Cub Cadet CC800 Wide Area Walk-Behind Mower Review
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The Cub Cadet CC80 is a commercial-grade wide-area walk-behind lawnmower. It has a robust self-propulsion system with a total of four forward gears as well as a reverse gear.
It’s powered by a 382 cc Cub Cadet OHV gasoline engine that powers both the large 33-inch cutting deck as well as the rear-wheel-drive self-propulsion system. The engine is fed by a somewhat small 2-gallon fuel tank. Cub Cadet also made sure to install an electric “Sure Start” feature, as well as a recoil backup.
The speed of the self-propulsion system can be adjusted via a single lever. Just keep in mind that it’s not a variable speed or hydrostatic transmission. You will need to find which of the four-speed adjustments is closest to your natural walking speed or what the surrounding terrain dictates. Depending on your experience level, this might take a little getting used to. Right out of the box the lever is a little stiff. So, if you find yourself wrestling with it, a little spray of penetrating lubricant might help.
The 33-inch cutting deck can also be adjusted by a single lever, which is also a little firm when the mower is new. It has an impressive 8 settings from as low as 1.25-inches to as high as 3.5 inches. There’s also a high-pressure deck washing feature that makes quick work of removing lawn debris after each mowing session.
The cutting deck is supported by two large 16-inch pneumatic wheels in the back and a pair of nimble 8-inch casters in the front. Once you dial in the right speed for you and the surrounding terrain this wheel configuration makes the mower easy to maneuver.
Key Features
- 382 cc Cub Cadet OHV gasoline engine
- Electric Sure Start
- 33-inch cutting deck
- 2-gallon fuel tank
- Rear-wheel drive self-propulsion
- 4 speeds and reverse transmission
- 8 cutting deck heights from 1.25 to 3.5-inches
- Backed by a 3-year warranty
Performance
The 382 cc Cub Cadet OHV gasoline engine in the Cub Cadet CC 800 does a good job of powering both the cutting deck and the rear-wheel-drive self-propulsion system. The 4-speed transmission with reverse gives you the ability to adjust speed to match your own or the surrounding terrain. Though it does take a little getting used to.
Ease of Use
For a commercial-grade wide area walk behind mower, the Cub Cadet CC 800 does take a little getting used to. There are four distinct speed settings, and finding the one that best matches your personal walking speed might take a little time. It’s arguably better for lawns that have a lot of wide-open spaces, rather than a lawn with a lot of trees and complex landscaping features.
The adjustment levers for both the cutting height of the deck and the speed of the self-propulsion system have a reputation for being a little stiff when the Cub Cadet CC 800 is new. Giving them a little spray of a penetrating lubricant like WD 40 might help.
The 16-inch pneumatic wheels in the rear and the two 8-inch casters in the front do make it surprisingly nimble, and easy to maneuver across varying terrain.
You also have to tip your hat to the electric “Sure Start” system, which spares you the elbow grease of trying to start such a large gasoline engine with a recoil. Though Cub Cadet did make sure to provide a recoil backup on the CC 800 just in case.
Cut Quality & Options
The large 33-inch cutting deck on the Cub Cadet CC 800 is capable of chewing up large swaths of lawn with very little effort. It comes set up as a mulching, side discharge mower that does a good job of leaving very little thatch behind. If you prefer Cub Cadet does selling an optional bagger attachment for the CC 800, though it is a separate purchase.
The cutting deck height can be adjusted from 1.25-inches to 3.5 inches. This much of a range is nice for times when you either need to stay ahead of how fast the grass is growing, or you want to leave it a little longer when the weather is dry, yet still keep the lawn looking neat.
Maintenance
The 382 cc Cub Cadet OHV gasoline engine in the Cub Cadet CC 800 needs the usual maintenance that you would give any gasoline engine. Oil changes, quality fuel, fuel filter replacements, lubricating moving parts, and the occasional blade replacement all need to be factored into the cost of ownership.
One nice maintenance feature on the Cub Cadet CC 800 is the high-pressure deck wash system. It lets you connect a simple garden hose to clear away stuck-on grass clippings from the underside of the cutting deck.
Safety Features
The Cub Cadet CC 800 has the safety hand controls you expect in a gasoline-powered wide area walk behind lawnmower with self-propulsion.
Special Features
The electric “Sure Start” system is very reliable, and if you ever do happen to have an electrical issue, and you can’t get access to power, the recoil is also surprisingly easy for such a large gasoline-powered lawnmower engine.
The deck wash system is very nice for clearing away organic debris from the 33-inch cutting deck, without having to do it manually.
The mulching effect with side discharge also does a good job of cutting grass clippings into tiny particles that absorb into the turf, rather than build up as dry, choking thatch. Though if you want to really manicure the grass on a commercial property, the optional bagger attachment is likely worth the money.
Cost Effectiveness
The Cub Cadet CC 800 is relatively cost-effective. The mulching effect of the side discharge will likely spare you the need for seasonal aeration. The deck wash system also does a good job of clearing away organic debris to prevent corrosion issues under the cutting deck.
