Troy Bilt Vs Cub Cadet Snow Blowers – Who Makes the Better Snow Blowers?
If you’ve ever worked on a ranch, vineyard, farm, mill or basically any agricultural operation then you have probably come across Cub Cadet vehicles.
Cub Cadet is a well-known manufacturer of agricultural and outdoor maintenance equipment.
A name that is lesser-known is Troy Bilt. Nevertheless, Troy Bilt is coming up as a competitor in the outdoor power equipment market.
And if you are in the market for a new snow blower, both of these brands deserve your attention.
But does Troy Bilt really make worthwhile snow blowers? If so, then how do they stack up against some of Cub Cadet’s most storied snow blowers?
To find out, all you have to do is read the following comparison article.
Troy Bilt Vs Cub Cadet Overview & Brief History
Both Cub Cadet and Troy Bilt are American companies.
And incidentally, both companies are now owned by the Stanley Black & Decker corporation.
However, the Cub Cadet company got its start back in 1960 when it was a division of the larger manufacturer, International Harvester.
Cub Cadet began as a company that exclusively made agricultural equipment and vehicles. Today though, the company makes a wide variety of outdoor equipment including snow blowers and tractors.
Troy Bilt is a subdivision of the Modern Tool and Die Company (MTD). MTD is headquartered in Ohio and was founded back in 1932.
In 2021, the company was bought by Stanley Black & Decker. Troy Bilt makes a wide variety of outdoor power equipment and vehicles.
What is Each Company Known for?
While both companies have a similar repertoire in terms of products, Troy Bilt is viewed more as an up and coming company.
Their products are usually sold a bit cheaper than comparable Cub Cadet models.
On the other hand, Cub Cadet is an established force in the agricultural and outdoor power equipment market.
Cub Cadet is also known for making affordable outdoor equipment and their snow blowers are renowned for being easy to use and having premium features.
The Best Single Stage Snow Blowers
Troy Bilt Squall 208E Snow Blower Vs Cub Cadet 1X 21
Troy Bilt Squall 208E Snow Blower
Quick Facts:
- 208cc engine
- 4-cycle engine
- 21 inch clearing width
Key Features
- Auger-Assisted Drive – The auger actually grips the ground to propel the whole machine forward for easier operation.
- Electric Start – The Troy Bilt Squall 208E Snow Blower has a push-button electric start system so you don’t have to crank a starting cord.
- Adjustable Handle – The handle is padded and can be adjusted to suit the height of many operators.
First Impressions
At first, the Troy Bilt Squall 208E Snow Blower doesn’t look like much. It doesn’t have a lot of fancy features and it doesn’t come with peripheries like skid shoes, drift cutters or even a chute scraper.
But what it lacks in periphery features it makes up for in performance.
The Troy Bilt Squall 208E Snow Blower is easy to start, easy to push, easy to control and clears about 6 inches of snow with no problem.
Its durability is questionable to be sure; but we were impressed with the overall clearing performance of this affordable snow blower.
Who Should Buy it?
The Troy Bilt Squall 208E Snow Blower would be a great choice for anyone on a budget and who needs to clear about 6 inches of snow on a regular basis.
And even if you have no experience with snow blowers, the Troy Bilt Squall 208E Snow Blower is very easy to get the hang of.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- It is affordable
- It is lightweight
- No need to mix oil and gas
Cons:
- Adjusting the chute is a bit awkward
Overall Score: 95/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
Cub Cadet 1X 21
Quick Facts:
- Gas-powered
- 21 inch clearing path
- 208cc engine
Key Features
- Rubber Augers – The rubber augers are safe to use on delicate surfaces like wooden decks and paths.
- LED Headlights – Bright, in-dash headlights make clearing in the wee hours or the evening safer.
- Adjustable Chute – You can control the pitch and the direction that the snow is ejected.
First Impressions
When we approached the Cub Cadet 1X 21, we assumed it was going to be easy to operate – and it was.
There aren’t a lot of bells and whistles on this thing and it’s very easy to get the hang of. In addition, it’s a pretty lightweight snow blower and it has auger-assist so it is pretty easy to push overall.
Who Should Buy it?
The Cub Cadet 1X 21 has a 13” intake height which is good for about 7-8 inches of snow.
This would also be a great snow blower for anyone worried about lugging a heavy machine out of the garage multiple days a week because it’s lightweight and easy to manage.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Auger is safe on multiple surfaces
- Lightweight polymer design
- LED headlights
Cons:
- Doesn’t handle slopes very well
Overall Score: 96/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
The Best Two Stage Snow Blowers
Troy Bilt Storm Tracker 2600 Vs Cub Cadet 2X 26″ INTELLIPOWER Snow Blower
Troy Bilt Storm Tracker 2600
Quick Facts:
- 208cc engine
- 26” clearing width
- 20” intake height
Key Features
- Power Steering – The power-steering system features simple triggers that you can operate with one finger.
- Heated Handles – The heated handles are meant to enhance operator comfort in cold conditions.
- Multiple Speeds – The Storm Tracker 2600 features 6 forward speeds and 2 reverse speeds.
First Impressions
At about $100 less than the comparable Cub Cadet model, we were impressed with the features that came on the Storm Tracker 2600.
You get heated handles, a steel shave plate, polymer skid shoes, an assisted drive system, power steering, LED headlights and a chute cleaner.
The controls are a bit wonky but if you’ve ever used a 2-stage blower before, you should be able to manage the Storm Tracker 2600 fairly well.
Who Should Buy it?
The Troy Bilt Storm Tracker 2600 is a great choice for anyone looking for a budget 2-stage blower that has a lot of helpful operator features.
The 20” intake height is good for about 13” of snow so it can tackle most clearing tasks.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Lots of premium features
- More affordable than the comparable Cub Cadet model
- You can adjust the chute with one hand
Cons:
- Not very fuel-efficient
Overall Score: 95/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
Cub Cadet 2X 26″ INTELLIPOWER Snow Blower
Quick Facts:
- 272cc engine
- 21” intake height
- 12” auger
Key Features
- Track Drive Tires – Reminiscent of treads on a tank, the track drive tires give superior traction in deep snow.
- Power Steering – The power steering is controlled by simple triggers on the handle bars.
- Variable Speeds – The 2X 26″ INTELLIPOWER Snow Blower has 6 forward and 2 reverse speeds.
First Impressions
The Cub Cadet 2X 26″ INTELLIPOWER Snow Blower looks really cool and more importantly, we got the impression that it can handle any kind of terrain – and we were right.
The track drive tires allow for firm control even in deep, fluffy snow and the 2X 26″ INTELLIPOWER Snow Blower handles itself well on hills and slopes as well.
Who Should Buy it?
The multiple forward and reverse speeds make it a good choice for anyone who has a sloped driveway or low-degree hills on their property.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- 200 degree adjustable chute
- Serrated augers
- Performs well on slopes and hills
Cons:
- Expensive
Overall Score: 97/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
Troy Bilt Storm Tracker 2890 Vs Cub Cadet 2X 30″ MAX Snow Blower
Troy Bilt Storm Tracker 2890
Quick Facts:
- 28” clearing width
- 20” clearing height
- 272cc engine
Key Features
- Adjustable Chute – Change the direction of the snow chute with just one hand.
- Steel Auger – The steel augers are serrated to chop up hard snow.
- Trigger Steering – Power steering system designed for ease of use.
First Impressions
The Storm Tracker 2890 looked like a beast at first so we were relieved to discover that it was very easy to push even in heavy snowfall.
Who Should Buy it?
The Troy Bilt Storm Tracker 2890 would be a good fit for anyone who regularly deals with about 16 inches of snowfall.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Heated handles
- Headlight
- Good for heavy snowfall
Cons:
- Exhaust fumes
Overall Score: 96/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
Cub Cadet 2X 30″ MAX Snow Blower
Quick Facts:
- 357cc engine
- 23” intake height
- 14” auger
Key Features
- All-Wheel Drive – Makes for incredibly easy operation in deep snow.
- Power Steering – Power steering controlled by triggers makes changing directions easy on the body.
- Electric Start – Eliminates the need for a pull cord.
First Impressions
With skid shoes, LED headlights and heavy-duty augers, the Cub Cadet 2X 30″ MAX Snow Blower looks like it could take on any conditions.
We were very pleased with how it performed in 12+ inches of snow.
Who Should Buy it?
This is only for people who deal with serious snowfall of a foot or more. It would also be good for light commercial work.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Steel construction
- Durable
- 14” impeller
Cons:
- It’s heavy
Overall Score: 98/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
The Best Three-Stage Snow Blowers
Troy Bilt Vortex 2610 Vs Cub Cadet 3X 26″ Snow Blower
Troy Bilt Vortex 2610
Quick Facts:
- 357cc engine
- 12” accelerator
- 21” intake height
Key Features
- Polymer Skid Shoes – Helps prevent scuffs and scratches on surfaces.
- LED Headlights – Good for illuminating your driveway when clearing in low-visibility conditions.
- Accelerator – The accelerator breaks down heavy, wet snow.
First Impressions
The build of this snow blower (mostly steel parts) gave us the impression that it would last a very long time and stand up to extreme conditions.
Who Should Buy it?
The Vortex 2610 can easily handle 16 inches of hard, wet snow so if those are the conditions you normally deal with, this would be a great fit for you.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Chute clearing device included
- Operates smoothly
- Does well on slopes
Cons:
- No drift cutters
Overall Score: 97/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
Cub Cadet 3X 26″ Snow Blower
Quick Facts:
- 26 inch clearing path
- 357cc engine
- 21” intake height
Key Features:
- Aluminium Auger Gear Box – Cast aluminum helps protect the gearbox while keeping the overall weight down.
- Trigger Steering – Easily turn the snow blower with handlebar-mounted triggers.
- Adjustable Chute – The chute can be rotated up to 200 degrees.
First Impressions
The Cub Cadet 3X 26″ Snow Blower is actually compact for a blower in its engine class so we doubted its clearing power at first; but we were very impressed with the way it chewed up thick, heavy snow.
Who Should Buy it?
The Cub Cadet 3X 26″ Snow Blower would be a good choice for anyone with a large driveway and multiple paths on their property.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Large gas tank
- Multiple headlights
- Clears snow quickly
Cons:
- More expensive than the comparable Troy Bilt blower
Overall Score: 97/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
What Does Cub Cadet Do Better?
They make more durable snow blowers.
What Does Troy Bilt Do Better?
They make more affordable snow blowers.
Which Brand is Better Priced?
Troy Bilt blowers are typically about $100 cheaper than comparable Cub Cadet blowers.
Which Controls & Handles Better?
The Cub Cadet 3X 26″ Snow Blower controls very handily even in deep, hard snow.
Which Brand is More Reliable?
This one is a tie as both companies appear to make blowers that are easy to start, maintain and have good engines.
Which Brand Lasts Longer?
Parts on Cub Cadet blowers are mostly steel so we can imagine that Cub Cadet blowers would last longer.
Who Should Buy Cub Cadet Snow Blowers?
Anyone who wants to invest in a snowblower that will last a long time.
Who Should Buy Troy Bilt Snow Blowers?
Anyone who wants to save money on a quality snow blower.
Final Assessment
While Cub Cadet is usually the more expensive brand, we can see why they’re better-known compared to Troy Bilt.
Cub Cadet snow blowers use quality components and are built to last.
While Troy Bilt snow blowers have great features and perform well, they don’t seem to be as well-built as comparable Cub Cadet models. That’s why Cub Cadet is the superior brand.
