The Cub Cadet 3×36 three-stage snowblower designed to help you clear your driveway of even the nastiest snow storms.
If you live in an area prone to very heavy snowfall, the Cub Cadet 3×26 is an excellent tool for clearing sidewalks, driveways, and even small parking lots. This three-stage blower makes quick work of tearing through the heaviest and thickest of snow and ice while still offering a range of features that make the model easy to control when in use.
The Product
The Cub Cadet 3×26 is a three-stage snowblower meant for heavy duty snow clearing work. This particular model is somewhat similar to the Husqvarna ST230P, but with an added stage of snow clearing and a narrower clearing path.
Pros
- Power steering for maximum control and better handling
- Three-stage auger meant for breaking up thick and heavy snow and ice
- Induction accelerator draws snow into the machine while also creating forward motion
Cons
- Heavier weight makes it difficult to move when not in use
- 26” clearing path might be a bit narrow for some users
- May actually offer too much power for very light snowfall
Features and Benefits
The Cub Cadet 3×26 is a three-stage snow thrower. These three stages refer to how often the snow is rotated around the auger or blade in front of the unit before all that debris is sent out the chute. Rotating debris three times around the sharp auger allows that blade to easily break up thick chunks of ice and the most densely packed snow.
The pitch control and steel chute of the Cub Cadet 3×26 is also a necessity when working in areas with thick snow and ice. A steel chute is much less likely to get damaged from blowing snow and ice away from the machine, and pitch control means less risk of blown snow hitting a house, garage, car, or other obstacles.
These features are definitely essential for areas with heavy snowfall and that are prone to thick ice formation. Remember, the auger will break up debris to move it through the chute, but the snow and ice you’re clearing can still be very dense and thick as it heads out the chute and across your lot.
Another great feature we like about the Cub Cadet 3×26 is the induction accelerator. Induction refers to a kind of force. The induction accelerator on the Cub Cadet 3×26 is a type of suction that pulls snow and ice into the front of the machine, toward the auger.
Induction acceleration is not the same as the acceleration you have with your car, where wheels force the vehicle to move forward. Instead, the gentle induction on this snowblower helps the machine to move forward with a slow yet firm motion, requiring less exertion from push the machine through thick snow. Definitely a plus for those who need to work through the deepest snowfalls! Induction acceleration is a great option for those who need to clear wet snow that tends to get firmly packed.
We also think the induction acceleration is a needed bonus for those who lack upper body strength, or who may get overexerted rather easily. The assistance of this induction means less physical effort is needed on your part, so you’re less likely to get sore muscles or even throw out your back while clearing snow and ice.
With a machine as versatile as the Cub Cadet 3×26, you need power steering. As with managing a car, power steering on a snowblower makes it easier to maneuver the unit around tight turns and wide, curved walkways. For smaller residential lots with lots of sharp corners, power steering can mean less struggling to move the blower from a sidewalk to the driveway and back again.
Power steering can also be a must-have if you need to clear a commercial lot, even if that lot doesn’t have a lot of twists and turns. Having assistance from power steering can mean less overall physical effort while clearing those larger areas of snow and ice, so you’re less tired and have fewer aches and pains after the job is done.
The makers of the Cub Cadet 3×26 also “feel your pain” when you’re clearing snow in very cold areas, as this model offers heated handles that keep your hands and fingers comfortable no matter the weather conditions. Fingertip controls also make easy work of managing the unit, so you don’t need to struggle with its handles or steering mechanism. These are great features for anyone, but especially for those who have arthritis, circulatory problems, carpal tunnel syndrome, or other health concerns that affect the hands and fingers.
Have you ever heard of skid shoes on a snowblower? This incredible feature is like a pair of skis for your unit, attached to the bottom of the thrower itself. Skid shoes offer better control on icy surfaces, and they also keep the blower moving in thick, deep snow.
Skid shoes provide added cushioning against the pavement under the blower. We like the idea that using the Cub Cadet 3×26 means you’re less likely to tear up asphalt or aggregate on concrete, or a home’s delicate patio pavers and stone walkways.
Customer Reviews
Customers who have reviewed the Cub Cadet 3×26 note that the three-stage auger is useful for clearing thick, densely packed snow and ice, without wearing out the motor. The chute rarely gets clogged, and the it handles and turns easily.
However, some customers noted that the chute doesn’t throw snow far enough and that the three-stage auger and induction acceleration was a bit too powerful for them. The 26” clearance is also not always sufficient for creating a walkway with just one pass, so a wider blade may be preferred by some customers.
Conclusion
The Cub Cadet 3×26 is highly recommended for areas that get lots of thick snow, and especially wet snow that tends to become very dense and tightly packed. It’s powerful enough for large residential lots and smaller commercial lots, and its steel chute and skid shoes ensure it won’t get stuck in snow or bogged down by ice and packed debris.
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