Cub Cadet Model 18M

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Cub Cadet Model 18M

The Cub Cadet 18M is not a bad lawn mower, but I keep thinking I could have done better. I have owned and used this machine for 2 years, and it has been reliable so far, in that it has not broken down during this time (although it does occasionally refuse to restart after being used for a while, never for more than 10 minutes, which I attribute to overheating).

I believe it is also gas-efficient, as I get up to 4 hours usage per tank, which doesn't seem bad (although I don't have anything to compare with this figure, since the previous model I had was electric). However, I wish the mower was not quite so heavy, as I find it impossible to lift it into small areas (over a row of plants near a fence, for instance), which I was able to do with my prior electric model. It is difficult to comply with the manufacturer's instructions for maintenance.

Changing oil requires that the gas tank be empty, because it is necessary to tip the mower on its side to drain used oil (draining from below through a removable plug seems more convenient). Full drainage from such a shallow angle takes quite some time as well. Also, the air filter has a foam element that one is supposed to occasionally soak in clean engine oil, then squeeze dry, with the caution that leaving too much oil in the foam will cause the engine to smoke.

To be quite honest, I have always skipped this step, not wanting to deal with the mess of squeezing oil out of a mounted foam sponge, and then having to wonder if any ensuing smoke billowing from the engine was due to the air filter or something else.

On the other hand, since the mower is still working, it hasn't proven absolutely necessary to do this. In summary, I plan to keep using this mower until it gives out, but if I could go back in time, I would select a different machine.

Pros
- Has not broken down for 2 years
- Seems gas-efficient

Cons
- Heavy
- Difficult to maintain

Rating
3 out of 5

Comments for
Cub Cadet Model 18M

Average Rating

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Aug 14, 2011
Rating

junk
by: Anonymous

This mower is on season 4. Has been fixed twice for the engine not cutting off when the handle is released. Cub cadet would not warranty this saying it was an adjustment even though it was reported to them it has done this since day one. 4th season the rear end went out. Never could pull it back either as the rear wheels lock up. Will never buy cub cadet again. The warranty department at cub cadet was rude and will not stand behind theirr warrantie. Even the repairman at the lawn mower shop warned me that they have a hard time getting cub cadet to warranty their stuff.

Jun 26, 2011
Rating

A reputation at stake
by: Anonymous

I fix lawnmowers out of my barn and have come across 3 of these cub cadet push mowers. They seem like a well built mower but the recoils on two were shot (poorly made) and two had rear drive problems. The rest seems decent quaility. I would never buy one.

Jun 20, 2011
Rating

I am glad this model is not sold at home depot !
by: Anonymous

I agree this is the worst mower ever, This is year 2 for me the V-belt to enable for you it to self propell broke the first season, took the rest of the season to get a new one very hard to find belt. The damn mower leaks oil and is not worth the $300-350 bucks people have paid for this mower. I purchased this from mower from the HomeDepot. I wish i would have gotten there protection plan, so it could have been there problem. No help either from the manufacturer, so don't waste your time, neither is the certified authorized repair shops very expensive.

May 23, 2011
Rating

cub cadet
by: Anonymous

Purchased a Cub Cadet push mower and had trouble starting it from the beginning. I should of returned it. After 2 years it's leaking oil now.I would rate it below one star if I could. It's junk.

May 20, 2011
Rating

Lemon
by: Edmonton

Bought at the end of last summer, this is the start of my second miserable year with the Cub Cadet Model 18M purchased from Home Depot.

Because of a bad back I chose the self-propelled type. Would be a good feature if only it would simply start !

Perhaps after 60 years I don't know how to properly start a lawm mower! I have taken it back to the store 5 times, to very politely ask anyone to show me and am told they either don't know how, or can't start the motor on their property!

Now it will sit in a repair place for 3 weeks. What's a person to do?

May 09, 2011
Rating

Poor quality product / Don't buy a Cub Cadet
by: Mike (NH)

I've owned this lawnmower for four years and it's been a big dissapointment. I have a small city lot, so it's not like this mower gets used a lot. After two years the self-propel system started developing problems and barely works at all. The dealer wanted $150+ to replace it; so I went out an purchased a new Husqvarna with a Honda engine (non-self propelled, big rear wheels)and wished I had purchased the Husky four years ago. Also, the Cub Cadet engine doesn't always work too well...it's tough to start, and won't restart after running for a while. Big dissappointment in Cub Cadet considering it's a well-known brand; but obviously poor quality and craftsmenship. It appears that many other buyers have the same problems. Please avoid this company at all costs!

Mar 19, 2011
Rating

Works just fine
by: Anonymous

I really don't understand all the complaining here about this mower. I'm into my 3rd or 4th season with mine, and it has performed just great. Changing the oil is awkward, with having to tip the mower on its side, but thats a small inconvenience. It starts easy, even after sitting all winter. It runs smooth and cuts evenly. The grass catcher bag is a little small, but I have a relatively small yard so its not a big deal.

Mar 14, 2011
Rating

Not Happy With it!!!
by: Len

The mower is hard to start -- that is the pull cord requires a lot of effort, and then you got to most of the time do it at least twice more, And self-propelled --HA. Once the grass starts to thicken up a bit you got to push it, which means fighting the transmission gears --- very tough job. Mover is starting its 3rd season, and I already had to change the drive belt --- big hassle. Very unhappy with my purchase.

Oct 08, 2010
Rating

What are you talking about ?
by: Anonymous

I don't know what you people are talking about. This is a great mower. Plenty of power , cuts absolutely great, doesn't use much gas and runs very smooth. I couldn't be more happy with my purchase. Oh I'm sorry I thought I was in the John Deere section for reviews.

Oct 08, 2010
Rating

One Lousey Ass of a Mower.
by: My Mower From Hell

This mower is only 2 years old and it is hard as hell to push if you can keep it running long enough. Cub Cadet must have stock with the fuel companies because I used so much gas to mow my small lawn (about 5 dollars a week) mowing only once a week. Lowes stopped selling this mower because Cub Cadet would not back up their service plan for their mowers. What I have now is a very large paper weight because that is all this dam thing is good for. Self propelled mower my ass because I did more tugging then propelling. After it was warmed up it would shoot balls of flames from the muffler and back fire like an old car.
Do yourself a favor when buying a mower call the manufacturer and find out what service plan they have and then call them a dam liar. Good Luck

Jul 17, 2010
Rating

Cub Cadet 18M
by: Anonymous

I have had the mower for 3 years and have had to replace the drive belt(royal pain,if you can find one)and the recoil starter assembly(another royal pain) but other than that,It runs and cuts great and doesn't use much gas but now is using a little oil.

May 21, 2010
Rating

piece of garbage
by: Anonymous

i'm on year 3. year 2 mower would cut out at least 4 or 5 times i mowed. this year it won't start at all. i was told to replace the plug, fuel line, and fresh gas. nothing. starts with starter fluid then instantly dies. sounds like the mix in the carb is off.

i'm going to take pleasure dropping her off of a bridge somewhere. yet another poor purchase at home depot of a brand i thought stood by their products. unfortunately this piece of garbage was manufactured in china for cub cadet. i'm going to my local deere dealer for a real mower.

May 20, 2010
Rating

Fuel Eater.. Plus
by: Don/05/2010

Big Note: It will use 98% of a full tank in 1 Hour of use. Also you can't pull back with it in release. The drive wheels hold you back, even if its not running. Cutting grass is not good, weeds still show after cut,Its garbage. Bought it from Home Depot, now 2nd season, new stuff is realy garbage! paid 300.00 with tax. I should of just taken it back the 1st year, my mistake. However it won't happen anymore now.
*All the manufactures should follow up on all buyers for there machines for at lease 1st season of use. Better yet, why can't we have a demo at the store to try first?...you test drive a car before you buy it?

Don 05/2010

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Cub Cadet Model 18M

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Cub Cadet Model 18M