Cub Cadet
reviews and complaints

I like my Cub Cadet Zero Turn, except the rigid frame on uneven ground. I am currently exploring making the front axel pivot.
The rigid frame is very dangerous and can cause the operator to loose control of the mower on uneven land. I don't understand why build a good piece of equipment and not do a pivotal front axel.
I have operated a Dairy Farm for 46 years and all types of equipment for over 60 years.
Without experience operating equipment the ordinary person would be subject to injury. As I have had my mower to loose traction and take off on it's own out of control several times. Luckily I have had a good landing spot.
If you have any ideas on how to convert my mower to a pivot front axel please share with me.

I purchase my Cub in July 2012 and within the first two years had to replace hub bearings. Worked good until Aug 2016 with 115 hours the clutch and hub bearings were bad again. It was covered by unknown, Cub says they did not cover it and my dealer said warranty covered it. I asked at that time if it is normal for the clutch to go out at 115 hours. The owner informed me that he usually don't see clutch problems till around 400-500 hour range. I ask when I got it back if will have another issue with clutch and was told no ! The repair was done in Sept 2016. Here we are in Aug 26, 2019 at 236.1 hours (121 hr) since repair and clutch out again.

My dealer says he can't help me but this is not normal! I called the Cub Service tech line and got some young gentleman and he blamed it on my maintenance, not even seeing the mower. I ask him to sell me over the phone to buy another one. His response to me was we are the #1 selling brand out there and that was it! Wow! What a selling scheme. I ask him also if it was normal for the clutch to go out at such hours and he also stated NO!

He told me can't help because out of warranty! I ask why because they have never fixed the problem yet? He then continued to blame my maintenance. My unit is super clean as my dealer has commented and the techs even commented they liked working on my because so clean. They did make my decision on a new mower purchase very easy to eliminate Cub Cadet! Horrible purchase with no SERVICE! Don't waste your money!

The following is LESS of a complaint and MORE of constructive suggestion(s) - input.

1. Cadet's web site has a chat button on the bottom R. I tried using it last Fri. around 3:30 PM CT, again on Sat. & Sun. then again after 9 AM CT today. NADA never worked!
The web people / Cadet NEED to add times it is available or make it invisible when OFF.

2. The store we bought the mower at made clear the 'break in' oil (& filter) should be changed after 3, no more than 5, hours. BUT neither Cub Cadet's web site, the mower's manual, NOR Kholer's manual say ANYTHING other than change at 25 hours! WORSE still (if that's possible) Cadet's customer service knew NOTHING about it! ONLY the technician (tech line) knew - confirmed the original oil & filter should be changed within the first 5 hours of operation! Even if the Cadet & Kholer manuals are not reprinted (updated) an insert can be added-glued in!

For such an important thing (getting acid rich oil OUT), get with it everyone.

Purchased a new fuel injected riding mower an I questioned about fuel injectors ones I was was told never any problems an what a lie that was. Having nothing but problems with mine. Warranty work I have to bag to get it fixed. Bin driving it like that using more then twice the amount of fuel . When they fix it they use it to cut there own lawn bringing it back a completely mess. That is not how a customer should be treated. Right now if I won't get a rebate on something then I will have to say cub cadet is a poor service company an brand.

I only have 618 miles on my new cub cadet I bought last year. The utv unexpectedly stopped running. I took it to the dealer I bought it from Farm and Home in Medford and they informed me that the crank shaft is bad and the engine needs to be replaced at a cost of $5, 500.00. I'm very upset that Cub Cadet wouldn't stand behind their product and stuck me with the bill. I've been a 25 plus year cub cadet owner. But trust me this will be the last product I ever buy from them. Rest assured I will go online and tell everyone about Cub Cadet and their resistance to stand behind their products!

My cub Cadet Mower is in the shop at Wellington Implament in Medina Ohio 1-330-725-4951 or 2.
I purchased this mower in November of 2017. It is not yet 2 years old. I have had other issues since the purchase of this mower which makes this insitend even more troublesome. ( Dead Battery that would not recharge)
I was told the oil cap was loose and oil was distributed over the engine resulting in needing a new engine. Again this mower is not yet 2 years old. This dealership said my mower is not under warranty.
They did not have an amount to quoate me but would get back to me.
I purchased this mower on a recommendation from a friend who had excellent results from their mower. Unfortunatly I cannot say the same.
If the cost for repair is more than a new mower, I will have to consider all the troubles with this ( not yet 2 years old) mower. If a new purshase needs to be made, it will not be a Cub Cadet product.
Not a happy owner of a Cub Cadet,
Joe Herrle

I just bought the tractor in May 2019. The tractor is a very nice unit. Not as high quality as my old model 2130 (not manufactured by MTD), but it is good quality tractor. I purchased the "Fast Attach" model bagger for the tractor. I am very disappointed with the overall quality of this bagger. Talk about "cheap"! I don't think it could be made any cheaper. The mounting frames around the top of the bags are made of plastic. The handles on the bottom of the bags use to assist in emptying the bags are so small it is difficult the put your hand in if wearing a glove. The quality of the bagger for my old 2130 puts this bagger to shame. Unbelievable that Cub Cadet would design a nd produce a quality tractor and offer this poor excuse of a bagger. Cub Cadet should be ashamed to put their name on this product. I made a big mistake in trusting Cub Cadet to apply their normally high standard of quality to this bagger. Unfortunately, there are no other baggers available for my tractor. My old bagger I could install or remove in 3 minutes. To install or remove this monstrosity will must likely take 10 to 15 minutes. I know I will always be sorry I purchased this bagger. BUYER BEWARE!

No real problems with the mower the first season. The next year, while turning left, the steering would stick in the turned position. I've pulled it all apart and found that the hydro-link for the left side tranny was bent and the metal was splintering. There were no bushings for the sliding design and basically...the parts ate each other. Now I find out that this part is not available from four different dealers. What would cause a company to do such a thing as discontinue a vital part of the steering and transmission connection. Basically ruining a very potentially reliable mower. Give me my parts and I'll be a Cadet fan forever. Don't and I will be done with Cadet for good.

Purchased a cub cadet 750 challenger eps...Because of it not having a back window with it, it pulls mud and slop into the cab all over riders and the front windshield...We bought this to avoid getting covered with mud on the 4 wheelers... The back window costs $350!
I cant afford that after having the new payment now...I would rather have had the rear window over the winch even...

I purchased a Cub Cadet from TSC in the summer. I kept it stored in my garage and it would not start the following spring. TSC would not help with anything, I contacted Cub Cadet and they did not help even though my mower was less than a year old. I had to contact a service man myself and was charged for extra service work before they would pick it up. I used it one more summer and I moved last month and it would not start again! So I know I will have to pay a service man to come pick it up again before I can mow in the spring. I owned a Craftsman for 16 years and never had problems. This Cub Cadet mower is a major disappointment and the service department is no help at all!

my xt2 is less than a year old and has failed to start. it has been in the shop from july 24th 2018 to present waiting on parts. mean while I am still making payments on a barely used product 25 hours on meter.
I would like to return this product for a refund.
I am not happy at all with this products reliability.
the product is at Jerries outdoor equipment smithville mo. I purchased this product from halferty`s equipment in smithville mo. (out of business now)
model 14b7a3ca010 gx54 fab, dom 09/20/2016, s/n1l146h20214.

I bought this tiller from Tractor Supply in April of 2017. After getting it home, I noticed that one of the tires wouldn't stay inflated. I returned the tire to Tractor Supply and was given a replacement from a returned tiller. I used the tiller to turn over my garden. The total run time for my work was around an hour. I had used gasoline treated with "StaBil" (as I do in all of my other machines) so I left what fuel was left in the tiller and put it in the shed. This spring, I couldn't get the tiller to even try to run. I was advised by customer service at Cub Cadet to only use "TruFuel" and not to use gas station gasoline in the machine. I was told that the carb was probably all gunked up (after 1 hour of use and storage) and I should take it to an authorized repair shop. They confirmed that that the carb needed an overhaul and I was charged $100 for that service (fuel issues are not covered by warranty — reasonable.). This was done on May 30th. I filled the tank with TruFuel and tilled my garden. I took my tiller out a couple weeks ago, and AGAIN it wouldn't start. I took it back to the authorized repair facility where it is now, and I was told it probably need another carb overhaul even though they just did one 2 1/2 months ago. The told me that gas starts to deteriorate after 30 days. I have never had "gasoline issues" with any other of my machines. I have never had to "baby" a machine like this tiller and its carbeurator. If I could return this tiller (after only 2 hours use!) I would. I'm starting to think I wasted my money on a product that I had hoped I could trust. Really Cub Cadet? Also, the tires still don't retain their pressure, and the valve to reinflate is unstable. I have also spoken with Tractor Supply, and only received a lecture on how I should take care of my engines in my power equipment. I currently own John Deere, TroyBilt, Stihl and Echo power equipment. I have never had any fuel issues with any of these other machines. This tiller is my first Cub Cadet product. I feel like I just wasted $600.

I have a 2016 Cub Cadet XT-2 Enduro mower which I bought used with about 16 hrs. on it. It now has about 60 hrs. and has been a good mower for my 2 acres, but when I put the deck at a low height (1" +/-) the steep angle created by the belt on the deck w/respect to the engine drive pulley causes it to jump the engine pulley. This in turn allows the idler pulley arm to suddenly and forcefully swing CCW to the right and jump the left deck-suspension bracket. There's a square hole in this bracket to accept a 3/8" ratchet to allow rotation of the idler arm, but after it's jumped the bracket it takes at least two people to rotate the idler arm, reposition the belt and force the arm back over the bracket. BTW, a 3/8" drive ratchet is far too short to provide enough leverage to rotate the idler arm back over the bracket w/o an extension pipe (cheater) on it. A 1/2" drive hole for a longer ratchet would have been much better. There appears to be too much vertical play in the idler arm pivot bolt, allowing it to jump the bracket. Tightening this bolt may be futile as it will probably strip the threads out of the deck into which it screws. BTW I tried to pull the arm back across the bracket with a pipe clamp, but it just jumps off the arm when it starts moving upward to cross the bracket.
One other problem: the same as with the other Cub cadet mowers in this forum, one front tire has to be pumped up each time I want to mow. No punctures, just a bad wheel bead or tire design/manufacture.

In September 2015, we purchase our Cub Cadet XT-1 mower from Home Depot. In 2016 the mower had no problems. In August of 2017, we had to have Niagara Lawn & Service align the front wheels and steering wheel. In June 2018, we had the same problem with the front wheels and steering wheel not in alignment. We had to contact Hodgson Service to pick-up my mower to align the tow in of the front tires and steering wheel and then have them deliver back to us. We feel this shouldn't have happen two years in a row! We are concern this may happen again next year and we will be out of warranty. We are asking to you provide an extended warranty just in case we need another alignment next year. Also, looking for reimburse we paid Hodgson to pick-up and delivery charges in the amount of $63.60. We had a John Deer for 20 years and never had a problem with the front tire and steering wheel alignment. Please see the attached Hodgson Service Order [protected]

Jesse Pritchard
11 mins ·
Well, if you are in the market for a new mower, I highly suggest to NOT purchase a cub cadet. Zero customer support. Literally none. They won't answer the phone.

Also would not purchase one through Birkeys that is not on hand. 5 different stories of what is happening and 3 different days of being assured it would be here by that have all came and went and still, a month later, no tractor. They also do not return calls until the key word of lawyer is mentioned.

Now to their credit, they have offered the use of a loaner. However, I don't get home till after they close and I have other obligations on weekends so that is not an option. And considering I have been given ZERO reason to trust them at this point, how do I know they won't try blaming me for something already wrong with the loner.

Bought a self-propelled walk behind lawn mower brand new two months ago. Used it ONLY THREE TIME on a 3/4 acre lot with fresh 100% pure gasoline. The fourth time, it wouldn't start. Finally had to get a have it serviced, and the independent service pro got it running. Went to use it, and it wouldn't start again—only sputtered. This time I called Cub Cadet Customer Service. Went through the procedure recommended by their customer service rep (drain the tank, spray a can of Start Your Engine in the tank, etc). "That should fix your problem, " said the Cub Cadet service rep. It did not. Still only sputtered briefly and shut down. I also learned in the conversation with the customer service rep that the 3 Year Warranty is basically worthless and that my choice now is to take in for another service (two weeks and about $150) or buy another mower. I am VERY pissed off.

Bought a wood splitter in the fall. One hour after use the exhaust cover fell off, then the hydraulic return line came off spraying hyd. oil over the yard. Contacted customer service several times spoke to Sarah, Scott, Tyler and Mickala. All gave me the run around saying that they require a certain type of hyd. fluid that can only be bought in 5 gal. containers. They would pay for one, leaving me with 4/5 ths of the bill for the repair. They would not send me 1 gal that I needed, making me find it and buy it in the 5 gal container. I really like the splitter now that I have spent the money myself to fix it. It works great. I highly recomend the wood splitter, however, if something goes wrong. This company sells things as is. Don;'t bother with customer service, you'll get none.

These people could not care less about their customers. I bought a new lawn mower from them and it was missing parts when it arrived after shipping to my home. Essential parts, as in I can't use the product without them!

Cub Cadet will NOT help me in getting those missing parts to me. The will not pick up their phones if I call, they will not respond if I email, chat does not work because they simply tell me I have to use the telephone, to which they never pick up. They don't even care if you let them know how bad off you are on social media. Go ahead and complain on their Facebook page, they don't care.

So stay away from this company! They will take your money, and will not deliver the goods for that money you spend!