Comparison Advice Needed: Looking to buy new Scag ZTR

[clay45]

I'm no expert but can tell you that the more robust construction of the Tiger Cat along with the larger wheels that come with the 52" model make a big difference on rough ground and steep terrain. I mow approximately 5+ acres of pasture with my 2013 Tiger Cat 52" and depending upon how detailed I mow around trees and in gullys I can spend 6 hours a week each time I mow and look like an old racoon by the time I finish due to the dust.

The more you are mowing on lawn conditions the time it takes to mow goes down considerably but rough ground and obstacles is what it is. I believe with the amount of mowing you are stating you'll benefit from a commercial grade mower like the Tiger Cat.

Best of luck to you.

 

[John R]

The Tiger Cat is a great machine, if you look around you might find one, the new version is the Tiger Cat ii.
The dealer I bought mine from had the older Tiger Cat and the Freedom Z at around the same price.

 

[jekjr]

I know that this thread is getting a little old. However you mentioned the Turf Tiger having the shaft drives and gearboxes verses the v belts. Think about this point. The gear boxes are just something else to maintain and tear up. I ran two mowers of another brand with drive shafts and gearboxes and had problems with both at less than 400 hours. I have been able to run the Tiger Cats over 300 hours before changing the main deck belt and I have 700+ on one and 800+ on the other and have never changed the other deck belt on either. I have changed the pump belt on both at 500 hours and I had an idler bearing go out on one on the pump drive and I went ahead and put a new belt on it but I saved the belt and will probably run it again.........

 

[db52282]

I know that this thread is getting a little old. However you mentioned the Turf Tiger having the shaft drives and gearboxes verses the v belts. Think about this point. The gear boxes are just something else to maintain and tear up. I ran two mowers of another brand with drive shafts and gearboxes and had problems with both at less than 400 hours. I have been able to run the Tiger Cats over 300 hours before changing the main deck belt and I have 700+ on one and 800+ on the other and have never changed the other deck belt on either. I have changed the pump belt on both at 500 hours and I had an idler bearing go out on one on the pump drive and I went ahead and put a new belt on it but I saved the belt and will probably run it again.........

Thanks Jekjr!! I have pretty much decided on a Scag Tiger Cat 52" with a Kawasaki 22hp engine. I think it will last me the remainder of my cutting days and will be passed on to one of my kids. Now if I can get my dealer to sell me one at a super good deal. I have called several Scag dealers in my area and they all quote the same price for this unit. I can't wait to get it and will post pictures one I do.

 

[mcdonell]

Some great advice has already been provided. All Scag mowers are commercial grade and will serve you well. When reading your requirements, I thought you probably could not go wrong with any 52 inch deck Scag. I think the 61 inch deck may be too large with a lot of obstacles on small acreage.

I have a Cheetah 61" with the 27 hp Kawasaki with 66 hours on it. I mow 3 acres with trees. I was drawn to the suspension seat and the longer frame of the Cheetah. I wanted a mower that would be safe, comfortable and get my place looking like golf course in a hurry. Some people thought I bought the larger Scag because I wanted to mow their place. Wrong, I hate mowing. If I am going to do it to save money, I want a good mower that will get it done fast. I have never used the high speed gear selection on the Cheetah, which means all my mowing is 11 mph or less. The high speed could come in handy if I wanted to drive to a gas station but that would be risky in my area.

In my search, I found Scag prices to be consistent between dealers. I felt my closest dealer would be best and so far they have been excellent.

I am 65 years old and hope my Cheetah will be the last mower I buy. So far, it is smooth, fast, and easy to control. When I do screw up and hit something, the Cheetah is not harmed. However I have bent several fence posts and moved propane tanks. lol

 

[jekjr]

Thanks Jekjr!! I have pretty much decided on a Scag Tiger Cat 52" with a Kawasaki 22hp engine. I think it will last me the remainder of my cutting days and will be passed on to one of my kids. Now if I can get my dealer to sell me one at a super good deal. I have called several Scag dealers in my area and they all quote the same price for this unit. I can't wait to get it and will post pictures one I do.

I have a buddy with a Tiger Cub that is around 20 years old and it runs great. I don't see why his won't run 10 more years or more. So if you maintain yours reasonably you outta get 20 to 30 years plus unless you cut a lotta grass.

I have seen some in our area that are years old with 1000's of hours on them still running hard every day.

 

[Mad Mackie]

Hi Troops,
Was at my local Scag dealer yesterday and saw Kawasaki engine oil synthetic blend with zinc stated on the label. I think that this is fairly new from Kawasaki.
I've been using straight 30 in the FX730 on my hustler X-ONE, but I may change to the Kawasaki oil 20W50.

 

[BlazNT]

Zinc is in all oil. Some more than others. Good marketing for you I guess. By the way they do not manufacture that oil they just slap a label on it.

 

[jekjr]

Zinc is in all oil. Some more than others. Good marketing for you I guess. By the way they do not manufacture that oil they just slap a label on it.

Truth is most oil is just labeled..... If an oil has the certification stickers on it the more you pay for it the better the marketing got you...

 

[John R]

Some great advice has already been provided. All Scag mowers are commercial grade and will serve you well. When reading your requirements, I thought you probably could not go wrong with any 52 inch deck Scag. I think the 61 inch deck may be too large with a lot of obstacles on small acreage.

I have a Cheetah 61" with the 27 hp Kawasaki with 66 hours on it. I mow 3 acres with trees. I was drawn to the suspension seat and the longer frame of the Cheetah. I wanted a mower that would be safe, comfortable and get my place looking like golf course in a hurry. Some people thought I bought the larger Scag because I wanted to mow their place. Wrong, I hate mowing. If I am going to do it to save money, I want a good mower that will get it done fast. I have never used the high speed gear selection on the Cheetah, which means all my mowing is 11 mph or less. The high speed could come in handy if I wanted to drive to a gas station but that would be risky in my area.

In my search, I found Scag prices to be consistent between dealers. I felt my closest dealer would be best and so far they have been excellent.

I am 65 years old and hope my Cheetah will be the last mower I buy. So far, it is smooth, fast, and easy to control. When I do screw up and hit something, the Cheetah is not harmed. However I have bent several fence posts and moved propane tanks. lol

I thought the same thing when I was looking, The only thing that made me go with the 61 inch deck was that it hung out past the rear wheels, the 52 inch was almost flush with the rear tires.

They both are great decks.