I will provide a brief overview and comparison of the history, operation, and reliability of two famous garden machinery producers – Cub Cadet VS Husqvarna.
While one manufacturer has been in the game for hundreds of years, the other is a relatively new start-up. We’ll look at both in this article to see if the new kid on the block can offer anything that the old boy can’t.
The brands – Cub Cadet VS Husqvarna
Cub Cadet manufactures lawnmowers, lawn tractors, mini riders, robotic mowers, and zero-turn mowers. Husqvarna also makes these machines, including pole saws, chain saws, grass trimmers, and Hedge trimmers.
Cub Cadet
Cub Cadet was initially founded in 1961 by the famous tractor brand International Harvester. These small tractors were made to cover the gap in the market that the International tractors agricultural company was missing out on. In 1981 International Harvester sold the brand to MTD corporation, and the company has been going from strength to strength since.
MTD manufactures a variety of outdoor power equipment. They manufacture many products in the lawn and garden departments. MTD is the parent brand for the companies Wolf garden, Cub Cadet, Robomow, and Arnold brands. In 2022 MTD merged with Stanley Black and Decker.
Cub Cadets company headquarters are in Cleveland, Ohio. They take pride in the quality, durability, and reliability of their American-designed and manufactured machines. The company has a good reputation for producing well-made, high-quality products.
Husqvarna
Husqvarna is a long-standing Swedish giant of a firm. It began in 1689 in the village of Husqvarna as a weapons foundry for the Swedish military. If you look carefully at the logo, you can make out the image of a gun sight.
They began producing lawnmowers in 1918 after acquiring the company Norrahammars Bruk, it was around this time Husqvarna began manufacturing their own engines.
Their products are sold in more than 100 countries worldwide and have a reputation for being among the best you can buy. The Husqvarna name is generally associated with chainsaws, as they have been a market leader since 1959.
Other products Husqvarna manufacture include:
- Pole saws;
- Forestry clearing saws;
- Axes;
- Personal protective wear;
- Stand-on lawnmowers;
- push mowers;
- zero-turn mowers;
- robotic lawnmowers;
- riding lawnmowers;
- Lawn edgers;
- Power cutters.
Differences between Cub Cadet and Husqvarna
When discussing the differences between Cub Cadet and Husqvarna, we need to look at each company’s similar machines and how they perform against each other.
Different functionalities
Although each manufacturer has their own ratings and specifications for each machine, they are both quite similar. For example, the Cub Cadet has a 24hp Kohler engine in its zero-turn mower, and Husqvarna has a 26hp Kohler engine in its zero-turn mower.
Warranties
Both Husqvarna and Cub Cadet provide a standard three-year warranty on their machines. Cub Cadet does offer a standard 4-year warranty on their push mowers.
Power
Husqvarna and Cub Cadet use engines from other companies to power their products. Both companies use Kohler, Kawasaki, Briggs, Stratton, and Honda. These engines are used across a range of products.
Most manufacturers use engines from other companies – especially if they are the best available. Performance and durability are essential if a manufacturer wants to be number one in that product type.
Efficiency
Because both companies use engines from many different manufacturers their efficiency will vary throughout the range. To look at efficiency properly, you need to compare two similar machines from each of the manufacturers side by side. It is impossible to determine one company as having more efficient machines in a general sense.
Ease of use
Cub Cadet and Husqvarna provide well-made, high-quality, and comfortable machines. If Cub Cadet was a budget machine manufacturer. In that case, you could generally say that Husqvarna’s machines were higher quality and easier to use – but that is not true. Using a Cub Cadet machine is as user-friendly as a Husqvarna.
Which is more reliable Cub cadet or Husqvarna?
In this section, we will compare the same type of machine from each manufacturer.
Snow blowers
Both machines are roughly the same price. The 3x Cub Cadet model is DIY repair friendly compared to the Husqvarna. The Husqvarna ST423P has a hydrostatic transmission which is very user-friendly, although if it breaks, it usually requires a trip to the dealer to be fixed. The Cub Cadet 3x26HD has a manual transmission which requires little to no maintenance. Both machines have great forward-facing lights, providing a clear view of the work ahead.
Zero-turn mowers
The Cub Cadet zero-turn mower uses a Kohler engine, and the Husqvarna uses a Briggs and Stratton engine. Both engines are equally reliable, although the Cub Cadet does offer a slight improvement in fuel efficiency as the Kohler engine is electronically fuel injected. The cutting deck on the Cub cadet is marginally better made than the Husqvarna, it uses heavier steel, and the linkages are stronger.
Lawn tractors
When choosing which lawn tractor to buy, many users initially feel the Husqvarna offers more features, but if you looked at the actual number on the ground, you would find that the Cub Cadet is the most popular machine. This is because the Cub Cadet offers a more reliable product than the Husqvarna.
The most popular complaint with the Husqvarna is that it has a weak frame and the steering is below par – especially if a front loader is fitted.
These weaknesses are not found in the Cub Cadet, making it the more popular machine.
Riding mowers
Generally speaking, the Cub Cadet will outlast the Husqvarna riding mower. The Husqvarna may have a few extras the Cub doesn’t, but the Cub is built to last long term. The weak frame issues in the Husqvarna lawn tractors were found in the riding mowers, which put many people off buying them.
As the Cub Cadet originates from full-size International farm tractors, it has many advantages over the Husqvarna. These important design points make the Cub Cadet the more popular machine based on its past history and current performance.
Push mowers
It is not easy to choose between the Husqvarna and Cub Cadet when it comes to push lawnmowers. Both offer very reliable machines at reasonable prices.
The only difference is with warranties – the Cub Cadet has a 4-year push mower warranty, and the Husqvarna has a 3-year warranty. Both are excellent lawnmowers.
Pros and Cons of Cub Cadet VS Husqvarna
Let’s make a quick list of the different Pros and Cons each manufacturer has to offer. These are general pros and cons users have commented on and don’t apply to every model in the range.
Cub Cadet pros
- Cub Cadet has an excellent reputation for solidly built machines – some would argue they are more reliable than Husqvarna.
- Good dealer servicing and parts in North America.
- A machine that is relatively easy to perform DIY maintenance and servicing on.
- Good turning radius and acceleration.
Cub Cadet Cons
- Some of the entry models in the Cub Cadet range are pretty basic.
- Outside of North America, parts may be slower to get hold of.
- Some models can be harder to start in cold weather.
- Hydrostatic drive can take some time to get used to.
Husqvarna pros
- Husqvarna has a reputation as a producer of world-class machines.
- Excellent transmissions.
- A massive dealer network for servicing and parts.
- Husqvarna design very ergonomic, user-friendly machines.
Husqvarna Cons
- Some models of the riding mower and lawn tractors have issues with weak frames.
- Due to the weaker frames, front loaders need to be used with care.
- Front-wheel steering on some models can be difficult to turn.
- Some models can be expensive.
Which is better Cub Cadet or Husqvarna?
This is a very general question, which is not straightforward to answer. Both manufacturers produce high-quality machines. It comes down to the model you choose in that machine type around the same price point. For example, Cub Cadet lawn tractors range from $3500 to $5500, so there is a huge difference in capabilities within that one range.
To provide a general question with a general answer, the Cub Cadet may have the edge on durability, as it is often viewed as a more basic but stronger built machine than Husqvarna.
The best way for you to decide is to go and try out each of the brands before you buy. Speak to current owners of each model or try researching on forums where owners have shared their problems with each manufacturer.
To round up this discussion as to whether Cub Cadet vs Husqvarna, we now know that both manufacturers produce high-performing, durable, reliable machines, and if you were to pick one or the other, it would not be a bad choice.
To make a more informed choice, we need to compare two machines of equal specification and price, and we should go and try the machine out before committing to purchase.
