How To Clean Cub Cadet Riding Mower

Our Verdict

The Cub Cadet SC100HW is a great gas lawnmower at a knock-down price. The triple-cut blade system makes it great for quality mulching.

For

Deck wash system built-in
Tripple cut blade system
Starts on 1st or 2nd pull

Against

Manual push
No blade-stop system
No electric start

Top Ten Reviews Verdict

The Cub Cadet SC100HW is a great gas lawnmower at a knock-down price. The triple-cut blade system makes it great for quality mulching.

Pros

+ Deck wash system built-in
+ Tripple cut blade system
+ Starts on 1st or 2nd pull

Cons

- Manual push
- No blade-stop system
- No electric start

The Cub Cadet SC100HW is a compact and well-made gas lawnmower that sits below the $300 mark and gives you all the features you'll need for a great looking lawn. Starting is via pull-cord, but a SureStart guarantee means that the manufacturer guarantees that it will start on the first or second attempt each time, with no primer or choke.

You get a bag with the Cub Cadet SC100HW for collecting clippings and it can also handle mulching using a deep dome deck design that optimizes the airflow for triple cutting the grass.

The Cub Cadet SC100HW comes with a healthy three-year guarantee, which is a year longer than a lot of other mowers at the same price point.

To read about the other models we tested or to see which one was our favorite, head to the best gas lawn mowers guide.

Cub Cadet SC100HW: Price

The Cub Cadet SC100HW is well below the $300 price mark. Home Depot and mowersdirect.com have it on sale for $270 at time of writing, and considering you're getting a bunch of features here, that's a great price.

Cub Cadet SC100HW0: Features

First of all let's look at what the Cub Cadet SC100HW can do well, and that's give you three different options for cutting your yard. Firstly, it can bag. The 1.9-bushel bag is easily detachable for removing the clippings, and although some grass does get left behind when you take it off, it's easy to clip back on. Secondly, it can mulch. The deep dome design of the deck optimizes airflow so the clippings get a tripple cut when in mulch mode, which produces a fine covering. And finally, you can just select to discharge the clippings via a side chute.

In terms of cutting heights, you get the standard six positions with a range from 1.25-inches to 3.75 inches, which isn't super close to the ground but will suit most people.

Cub Cadet SC100HW: Key specs

Dimensions: 60(d) x 38(h) x 22(w)-inches
Weight: 76lb
Blade length: 21-inches
Engine displacement: 159cc
Max cutting height: 3.75-inches
Min cutting height: 1.25-inches
Mower type: Manual push
Start type: Pull cord
Warranty: 3 years

The Cub Cadet SC100HW has a wash system that speeds up cleaning the deck. Just attach your garden hose to the wash port and run it for a few minutes and you'll get a good clean that stop things clogging up.

At 76lb it's not the lightest lawnmower you can get, but it's far from being the heaviest, which can make a difference if you need to maneuver around flower beds or obstacles.

Cub Cadet SC100HW: Performance

According to reviews and customer feedback, the Cub Cadet SC100HW usually starts on the first attempt, and the powerful 159cc OHV engine copes well with all sorts of back yards.

The height controls are particularly easy to use and don't seem to slip, even when the mower's wheels are dipping in and out of flower beds.

On the negative side, people have reported that the discharge chute can clog, but regular cleaning helps with that.

Cub Cadet SC100HW: User reviews

As well as the side chute clogging, as we have mentioned above, the only other complaint customers have made frequently about the Cub Cadet SC100HW is that the gas tank is tilted, so it's really hard to tell how full it is when you're filling it up.

Customer Ryan on Home Depot's website comments: "I am surprised at how effortlessly it cuts my lawn. Other mowers I have owned (with larger cc ratings) have had a difficult time. The one thing I haven't seen mentioned is the fuel usage seems to be quite low. I thought it was a fluke the first time, but subsequent mowings yielded the same result. Much less consumption compared to others I have used/owned."

Should you buy the Cub Cadet SC100HW?

The Cub Cadet SC100HW is mid-range in terms of price, but has the basic features you'll need. It's easy to set up and works out of the box. The pull start works on the first try almost all the time and the height adjustment is easy to set up. It's not heavy and the deck cleaning is a nice touch. If you're looking for a mid-price mower you'd be hard-pressed to find better value than the Cub Cadet SC100HW offers.