Markie61:
Cub Cadet along with YardMan, Huskee, Yard Machines, Troy Built, Bolens and more are built by MTD. MTD is based in Brookpark, Ohio and has a reputation for building "throw away lawnmowers.
Around here we call MTD--More Tools Desired!!!
The company that I have my day job with used to sell MTD steel a long time ago. They only bought secondary material, never prime.