I'm considering a Scag 61 21h... any input?

[bad_chad48]

Hello
I am considering to buy a Scag 61 inch cut mower. Do you all have any input on this mower. How long do they last? what is their major downfalls? How do they compare to other mowers?
thanks

[mdb landscaping]

walkbehind, ztr? engine? be more specific

[bad_chad48]

as you were.. it is a 22HP Turf Tiger...

[KirbysLawn]

I have seen several post from people not happy with their Scag mowers, others are happy. Do a scearch on Scag mowers and you should find some good info. Personaly I would buy Hustler, Dane, or Exmark.

http://lawnsite.com/search.php?action=showresults&searchid=61089&sortby=lastpost&sortorder=descending

[kutnkru]

I think that an even more appropriate question than what brand is what are your terrain and lot sizes consisting of??? If you are cutting mostly smaller lawns under 8m/sf than this is not a good choice.

If you are looking to target one or two major accounts than this still would not be a good choice. My personal belief is that it is never a good idea to buy equipment for a specific account(s).

I would base my decision based on what 90% of your clientel are or are expected to be if you are putting together a business plan.

Just my .02

[big james]

I tried a scag after owning exmarks. I would not buy one , they do have better spindles than exmark ,greasable tapered roller bearings in the spindles ,gotta like that!

[TLS]

I'd take sealed, NON greasable, ball bearing spindles before I'd take the SCAG spindle. Maintenance time savings are big with NON greasable spindles.

Nothing really wrong with SCAG's overall though, they have taken a beating in this forum. Maybe for a reason :confused:

[edward hedrick]

Iown a 1999 Scag STHM or Three wheel it fits under trees, look at a current one with the Advantage deck. I modified mine with
a Enginaire precleaner, a larger Kohler Muffler, I added baffles to the deck cuts 100% better. I can change the weight dist by lifting the deck. Cannot wheely you ride in back of mower not on top.
Drives with a foot pedal not joy sticks.

[mklawnman]

Hey Bad_Chad
I curently have a 52inch 23hp Kaw Turf Tiger. Great machine so far, have had it now for a year and love its speed along with the cut. Though on certain types of grasses it stripes funny, but on most of the lawns i do the stripes look great. The durablility of the machine is great i think. About the engine choice of the Turf Tiger, i talked to someone witha 61inch Turf Tiger 22hp Kaw and they wish they had the bigger motor. He bags the clippings so my guess is thats where the hp goes too alot. But if you dont bag i dont think there should be a problem with that motor on that Turf Tiger, though i think you will wish you had the bigger mower in thick tall grass.
Otherwise its a great heavy duty mower, shaft driven deck, and i think the newer Turf Tiger models have better pumps than the older ones, but that can all be debated.
Matt(Lawnman)

[Duncan IN]

Two Words--- Hydro Problems


Been there done that
DC Here I come!

[bad_chad48]

How many hours can be expected out of one of these machines? And about how many hours before the mower starts having problems?

[NC Big Daddy]

Chad,
The Turf Tiger is a fine mower. We've had no hydro problems at all. There was a recall on the gearbox but it was fixed fast 4 units in one day. If I were you I'd look at a bigger engine go with the 25hp (min). Remember there will be days when the grass is thick and wet. One more thing, the TT's we use are mostly used on very large areas b/c the cut is at best average (stripes). If you're looking for an extra fine cut (stripes) look at Exmarks (I know we have 3) or Walkers again we also have these units. I wont get into the drawbacks on the Walkers, I'll safe that for another post but they do have the BEST cut of any of our rider units.
Hope This Helps
Chris

[bad_chad48]

How does a person determine if
they are looking at a lemon or not? I have located two mowers.. one is about
an hour away and Is a Scag Turf Tiger ZTR Rider 61"cut with a 22 HP kohler
motor on it... I could probably get it for $5000 and it has a little less
than 500 hrs on it... Then I found another lawn mower it is a 2001 Scag Turf
Tiger 61" Lawn Mower 144 Hours with a 22 HP kawasaki motor on it for $6000
but it is 3 states away... which one would be the best deal?

[_GUNNER_8]

hi,
forget that scag, find u a exmark dealer!if u do get that scag,1 month into season u will be wishing u had more horsepower with 61 inch deck.:D

[slplow]

I had a 52" tiger it was great. Only had one problem with it , the clutch went on it at 150 hrs but after replaced had no problems with it.

[Robert Ewald]

I have a 2001 Scag turf Tiger with the 61 advantage deck and the 27 liquid cooled kawi on it and it does a great job. This is just my take on it but I really like both its cut and with the liquid cooled the way it is very quiet.

[Superior LC Inc]

I own 3 Turf Tigers 2) 61" 25 Kohler 1) 72" 27 W/C Kaw. Oldest has 1800 Hrs. No real problems. I did have to have a hydro worked on but not complete failure, just bearings led to a seal failure and oil leak. Go for the horsepower, my guys love the 27 Kaw. plenty of power. As far as the Kohlers no problems. Little oil consumption now, but what can I expect. I expect another 1000 hours, we'll see.