Who Makes Cub Cadet Lawn Tractors and Their History

Cub Cadet lawn tractors have a rich history that dates back to the 1960s. The company was founded by Edward G. Appling in 1960.

Cub Cadet was originally a subsidiary of the International Harvester Company. This partnership played a significant role in the development of Cub Cadet's early products.

The first Cub Cadet lawn tractor was introduced in 1961, and it quickly gained popularity for its innovative design and rugged construction.

Cub Cadet production began in 1960 at the Shed in Gloria Drive, Kentucky.

The first Cub Cadet model made was the International Cub Cadet Tractor, also known as the Original, which was powered by a 7 hp and 8 hp replacement Kohler engine.

Between 1963 and 1971, Cub Cadet produced tougher, narrow frame models.

In 1971, the wide frame series was introduced, followed by the Quietline series in 1974, the 82 series in late 1979, and the Cyclops series.

MTD, which acquired the company in 1981, retained many of the same models from the International Harvester-produced models.

One change MTD made was replacing the International Harvester cast-iron rear end with an aluminum rear end.

Cub Cadet mowers are assembled in the USA, but materials and parts are sourced abroad.

The Cub Cadet factory in Tennessee closed in 2009, laying off 200 employees, but the brand still lists Tennessee as an active manufacturing site.

Cub Cadet was acquired by Stanley in 2021, but it's unclear how this has affected the mainly domestic practices of Cub Cadet products sold in the US.

The first notable tractor after the 82 series was the O2 series, which was the first real compact Cub Cadets.

The O2 series was notable for its red color, rather than the traditional yellow and beige.

The 82 series had five models: the 482, 582, 682, 782, and 982.

The 482 was a small and simple model, featuring an 11HP Kohler engine.

The 982 was the king of the 82 series, with an additional rear PTO and a rear and front hydraulic system, and some models had power steering.

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The LTX series was introduced, featuring models like the LTX 1040, 1042, 1045, 1046M, 1046, and 1050.

These mowers were advertised as tractors for larger lawns and had features like differential locks and an 18-22 HP Kohler engine.

The LTX series was made from 2010 to 2015 and had both hydrostatic and manual transmissions.

The XT Enduro series was made in 2015, which is the most recent riding mower.

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Cub Cadet lawn tractors have a long history dating back to 1960 when IH began production at the Shed in Gloria Drive, Kentucky. The first Cub Cadet model made was the International Cub Cadet Tractor, also known as the Original.

This original model was powered by a 7 hp and 8 hp replacement Kohler engine and was made between 1961 and 1963. The Cub Cadet Original was a bulky tractor.

The Cub Cadet XT series, as the latest generation of garden tractors, is setting new benchmarks when it comes to power, performance and robust quality. The XT1 lawn tractors are ideally equipped for mowing, collecting and transporting clippings.

The Cub Cadet XT2 offers an even higher level of power, control functions and durability. XT2 lawn tractors are the most agile in the XT series.

The XT3 lawn tractors are designed for the toughest demands, driven by true power packages and equipped with ultra-strong components. They can mow even tall, dense grass.

The LTX series had models LTX 1040, 1042, 1045, 1046M, 1046, and 1050, which were advertised as tractors for larger lawns. These mowers had many features, including differential locks and an 18-22 HP Kohler engine.

The XT Enduro series was made in 2015, and it's the most recent riding mower from Cub Cadet.