How important is horsepower??

[Rookie]

I'm currently trying to chose between a Dixie Chopper (20hp Kohler), Scag Turf Tiger (23hp Kohler) and a comparable Exmark (18hp Kohler). All will be equiped with a 52" deck. I have demoed the Dixie and the power seemed fine. Is there a noticeable difference with more or less horsepower? I'll be cutting anything from lawns to light brush. Any other advice is welcome in helping me make the best choice. Thanks!

[awm]

if your exmark is like mine it has is same as 20 kohler
with a screw added to stop the throttle at 18 hp.
you just tunscew it so it makes no contact and wala its a 20 hp

[Scott H]

Always go with the most HP, more is better

[Grassman]

I'd go with the 20hp Dixie. It should be more than sufficient for a 52" deck. Also, there have been alot of negetive posts about Scags quality of cut. Good luck, Russ

[oneEXMARKfan]

I always want MORE POWER !!!!! (but NO BRUSH.....heavy or light)

[Cutter1]

Always go big!! Better to have too much power than not enough. My 52 Laser has the 23 Kaw on it. I wouldn't even think of something smaller..

[SMB]

Did you say BRUSH ? You're going to cut brush with a brand new $6-8000 ZTR? The main thing you'll need to worry about will be belt slip under really tough conditions. And... watch out what's in that brush! (rocks, stumps, etc.) :eek: You can really mess up a piece of equipment on them--even if you'd swear that you walked over it really well. Our Bob-Cat 48 inch does fine with a 19 HP kawasaki. We have cut some pretty tall grass with it--about 8-12" (w/double reg. lift blades) and it does great.

[Eric ELM]

I have had 2 Choppers with 60" decks and the 20 did OK. I still have a 22 hp Kohler powering a 60" deck on a Chopper and it does better, but I also have a 26 hp Yanmar diesel on a 60" Chopper and it is even better in tall thick grass. More hp is better, but a 20 should handle the 50" deck on that Dixie Chopper just fine.

[gorrell]

I'll agree with Eric, there's no substitute for horsepower. I just added my second suburb'n turb'n to my fleet. These machines have 6.7 horspower/ft. of cut. I believe the only machine with a better hp to cut ratio is the 50 hp dixie powering the 72" deck, but I'm happy until I get the diesel. Lynn

[swn]

I have a 52" grasshopper with 18 hp kohler and it had always been fine. But since I got a 61" with a 25 hp, it just does not seem to be doing as good. That extra hp sure is nice. Kind of spoils you when you get used to it.

[TLS]

I have a 27hp LC Kawi powering a 60" cut. More is always better! On the other side of the spectrum, I have a 14hp powering a 48", not enough here unless you are cutting off 1" of grass. I would like to have 17-19hp on the 48", then I'll be happy!

[mklawnman]

Hey Rookie
This past spring we bought a Scag Turf Tiger 52inch advantage deck with the 23HP KAW. Great motor, dealer told us to get the Kaw Liquid cooled cause it will last longer than the 23 HP Kohler, so we bought it. Over 50 hours on it now, running great and cutting is excelent. Great speed. Though have notice that the Advantage deck doesn't like heavy wet grasses, clumps up when it blows out of the deck. Otherwise cuts great, love the foot deck lift comes in handy alot compared to the hand lift. Go with the SCAG 23HP KAW!
(Lawnman)

[JLC]

Dont buy Scag. I've got a 25 with 61". I am so sick and tired of this machine. It will not cut good, it will clump and windrow seemingly not matter what grass you cut, I've replaced entire drive system on the right hand side and the left is on its way out, it wont run up hills without MAJOR bogging. I could go on but suffice it to say I would NEVER buy another Scag.

[Randy Scott]

I don't think the 18 hp eXmark and the 23 hp Scag are close in comparison at all. That is 5 hp difference.Roughly 20% more for the Scag. This is apples to oranges. Get the most hp you can afford, it won't ever be too much. Who will take care of you with service factors in also!
I have a 60" Lazer with the 26 efi motor. I used a 72" lazer with the same motor and was WAY underpowered on the same property and same length of grass. the foot I gained in mowing was more than lost in speed. Now, the new diesel in the 72" would be awesome. I'd like to try one of those!

[Rookie]

To all who responded, thanks. I ended up with the Scag and so far, so good. I hope JLC's experience was the exception. Will post later if I run into similar problems.

"Rookie"

[JLC]

Do a search Rookie, I'm not the only one here who has had trouble with Scag.