Thanks for the review. I purchased a 3 stage cub cadet on tracks this year. I've had it out 3x this year and am happy so far. Our old 2 stage with tires would just walk over the snowbank, that's when I could get it started which wasn't very often and I would have to push and drag. I spent 3 hrs doing our long farm driveway and was not tired. It just walks by itself. If the tracks spin I just back up a little and go. My husband hit a frying pan with the 2 stage. The shearpins didn't break. That was an expensive day. I did find in the softer snow it did fall out the sides but was only doing a small area so no big deal. There was extremely deep snow between our vehicles and it just went thru it like butter. So far I am happy with it. We'll see by spring and the next two years how it will work.
You people will only learn the hard way. You replaced junk with junk. Cub cadet are disposable machines. Have you bought an Ariens Then it may not have failed and you may have been able to Economically repair the machine. But instead you went out and bought more junk. And in a few years you will replace this one. Why? Because the parts are so flimsy and weak, that the simply cannot stand the time. Purchasing a market leader such as Ariens or Honda, And the difference will be noticeable immediately. Plus if the machine breaks the parts are reasonable and the machine simply lasts longer, Much longer in fact. Good luck with that piece of junk cub cadet. How do I know? You are listening to the voice of experience.
@@brendamartin715 You'd better have a shop do annual maintenance and lubrication on that machine especially it's transmission. Otherwise you will only get a couple of years out of it and then need to buy a new one.
Stick with a two-stage snow blower. Best for all snow conditions. If you want a machine that can handle any depth of snow, go with a two-stage machine that has the 14 in auger and impeller system. You will not be disappointed.
This is my third winter with my Cub Cadet 3x30 snowblower. Like Paul, here on Long Island, we don't get a lot of snow, every winter. Biggest storm this new machine has seen was the end of January, 2022. It worked great and I had no issues with shear pins. The first winter we had it, I had quite a bit of slushy snow to contend with, and there was some buildup in the chute with wet, heavy snow. I'm adding an impeller kit to it this spring, as I had on the Snapper which I retired two years ago. That will eliminate the snow/ice collecting in the chute.
Great review! I agree 100% with everything you said! Absolutely sucks for light snow 6” or less! Only good for heavy wet snow! Also if it’s wet the chute is to close to the bucket to shoot snow straight, u have to adjust either left or right. Mine is new and I’m already wanting to sell it. I live in Utah in the mountains so we average 12” or more when it snows. My neighbors both have old school 2 stage blowers and they throw way further and do a much cleaner job.
@KellyStark-p1c i ended up selling it. I bought a ariens professional 28. ( also on my youtube) I've used it about 40 times now and man. This one makes that cub look like poop lol. Even if I got a ariens equivalent to that cub it would be extremely better. I'm done with cub
Good video. I just bought the CubCadet XS3 66 SWE. It has a 420cc motor. I live in Iceland. I am amazed by the power in this thing and how far it throws the snow. This being my first year. I don't have any thing negative to say and just looking forward to next snow day. I would like to ask you if there are chains available for the tires? I find it struggles sometimes if the ground is ice or spikes?
Hia, thank you. And I'm not sure off the top of my head if there is or is not. I would immigine there has the be chains available. Worst case u could always change the tire size to a size the chain would expect. But I don't think you would need to go that far. I had a swe33 and man that thing was a tank. But don't make them like that anymore.
I've had mine for about three years and it is a beast. They tend to work great in larger amounts of snow. Also, with the knobby tires, snow chains aren't really necessary and I wouldn't want to put them mon my machine due to potential damage to the wheel axles.
Great, unbiased and honest review Jeffrey…. I have the same machine (in 24 inch). It is reliable and dependable, but like you (and many others) I go through more shear pins than I ever did with my old brute Craftsman…. Like you said compared to a Honda it is “budget friendly”…..but if/when I purchase another machine, I would seriously look at a Honda or an Ariens (which come with 3 year warranty)…. Thanks Jeffrey, again a great video.
Thank you. Currently I'm looking into a ariens professional and spending the 4k on every option. Butttt hereing issues with the efi and the auto turn. Scares me. Vs the top of the line 2x cub
Thank you. Currently I'm looking into a ariens professional and spending the 4k on every option. Butttt hereing issues with the efi and the auto turn. Scares me. Vs the top of the line 2x cub
I see that "excelerator" auger being more of a gimmick and a selling point than it's worth. Since the beginning of snowblowers, the horizontal auger system has worked just fine and the only difference is the speed of the impeller of the size of the impeller/housing which will blow more snow faster. If that so called third stage was such a good improvement, you start to see it on other machines.
I have a machine similar to this one that I bought brand new back in 2020. It's a little larger at 28" with a 420cc engine but looks very much the same as this. I wish I could afford my dream Honda with battery electric start but this one should last me until I can get that Honda. Cub raised its prices on these machines and over the last couple of years it went up in price by CA$1050. The Honda is looking even better since its snow blowers stayed relatively the same in price. I've had to do some major repairs to mine this year and spent CA$350 to overhaul the transmission. Otherwise I really like mine and I use it commercially so I can't really complain. Yes, I have gone through a few shear pins but like you it was due to my error. You can get a front light kit for about CA$120 and it seems relatively simple to install.
The newer ones all come with Metal chutes now witch is nice. But got to do you're homework on witch one you're going to buy. There having issues with alot of them. I myself is switch to ariens professional.
I live in New England and have owned my Yardman 13 HP 33" 2 stage gas snow blower for over 13 years and never had a problem with shear pins. The only negative I have is that the 1st gear is too fast when there is a foot or more snow. I have to toggle the forward lever on and off so the auger and chute are able to cope with the amount of snow entering the housing on the first pass. No matter the type of snow there is, I have never had a problem with the chute clogging, there is enough power to push out even wet frozen snow. If we received more snow and it was time to retire my Yardman, then I would get a track Honda. Those machines can handle just about anything that comes along.
I was in the market for a new machine back in 2018, and I was really on the fence about getting a 2 or 3 stage unit. I was only shopping MTD units because we don't get enough snow here on Long Island to warrant spending the huge bucks for TORO or Ariens. I ended up buying the 2 stage Troy-Bilt Storm 3090 mainly because of a great deal I got on it. ($1,029). It has been a great machine, and I am glad I went the 2-stage route now that I hear what guys are saying about the 3-stage ones. Great, honest review of your Cubby. Very informative!
Thank you and glad u like. I'm looking to go back into the 2 stage. Buy going ariens professional. Really wanted to go into a bigger cub but to many issues
@@drumhead14 Can’t go wrong with Ariens. If I were doing any kind of snow blowing for money, I’d look no further than Ariens. The Rapid Track models would be my dream machines. 😁
Paul...If you're on the North Fork, I likely know who you are, as I grew up in Greenport. I went with the three-stage machine because I have a lot of area to remove snow and the three-stage is about 50% faster. I looked at the Troy Bilt but ended up with the Cub Cadet that winter when I bought it because that late in the season (Feb, 2021) Cub Cadet was still available for drop-shipping and Troy Bilt was not. Can't go wrong with either one, IMO.
Thank you for your honest review. I would like to know a little about the manouvering of the unit please. Can you tell us about power steering . how to use it and your advice on buying it or just saving money with non-power steering..
Power steering. Is super easy. Can use one finger on the trigger ( below the handle, on each side) and u can spin it on dime. Or keeping it straight is really easy and effortless. I would not own a snowblower without zero turn or some sort of steering assist
How has the reliability been? When I look at Cub Cadet snowblowers on the Home Depot site there's a fair amount of pissed off customers talking about various things breaking or not working.
@bluebadger3223 so in short terms. I'm done with cub. I sold this last year. Bough a ariens professional kraken 28 rapid trac. So much better quility. Even with this cub in the video I used. I was always doing somthing to it for the most part.
I had to get rid of it. Nothing but clogging in wetter snow and pins sheering left and right. Went to a 2stage i clear snow much faster never clogs and pins dont snap and i changed nothing how i snow blow
I have very similar issues with my Troy Bilt 2890 3-stage machine. I'm impressed with wet heavy snow, but get aggravated with the dry sticky stuff which clogs up in this machine even if I spray it with silicone beforehand. Matter of fact I just finished my 100-ft hilly driveway after getting a few inches of the fluffy stuff and it just ends up pushing the snow after a while. My next door neighbor has a 2-stage he paid about half the price and it seems to put mine to shame. I'm seriously thinking of selling it after 6-7 years of putting up with this.
It's a love hate. We just got hit with alot of snow. It was that fluffy snow but it was half a bucket + ( other then the plowed snow at the end of the driveway. Just got done doing 15 houses. But 6th gear, shoot wide open most of the time. 45/50 ft with ease. I don't know to many 2 stages that can do that without spilling out the side. Keep in mind. I have my auger tensioner pretty tight to put down the power. And a kevelar belt on there. wish I took a vid but I wanted to get them done to come home lol. But the key to these 3 stages is to keep it fed with snow. And means eather going fast and full buckets. These 3x going slow and that's they issues accur
I have not had the luck that you have had with wet snow clogging. Here in northern Maine, we get snowcone snow pretty often. I spend more time clearing clogs than doing the actual clearing. And pins- don't even get me started. I go through a package each season and I do not hit anything laying around that might otherwise break a pin. Finally, my 357 engine is definitely underpowered for northern Maine snows.
I hear the same thing with this. Yes or no lol. But I have anger tentoner maxed out as much as I can and I always have the bucket and what not waxed before I go out and hit my 10 people. Idk lol. I'm looking into the ariens professional. Much better mechine
@@skyrob66 I buy mine in bulk from my dealer. With the little bit of snow this year here in Goderich, ON, Canada I haven't had to clear snow nor replace pins as often as I typically go through 3-4 pins per year commercially.
I have owned the same machine for six yrs and it is nothing at all like you describe. I do notice that for a six yr. Old machine i looks brand new and never used.
One of the reasons why MTD machines will always be substandard in comparison to ariens And toro It's because they lack any research development department to work the bugs out of these machines before they start selling. Everywhere you look in comparison to the market leaders they cheapen the product. Paint systems. Drive systems. Gauge of metal. Lack of any fuel shut off. Carburetor problems. Weak cables. And the list goes on. For what? To save a couple hundred dollars. It's ridiculous when you think about the frustration and problems over the years that you'll have with this machine. Do yourself a favor and go buy an ariens. Yes, you'll spend a couple $100 more. But in the long run it will be well worth it. M t d is simply a follower. Perhaps stanley black and decker will make them better, Time will tell. And hopefully they will invest in a research and development department to make better snow throwers that can actually compete with the market leaders. I own an mtd snow thrower, who makes all cub cadet machines, and will never buy another one.
Agreed, while it is not a terrible machine, it is definitely inferior to the more trusted brands like Ariens and Honda, which I will give more serious consideration to if/when I replace my Cub Cadet…
@@JustGrillingandChilling. I guarantee you're going to replace that cub cadet. Why do I say that? Look at the price of replacement parts And you will find that they are Astronomical. Not even close to reasonable. Now let's assume that you hit a stick or a large rock with your Snow thrower and that it gets jammed. I'm sorry to say that the sheer pins may or may not work , but it doesn't matter. Why? Because the worm gear Transmission will be destroyed. Look at how it is made in comparison to the market leaders. It is so light duty that it will simply fail. And even if you do the labor yourself To replace the Worm gear transmission, To purchase the new part will amount to 350 dollars or more. And if you have a shop fix it , they will charge you at least that much money because it is a two or three hour job. And if your machine is More than a few years old then the decision will be very obvious. Spend seven hundred dollars or more On a machine that is several years old In which other parts are destined to fail in the near term, Or add another $500 or so And get a machine that you should have bought in the first place. The decision becomes more obvious the older your machine is. Now, if you don't have the money because one is poor, Or you can buy a good used replacement part and have the labor skills, Then it may make sense to fix it. And heaven forbid if you have a problem with that chinese engine. So you are going to replace the Cub cadet. It is just a question of when. How do I know? You are listening to the voice of experience, Time tested and proven.
Honda, Ariens, and some Toro. Everything else will leave you disappointed. By once, cry once. I hate that expression but it really is true. I wasted my time with a brand new Troy-Bilt XP 3090 for 7 years.
Hey did you buy anything? I love my honda hss 928 tracked machine but that's probably not the right machine for you. It works perfect for my rough gravel driveway, paths and yard. I recommend the 928 wheeled machine. The hydrostatic transmission is fantastic but the tracked models have a very slow top speed. Hydrostatic will lock up when off (like park in an automatic transmission) and makes loading up and down ramps much safer.
@chrisE815 hi yes. I ended up going back and forth with a Honda 928 or arens kraken. And from everyone I spoke to the Honda never would of held up. Not.really ment for light commercial. Bought a arens professional kraken 28 efi with rapid track. Going to do a review vid when I pull it would of storage but after playing with it. I don't think anything stands a chance with that mechine
Friend gave me a 6-year old unit. Clogs and becomes a snowplow in Colorado drier snow. Pins fine. Can you tell me more about auger cable adjustment. Just the slide the plate down a bit? Did that. New auger belt? Or more I can do? Did that. Augers spin ok. Tried PAM; next time massive silicone spray I guess.
Hia, you got a f.b. you can message me and I can send u photos? So over the 4 years I have only ever clogged this 3x 1 time but that was because the auger cable was loose. But other then that I have never clogged it. But like I said I got it adjusted as much as I can. Never went threw belts even though I keep spaires on me when doing houses so I can change on the fly.
You need to install a first stage impeller kit to Eliminate the gap between the tip of the first stage impeller and the impeller housing. The first stage impeller is located closest to the motor. They sell these kids specifically to eliminate that gap. The problem is that the snow blowers are designed to blow dry snow, Not wet heavy slushy snow that we get on the east coast. I did the modification on my Cub cadet. 524 s w e because it would constantly clog due to the wet heavy slushy snow. Problem fixed. This is a well documented repair and you will find it on youtube and the impeller kits are available to be purchased retail. What baffles me is why the snow blower. Manufacturers don't provide the kit with the snow blower When it is purchase new.
Replace the augur belt. Install an impeller kit to eliminate the gap between the tip of the first stage and pillar and the housing of the snowblower. Adjust the auger cable but don't make it too tight. You can spray silicone on the inside of the chute, But the New auger belt and impeller kit are the key to the solution.
Had a neighbor that bought one new and sold it next year at a lost,he hated it. I beleive that this design is a flop,I'm pretty sure that Cadet will drop that design eventually.
Run!, do not walk, from this 3X machine. Only buy if you get a lifetime supply of shear pins from Cub Cadet and have an irrational desire to replace pins every 20 feet. Yes, I have the correct hex head grade 8 shear pins for the accelerator. It does not matter. The pins will shear in the lightest of fluffy snow. Seriously regret my purchase. Not an isolated occurrence either. Check reviews online. Stay away!!!
Adjust the cable so that they are loser. Lubricate cables at the location wherever there are major directional changes and plastic wheels. Lubricate the ends of the cables. Perform this maintenance at the beginning of the year and in the middle of the blowing season. Your cables won't break anymore afterwards.
In order to correct the problem you need to install an impeller kit. Essentially it is cut pieces of heavy duty building and bolts with nuts. You will drill Two holes at the end of each impeller and then install the Is rubber impeller extender. Then you tighten the nuts and bolts down. The impeller extenders are made of heavy duty rubber and fill the gap between the end of the impeller and the snow blower housing. It varies from model to model in terms of the gap distance between the end of the impeller and the body of the snow blower housing. I have a cupcadet, 524 s w e from 2014. I live in the mid-atlantic. And we routinely get heavy wet snow and sometimes it's slushy. My shoot is made of plastic and it would constantly clog. The impeller kit fixed the problem. They sell them online for around fifty dollars. But you will need to drill the Tips of the impeller to install the rubber and peller kit with nuts and bolts. I decided to build my own using heavy duty industrial belting that I cut to size To fit the end of each impeller. I then went and purchased half inch stainless steel nuts bolts flats and lock washers. My umbrella is composed of 3 blades. So I needed three impellers extenders and six nuts involves with washers. The hardest part of the job was cutting the belting and drilling the impellers. The rubber impeller extenders should b a very tight fit and actually slightly hit the impeller housing when you are finished. Once you run your snow blower, it will wear away the tips of the rubber to make it a perfect fit. Make sure to spray some lubricant on the inside of the impeller housing so that the engine does not work too hard as it. Where's the impeller tips to a precise fit. The elimination of the gap at the end of the impellers will allow the machine to throw wet heavy and slushy snow. In case you are not aware, I am talking about the first stage in impeller That's closest to the motor. Naturally, you will need to remove the shoot off the impeller so that you can perform this modification. What's truly unfortunate is that the snow blower manufacturers do not provide the kit as part of the snow blower. Why? Because so many customers deal with wet heavy and slushy snow. And the gap between the tip of the impeller on the first stage and the housing needs to be eliminated in order to pour the snow blower to throw this type of wet and slushy snow. If you live in the part of a country that gets dry powdery snow, then this modification will not be necessary. But residing here in the mid atlantic it is an absolute necessary requirement. Good luck.
TBH, you could probably just run it w/o that front fan. OFC, it would feel silly doing that since you paid for that "3X" on the chute, but the blower would make less of a mess. You can find pictures of blower style single stage blowers(typically large industrial machines) which extend that shaft out and have "snow breakers" on the tip, but they are normally much smaller than the blower itself and are either kind of a screw design or just blunt beaters. When the diameter is smaller, the tip speed becomes less even at the same RPM. I'm sure the marketing guy that came up with that "3X" thing thought he was pretty clever, tho, lol.
I would immigine you could. But it really would suffer in deep snow then. 100%. But don't matter I got it for sale and going to get a ariens kraken today. I'll make a good video on that one
I have the same model and I absolutely hate it. The impeller is too small and clogs easily if the snow has any kind of wetness to it. I'm looking to unload it and buy a two-stage Ariens. Complete junk, in my opinion.
@Jeffrie Smolinski ego 2 stage works better than that cub cadet....and I promise a honda hss928 will eat that cadet. Like I said...I've owned all of them, the cub is cute at best.
@@frankie7508 nope...honda. ariens is 2nd best. It's all about the engine. I have gas equipment at work with Honda engines and they take a beating and always run. Parts are readily available and side by side the (did it this morning vs my neighbor) my hss1332 moved more snow faster and can throw it higher, which where I live there's times I need to get it over 15 foot berms. Try a honda...you'll see.
Thanks for the review. I purchased a 3 stage cub cadet on tracks this year. I've had it out 3x this year and am happy so far. Our old 2 stage with tires would just walk over the snowbank, that's when I could get it started which wasn't very often and I would have to push and drag. I spent 3 hrs doing our long farm driveway and was not tired. It just walks by itself. If the tracks spin I just back up a little and go. My husband hit a frying pan with the 2 stage. The shearpins didn't break. That was an expensive day. I did find in the softer snow it did fall out the sides but was only doing a small area so no big deal. There was extremely deep snow between our vehicles and it just went thru it like butter. So far I am happy with it. We'll see by spring and the next two years how it will work.
You people will only learn the hard way. You replaced junk with junk. Cub cadet are disposable machines. Have you bought an Ariens Then it may not have failed and you may have been able to Economically repair the machine. But instead you went out and bought more junk. And in a few years you will replace this one. Why? Because the parts are so flimsy and weak, that the simply cannot stand the time. Purchasing a market leader such as Ariens or Honda, And the difference will be noticeable immediately. Plus if the machine breaks the parts are reasonable and the machine simply lasts longer, Much longer in fact. Good luck with that piece of junk cub cadet. How do I know? You are listening to the voice of experience.
@@brendamartin715 You'd better have a shop do annual maintenance and lubrication on that machine especially it's transmission. Otherwise you will only get a couple of years out of it and then need to buy a new one.
Stick with a two-stage snow blower. Best for all snow conditions. If you want a machine that can handle any depth of snow, go with a two-stage machine that has the 14 in auger and impeller system. You will not be disappointed.
This is my third winter with my Cub Cadet 3x30 snowblower. Like Paul, here on Long Island, we don't get a lot of snow, every winter. Biggest storm this new machine has seen was the end of January, 2022. It worked great and I had no issues with shear pins. The first winter we had it, I had quite a bit of slushy snow to contend with, and there was some buildup in the chute with wet, heavy snow. I'm adding an impeller kit to it this spring, as I had on the Snapper which I retired two years ago. That will eliminate the snow/ice collecting in the chute.
I put an impeller kit on my TB.
Took all of 45 minutes.
Best blower mod out there!
Great review! I agree 100% with everything you said! Absolutely sucks for light snow 6” or less! Only good for heavy wet snow! Also if it’s wet the chute is to close to the bucket to shoot snow straight, u have to adjust either left or right. Mine is new and I’m already wanting to sell it. I live in Utah in the mountains so we average 12” or more when it snows. My neighbors both have old school 2 stage blowers and they throw way further and do a much cleaner job.
@KellyStark-p1c i ended up selling it. I bought a ariens professional 28. ( also on my youtube) I've used it about 40 times now and man. This one makes that cub look like poop lol. Even if I got a ariens equivalent to that cub it would be extremely better.
I'm done with cub
Good video. I just bought the CubCadet XS3 66 SWE. It has a 420cc motor. I live in Iceland. I am amazed by the power in this thing and how far it throws the snow. This being my first year. I don't have any thing negative to say and just looking forward to next snow day. I would like to ask you if there are chains available for the tires? I find it struggles sometimes if the ground is ice or spikes?
Hia, thank you. And I'm not sure off the top of my head if there is or is not. I would immigine there has the be chains available. Worst case u could always change the tire size to a size the chain would expect. But I don't think you would need to go that far.
I had a swe33 and man that thing was a tank. But don't make them like that anymore.
I've had mine for about three years and it is a beast. They tend to work great in larger amounts of snow. Also, with the knobby tires, snow chains aren't really necessary and I wouldn't want to put them mon my machine due to potential damage to the wheel axles.
Great, unbiased and honest review Jeffrey…. I have the same machine (in 24 inch). It is reliable and dependable, but like you (and many others) I go through more shear pins than I ever did with my old brute Craftsman….
Like you said compared to a Honda it is “budget friendly”…..but if/when I purchase another machine, I would seriously look at a Honda or an Ariens (which come with 3 year warranty)…. Thanks Jeffrey, again a great video.
Ariens deluxe model 2 stage is the one I recommend from an independent ariens dealer. NOT Lowes.
Thank you.
Currently I'm looking into a ariens professional and spending the 4k on every option.
Butttt hereing issues with the efi and the auto turn. Scares me. Vs the top of the line 2x cub
Thank you.
Currently I'm looking into a ariens professional and spending the 4k on every option.
Butttt hereing issues with the efi and the auto turn. Scares me. Vs the top of the line 2x cub
@@frankie7508 definitely agree on NOT buying from a big box store, rather a good independent dealer that knows what they are selling…. 💯
I see that "excelerator" auger being more of a gimmick and a selling point than it's worth. Since the beginning of snowblowers, the horizontal auger system has worked just fine and the only difference is the speed of the impeller of the size of the impeller/housing which will blow more snow faster. If that so called third stage was such a good improvement, you start to see it on other machines.
@@PainterD54 100% agree with you. Why I sold it. And got a ariens
@willydavid i like the toros but not a fan. How do u like youres
I have a machine similar to this one that I bought brand new back in 2020. It's a little larger at 28" with a 420cc engine but looks very much the same as this. I wish I could afford my dream Honda with battery electric start but this one should last me until I can get that Honda. Cub raised its prices on these machines and over the last couple of years it went up in price by CA$1050. The Honda is looking even better since its snow blowers stayed relatively the same in price. I've had to do some major repairs to mine this year and spent CA$350 to overhaul the transmission. Otherwise I really like mine and I use it commercially so I can't really complain. Yes, I have gone through a few shear pins but like you it was due to my error.
You can get a front light kit for about CA$120 and it seems relatively simple to install.
Been using my 24 non HD for 3 years. Easy starting . Handles plow furrows. Wish I purchase the HD version with metal chute.
The newer ones all come with Metal chutes now witch is nice. But got to do you're homework on witch one you're going to buy. There having issues with alot of them. I myself is switch to ariens professional.
I live in New England and have owned my Yardman 13 HP 33" 2 stage gas snow blower for over 13 years and never had a problem with shear pins. The only negative I have is that the 1st gear is too fast when there is a foot or more snow. I have to toggle the forward lever on and off so the auger and chute are able to cope with the amount of snow entering the housing on the first pass. No matter the type of snow there is, I have never had a problem with the chute clogging, there is enough power to push out even wet frozen snow.
If we received more snow and it was time to retire my Yardman, then I would get a track Honda. Those machines can handle just about anything that comes along.
I was in the market for a new machine back in 2018, and I was really on the fence about getting a 2 or 3 stage unit.
I was only shopping MTD units because we don't get enough snow here on Long Island to warrant spending the huge bucks for TORO or Ariens.
I ended up buying the 2 stage Troy-Bilt Storm 3090 mainly because of a great deal I got on it. ($1,029).
It has been a great machine, and I am glad I went the 2-stage route now that I hear what guys are saying about the 3-stage ones.
Great, honest review of your Cubby. Very informative!
Thank you and glad u like. I'm looking to go back into the 2 stage. Buy going ariens professional. Really wanted to go into a bigger cub but to many issues
@@drumhead14 Can’t go wrong with Ariens.
If I were doing any kind of snow blowing for money, I’d look no further than Ariens.
The Rapid Track models would be my dream machines. 😁
Paul...If you're on the North Fork, I likely know who you are, as I grew up in Greenport. I went with the three-stage machine because I have a lot of area to remove snow and the three-stage is about 50% faster. I looked at the Troy Bilt but ended up with the Cub Cadet that winter when I bought it because that late in the season (Feb, 2021) Cub Cadet was still available for drop-shipping and Troy Bilt was not. Can't go wrong with either one, IMO.
@@TheNolefanjimbo Yup!
Greenport!
Thank you for your honest review. I would like to know a little about the manouvering of the unit please. Can you tell us about power steering . how to use it and your advice on buying it or just saving money with non-power steering..
Power steering. Is super easy. Can use one finger on the trigger ( below the handle, on each side) and u can spin it on dime. Or keeping it straight is really easy and effortless. I would not own a snowblower without zero turn or some sort of steering assist
Brother do yourself a favor and don't buy this machine, especially if you gravel driveway. For the same money you can buy an ariens or toro.
How has the reliability been? When I look at Cub Cadet snowblowers on the Home Depot site there's a fair amount of pissed off customers talking about various things breaking or not working.
@bluebadger3223 so in short terms. I'm done with cub. I sold this last year. Bough a ariens professional kraken 28 rapid trac.
So much better quility.
Even with this cub in the video I used. I was always doing somthing to it for the most part.
@@drumhead14 Yeah, further convinces me to stay away. Thanks.
I had to get rid of it. Nothing but clogging in wetter snow and pins sheering left and right. Went to a 2stage i clear snow much faster never clogs and pins dont snap and i changed nothing how i snow blow
I never clogged it after I adjusted the tension. Now before oh God yea I would.
I'm looking into the ariens professional or the next one down.
@@drumhead14 i got a 27in 2stage husqvarna now. Works well
I heard that they have all kind of problems with their cables with time.@@buffalobmf
I have very similar issues with my Troy Bilt 2890 3-stage machine. I'm impressed with wet heavy snow, but get aggravated with the dry sticky stuff which clogs up in this machine even if I spray it with silicone beforehand. Matter of fact I just finished my 100-ft hilly driveway after getting a few inches of the fluffy stuff and it just ends up pushing the snow after a while. My next door neighbor has a 2-stage he paid about half the price and it seems to put mine to shame. I'm seriously thinking of selling it after 6-7 years of putting up with this.
It's a love hate. We just got hit with alot of snow. It was that fluffy snow but it was half a bucket + ( other then the plowed snow at the end of the driveway. Just got done doing 15 houses. But 6th gear, shoot wide open most of the time. 45/50 ft with ease.
I don't know to many 2 stages that can do that without spilling out the side.
Keep in mind. I have my auger tensioner pretty tight to put down the power. And a kevelar belt on there. wish I took a vid but I wanted to get them done to come home lol.
But the key to these 3 stages is to keep it fed with snow. And means eather going fast and full buckets. These 3x going slow and that's they issues accur
I have not had the luck that you have had with wet snow clogging. Here in northern Maine, we get snowcone snow pretty often. I spend more time clearing clogs than doing the actual clearing. And pins- don't even get me started. I go through a package each season and I do not hit anything laying around that might otherwise break a pin. Finally, my 357 engine is definitely underpowered for northern Maine snows.
I hear the same thing with this. Yes or no lol.
But I have anger tentoner maxed out as much as I can and I always have the bucket and what not waxed before I go out and hit my 10 people. Idk lol. I'm looking into the ariens professional. Much better mechine
I would look forward to a package of pins a season. I go through a package a snowfall. Seriously considering a solid bolt and crossing my fingers.
@@skyrob66 I buy mine in bulk from my dealer. With the little bit of snow this year here in Goderich, ON, Canada I haven't had to clear snow nor replace pins as often as I typically go through 3-4 pins per year commercially.
Can you remove the front fan and use it as a two stage for powder snow?
Yes but I wouldn't recommend It.
I have it up for sale. I bought a ariens professional efi 28"
I have owned the same machine for six yrs and it is nothing at all like you describe. I do notice that for a six yr. Old machine i looks brand new and never used.
@bikerrick sounds like u need to do some mods to it! Mine was great after I changed out that belt
One of the reasons why MTD machines will always be substandard in comparison to ariens And toro It's because they lack any research development department to work the bugs out of these machines before they start selling. Everywhere you look in comparison to the market leaders they cheapen the product. Paint systems. Drive systems. Gauge of metal. Lack of any fuel shut off. Carburetor problems. Weak cables. And the list goes on. For what? To save a couple hundred dollars. It's ridiculous when you think about the frustration and problems over the years that you'll have with this machine. Do yourself a favor and go buy an ariens. Yes, you'll spend a couple $100 more. But in the long run it will be well worth it. M t d is simply a follower. Perhaps stanley black and decker will make them better, Time will tell. And hopefully they will invest in a research and development department to make better snow throwers that can actually compete with the market leaders. I own an mtd snow thrower, who makes all cub cadet machines, and will never buy another one.
Agreed, while it is not a terrible machine, it is definitely inferior to the more trusted brands like Ariens and Honda, which I will give more serious consideration to if/when I replace my Cub Cadet…
@@JustGrillingandChilling. I guarantee you're going to replace that cub cadet. Why do I say that? Look at the price of replacement parts And you will find that they are Astronomical. Not even close to reasonable. Now let's assume that you hit a stick or a large rock with your Snow thrower and that it gets jammed. I'm sorry to say that the sheer pins may or may not work , but it doesn't matter. Why? Because the worm gear Transmission will be destroyed. Look at how it is made in comparison to the market leaders. It is so light duty that it will simply fail. And even if you do the labor yourself To replace the Worm gear transmission, To purchase the new part will amount to 350 dollars or more. And if you have a shop fix it , they will charge you at least that much money because it is a two or three hour job. And if your machine is More than a few years old then the decision will be very obvious. Spend seven hundred dollars or more On a machine that is several years old In which other parts are destined to fail in the near term, Or add another $500 or so And get a machine that you should have bought in the first place. The decision becomes more obvious the older your machine is. Now, if you don't have the money because one is poor, Or you can buy a good used replacement part and have the labor skills, Then it may make sense to fix it. And heaven forbid if you have a problem with that chinese engine. So you are going to replace the Cub cadet. It is just a question of when. How do I know? You are listening to the voice of experience, Time tested and proven.
Honda, Ariens, and some Toro. Everything else will leave you disappointed. By once, cry once. I hate that expression but it really is true. I wasted my time with a brand new Troy-Bilt XP 3090 for 7 years.
Hey did you buy anything? I love my honda hss 928 tracked machine but that's probably not the right machine for you. It works perfect for my rough gravel driveway, paths and yard. I recommend the 928 wheeled machine. The hydrostatic transmission is fantastic but the tracked models have a very slow top speed. Hydrostatic will lock up when off (like park in an automatic transmission) and makes loading up and down ramps much safer.
@chrisE815 hi yes.
I ended up going back and forth with a Honda 928 or arens kraken.
And from everyone I spoke to the Honda never would of held up. Not.really ment for light commercial.
Bought a arens professional kraken 28 efi with rapid track.
Going to do a review vid when I pull it would of storage but after playing with it. I don't think anything stands a chance with that mechine
I have the 2x and the chute tilt cable guide broke and I haven’t found a video to show me how to replace/repair. Have you ever had to replace that?
Send me a message a Facebook.
Jeffrie smolinski.
I'm sure I can direct u into doing it.
Friend gave me a 6-year old unit. Clogs and becomes a snowplow in Colorado drier snow. Pins fine. Can you tell me more about auger cable adjustment. Just the slide the plate down a bit? Did that. New auger belt? Or more I can do? Did that. Augers spin ok. Tried PAM; next time massive silicone spray I guess.
Hia, you got a f.b. you can message me and I can send u photos?
So over the 4 years I have only ever clogged this 3x 1 time but that was because the auger cable was loose. But other then that I have never clogged it. But like I said I got it adjusted as much as I can. Never went threw belts even though I keep spaires on me when doing houses so I can change on the fly.
You need to install a first stage impeller kit to Eliminate the gap between the tip of the first stage impeller and the impeller housing. The first stage impeller is located closest to the motor. They sell these kids specifically to eliminate that gap. The problem is that the snow blowers are designed to blow dry snow, Not wet heavy slushy snow that we get on the east coast. I did the modification on my Cub cadet. 524 s w e because it would constantly clog due to the wet heavy slushy snow. Problem fixed. This is a well documented repair and you will find it on youtube and the impeller kits are available to be purchased retail. What baffles me is why the snow blower. Manufacturers don't provide the kit with the snow blower When it is purchase new.
Replace the augur belt. Install an impeller kit to eliminate the gap between the tip of the first stage and pillar and the housing of the snowblower. Adjust the auger cable but don't make it too tight. You can spray silicone on the inside of the chute, But the New auger belt and impeller kit are the key to the solution.
Had a neighbor that bought one new and sold it next year at a lost,he hated it.
I beleive that this design is a flop,I'm pretty sure that Cadet will drop that design eventually.
Run!, do not walk, from this 3X machine. Only buy if you get a lifetime supply of shear pins from Cub Cadet and have an irrational desire to replace pins every 20 feet. Yes, I have the correct hex head grade 8 shear pins for the accelerator. It does not matter. The pins will shear in the lightest of fluffy snow. Seriously regret my purchase. Not an isolated occurrence either. Check reviews online. Stay away!!!
Super odśnieżarka!
The clutch cables on mine go on it all the time. Both thrower and drive wheels. Never again. I’m in Canada.
Adjust the cable so that they are loser. Lubricate cables at the location wherever there are major directional changes and plastic wheels. Lubricate the ends of the cables. Perform this maintenance at the beginning of the year and in the middle of the blowing season. Your cables won't break anymore afterwards.
I got the same one had it 4years piece of junk I agree whith everything here can’t wait to it blows up so I can get rid of it
Just bought one used/like new for half of new price. Second guessing my decision. Guess I have to wait for next winter.
Good luck. I just sold mine after all those years. Made me alot of money but replaced it with a ariens professional
@@willydavid after the first heavy snow I am sorry. My old snow king I gave away did fine for the girl I gave it to.
I’m having poor snow throwing. Any recommendations? How do you get into the 3rd stage? It could need a shear pin. Thanks.
In order to correct the problem you need to install an impeller kit. Essentially it is cut pieces of heavy duty building and bolts with nuts. You will drill Two holes at the end of each impeller and then install the Is rubber impeller extender. Then you tighten the nuts and bolts down. The impeller extenders are made of heavy duty rubber and fill the gap between the end of the impeller and the snow blower housing. It varies from model to model in terms of the gap distance between the end of the impeller and the body of the snow blower housing. I have a cupcadet, 524 s w e from 2014. I live in the mid-atlantic. And we routinely get heavy wet snow and sometimes it's slushy. My shoot is made of plastic and it would constantly clog. The impeller kit fixed the problem. They sell them online for around fifty dollars. But you will need to drill the Tips of the impeller to install the rubber and peller kit with nuts and bolts. I decided to build my own using heavy duty industrial belting that I cut to size To fit the end of each impeller. I then went and purchased half inch stainless steel nuts bolts flats and lock washers. My umbrella is composed of 3 blades. So I needed three impellers extenders and six nuts involves with washers. The hardest part of the job was cutting the belting and drilling the impellers. The rubber impeller extenders should b a very tight fit and actually slightly hit the impeller housing when you are finished. Once you run your snow blower, it will wear away the tips of the rubber to make it a perfect fit. Make sure to spray some lubricant on the inside of the impeller housing so that the engine does not work too hard as it. Where's the impeller tips to a precise fit. The elimination of the gap at the end of the impellers will allow the machine to throw wet heavy and slushy snow. In case you are not aware, I am talking about the first stage in impeller That's closest to the motor. Naturally, you will need to remove the shoot off the impeller so that you can perform this modification. What's truly unfortunate is that the snow blower manufacturers do not provide the kit as part of the snow blower. Why? Because so many customers deal with wet heavy and slushy snow. And the gap between the tip of the impeller on the first stage and the housing needs to be eliminated in order to pour the snow blower to throw this type of wet and slushy snow. If you live in the part of a country that gets dry powdery snow, then this modification will not be necessary. But residing here in the mid atlantic it is an absolute necessary requirement. Good luck.
Sorry for your experience. Logic even says this design was garbage
TBH, you could probably just run it w/o that front fan. OFC, it would feel silly doing that since you paid for that "3X" on the chute, but the blower would make less of a mess.
You can find pictures of blower style single stage blowers(typically large industrial machines) which extend that shaft out and have "snow breakers" on the tip, but they are normally much smaller than the blower itself and are either kind of a screw design or just blunt beaters.
When the diameter is smaller, the tip speed becomes less even at the same RPM.
I'm sure the marketing guy that came up with that "3X" thing thought he was pretty clever, tho, lol.
I would immigine you could. But it really would suffer in deep snow then. 100%.
But don't matter I got it for sale and going to get a ariens kraken today. I'll make a good video on that one
That snowblower is no way is 4 years old. Its brand NEW....still have the stickers and no rust or scratches.
It's 5 years old as of this comment.
And I take well good care of my mechines. All about the maintenance and how well you do it.
it does shear alot of pins for no real reason think they like selling pins lol
I have the same model and I absolutely hate it. The impeller is too small and clogs easily if the snow has any kind of wetness to it. I'm looking to unload it and buy a two-stage Ariens. Complete junk, in my opinion.
I have one it a piece of junk.
Save yourself and get an Ariens!
@@StlrNtn95 i did. Ariens professional 28 efi rapid trac
@drumhead14 Congrats! Smart move!
I owned this blower......sold it almost immediately after purchasing.
Pure junk.
Pro tip: buy a honda if you have a big driveway...if not, buy an ego.
I will destroy a Honda for what I do. Need somthing built stronger. And ego is junk lol just average home owner small drive stuff
@Jeffrie Smolinski ego 2 stage works better than that cub cadet....and I promise a honda hss928 will eat that cadet. Like I said...I've owned all of them, the cub is cute at best.
Get an ariens deluxe model. They are simply the best.
@@youtubecantsaveallthesnowf8601no, ariens deluxe model.
@@frankie7508 nope...honda. ariens is 2nd best. It's all about the engine.
I have gas equipment at work with Honda engines and they take a beating and always run.
Parts are readily available and side by side the (did it this morning vs my neighbor) my hss1332 moved more snow faster and can throw it higher, which where I live there's times I need to get it over 15 foot berms.
Try a honda...you'll see.