Are Cub Cadet Mowers Good? (Explained for Beginners)
As a landscape business owner, I serve many clients with diverse needs, from large acreage properties to small suburban lots. We use Cub Cadet mowers exclusively. I am happy to share my experiences with you.
We’ve been using Cub Cadet Zero Turn Mowers for about 5 years and we find them to be excellent quality for the price. Built to last, these mowers are suitable for personal use or commercial, depending on the model.
Because we have a diverse group of clients, we have the opportunity to use several different Cub Cadet models, including both riding and push mowers. I also live on a large rural property, with about 2 acres, and I use a Cub Cadet for personal use.
So Are Cub Cadet Mowers Good Really?
Cub Cadet offers great quality products at reasonable prices. It is comfortable to ride, with several accessory kits to make mowing even more enjoyable, is durable with good resale value, and withstands turbulent weather and rough terrains. Finally, the warranty covers both parts and labor for the first 2-year and replacement parts are easily attained both online and offline.
I have to say that overall, whether you want a push mower for your suburban lawn, or you just need a zero turn mower for your country property, Cub Cadet Mowers are a good investment and will last for years.
Financing plans are available directly from the website, as well as from select dealers, so if you’re looking for a top-quality Cub Cadet Mower for your business or personal use, there are several options to choose from. You can click here to get more information about dealers.
How Do I Choose the Right Cub Cadet Mower?
What I love about Cub Cadet is that there is a mower for literally any landscaping job you have. I have many different clients with varied lawn sizes, and I use many different Cub Cadet models. For suburban and small lots, a push mower, like the SC100 HW, will give you the results you’re looking for. For larger lots and for lots with obstacles like pools and gardens, the zero-turn or lawn tractor does the job perfectly every time.
Should I Consider a Zero-Turn Cub Cadet Mower?
Zero Turn mowers have become pretty popular over the last few years, particularly in the landscaping business. I’ve talked with fellow business owners who have all invested in at least one zero turn mower, and with good reason. Simply put, zero-turn mowers cut faster, they provide superior performance around obstacles like gardens, pools, ponds, etc. and the result is a well-manicured lawn that leaves clients satisfied.
The Cub Cadet website has a great feature that helps you choose the best zero-turn mower for your needs. Simply answer a few questions and the site will recommend a model that matches your needs and budget.
There is a great article here about the pros and cons of a zero-turn mower. They are more expensive than traditional lawn tractors, but as I said above, they give a superior cut in most cases.
Are Cub Cadet Mowers Durable?
I have used a few different brand name mowers for both personal and professional use, and I would say that Cub Cadet is among the most durable brand. These mowers can hold up against rough terrain, rainy, cold weather, and last longer than other brands.
I have about 7 mowers that get used daily for most of the year. They stay outside covered with a tarp in the winter, and they have been through their share of wear and tear. Other than changing a few parts here and there, I think they’ve held up pretty well.
What Type of Engine do Cub Cadet Mowers Have?
There are three engine types to choose from when shopping for your Zero-Turn Cub Cadet Mower: Cub Cadet, Kawasaki, and Kohler. The lawn tractors also have the Briggs & Stratton engine option.
When it comes to choosing a mower, HP matters. My ZT1 50 has a 23 HP Kawasaki® FR691V series Twin-cylinder engine and is one of the more powerful mowers in my fleet.
My XT1 LT42 lawn tractor has a Kohler single cylinder 541 cc engine, which is about 19.5 HP.
I must admit, I’m not all that mechanically minded, so choosing the ‘right’ engine wasn’t a high priority to me. Both engines are satisfactory and they get the job done, and that’s all that matters to me.
I do know that Cub Cadet is considered an industry leader when it comes to high powered and state-of-the-art engine technology.
Where Can I Get Replacement Parts?
There are several places you can buy replacement parts for your cub cadet mowers, regardless of the model. Online sites like Amazon have belt and bolt kits and other minor parts. Brick and mortar stores like Lowes or Home Depot also carry parts. Cub Cadet dealers are always a good source for parts as well, especially if you need larger items like replacement blades.
How Much do Cub Cadet Mowers Cost?
Because Cub Cadet offers such a wide range of mowers, prices will also vary widely. For a push mower, expect to pay anywhere from $300 – $500. The SCP21E is $449 and provides a nice clean cut. It’s the perfect choice for small lawns that don’t have a lot of obstacles or rough terrain.
The base price for a zero turn mower is approximately $3,100 for the ZT1 54, and for the XT1 LT42 lawn tractor, expect to pay $1,799.
Many dealers offer financing plans, so that’s an option if you are on a tight budget.
Keep in mind, these are for brand new models. You can usually find used Cub Cadet mowers for sale with plenty of life in them.
Are Cub Cadet Mowers Easy to Use?
As far as lawn mowers go, I would say Cub Cadet is fairly simple to use and comfortable to ride. I have teenage workers and it doesn’t take them long to get used to the controls of the zero-turn mowers. Both electric and gas-powered models are easy and it only took an afternoon for my new hires to get used to using them. As mowers go, I would say it’s comparable to other brands.
Do Cub Cadet Mowers Provide a Good Cut?
I have some very posh clients who like their lawns meticulously manicured. They are happy when they see the job we do, and that means that yes, Cub Cadet provides a very good cut indeed. There are various deck sizes available depending on the size of your lawn and your personal preference. Keep in mind that bigger doesn’t always mean better. You want a good finish, and sometimes that means taking a bit of extra time with a smaller deck size.
What Are Some of the Features and Options of Cub Cadet Mowers?
· 30-60” cutting deck sizes
· 18-24” high back seat options
· Gas or electric models
· Steering wheel or lap bar option on zero turn mowers
· Cub Cadet, Kawasaki or Kohler motor
· 10-13 gauge steel gauge material
What Accessories Can I Get for My Cub Cadet Mower?
There are many accessories you can purchase for your Cub Cadet mower. Mulching kits, double bagger kits, plow blade attachments, armrest kits, fender kits, and more are available for various models.
Accessory prices range from $30 – $400. They are available on the main website, at your local dealer, or online.
What do the Reviews Say?
I looked at 3 different sites for various buyer reviews:
https://www.consumeraffairs.com/homeowners/cub_cadet.html
I found more than 100 reviews, with an average rating of 4 out of 5. Many buyers raved about the ease of use and fair cost. Many others were happy with the comfortable ride and reliability. Fuel efficiency was also a big plus among buyers.
Most people rated the Cub Cadet as one of the top mowers in the industry and said they would buy another in the future.
Some buyers stated that cost was a downside, as well as stability in certain terrains.
What does a Cub Cadet Warranty Cover?
The warranty varies by model, but generally, Cub Cadet limited warranty covers parts for 4 years or 500 hours. Some of the smaller models offer a two-year limited warranty. This is one of the better warranties I’ve seen compared to other brands.
Obviously, if you’re using these for a business, the warranty will run out sooner. I’ve bought a mix of new and used models, and have never had an issue where I needed to have a part repaired that was under warranty. In other words, Cub Cadet is a solidly built mower.
As with any warranty, it’s only applicable with new models, not used.
Is a Cub Cadet Mower a Good Investment?
Yes, Cub Cadet is a good investment. Cub Cadet offers great quality products at reasonable prices. Whether you want a push mower for your suburban lawn, or you need a zero turn mower for your country property, Cub Cadet will deliver a great result for an affordable price.
If you want to cut your lawn in a fraction of the time with a great manicured look, Cub Cadet may be just what you’re looking for. I also think it’s one of the better mowers for mulching.
They are made in the U.S. using both domestic and imported parts. When you buy a Cub Cadet mower, you’re investing in your home economy when you purchase a Cub Cadet.
References
https://www.cubcadet.com/en_US/riding-lawn-mowers/zero-turn-mowers#help-me-choose
https://www.btsouth.com/engines