Reliability Schedule for a Tiger Cat

[jekjr]

Does anybody know where I might be able to find the statistics on a Tiger Cat?
I am not sure if that is the proper name for it or not but some machine builders can tell you the average amount of time that every component on one of their machines will normally last.

 

[tigercat]

What is the expected life of a Scag mower? Top of the Page

Machine life is dependent upon maintenance, operating conditions, ambient temperatures, hours of operation, etc. It is very difficult if not impossible to put an exact figure on it. We have heard from customers that have some of the original mowers we ever sold with well over 10,000 hours on them and are 25+ years old. We have also seen machines that were terribly abused and looked like they were 25 years old after only two or three years. The Scag product is by far the most reliable, best built mower you can buy. As with any high end product, if you take care of it and use it as intended, it will provide outstanding performance and reliability for many, many years.

http://www.scag.com/faq2.html


Personally, I'd service the machine like you should. Grease and oil is cheap insurance. Keep water off of the electrical system, and above all else, use it in a mower fashion, not plowing or towing heavy things and your machine will last you a very long time.

Only thing I changed on my machine was the hour meter. There is an internal battery and when that watch battery dies, so does the memory of hours logged on that meter. Other than that, the Scag is a tank!

 

[jekjr]

What is the expected life of a Scag mower? Top of the Page Machine life is dependent upon maintenance, operating conditions, ambient temperatures, hours of operation, etc. It is very difficult if not impossible to put an exact figure on it. We have heard from customers that have some of the original mowers we ever sold with well over 10,000 hours on them and are 25+ years old. We have also seen machines that were terribly abused and looked like they were 25 years old after only two or three years. The Scag product is by far the most reliable, best built mower you can buy. As with any high end product, if you take care of it and use it as intended, it will provide outstanding performance and reliability for many, many years. Request Rejected Personally, I'd service the machine like you should. Grease and oil is cheap insurance. Keep water off of the electrical system, and above all else, use it in a mower fashion, not plowing or towing heavy things and your machine will last you a very long time. Only thing I changed on my machine was the hour meter. There is an internal battery and when that watch battery dies, so does the memory of hours logged on that meter. Other than that, the Scag is a tank!

I have not seen one in years but some equipment manufacturers used to have access to data on average time failure of about any item on a machine. That is what I was asking.

We do service ours. Most times about the only towing one of ours will do is to pull the other one out if it gets stuck.

As far as grass cutting we do cut about anything you can name. Most times n our area people only cut on two week cycles therefore many times we cut very heavy grass.

Our first Scag has 300 hours on it and we have not even had to fix a flat tire. In other words nothing has broke down. We change oil as the book says. Always change the filter when we change the oil. We check air filters daily and at times more often. We change them often.

We normally replace blades every day and some times we change in the middle of the day. I hope ours are some of those 10,000 hour machines. As hard as we normally have to run them though I don't see that happening unless they are actually tougher than I think they are.

 

[Mad Mackie]

As a Scag Tiger Cub owner/operator since 2008 and a retired mechanic, I have only run into a few minor problems with my machine, and with some folks both here and actual servicing.
Somewhere in Scag service info, I found that Scag recommends a 400 hour replacement of the pump drive belt on Tiger Cub, Tiger Cat and Wildcat machines. I don't recall Scag specifying a calendar belt change interval.
Under the control panel and next to the keyswitch, is the cranking relay, it has been known to be somewhat problematic. Keeping several in your parts stash may be a good idea. When all the safety circuits are set, the electronic control module will ground the cranking relay and allow it to electrically operate, cranking the engine.
The seat switch is another sometimes problem item as it is also in the safety circuit. It's position under the seat, puts it close to dust and dirt sources.
Another item is the Scag hourmeter. Scag uses the same hourmeter under two part numbers depending on which machine it is installed. These hourmeters have a non replaceable internal battery that keeps the LCD and memory alive. When installed on a Tiger Cub, Tiger Cat or Wildcat, they only clock time when the voltage in the electrical system is above a specific threshold, which is when the engine is running and the charging system output voltage is above the threshold. During normal mowing operation, as the electric clutch warms up, it draws more amperage. As this happens, the system voltage can drop below the hourmeter voltage threshold and stop clocking time. This will give the operator a false record of machine time as the actual machine time may be much more than is recorded on the hourmeter.
When this hourmeter is used under another part number on other Scag models, it is connected differently and clock time any time that the keyswitch is in the on position. The hourmeter has three electrical terminals on the bottom. The ground terminal and one other are used for Cubs and Cats. The same ground and the other terminal are used on other Scag models. The connector plug for the hourmeter determines this, however it is easily changed over.
Since 2008, I have had three hourmeters on my Tiger Cub, the first two being Scag meters, the 3rd and current meter being an analog meter, no internal battery, more reliable. The rectangular analog hourmeter fits in the same hole, just need to drill two small screw holes that hold it in place.
None of these are serious problems and many other makes of machines have similar problems.
The current Tiger Cat models are basically Tiger Cubs that have been upgraded. The Wildcat has been discontinued.
In another thread, I will chat about how Scag connects the engine charging system output to the electrical system.
Mad Mackie in CT:smile::biggrin::laughing:

 

[jekjr]

As a Scag Tiger Cub owner/operator since 2008 and a retired mechanic, I have only run into a few minor problems with my machine, and with some folks both here and actual servicing. Somewhere in Scag service info, I found that Scag recommends a 400 hour replacement of the pump drive belt on Tiger Cub, Tiger Cat and Wildcat machines. I don't recall Scag specifying a calendar belt change interval. Under the control panel and next to the keyswitch, is the cranking relay, it has been known to be somewhat problematic. Keeping several in your parts stash may be a good idea. When all the safety circuits are set, the electronic control module will ground the cranking relay and allow it to electrically operate, cranking the engine. The seat switch is another sometimes problem item as it is also in the safety circuit. It's position under the seat, puts it close to dust and dirt sources. Another item is the Scag hourmeter. Scag uses the same hourmeter under two part numbers depending on which machine it is installed. These hourmeters have a non replaceable internal battery that keeps the LCD and memory alive. When installed on a Tiger Cub, Tiger Cat or Wildcat, they only clock time when the voltage in the electrical system is above a specific threshold, which is when the engine is running and the charging system output voltage is above the threshold. During normal mowing operation, as the electric clutch warms up, it draws more amperage. As this happens, the system voltage can drop below the hourmeter voltage threshold and stop clocking time. This will give the operator a false record of machine time as the actual machine time may be much more than is recorded on the hourmeter. When this hourmeter is used under another part number on other Scag models, it is connected differently and clock time any time that the keyswitch is in the on position. The hourmeter has three electrical terminals on the bottom. The ground terminal and one other are used for Cubs and Cats. The same ground and the other terminal are used on other Scag models. The connector plug for the hourmeter determines this, however it is easily changed over. Since 2008, I have had three hourmeters on my Tiger Cub, the first two being Scag meters, the 3rd and current meter being an analog meter, no internal battery, more reliable. The rectangular analog hourmeter fits in the same hole, just need to drill two small screw holes that hold it in place. None of these are serious problems and many other makes of machines have similar problems. The current Tiger Cat models are basically Tiger Cubs that have been upgraded. The Wildcat has been discontinued. In another thread, I will chat about how Scag connects the engine charging system output to the electrical system. Mad Mackie in CT:smile::biggrin::laughing:

Thanks

 

[Mad Mackie]

Good morning jekjr,
A few more Tiger Cub/Cat tidbits.
The charging system output, (yellow wire connected separately to the key switch) is isolated from the machine electrical system when the keyswitch is in the off position. When the keyswitch is in either the on or start positions, the charging system output is then connected to the electrical system and when the engine is running, the charging system output will be fed into the machine electrical system.
I'm not sure why Scag still does this, but most other makes connect the charging system directly to the battery positive. There was a time when isolating the charging system from the electrical system was necessary as the regulator/rectifier would allow battery power to backfeed thru it and into the stator causing the battery to fully discharge in two to three days. I was informed by several folk here that the regulator/rectifiers have been redesigned to prevent this backfeed problem and dates back to about 1986.
If the keyswitch on a Scag malfunctions internally, and they do wear out, then the charging system output flow of electricity can get interrupted. Those that pressure wash or hose down their machines can get some water into the keyswitch causing it to malfunction.
I am going to rewire my Tiger Cub charging system output directly to the battery and thru its existing fuse, but leave the original wiring still in place but with the yellow wire disconnected from the keyswitch.
When I replaced the pump drive belt at around 400 hours, I found the smaller diameter idler pulley to be sloppy and rough as I turned it. I replaced it at that time.
Later
Mad Mackie in CT:smile::biggrin::laughing:

 

[tigercat]

jekjr

Did you purchase the collection system?

There are issues that madmackie can comment on as far as wear and tear items (belts and bearings). :smile:

 

[Mad Mackie]

Attached is a pic of the Honeywell, formerly Hobbs, quartz analog hourmeter. Using a small sealed 12 V battery and a trickle charger, I ran the hours up to where I think my machine total time was.
This hourmeter clocks time anytime the keyswitch is in the on position.
Two small screw holes need to be drilled for the mounting screws.
Mad Mackie in CT:smile::biggrin::laughing: