The fact that Cub Cadet makes UTVs shouldn’t be too surprising. These vehicles were originally created for farmers, landscaping professionals, and groundskeepers. What you might be surprised to find that not all of these UTVs are strictly utility oriented. Cub Cadet’s Challenger line offers a mix of vehicles that work just as well roaming the outdoors as they do hauling planting soil and moving snow.
400
This Challenger is powerful enough for work, and at just 50 inches wide, it can fit in a full-size pickup bed. Under the hood, you’ll find a 404cc, single-cylinder Subaru EX40 making 14 HP. This lets the 400 can tow up to 1,200 lbs. using its Class 1 hitch receiver, and the bed can carry up to 400 lbs. The top speed is limited to 25 MPH to make it legal for neighborhood street use. A roof, LED headlights, alloy wheels, and adjustable headrests come standard.
Cub Cadet offers this model in two versions. The 400 4×4 has four-wheel drive, while the 400 LX has is rear-wheel drive and comes with a full windshield.
MX 550
While the 400 is mostly work-focused, the 550 is built for play. This isn’t a small upgrade over the old 500. This Challenger uses a newly reinforced frame designed to handle heavy loads and plenty of punishment.
The 550 comes standard with a cab, half doors, and side-view mirrors. The windshield can be removed if you want more airflow. Inside, you’ll find a pair of bucket seats and a fully digital dash.
Power comes from a 546cc single-cylinder engine. It comes equipped with EFI, reducing fuel consumption while making the engine easier to start in cold weather. The 550 can tow up to 1,200 lbs, and its bed can carry up to 500 lbs. Top speed is 45 MPH.
To keep things fun, this UTV has alloy wheels with off-road tires, 11 inches of ground clearance, and a standard winch rated for 3,500 lbs. The CVT has a low range gear, and both the front and rear differentials are lockable. Cub Cadet offers this UTV in camouflage, yellow and black.
MX 750
Like the 550, but want more power? The 750 uses a 735cc engine with electric fuel injection, giving it a major boost in acceleration. The 4×4 system carries over, as do the winch and cab. You also get the same selection of colors.
The Challenger 750 has a 1,200 lb. towing capacity and 1,100 lb. cargo capacity including a maximum of 500 lbs. in the bed. While the unassisted steering is light in most circumstances, you might want to get the EPS model if you plan on tackling difficult trails. It adds electric power steering, making the UTV easier to steer, especially with the front diff locked.
Accessories
Buying a 550 or 750 for some off-road fun? Cub Cadet offers rock sliders to protect the undercarriage and a four cube light bar for better visibility. If you use your UTV for work, you can outfit it with a chainsaw mount and a bed sprayer that moves 2.2 gallons of fluid per minute at 70 PSI. No matter how you plan on using your UTV, you should also check out the upper door sections and the brush guard.
Want to upgrade the Challenger 400? You can add a soft cab and rear dust panel for weather protection, while tail lights and a horn kit make for safer off-roading. This side-by-side can also be fitted with the same 3,500 lb. winch found in larger models. Cub Cadet makes a 58-inch snow blade that is lifted and lowered by this winch.
We’re More than Just Lawn Care Equipment
Shank’s Lawn Equipment specializes in all types of outdoor equipment, including UTVs. We carry vehicles from Cub Cadet and Yanmar, as well as amphibious ATVs from Argo. Need to have your vehicle worked on, or want to add some accessories? Our service department can do it for you, or you get the parts you need from us to do it yourself. Come see what we have to offer at 4900 Molly Pitcher Highway in Chambersburg, PA, or visit us online at www.shanksargo.com. You can use our website to check our current inventory and order what you need to fix your Cub Cadet. We ship across the United States and Canada.
