Cub Cadet CC30H Riding Lawn Mower vs Troy-Bilt Pony 42 Gas Riding Mower

The Cub Cadet CC30H is the easier mower to live with: hydrostatic foot-pedal drive, an 18-inch turning radius and a compact 30-inch deck make it the better pick for tight yards, slopes and anyone who dislikes shifting. The Troy-Bilt Pony 42 is the better pick for open, flat lawns up to about 1.5 acres, where its wider 42-inch twin-blade deck and 547cc engine cut more grass per pass. Both rate 4.2 out of 5, and owners of each praise the cut and fault the build in small ways; the Cub Cadet's real edge is maneuverability, the Troy-Bilt's is ground covered per hour.

• Choose the Cub Cadet CC30H if your yard has gates, beds, trees or slopes that reward a 30-inch deck, an 18-inch turn radius and no-clutch hydrostatic drive.
• Choose the Troy-Bilt Pony 42 if you mow a mostly flat, open lawn of up to about 1.5 acres and want the widest deck and largest engine for the money.