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- Fuel-efficient four-cycle OHV engine
- Quiet
- Cutting height adjusts with a single lever
- Three-year warranty
- Some durability complaints
- Can be difficult to start and restart
- Narrow 19-inch deck
- Handle could be more comfortable
The 19-inch Cub Cadet CC-500 (sometimes referred to as the 11A-18MC) is a basic gas push mower powered by a Chinese-made four-cycle OHV engine, which does not meet California air-quality standards. Most reviews say this mower performs well, is easy to use and priced attractively. It has single-lever height adjustment, a feature owners say they appreciate, and carries a three-year warranty. The drawback is that this mower is hard to find; it's not sold in big-box stores so you'll need to track down a dealer. As an alternative, the Craftsman 38905 (*Est. $220) is easier to find and gets good scores for mulching and bagging, although it doesn't have an OHV engine and carries a two-year warranty. The Craftsman mower does have a wider 21-inch cutting deck, however.
ConsumerReports.org compares the Cub Cadet CC 500 / 11A-18MC with 49 other lawn mowers, ranking all based on objective tests. The single-product review at ConsumerGuide.com is based on less formal tests, but provides more details. Consumers Digest magazine also recommends this mower, and we found very useful owner-written reviews at HomeDepot.com, Epinions.com and Lawn-Mowers-Review.com.
Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
ConsumerReports.org tests the Cub Cadet 11A-18MC against nearly 50 other lawn mowers, including 10 gas push mowers. Unfortunately, there are no ratings for noise or environmental impact, and mowers meeting California's stricter emissions limits aren't distinguished from mowers that pollute more.
Review: Lawn Mowers, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, May 2009
Consumer Guide reviews and rates lawn mowers on actual test usage. The Cub Cadet mower earns a Budget Buy designation and receives praise for its OHV engine and enhanced mulching performance.
Review: Cub Cadet CC-500 Gasoline-Powered Push Mower Review, Editors of ConsumerGuide.com, July 2008
3. Consumers DigestDetails/Subscribe
This review recommends the Cub Cadet as the budget choice, but it lacks any comparison testing. This article does explain the new and upcoming changes based on California Air Resources Board and Environmental Protection Agency regulations.
Review: Lawn Mowers: The Changing Landscape, Steve Trusty, April 2008
4. Epinions.com
A handful of owners review and rate the Cub Cadet CC 500 here, giving it above-average ratings. One owner reports that it takes the same amount of time to finish mowing his lawn with the 19-inch Cub Cadet as it did with his previous 21-inch mower.
Review: 19" Cub Cadet Lawn Mower CC500 Reviews, Contributors to Epinions.com
The few owners reviewing the Cub Cadet 11A-18MC push mower here report that it can take quite a bit of pulling to start, and isn't very easy to push and maneuver. One says it's better for tall users than for someone closer to 5 feet tall. Overall, though, owners say it's ok for the price.
Review: Cub Cadet 11A-18MC, Editors of Lawn-Mowers-Review.com
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