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Looking for a new zero turn and I'm looking at the Tiger Cat, It comes with a Kohler, or a Kawasaki engine.

What is the best to go with?

The Kohler is EFI, and the Kawasaki has a carburetor, I like the idea of fuel injection but not sure of Kohler quality.

Kohler used to be one of the best air cooled engines going, but it's like everything else that has been cheapened up over time.

A few questions for you.
Scag Tiger Cat or Tiger Cat II?
I'm not sure if the Tiger Cat II is available yet.
I assume that you are considering a 52" or 61" deck model as they are the only models with Kohler EFI or Kawasaki FX engines.
As ZTRs are dusty by design, the two stage air filtration system is a must. Both the Kohler and Kawi have this type of air filter.
The Kohler EFI engine has an onboard computer electronic fuel management system as it is has electronic fuel injection.
The EFI system has an additional electric fuel pump to raise the fuel pressure that is supplied to the EFI system.
Diagnosing EFI engine problems requires the use of a computer with the Kohler software installed.
Generally this is done by a Kohler servicing dealer when needed.
The Kawasaki FX engines have a carb which doesn't need to be electronically controlled and only needs the engine mounted pulse fuel pump.
I have no experience with Kohler EFI engines, but some experience with Kawasaki FX engines.
Some of my fellow lawn care buddies have Kohler EFI powered Scag Turf Tigers and for the most part are satisfied with them.
I also own a Hustler X-ONE/60" rear discharge deck, with a Kawasaki 730FX engine. This is one sweet running engine, machine now has about 350 hours on it and is a 2012 model used primarily for cemetery duty.
I also have a Scag Tiger Cub/48" deck, collection system, 30 HP Briggs Commercial Turf engine. This machine had been repowered in 2013 as the original Briggs Intek had a problem.
Another thought, along with the collection system on my Tiger Cub, I have a JRCO 46" front mounted de-thatcher. This combination is fantastic for both spring and fall cleanup!!!
Make sure that the Tiger Cat that you are looking at has the adjustable suspension seat on it, great seat!!!
A few thoughts from Mad Mackie in CT:laughing::biggrin::smile:

Thanks Mad Mackie for the info, was looking online and found the Tiger Cat II, called the dealer and he has both the Tiger Cat, and Tiger Cat II.
Going tomorrow to have a side by side look, guess there is about $1200.00 difference in the two.

Anyway I'll see in the morning.

Thanks again.

I like what Scag did to upgrade to the Tiger Cat II, particularly the fan cooled pumps. The addition of a fuel gauge is good.
Scag used to make a Tiger Cub and a Wildcat. Both were discontinued and the Tiger Cat was born, primarily from the Tiger Cub, but with some of the goodies from the Wildcat.
The hydraulic system on my Tiger Cub gets very hot during extended periods of operation and the Tiger Cat has the same system.
I have wanted to install an additional hydraulic cooler on my Tiger Cub, just haven't got around to doing it yet.
Turf Tigers have an oil cooler as standard equipment and I want to buy one and install it on my Cub. Not sure where I would put it, but I would find a spot and probably add an electric fan to push air thru it as I have done on other machines.
I need to replace the pump drive belt, idler/tensioner pulleys and tensioner spring this season and I hope that my local Scag dealer has a Tiger Cat II in stock so I can look it over up close. :licking::laughing:

Well the deed is done, dealer is delivering the new Tiger Cat II on Saturday, can hardly wait.
I ended up getting the Kawasaki engine on his recommendation, and I saved $500.00, The EFI Kohler is that much more.

The Tiger Cat II has a lot more features than the Tiger Cat..

Thanks for all the help.

Love the Tiger Cat as Mad Mackie stated the adjustable seat is great.

Question to Mad Mackie ideas on how to install a cooler on the tiger cats?

Hi MonticarloSS,
The oil cooler that is used on Scag Turf Tigers is a dual cooler, check the attachments. Although pricey, over $200, it is well suited for a custom installation on a Tiger Cub/Cat. The only location that I have thought comfortable is on a custom bracket mounted to the blower housing on the engine. In this position it will be out of the way somewhat and in a position to get some airflow thru it from incoming air into the air cooled engine.
This cooler is two separate coolers in one unit, each pump has it's own cooler and return line to the hyd reservoir.
On Tiger Cubs/Cats there already is a single return oil line installed into the reservoir, a 2nd return line fitting would need to be installed into the reservoir. These oil return lines are located above the normal oil level in the reservoir.
The oil cooler is about 10-12 inches long and about 4-5 inches high.
The oil return lines on Tiger Cub/Cat are "Teed" to each other and return the oil in a single line to the reservoir.
I haven't measured the hose fitting on this oil cooler or my machine, but I do think that they are the same size.
Some thoughts from Mad Mackie in CT:laughing::biggrin::smile:

Dealer showed up around noon and I drove it around in the driveway for a couple of hours, not as bad of a learning curve as I thought it would be.

Seems like a nice machine.
Now. if only the grass would grow. :laughing::laughing:

MontecarloSS said:

Love the Tiger Cat as Mad Mackie stated the adjustable seat is great.

Question to Mad Mackie ideas on how to install a cooler on the tiger cats?

Click to expand...

The Kaw engine manual boast and engine oil cooler on the FX engines, don't know where it is though.

Not all Kawi FX engines have an engine oil cooler, it depends on the engine code. The engine code is specified by the mower manufacturer.
If an FX engine has an oil cooler, it is mounted directly above the oil filter on the blower housing where it gets airflow thru it supplied by the rotation of the fan on the flywheel which also forces cooling air by the cylinders.
My Kawasaki FX powered Hustler X-ONE is in storage at the moment so I'm not able to take a pic of it and I'm not positive that it has an engine oil cooler installed on it.
I have pics of the X-ONE some where in my pics, just have to looking for them.

Just found the pics of my Hustler X-ONE and it doesn't have an engine oil cooler.
The oil cooler would be installed where the stickers are that are on the blower housing.

Just got home from my local Scag dealer and a quick visit to several other dealers as well.
I looked over the Scag Tiger Cat II closely and I must say that I'm impressed. It was a 52" with a Kawi FX691 engine.
Scag did a fine job with the upgrades to this machine relative to the standard Tiger Cat.
I like the way the did the fan cooled pumps under the seat. The Tiger Cub/Cat hydraulic system needed some help with added cooling.
They moved the control panel to the right side which appears to be an industry standard if you will. My Hustler X-ONE has R/H side controls.
The price tag was showing the monthly payment, I turned it over and got a mild case of "sticker shock" at $9,600, but the machine pretty much demands that!!!
So with all that I came home a little sad! But me and my Tiger Cub will have to stay together for a while longer. Maybe the price of the standard Tiger Cat will come down some, oh well I can hope!!!!!!

Mine does have the 61" deck, it has a FX 730V Kaw engine.
Seems to run great, if the oil cooler is mounted where you said, mine doesn't have one.

Not many, if any FX 730 and smaller have engine oil coolers.

Mad Mackie said:

Not all Kawi FX engines have an engine oil cooler, it depends on the engine code. The engine code is specified by the mower manufacturer.
If an FX engine has an oil cooler, it is mounted directly above the oil filter on the blower housing where it gets airflow thru it supplied by the rotation of the fan on the flywheel which also forces cooling air by the cylinders.
My Kawasaki FX powered Hustler X-ONE is in storage at the moment so I'm not able to take a pic of it and I'm not positive that it has an engine oil cooler installed on it.
I have pics of the X-ONE some where in my pics, just have to looking for them.

Click to expand...

Yes,
They mount them there and this is counter productive, along with heavy duty air filters.
These make removing the engine covers a real PIA so no one ever does it so the engine ends up overheating due to reduced air flow. cause by the obstruction of the oil cooler, increased air temperature again due to the oil cooler and mainly because it has now now become a 1 hour job to remove the engine covers to clean the cooling fins off properly.
Even worse is that the cooling oil goes into the sump where it is least needed in place of the head where it is most needed.

A clip on electric fan from an old computer with the oil cooler mounted well away from the engine would be a much better idea.

We are running two Tiger Cat Scags. They are incredible machines. We run them under brutal conditions.One will be a year old in about a month and has over 500 hours on it. The other one will be two years old in July and has over 600 hours on it. Both are 52" cut with the Kawasaki motor on them. Seriously considering trading my last Kubota in and getting a third just like the other two.