ZTR w/ Bagger that actually works well?

[Nemoi]

I have 3 acres out of town that I mow at my home and 6 rental properties in town. I currently have an MDT 18 HP with a 46" cut and a bagger. It sucks! I go crawlingly slow just to hope the bagger doesn't clog.

I have tons of trees and ornamentals that need mowing around so I have decided on a ZTR but one that has a bagger than actually works without going ultra slow. I know I need a grass blower or booster. What brand is best for bagging grass and doesn't seriously bog down in heavier grass? I'd rather go a bit bigger and trim more by hand if I need to because of space constraints. My budget is $8000.00 but I would certainly like to spend less if I am able to. Any recommendations? Thanks.

 

[redfish9]

I have not bagged a yard in the 40 years i've been in business,do your clients want you to bag?

 

[Nemoi]

They are my rental houses. We use the grass clippings around trees and in the garden and like to have them.

 

[redfish9]

OK,thats a little more clear,I,m in florida and have never seen a bag on a ZT but i'm very sure the have them.I've them in books and they hang off the side so that would force you to mow clockwise around everything

 

[Nemoi]

John Deere, Cub Cadet, and Grasshopper all have ZT baggers. I'm sure there are more but wouldn't buy one without the grass booster/blower. I am super frustrated at how much time I spend mowing to keep the bagger from clogging that if I am going to lay out this much cash, I want something that actually sucks up the grass without easily clogging.

 

[Mad Mackie]

You want a ZTR with a powered collection blower attachment. Most collection blowers on ZTRs are powered via a V belt connected to a second pulley mounted on top of the right hand deck spindle, this is however an expensive attachment currently at $2,500. Check out the pics in my album under Mad Mackies Machines and you will see my Scag Tiger Cub with a Scag collection system. In the pics the Scag also has a dethatcher front mounted and without a collection system the dethatcher leaves a big mess on a lawn.
Notice the counterweights on the front and the size of the bags on the rear.
Mad Mackie in CT:smile::laughing::biggrin:

 

[Parkmower]

I have a cub rzt with bagger. No blower just blade powered bagger but it works great. It cost $300 extra. I know your prob looking for a more commercial machine but I thought id throw that out there.

 

[Nemoi]

I envisioned one with the blower powered by the mower deck belt. I cut zosia grass in some places and that stuff is thick! The Tiger Scag pics look really impressive. The Grasshopper/Cub Cadet dealer here in town told me I would not be happy with the Cub and wanted to sell me the smallest Grasshopper (model 128) with a bagger and a 52" deck for $7800. I just can't get passed buying the smallest model for that kind of money and want to know what I can get bigger or better for the same or less. I'm just looking for opinions of people who have been there. Not people who have a profit margin to maintain.

 

[Nemoi]

Mad Mackie, what do you think of this unit? 2010 Scag 61" zero turn w/ bagger | eBay

 

[Mad Mackie]

This machine is very similar to mine with two differences, a larger deck than mine and the Vanguard engine has the heavy duty particle separating air filter. With a collection system the dust quantity around the engine is very high and the particle separating air filter is a better system than is on my engine. Had I known this I would have bought the model with it. I think that Scag machines are well designed and manufacturered. It took me a while to get accustomed to a ZTR having mowed commercially with Ingersoll GTs with collection systems for many years, and after a season or so I grew to like the ZTR and have been improving my technic. All the lawns that I mow need collection except for my own which I remove the collection blower and install the plastic chute with spring pins and mow. The blower is easily removed and reinstalled and when removed I also remove the hose.
Machine maintenance is more intense with a collection system and engine oil changes may be needed more often and the blower V belt life is fairly short, I stock them and it is the same V belt that is used on my Ingersoll mower deck drive.
Check out the Scag thread here on this forum.
Mad Mackie in CT:biggrin::smile::laughing: