21-Inch Mower Blade Replacement for Cub Cadet MTD Troy-Bilt 742-05177-L 742P05177-L 490-110-C198 Fits 42-Inch Deck XT1-LT42 ZT1-42 XT2-LX42 Diamond Hole with Nuts and Washers 2 PCS

What It Is

This is a 2-pack of 21-inch replacement mower blades for 42-inch deck Cub Cadet, MTD, and Troy-Bilt lawn tractors (e.g., XT1-LT42, ZT1-42, XT2-LX42). Designed for mulching or standard cutting on mid-duty residential mowers.

Fitment & Compatibility

Before buying, confirm three things:

1. Deck size: These blades are 21 inches long and fit only 42-inch decks. Measure your existing blade length end-to-end (not cutting edge).
2. Center hole: Uses a diamond-shaped hole (not round or star). Check your spindle’s hole pattern – this is common on MTD/Cub Cadet spindles but not universal.
3. OEM cross-references: Replace OEM numbers 742-05177-L, 742P05177-L, and 490-110-C198. If your blade has a different OEM number, these likely won’t fit.

Not compatible with 46-inch or 54-inch decks, or with round-hole spindles (e.g., older Craftsman, John Deere).

Key Things to Know

• Quality concerns: 2.2-star average (4 reviews) suggests frequent issues – check recent reviews for warping, poor balance, or thin steel.
• Installation: Simple bolt-on with included nuts and washers, but you’ll need a torque wrench (tighten to 40-50 ft-lbs). Over-tightening can strip the spindle.
• Common gotchas: The diamond hole may be slightly oversized, causing wobble. If your deck has a “mulching plug”, these blades may not produce fine clippings.
• Sharpness: Likely not pre-sharpened – expect to sharpen before first use.

Should You Buy It

Only if you need a quick, cheap replacement for a 42-inch Cub Cadet/MTD deck and don’t mind possible fitment or balance issues. For reliable performance, spend a few dollars more on OEM blades or a higher-rated aftermarket set (e.g., Oregon or MaxPower).