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New to ztr mowers. Narrowed search to Scag Tiger Cat STC52V-691FX or Kubota SG222A-48 with fabricated deck. The Scag is $7995 and the Kubota $7200. Are these somewhat comparable mowers? Will be mowing 5 acres. Looking for suggestions on which is better, more durable, easier to maintain, holds value etc.

The Scag has the top rated Kawasaki FX engine and wider deck. What engine is on the Kubota?

Mad Mackie said:

The Scag has the top rated Kawasaki FX engine and wider deck. What engine is on the Kubota?

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The Kubota has a Kubota engine - KG7770-E2-MA3.

msmm said:

The Kubota has a Kubota engine - KG7770-E2-MA3.

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Just for comparison to what the Kubota & Scag "cost" you may want to take a look at a Gravely Pro Turn 100 XDZ Commercial if you have a dealer nearby. You could get a 60"(would cut that 5 acres in no time at all) for a MSRP of $7,799 with the Kawa FX730V. A whole lot more ZTR for the same range of money. I have a 2012 Pro Turn 152 and it's more than I need for personal use on a 1.5 acre lot....but it'll outlive me!!

Mad Mackie said:

The Scag has the top rated Kawasaki FX engine and wider deck. What engine is on the Kubota?

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How does the Scag transmission compare to the Kubota 2-HST with gear reduction transmission?

The Scag Tiger Cat has separate pumps and wheel motors, the pump outputs are controlled by the lever positions. The Tiger Cat is a 10 MPH machine, but most folk don't mow that fast, 7.5-8.5 MPH depending on lawn conditions. Cast iron spindle housings and three plys of 10 gauge metal where the spindles are mounted. Collection system available which mounts on the deck discharge chute and the blower discharges into a three bag setup that hangs on the rear of the machine. Striping kit also available. Blades are held into the spindles by a 9 1/2" long, 5/8" diameter bolt with the nut on the top of the spindle drive pulley. Mulching blades and a block off plate that can be opened or shut by the operator also available. If you are interested in a collection system, then I recommend the Kawasaki FX engines with the two stage HD engine air filtering system, and also if you mow in a dusty environment.
Mad Mackie in CT

I have a ZG 222 with the 48" deck. It is a great little mower. It is coming up on 200 hours most of which were brutal at times. If or when I should say replace it I will get the ZD 221. I also have a ZD326 with a 60" deck with about the same hours on it. The diesel is awesome.

djdicetn said:

Just for comparison to what the Kubota & Scag "cost" you may want to take a look at a Gravely Pro Turn 100 XDZ Commercial if you have a dealer nearby. You could get a 60"(would cut that 5 acres in no time at all) for a MSRP of $7,799 with the Kawa FX730V. A whole lot more ZTR for the same range of money. I have a 2012 Pro Turn 152 and it's more than I need for personal use on a 1.5 acre lot....but it'll outlive me!!

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DJ,

While I respect your wealth of knowledge and contributions to this site I would have to disagree with the Gravely being a whole lot more machine than the Scag. They are very comparable except for the Scag having seperate wheel pumps and motors which to me would be worth paying the extra couple of hundred dollars for the Scag.

kwak said:

DJ,

While I respect your wealth of knowledge and contributions to this site I would have to disagree with the Gravely being a whole lot more machine than the Scag. They are very comparable except for the Scag having seperate wheel pumps and motors which to me would be worth paying the extra couple of hundred dollars for the Scag.

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I wasn't referring to the Gravely having equal or better "components"...but simply said you could get a 60" Gravely for what you pay for a 48" Scag. More cut per pass versus a few "Industrial"(Scag) components instead of Commercial"(Gravely) components. Admittingly, the upper line Kubotas and the Scags are a step above the Gravelys in regard to that perspective but it's only feasible if you can afford a second mortgage for the real good Kubotas or Scags. My Gravely dealer also sells Scags, but when I compared price tags I...............:0)

P.S.
And the OP is just cutting 5 acres....not mowing yards for a living and I can't see the justification for a Scag/Kubota expenditure for "residential" use.

The dealer I buy from sells both Kubota and Scag. They are both top of the line machines. If your 5 acres is smooth and has good grass on it the Scag will give you a slight better cut. On the other hand if it is rough and not as good grass the Kubota will take more abuse in my opinion. You won't go wrong with either.

djdicetn said:

I wasn't referring to the Gravely having equal or better "components"...but simply said you could get a 60" Gravely for what you pay for a 48" Scag. More cut per pass versus a few "Industrial"(Scag) components instead of Commercial"(Gravely) components. Admittingly, the upper line Kubotas and the Scags are a step above the Gravelys in regard to that perspective but it's only feasible if you can afford a second mortgage for the real good Kubotas or Scags. My Gravely dealer also sells Scags, but when I compared price tags I...............:0)

P.S.
And the OP is just cutting 5 acres....not mowing yards for a living and I can't see the justification for a Scag/Kubota expenditure for "residential" use.

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5 acres is quite a bit..... and the justification is longetivity...

On the Kubota ZG222A is the transmission 2-HST with gear reduction equal to a zt2800, zt3100, zt3400 or something else? Or do they not equate at all? I read somewhere that a ztr should have at least a zt2800 transmission. Thanx for the replies.

Though I'm not a Scag owner. I would highly recommend Scag. Their machines are built to last and the dealer support is phenomenal. Along with a high resale value. Out of your two options. Scag would be mine.

djdicetn said:

I wasn't referring to the Gravely having equal or better "components"...but simply said you could get a 60" Gravely for what you pay for a 48" Scag. More cut per pass versus a few "Industrial"(Scag) components instead of Commercial"(Gravely) components. Admittingly, the upper line Kubotas and the Scags are a step above the Gravelys in regard to that perspective but it's only feasible if you can afford a second mortgage for the real good Kubotas or Scags. My Gravely dealer also sells Scags, but when I compared price tags I...............:0)

P.S.
And the OP is just cutting 5 acres....not mowing yards for a living and I can't see the justification for a Scag/Kubota expenditure for "residential" use.

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I am comparing the Gravely 152 60" to the Scag Tiger Cat 61". You stated that the price of the Gravely was 7799 and the you can get a Scag TC for around 8300 so I am not sure where the second mortgage statement Is coming from.

msmm said:

On the Kubota ZG222A is the transmission 2-HST with gear reduction equal to a zt2800, zt3100, zt3400 or something else? Or do they not equate at all? I read somewhere that a ztr should have at least a zt2800 transmission. Thanx for the replies.

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I am to sure about that but I low that the ones on the 222 are stout.

Another thing going for he Kubota is they normally have financing that is 0 down and 0 interest and their insurance is very cheap with like only a $200 deductible. That is something to look at as well. Keep your money and use theirs.

kwak said:

I am comparing the Gravely 152 60" to the Scag Tiger Cat 61". You stated that the price of the Gravely was 7799 and the you can get a Scag TC for around 8300 so I am not sure where the second mortgage statement Is coming from.

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Well, I guess "in my mind" I consider any ZTR > $8K(before taxes) as normally more than a "homeowner" is looking to spend on a personal use machine. And there's more to consider than price(i.e. the Tiger Cat states "3 Yr. Deck Warranty First & second years parts & labor; third year parts" whereas the Gravely is "Lifetime - 2 Years parts and labor (Commercial), 3 Years parts and labor (Consumer), parts-only thereafter")....and for the "bumper-to-bumper" Warranty the TC is "2 Yr. Commercial Mower Warranty Parts & labor, 3 Yr. or 500 Hour Non-Commercial Mower Warranty Parts & labor" and the Pro-Turn 100XDZ is "Consumer - 3 Years or 1000 hrs, Commercial - 2 Years or 1000 hrs". That, to me was another good reason to keep $500 in your pocket.

Thanks, members, for your help and comments. I went with the Kubota - $800 less than the Scag, distance to dealer less and I've known the dealer for several years. I've been pleased with my Kubota compact tractor so I'm optimistic the ZTR will be just as dependable. I'll try to post a review next spring. Hope it's positive.