Before Cub Cadet, they were made by Husqvarna. What's funny is the competition between Husqvarna and Stanley-Black&Decker (who owns Cub Cadet) for the retail store products.

Lowe's paid for an exclusive contract for Husqvarna products, meaning Husqvarna can't sell to Home Depot. But Husqvarna makes Poulan Pro which is found at Home Depot. Home Depot has an exclusive contract with Cub Cadet meaning they can't be sold at Lowe's. But Cub Cadet makes Craftsman which is sold at Lowe's.


The retail store guys usually demand a lower price point, and not just because they can promise volume of sales. They want a low price point. So the retail mowers generally have cheaper components (transmissions, engines, etc) than those found at dealers.


There's barely any profit for the factory on tractor sales, even though they are still the most produced product. Zero turn mowers are what are keeping the factories afloat. It's why everybody has rushed to join that market and more and more are closing shop in the tractor market and having those that are still building tractors simply stamp their logo on it.

Commercial level zero turns are where the real money's at.