My Cub Cadet Garden Tractor has been my favorite workhorse for a long time.
Actually, I've enjoyed my Cub Cadet for more than 30 years now! Let me tell you why....
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Cub Cadet Garden Tractors Have Been Around for More Than 40 Years
Actually, they've been around for nearer 50 years.
The idea of a smaller, homeowner-type garden tractor was developed in the late 1950s, with the first model rolling off the assembly line in 1960. The International Harvester Company noticed that many people were moving into the country and needed a machine that could perform a variety of tasks as well as mow the lawn.
The original models gave homeowners a choice of engine sizes, from 7 horsepower to 10 or 12 horsepower.
Cub Cadet Garden Tractor attachments were the next priority, and the International Harvester Company came up with such essential tools as the blade, rotary tiller, snowblower, dump cart, front end loader and lawnmower deck.
Of course, homeowners wanted to make sure this new "garden tractor" would last. So when the company introduced the line in 1960, they advertised that they field-tested the equipment with... boys! As International Harvester marketing material noted at the time, boys were "acknowledged by many as the world's worst destructive force!"
Cub Cadet Garden Tractors Have Had a Great Work Reputation
My Cub Cadet Garden Tractor has been a tried-and-true workhorse. I've had mine for more than 3 decades, and she has come through for me time and again.
I've used her to mow my 2 acre lawn regularly, but in addition, I've towed downed trees with it, pulled small stumps out, hauled ½ cords of wood on my trailer with it, tilled my garden each spring, and used it to plow my driveway when snow falls.
She starts even in negative degree weather. On my farm in northern Minnesota a few years ago, I had to start her up in order to run feed to some cows when the temperature was -40 degrees. She didn't want to start at first (can you blame her?!?), but I drained the oil and took it into the house to warm up for a few hours. Added the oil back and voila! Away we went.
Those Kohler engines on the older Cub Cadet Garden Tractors are great. They are really designed well and can take a beating.
Cub Cadet Garden Tractors Today
The line is still alive and well, with new models available now.
The company offers a simple lawn tractor with the 1000 series. For those who need more power for more jobs, there are the Cub Cadet 2500 series and the 3000 series.
The 1000 series starts at about 00 and is rated to handle lawnmowing chores for lawns that contain obstacles (trees to go around, lights, etc.) of up to 3 acres. They can pull a trailer towing about 750 pounds.
The 2500 series is rated to handle up to 5 acres of yard, and retails at about 00. The 3000 series models are rated for up to 7 acres and start at 00. These models are the workhorses of today, with lawn cart towing capacity at 1500 pounds. Both 2500 and 3000 series models include PTO (power-take-off).
Cub Cadet Garden Tractor Reviews
Most people will agree that this line of lawn tractors of years ago were superior animals. They included the well-made Kohler engine and were designed to work. Most parts were made of steel, and maintenance issues were rare.
Today, however, the Cub Cadet is made with a lot of plastic parts and reviews are mixed. Some people love their garden tractor but many others have stated they are frustrated with multiple breaks and needed repairs. Repeated trips to dealers have not solved many of the problems.
Multiple reviewers stated that the snow blower attachment did not work well for them and also had several weld breaks. The sheet metal is noted as quite thin, and if you hit an obstacle, the sheet metal can crumple.
Several people said that their mower decks had problems, and a few mentioned problems with belt life. It seems that the belts tend to overheat due to poor ventilation under the hood. One man stated that his belts wear out after 20-30 hours of use and need to be replaced continually.
Unfortunately, the newer Cub Cadet Garden Tractor reviews are not as good as reviews for their older counterparts.
My suggestion would be to try to find an older machine, if you're interested in a Cub Cadet. You'll find a reliable engine and strong PTO, and less trips to the parts house. Of course, you may need to be a bit of a motorhead, since older machines may need repairs as time goes on.
If you're looking for a new mower that you can just get on and go, a Cub Cadet Garden Tractor may be something you'll want to avoid.