Cub Cadet SC900

I recently got a new mower because I had to. The self propelled transmission simply quit. So I got another Toro. It's my third one. It's reliable enough.
 
That's a nice unit.

Cub Cadet is owned my MTD now, but it is their flagship brand.
 
PA DETAILER said:
Cub Cadet SC 900 » Hines Equipment, A full-service equipment dealer in Central Pennsylvania.

Went up to take a look see at this mower. I really liked it. Impressive for a self-propelled. Highly rated on reviews.
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Have you bought it yet?

I would skip both the Kohler and "Cub Cadet Commercial" engines and stick with the Briggs version. The Kohler and Cub engines both come out of the same Chinese factory, the Briggs is US assembled. Having used the Kohler and Briggs 850 series (190cc OHV) extensively, the Briggs will smash the Kohler out of the park for performance, and overall, looks/sounds/feels like a higher quality engine.
 
The SC900 does have the 190cc Briggs & Stratton.
 

Honda HRX217

In my opinion this is one of the best and super reliable. Have had mine over 15 years and still going strong. The Honda engine is the key and I have the upgraded deck that won’t rust out.
 
TroyScherer said:

Honda HRX217

In my opinion this is one of the best and super reliable. Have had mine over 15 years and still going strong. The Honda engine is the key and I have the upgraded deck that won’t rust out.
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+1 vote for the Honda. I have the same model and love it. I’ve had it I think 11 years and have done nothing but feed it non-oxy fuel and done oil changes. First pull every time.

I’m a huge fan of the hydrostatic drive for the self propelled. I like the squeeze-the-lever-as-much-as-you-need to regulate speed vs the old Toro I had that responded to how hard you pushed it. Lever squeeze is way more convenient for intricate work. (There’s still a speed lever to control your max velocity).

I totally get that it might not be for everyone (my neighbor borrowed mine when I was out of town and from what I gathered he barely figured out how to use it, but I feel like that says more about him than the mower…). Plus it’s 2” narrower and I know you’ve had your eye on the wider mowers for a while now.
 
Mine looks like the 217HYA (also looks like they’ve crept up some in price since I got mine, but would buy it again in a heartbeat). I like the traditional flat handlebar, though I haven’t tried the other.

You don’t need the electric start. I sold my friend on one when he came over and was complaining about his craftsman lawn mower. I went over, flipped the lever, pulled the rope, and it was purring.

I do like the variable control for how much you bag/mulch too.
 

I have the HYA as well.

The “plastic” deck is also a big plus to me. I don’t have to worry about it rusting out.

I tried one of the cheaper HRX217VKA versions with the new speed control. Once it got use to it it was okay it I still prefer the the HRX217HYA version of the controls. I didn’t like not having the blade stop where once I let go of the handle the entire mower stops. On mine just the blades shut off and the engine still runs until I turn it off.



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PA DETAILER said:
The SC900 does have the 190cc Briggs & Stratton.
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Ah sorry, I was looking at the wider range of models and noted the engine options.

I just wish you guys had access to Victa lawn mowers in the US, any and all of those would blow the Honda's and Toro's ect out of the water for cut quality, be that bagging or mulching.

All too often I'm the one complaining about certain products not being available in Australia, but this is one instance where the situation is reversed.
 
I love my Toro Timemaster 30" wide. My 21" Honda collects dust.
 
+2 for a Honda.

A good friend of mine has raved about Honda mowers for decades, and when our most recent Toro died, we made the leap. Holy cow, everything he said was true. It cuts better, the engine runs way smoother than the Briggs motor on the Toro, and the engine has way more power despite being rougly the same size. When my yard gets healthy the old Toro would struggle to get through the grass and would often leave clumps. The Honda just plows through without lugging down and not a clump in sight.

I had my sights on a double bladed residential Cub Cadet mower a couple years ago, but sadly by the time my bonus arrived and I could afford it, they quit making them suddenly and ever dealer in town sold out almost instantly.
 
Desertnate said:
+2 for a Honda.

A good friend of mine has raved about Honda mowers for decades, and when our most recent Toro died, we made the leap. Holy cow, everything he said was true. It cuts better, the engine runs way smoother than the Briggs motor on the Toro, and the engine has way more power despite being rougly the same size. When my yard gets healthy the old Toro would struggle to get through the grass and would often leave clumps. The Honda just plows through without lugging down and not a clump in sight.

I had my sights on a double bladed residential Cub Cadet mower a couple years ago, but sadly by the time my bonus arrived and I could afford it, they quit making them suddenly and ever dealer in town sold out almost instantly.
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Funny how Honda can make such great small engines, but their outboard (boat) engines are such complete garbage. Lol
 
It is quite a step up in price, but I had an old Craftsman model of the CC800. That thing was a beast. I had it for about 9 trouble free years and the mount for the transmission rusted out. I sold it to my neighbor for $200 who has a friend who can weld and he fixed it and uses it.
Another neighbor convinced me to buy a new Worldlawn 32. Belt Driven Walk Behind|Worldlawn. It is OK, but I think I like the Cub Cadet (Craftsman) better.
 
waddell64 said:
It is quite a step up in price, but I had an old Craftsman model of the CC800. That thing was a beast. I had it for about 9 trouble free years and the mount for the transmission rusted out. I sold it to my neighbor for $200 who has a friend who can weld and he fixed it and uses it.
Another neighbor convinced me to buy a new Worldlawn 32. Belt Driven Walk Behind|Worldlawn. It is OK, but I think I like the Cub Cadet (Craftsman) better.
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It all depends on what you are using a push (or walk behind) mower for, as well.

If it is your only mower, then by all means buy the best you can afford.

If you are like me and have graduated to a riding mower, and only use the push one for trim work, then I'm looking more at affordability vs. features/performance.
 
I'm sure the mower is indistructable, but I would have a hard time spending $1500 to $1800 for a push mower with only a 25" cut and a single blade. You can get a Toro Timemaster with a 30" cut and dual blades for that price.
 
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