6 Best Cub Cadet Tow-Behind Mowers

That back field you’ve been ignoring has turned into a sea of waist-high weeds and saplings, and your regular mower won’t even look at it. This is where a tow-behind mower transforms a weekend-long, back-breaking chore into a manageable afternoon task. Choosing the right one means the difference between reclaiming your land and fighting a losing battle against overgrowth.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!

Choosing Your Cub Cadet Tow-Behind Mower

The first decision isn’t about size, it’s about purpose. You need to decide between a rough-cut mower and a finish-cut mower. A rough-cut, often called a trail or brush mower, is a beast designed to tear through thick grass, woody brush, and saplings up to a couple of inches thick. A finish-cut mower is for creating a lawn-like appearance on large, already-tamed areas.

Think about your land’s current state and your long-term goal. If you’re clearing a neglected pasture for the first time, you absolutely need a rough-cut mower. If you’re simply trying to maintain five acres of established field grass, a wide-deck finish-cut will give you a cleaner look and save you time. Many of us end up needing both, but you have to start with the one that solves your biggest problem right now.

Once you know the type, consider these key factors:

• Engine Power: More horsepower means you can tackle denser material and maintain cutting speed on inclines. Don’t skimp here if you have tough terrain.
• Cutting Width: A wider deck covers ground faster, but it’s less maneuverable in tight spaces or on uneven ground. A 60-inch deck is great for an open field but a nightmare in an old orchard.
• Offset Capability: The ability to offset the mower to the side of your tow vehicle is crucial for mowing along fence lines, under low-hanging branches, or at the edge of a pond.

Cub Cadet RC 42 T: For Tight, Overgrown Areas

The 42-inch rough-cut deck is your go-to for agility. This isn’t the mower for knocking down a 20-acre hayfield in record time. It’s the one you use to carve paths through the woods, clear the overgrown area between the barn and the creek, and navigate the tight corners of a paddock.

Its narrower width makes it far more stable on uneven or sloped ground where a wider mower might scalp the high spots or lose traction. If your property has lots of trees, rocks, and old fence posts to work around, this mower’s nimbleness is a significant advantage. It allows you to reclaim those forgotten corners of your land that a larger machine simply can’t reach.

Cub Cadet RC 56 L: Power for Large Acreages

When you have serious ground to cover, the 56-inch rough-cut deck is the workhorse you need. This machine is built for open spaces—neglected pastures, large clearings, and firebreaks. The combination of a powerful engine and a wide cutting path dramatically reduces your mowing time.

The tradeoff for that efficiency is maneuverability. This is not a nimble machine. It wants to go in long, straight lines. It’s perfect for the hobby farmer who needs to keep 5 to 15 acres of pasture from turning back into a forest. Its primary job is to eat through acres of dense growth quickly, making it the right tool for large-scale annual maintenance.

Cub Cadet FC 50 T: For a Refined Field Finish

Don’t confuse a finish-cut mower with a rough-cut. The FC 50 T is designed to give a clean, manicured look to areas that are already under control. Think of it as a massive lawnmower you pull behind your ATV or utility tractor. It’s perfect for maintaining the large grassy area around the house or keeping a horse pasture looking neat and tidy.

This mower will struggle and likely be damaged by the thick brush and saplings a rough-cut model handles with ease. Its blades are designed for a high-speed, clean cut on grass, not for pulverizing woody stems. If your field is smooth and you just need to keep the grass down, the FC 50 T provides an excellent cut quality over a wide area.

Cub Cadet FC 60 T: Wide-Cut Efficiency for Fields

The 60-inch finish-cut mower is all about maximum efficiency for large, well-maintained properties. If you have several acres of "estate" lawn or a perfectly smooth hayfield you keep trimmed, this mower is your best friend. It covers a huge amount of ground with each pass, turning a full day’s work into a couple of hours.

Like its smaller sibling, this is not a brush hog. It requires relatively smooth terrain to avoid scalping and deliver its signature clean cut. For the hobby farmer with a large, park-like setting, this mower is the key to maintaining a polished look without spending all weekend on a zero-turn. It’s a specialized tool for a specific, and frankly, enviable situation.

Cub Cadet 44" Pro Trail Mower

The "Pro" or "Commercial Duty" label isn’t just marketing. This 44-inch rough-cut mower is built with heavier-gauge steel, a more robust frame, and often a more powerful, commercial-grade engine. It’s designed for someone who uses their mower frequently and in demanding conditions.

This is the machine for cutting trails on a hunting property, clearing dense undergrowth year after year, or for a small-scale farmer who manages multiple properties. The slightly wider deck than the base model RC 42 T, combined with its tougher construction, makes it a versatile and durable choice for those who see mowing not as an occasional chore, but as a regular part of their land management strategy.

Cub Cadet 52" Commercial Duty Rough Cut Mower

This is the top of the food chain for tow-behind rough-cut mowers. It combines a wide cutting deck with the heavy-duty construction needed for the toughest jobs. This mower is for reclaiming land that has been let go for years, filled with thick briars, dense grasses, and small trees.

The investment in a commercial-duty machine pays off in longevity and capability. It will handle abuse that would wear out a lighter-duty mower in a single season. If you are constantly pushing the limits of what a mower can do—clearing new ground, maintaining rugged access roads, or managing dozens of acres of wild terrain—this is the mower that won’t quit on you.

Matching Engine HP to Your Property’s Demands

Engine horsepower is the heart of your mower’s performance, and it’s not the place to cut corners. A mower’s effectiveness is a direct result of its ability to maintain blade speed under load. When you hit a patch of thick, wet grass or a dense clump of brush, an underpowered engine will bog down, causing the blades to slow and tear the vegetation instead of cutting it cleanly.

For light-duty mowing of thin grass on flat ground, a smaller engine in the 10-14 HP range might suffice. But for the kind of overgrown fields most of us face, you should be looking at engines in the 15-20 HP range or higher. This power allows the mower to chew through tough material without hesitation and provides the necessary torque to climb hills without sacrificing cut quality.

Think of it this way: buying a mower with a big deck but a small engine is like putting a race car body on a golf cart. It looks impressive, but it won’t perform when you need it to. Always match the engine to the toughest conditions you expect to face, not the average ones. A more powerful engine working at 75% capacity will last far longer and do a better job than a smaller engine constantly running at its absolute limit.

Ultimately, the best Cub Cadet tow-behind is the one that fits the reality of your land and the scope of your ambition. By honestly assessing whether you’re taming a jungle or manicuring a park, you can invest in a tool that will serve you well for years. A well-chosen mower makes managing your property a source of satisfaction, not a constant struggle.