blade numbers the same?
Yes — many Cub Cadet numbers are identical to MTD numbers because Cub Cadet decks come from the MTD family, so 942- and 742-series blades cross to Craftsman, Troy-Bilt and MTD. A number match still requires the same deck width and centre hole, so confirm those two before ordering.
Where is the blade number on a Cub Cadet mower?
The blade number is stamped near the centre hole on the flat of the blade, and on the deck or model plate under the seat or near the discharge chute. Wire-brush the area around the centre hole first, because grass and rust usually hide the stamping. If the plate is unreadable, the machine model and deck width are enough to look the number up.
Can I fit a non-Cub Cadet blade on my Cub Cadet mower?
Yes — you can fit an independent blade as long as the length, centre hole, thickness and lift match the original, because the mower cares about the geometry, not the brand on the box. We make Cub Cadet-fit blades made to match the original specifications and are an independent manufacturer, not an authorised dealer. Match the dimensions and the blade will seat and cut correctly.
How do I match a Cub Cadet blade if the stamping is worn?
Wire-brush the flat near the centre hole, then read the deck or model plate under the seat or near the discharge chute if the blade is unreadable. With the machine model and deck width you can look the blade number up in Cub Cadet parts diagrams. Send us those details and we will cross-reference them against our model index.
What is the minimum order for custom Cub Cadet-fit blades?
The minimum order for a custom Cub Cadet-fit blade is typically 300 pieces per profile, which covers the setup and heat-treat run for a made-to-sample blade. Share the part number or a drawing and we will confirm fitment and quote the run before any cutting begins. Send your specifications to get a quote sized to your machine.
Not sure which Cub Cadet blade fits your deck, or want a custom profile made to a sample? Send us your part number or a photo of the old blade and we will confirm fitment and quote — or start from the model index.
More on this: Craftsman Mower Blade Cross Reference by Number · Honda Mower Blade Replacement: HRX & HRR Fitment
Blade part numbers linked to this article
The model pages below carry the deck size, centre hole, thickness and replacement numbers for the blades discussed above.