Scag Tiger Cub 48"

[Funky]

Looking to move up from my 48" W/B to a 48" ZTR. I only have about 1.5 acres, but am interested in doing whatever I can to streamline maintenance. Going with a ZTR will not only be faster (I can only walk so fast behind the W/B), but will allow me to attach things like tow-behind baggers/leaf collectors and fertilizer spreaders.

My yard is fairly level (except for the roadside culvert) and fairly wooded, so maneuverability and easy of trimming along beds and tree rings is a big plus for me. The grass is a mostly rye with some KBG mixed in.

The closest dealer to be sells Walkers and Scags. They're a decent dealer and I wouldn't mind giving them more business. They have a 48" Scag Tiger Cub for sale right now (2006 model) with the 24 hp Briggs engine. Asking $6,000 for it.

Though I'd like a super comfortable ride (like a Ferris), I do also want a good quality cut (heard the Ferris cuts are not great). I'd be willing to sacrifice some comfort for cost since I'd be on the machine only an hour or so a week.

What are your thoughts on the Tiger Cub? How much do you think the dealer would knock off if I buy before year end?

Thanks

[jkingrph]

Do not know about discounts, but that price seems about right. My neighbor bought one last spring, an 05 model and paid that with a 19hp Kawasaki. He and his son have been mowing their yard, his fathers, both about 1 1/2 acres ea, and around his plant farm( greenhouse operation)
and liked and recommended it so well that I bought the next model up, a Wildcat and mus say that it is a fantastic machine.

[Mic_bug]

dealer might knock off more if you wait till the snow flies......

[grass_cuttin_fool]

Im not sure how much if any discount you will get. But it is a really nice mower,I have the same mower with a different engine. It is a real nice machine

wayne

[fivestarlawnken]

scag will last you a long time!!Built tough and fairly easy to work on

[steve45]

I have 1.3 acres that I mow with my 48" Tiger Cub. I have a Scag grass catcher. I don't understand why you would want a tow-behind bagger. I would think that it would be hard to use with a ZTR.

I have no idea about discounts. When I was shopping, nobody was discounting. I got the impression that Scag wouldn't allow discounts. I bought a used machine.

[MOW PRO LAWN SERVICE]

Scags a top mower don't know much on the new briggs they do have a two year warranty.

[Funky]

I have 1.3 acres that I mow with my 48" Tiger Cub. I have a Scag grass catcher. I don't understand why you would want a tow-behind bagger. I would think that it would be hard to use with a ZTR.

I have no idea about discounts. When I was shopping, nobody was discounting. I got the impression that Scag wouldn't allow discounts. I bought a used machine.

My thinking on the tow-behind is purely a function of time ... I have a ton a leaves in the fall and if I'm going to spring for a bagger of some sort, I'd rather go bigger than smaller ... this was, less stopping when the leaves are down. Also less stopping when the grass is tall. My usual mows are from 90 minutes to two hours, depending. With catching the grass in my Rack 'Em catcher, it has gone to over four hours .... I'd rather spend that time playing with my kids or wife, depending on my mood!

[grass_cuttin_fool]

I pull this with my scag tiger cub........the only way to go for leaves

wayne

[MOW PRO LAWN SERVICE]

Cool,looks like you have it under control.

[johnwon]

I gave the same mower a lot of thought. The model with the Briggs for $6,000.00 is a promotion that Scagg put together. There are a couple of things that make that model cheaper than the same model with the Kawasaki. The Briggs model don't have the hinged roll bar, something about the front tires a little different too. This may not matter to you but you should be aware that they are not the same exact mower with just a different engine. My local dealer tried to present it as being all the same as the Kawasaki version with such a big difference in price....but after careful study I see some other cost cutting difference in the machine. If you plan on using the belt drive bagger system you may want to consider the Kawasaki 19HP model because the torque is more than the Briggs. The Briggs is lower than one would think for such a big cc engine. I can't remember what it is right off hand but it is worth looking into it before you buy. I think that the Kawasaki that Scagg uses is the big 19HP 675cc engine??? This too would be worth confirming. If I have a chance to confirm my info, I'll post back here again.

[johnwon]

Hi: I checked into this some more....the Briggs max torque is 33 ft. lbs. on the Scag web site. I could not find any info on which cc 19HP Kawasaki they use. I see that the smaller "585cc" 19HP Kawasaki is rated at 36.6 ft. lbs. max. torque. If it has the bigger 19HP Kamasaki then that would be around 39 ft. lbs. max. torque. I see also the promotion unit does not have the "fully adjustable" steering control levers. The Kawasaki unit will have the big canister type air filter too.

[Funky]

I pull this with my scag tiger cub........the only way to go for leaves

wayne

That's the bagger i was thinking of getting. i looked at the DR Leaf, but can't really verify the added cause for it vs. the amount of usage it would get. Do you like your Cyclone Rake?

[grass_cuttin_fool]

I love the CR, its the best money I think I ever spent. I purchased the largest version they make, If I had it to do over again.......I would get the next size smaller.........still holds alot and is more like the scag. My scag has the 48'' deck and the CR is 54'' wide, The mower will go where the CR doesnt. The next size smaller is 48-49 inches wide.


wayne

[Grass-Masters]

I just got a tiger cub 48" with a 21hp kawasaki, it seems to be a real nice machine.

[cobbonthecorn]

For what it's worth I was looking at the Tiger Cubs too but decided they were just too big for my garage and lot. But, in the process I managed to collect some useful info that is still relevant. The promo unit you are looking at can be had for about $5700 out the door. (The $6000 in you post probably doesn't have the $300+ in taxes added to it.)

Next, I was seriously considering going to look at the TC that Wayne posted in this thread, last I knew he wanted about $4000, and there was a similar unit in southern Ohio for the same money listed in the used equipment adds on this site. That particular mower, in Ohio, can be found by searching for "scag" in the used equipment forum and looking at the one titled "dixie and scag". The owner was considering trading it in so it may still be available. He was very helpful when I call him.

Good luck.

[delliott02]

I have had my 48" for 4 yrs and paided the same price you have been quoted back then. I mow a cemetary that takes 9 hrs to mow, this is an awsome machine and to adjust the mower height is the best and easiest to use.

[Runzwiscizzers]

I moved into a house last July, and like you I have 1.5 mowable acres. Lots of (maybe 15) large trees.

I bought the 48" Scag Tiger Cub from a local dealer/friend. Paid just under $6000 (2005 model). It has the 19hp Kawasaki engine.

I can honestly say that once I familiarized myself with the operation of the machine (turning without tearing up turf) it is an awesome machine, and does everything I wanted it to. Takes me about 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours to mow the lawn.

As fall approached and I watched anxiously, as the leaves turned brown, my friends here at LAWNSITE.COM recommended Gator mulching blades, which I purchased and installed. I never raked a leaf. I had to mow over some areas a couple of times, and there was residue when I was done mulching, but over a period of a month of doing this once a week, all the leaves were eventually dust. Never picked up a rake. I am quite pleased with my purchase.

[delliott02]

I moved into a house last July, and like you I have 1.5 mowable acres. Lots of (maybe 15) large trees.

I bought the 48" Scag Tiger Cub from a local dealer/friend. Paid just under $6000 (2005 model). It has the 19hp Kawasaki engine.

I can honestly say that once I familiarized myself with the operation of the machine (turning without tearing up turf) it is an awesome machine, and does everything I wanted it to. Takes me about 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours to mow the lawn.

As fall approached and I watched anxiously, as the leaves turned brown, my friends here at LAWNSITE.COM recommended Gator mulching blades, which I purchased and installed. I never raked a leaf. I had to mow over some areas a couple of times, and there was residue when I was done mulching, but over a period of a month of doing this once a week, all the leaves were eventually dust. Never picked up a rake. I am quite pleased with my purchase.


Where did the blades come from , are they a blade from scag and do you need to use the blade discharge cover plate?

[jkingrph]

Where did the blades come from , are they a blade from scag and do you need to use the blade discharge cover plate?

They are aftermarket blades, available at some dealers and internet suppliers. Try Mow Parts.com. I find they work well, prefer not to use a discharge cover plate . With a plate I get more front blow out and get to breathe too much dust. They do a good job of chopping leaves. You might try a blade combo, like a high lift on one spindle then gators on the others, and see what you think works best.

Jeff