Performance

Very good in most regards. The Cub Cadet SC100 performs as well or better than any other gas-powered push mower in its class. It’s “impressive” when mulching or discharging clippings out of the side port, one expert says. Bagging performance is not quite as impressive, but that can be said for almost every mower in its class. Cub Cadet gets some catcalls in one survey for being a repair-prone brand, but this model seems to be a happy exception. While user tales of broken or faulty mowers are not unheard of, those are more than offset by the very many owners who share nothing but raves.

Ease of use

Sure starting. One of the hassles with gas mowers that lack electronic starting is the sometimes back-breaking job of yanking the recoil cord time and time … and time again. No so with Cub Cadet. It features an Autochoke SureStart system that adjusts for temperature to provide reliable starting — so reliable that the Cub Cadet includes a three-year warranty that guarantees that the mower will start with no more than two pulls. Handling is judged to be very good in expert testing. Setting the mower for different cutting heights is a breeze thanks to the dual-lever, six-position adjustment system. Jose Castellanos at MowersDirect.com says “The industrial tread ball-bearing wheels are going to give you years of reliability and helps the mower easily move across uneven terrain with ease.”

Safety/noise

Brake shuts off blades. The Cub Cadet SC100 includes a control bar that must be pulled back for the engine to run and the blades to turn. As soon as the bar is released, a brake stops the blades from spinning and shuts the engine off. We didn’t find any expert tests that measure the noise of the SC100, but we also didn’t spot significant user reviews regarding its noise level. Still, safety experts say hearing protection should be used.

Specs

Type Gas push lawn mower
Power 159cc Cub Cade® OHV
Electric start No
Blade brake Yes
Maximum recommended mowing area Not specified
Controls Across full handle
Blades Cub Cadet Signature cut rotary blades
Engine brand Cub Cadet
Adjustable handle Yes
Steering Push
Cruise control N/A
Cutting height 1.25 to 3.75 inches
Choke Thermal auto choke
Fuel tank (gallons) .25
Bag Yes
Available attachments blower
Warranty 3-year residential warranty, 3-year SureStart guarantee