The Difference Between the Cub Cadet 500 & 900 Series Snow Throwers

Engine

• All Cub Cadet snow throwers are equipped with 4-cycle engines, though each model of 500 and 900 series machines contains an engine of a different size. The size of these engines serves as a both a point of divergence and convergence for the 500 and 900 series. Cub Cadet snow throwers 528 SWE, the largest machine of the 500 series, and 930 SWE, the smallest machine of the 900 series, are both equipped with 357 cc engines. Cubic centimeter measurements are an indication of how much power that engine is capable of generating. The larger the measurement, the more power that can be generated. The smallest 500 series thrower, 524 WE, has a displacement of 208 cc while the largest 900 series thrower, 945 SWE, has a displacement of 420 cc.

Size

• Snow throwers of the 900 series have much greater clearing capacity than those of the 500 series. Clearing capacity indicates the size of path a thrower is capable of carving through snow and is indicated by three measurements: width, height and auger. The auger is a cylindrical tool with a raised, spiraling ridge that is responsible for actually throwing the snow. The 500 series clearing width range is 24 to 28 inches. Auger diameter and clearing height in all 500 series machines is 12 inches and 21 inches respectively. The 900 series clearing width range is 30 to 45 inches. Auger diameter and clearing height on all 900 series throwers is 16 and 22 inches respectively.

Price Range

• In 2010, price differential between the least expensive Cub Cadet 500 series thrower, the 524 We, and the most expensive 900 series thrower, the 945 SWE, is $1800. The former lists for $849 and the latter for $2649. The most expensive thrower in the 500 series, the 528 SWE, retails for $1349 while the least expensive thrower in the 900 line, the 930 SWE, retails for $1849. Thus the smallest price differential between throwers in the 500 and 900 series is $500.