Scag or Gravely Residential

[Str8up50]

Trying to get some feedback between Gravely ZT XL versus Scag Liberty. Both are within my price range with the Liberty being the most expensive but with their 15% discount brings it down to my price range.
The below is from a Gravely dealer so it's most prob biased. Both seem solid just don't understand as to why Scag is pricey

Gravely ZT XL

Scag Liberty

Warranty	4 Year or 400 hour to anyone	5 Year or 750 hour to consumer use only
Transaxles	Hydro Gear ZT 2800 fully serviceable	Hydro Gear ZT 2800 fully serviceable
MPH	7.5 Forward 3.5 Reverse	7 forward 5 Reverse
Fuel Capacity	2.8 Gal	5.5 Gal
Blade Spindle	Aluminum with Sealed Bearings	Aluminum with Sealed Bearings
Deck Belt	1/2" Kevlar wrapped belt	1/2" standard belt
Frame	Heavy Duty 1.5 x 3 welded Tubing	1" x 3" welded
Engine	Kaw FR series Twin	Kaw FR series Twin
Deck	11 Ga Fab welded with reinforcements	10 ga Fab Welded
Front Tires	11 x 6 x 5	11 x 4 x 5
Rear Tires	20 x 12 x 10	20 x 8.5 x 10
Deck Wheels	3 Left Right Center	4 Left Right center
Cutting Height	1.5 to 4.5 dial to height with foot	1.5 to 4.5 foot control
Deck Sizes	42" 48" 52" 60"	36" 48" 52" 61"
Seat	Plush 18in High Back with spring Padded arm rest	High back vinyl plastic no arm rest

Starting at $3999	Starting at $4299
Gravely Est. 1916	Scag 1983

 

[Lawnman48]

I went through the same thing last year. I looked at a few ZTRs along with the Gravely.

I purchased the Scag Liberty Z (w/ blackout package for $100 because YOLO from a local dealer). It's the SZL48-21FR w/ Kawasaki FR651V.

Second to proposing to my wife, this was the best decision I've ever made.

I've been slowly improving my one acre property and the difference coming from a 20 year old green Craftsman has been been jaw-dropping.

The Scag is built like a tank. The controls are simple and refined. The engine is amazing. The cut (and clippings - no mulch plate) is unreal. I've always been a mulch plate guy, but the dealer talked me out of it and said - just try side discharge. This thing will surprise you. After a whole season, I can say he was 100% right. The clippings come out so fine, I rarely notice them. No brown hay the next day. Not even close. I love the deck height adjustment, too. I adjust through the season to keep the grass looking great during all conditions.

Also the striping. No extra attachments or fancy footwork. My mow pattern looks like pro's came in.

Some people asked if I got a service. Nope. Just a Scag.

Happy to answers any specific questions.

It's worth every penny. And the smiles are endless.

 

[Str8up50]

Any problems with belt coming off, excess rattling, etc that are commonly complained by Gravely and Hustler mowers. I will say this I footed the hustler raptor deck and it ratted a lot. The Liberty was solid and didn't budge.

 

[Lawnman48]

The Scag is tight. Like super tight.

I'm firing it up tomorrow for the first time this season. It feels like Christmas Eve to me.

 

[cruzenmike]

Any problems with belt coming off, excess rattling, etc that are commonly complained by Gravely and Hustler mowers. I will say this I footed the hustler raptor deck and it ratted a lot. The Liberty was solid and didn't budge.

If you read any reviews on the Ariens ztrs, especially the Ikon X and XL, there have been many complaints about deck noise and rattling. No offense to Gravely owners out there, but I think that the entry level mowers in these lines have some quality issues.

I had a Cub Cadet years ago that I swear to you cut beautifully, but it had an inherent design flaw that made it probe to throwing the deck belt. This issue was resolved when Cub Cadet moved to the XT line of mowers. While you can still get my same old deck on the XT3 (50" stamped signature series), this version uses a double pulley system so that one belt is contained within the deck to turn the blade pulleys while a separate belt coming off of he PTO is only responsible for spinning the double pulley. This setup is far preferred on mower decks but I have never seen them on ZTRs.

I think that the issue with the Ariens and Gravely is that a combination of he deck hanging system and idler pulley for he deck belt create excessive vibration and thus noise. This same vibration can lead to failures such as premature pulley bearing wear/failure and throwing belts.

 

[Str8up50]

Bought a 2020 Liberty 48 today. Being delivered Friday

 

[Lawnman48]

Bought a 2020 Liberty 48 today. Being delivered Friday

Awesome. Welcome to the club! You're gonna be thrilled.

 

[steveyrock]

Bought a 2020 Liberty 48 today. Being delivered Friday

I got the same machine 48-inch deck two years ago, 135 hrs so far, and no issues. I like mine hope you enjoy yours also.

 

[NorthBama]

I have a toro Z master wish I had a Scag although the Toro has been a good mower

 

[Jmmclaug]

I know this is a 2 year old thread, but how are you Scag liberty owners mowers holding up? How many hours? Any issues? I'm between dropping 5k otd on a 48" liberty or dropping 8k otd on a Gravely Pro Turn 148. Trying to see if it's necessary to drop the extra cash for longevity