Cub Cadet does not manufacture forklifts. The company is a premium brand of outdoor power equipment, established in 1961 as a division of International Harvester. Its product line includes lawn and garden tractors, zero-turn mowers, snow blowers, and utility vehicles – but not forklifts.
DIY and Homemade Cub Cadet Forklifts
While Cub Cadet has never produced a factory forklift, the brand's rugged garden tractors have become a popular platform for DIY enthusiasts to build their own mini forklifts. These are custom creations, not commercial products.
Examples of Cub Cadet Forklift Conversions:
Builder / Source Base Tractor Key Specs Details
Dwayne Lowe (FARM SHOW) Cub Cadet (salvage) 1,000 lb capacity Walk-behind "mini forklift" with 30×48" dump bed fitted with forks; hydraulic cylinders tilt the bed; built for ~$500
Kelly Birkey (FARM SHOW) Cub Cadet 1872 Lifts garden tractors Reversed steering, seat, and controls; flipped ring gear and pinion to run backward; uses Brick Buggy mast; custom counterweights
Forum User (OnlyCubCadets) Cub Cadet 126 350 lb capacity, 51" lift Uses 3,000 lb winch mounted by rear axle with pulley at top of mast; 100 lb counterweight on front
Donnell Hydraulic Co. Cub Cadet (vintage) Unknown Period forklift attachment made for Cub Cadet garden tractors; features hydraulic pump and mast mount
Common DIY Approaches:
Reversing the tractor's steering and controls to operate backward
Using salvaged masts from brick buggies or small forklifts
Adding hydraulic systems with boosted pressure (up to 1,500 psi)
Fabricating counterweights to balance loads
Repurposing mower deck lift levers for fork control
Summary
Cub Cadet is a manufacturer of lawn and garden equipment, not forklifts. However, the brand's durable garden tractors have been used by hobbyists and fabricators to build custom mini forklifts – some lifting up to 1,000 lbs or capable of picking up other garden tractors. These are one-off DIY projects, not products available for purchase from Cub Cadet.
