No bells and whistles, just a rock-solid utility 4x4. That's Cub Cadet's spin on the growing utility/RUV segment.
Side-by-side utility vehicles are becoming serious contenders in the burgeoning ATV/RUV market. Granted, their numbers are dwarfed by the more conventional ATV fare, but the landscape is changing. Whether it’s a growing demand for more diverse trail-riding options or something as simple as more folks looking for increasingly comfortable and manageable trail rigs, I can’t say. Maybe it’s both. Whichever’s the case, a new manufacturer or two seems to be stepping into these waters each year, adding their own spin.
One such manufacturer is Cub Cadet. If you’re a golfer or have dabbled in the grounds-keeping trade, you’re already familiar with this Cleveland, Ohio, company. Cub Cadet has a long, reliable track record with its assorted 2WD carts. Now, the company is making noise, and inroads, into the outdoor marketplace.
One Cub Cadet model in particular has its sights set squarely on hunters. The Cub Cadet 4x4 comes in four flavors. There’s the standard 4x4, a 4x4 Camo, 4x4D (diesel) and a 4x4D Camo. Nothing catchy about the names, but like the models they represent, they’re straightforward.
If you call on a Cub Cadet 4x4 looking for flash or frills, you’ll be disappointed. In diner-speak, this is your basic burger: Big bun, lettuce, tomato...hold the pickles. The unit is rock-solid from the ground up, starting with the frame. It’s ladder-style construction is comprised of three-inch welded steel to accommodate the unit’s 1,300-pound towing and cargo capacity. Tacked to this foundation is a pleasing and capable four-wheel fully-independent suspension. This is a basic double A-arm set up with adjustable coil-over shocks that provide eight inches of vertical wheel travel, which is quite respectable for a vehicle of this size and configuration. It also has a clean underbelly with a maximum ground clearance of 10.5 inches. In my testing, the 4x4 proved capable of sliding over modest rocks and logs without hanging up. For stopping power, the 4x4 does well with the four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes. Included is a hand-operated, mechanical-disc parking brake.
The rear cargo box is all business. With 14.4 cubic feet of volume, 11.5-inch depth and a 900-pound capacity, the all-steel box will handle nasty loads. To unload, simply pull the latch and lift.
The Cub Cadet 4x4 is available with two engines. The gasoline variant is an air-cooled 624cc Kohler V-Twin rated at 20hp and 32 lb/ft of torque. Go with the 4x4D and you get the 760cc Caterpillar three-cylinder diesel, rated at 20hp and 34 lb/ft of torque. Both are backed by a continuously variable automatic transmission.
Three separate controls engage the driveline. Transmission selection of forward, neutral, reverse and low range comes via a robust Hurst shifter. The toggle switch on the dash panel allows you to quickly go from 2WD to auto 4WD. The 4WD is a torque-sensitive system, so when it’s engaged, torque is transferred to the front wheels as needed. Finally, there’s a lever which allows the driver to lock the rear differential when maximum traction is required.
