Scag or exmark

[Quality Lawn Care]

I'm looking into buying my first 48" rider and need help. I'm looking at Lesco, Scag and Exmark. I've all but ruled out lesco from what I've read, so that leaves scag and Exmark. The most important thing to me is quality of cut, I want it to stripe like a ball field. I know you can buy a stripping kit for a 52" Exmark, but I only want a 48" mover. My question is have any of you actually compared these two mowers together and with what results? Does anyone own one of these mowers that can tell me about the quality of cut? Thank you in advance for your help.

[BobbyBcuttin]

Qlc I own a 2001 turf tiger as far a stripping goes it leaves little to no strips

[odin]

We have the 48in lazer hp it cuts excellent but id recommend if at all possible the 52 lazer hp because the 48 has very little trim side.
That makes it tough going around landscaped areas that have lawn edgeing and retaining walls.Also the ground speed is faster on the 52.
We got the 48 because that was all the dealer had at that time and we needed the mower right then.
If a 48 is what you want tho it still cuts excellent.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

FORD, GM, DODGE.

eXmark

Hustler

Gravely


Humm

[65hoss]

You can't beat the cut of the eXmark! The factory at eXmark has some of the best people working there. As LGF said, its ford vs. chevy. But I demo'd both machines before I bought and I'll take the eXmark any day.

BTW, get the 52". The trim side is important and the extra speed is great too. You'll find that anywhere the 48" will go, so will the 52".

[Quality Lawn Care]

Wow - some great advise. Thank you

[Jim Feder]

I have a 48" scag cub and love it cut is just as good as my 48" scag w/b I like the scag cub and only paid 5800.00 for a 2001 with the 20 kolher air cooled.it is scag for me.
:D

[Wood Lawn Man]

I agree with Jim Feder. Not only does the 48" Tiger Cub provide an excellent cut, but you can get one for around $6000. With the new custom baffling on all Scag decks, you get great cut quality in every condition. Also, the striping kit you mentioned from Exmark can be easily adapted to fit on the 48" Cub, although I don't think you'll need it. :D

[TLS]

52" Exmark Lazer HP with 23hp Kawi.

Thats all!

[dlandscaping]

I am also going to be looking at these mowers. Another mower i am going to look at is the Toro walker look alike. They lowered the price to $8000 which is the same for the exmark and scag 48 riders here. I personally like the toro since you don't have a bagger hangin off the side. You can change from mulching to bagging easily without changing decks and bags and stripes very well. It also has a flip up deck making it short and easy to do blade changes on. I also am drawn to it over the fact it has 2 blades that cut in different directions causing no blowout. With the exmark and scag there is 3 blades and i am scared of blowout which is why i am getting rid of my 48 walkbehind. I am gonna ask around here about these machines since most deals for the riders end in March and grass doesn't grow till April/May.

good luck with your purchase and report back to which machine you picked.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Look at all the mowers you can, talk with the dealer.

You can't compare each of the mowers, as each MFG is almost really in their own class.

Each mower cut different grass types better than the other.

Lesco/Toro are for more southern grasses, eXmark, Hustler, Scag, etc.. more northen grasses.

What is the main grass type?

[Kerry Elliott]

See if you can get a demo. I get to take a Scag 61" Turf Tiger for a day long demo. After careful shopping, I took the Tiger. It is very fast but most of all it give a great cut in all types of conditions. :D

[65hoss]

Originally posted by dlandscaping
I am also going to be looking at these mowers. Another mower i am going to look at is the Toro walker look alike. They lowered the price to $8000 which is the same for the exmark and scag 48 riders here. I personally like the toro since you don't have a bagger hangin off the side. You can change from mulching to bagging easily without changing decks and bags and stripes very well. It also has a flip up deck making it short and easy to do blade changes on.

My advice is to think long and hard about this one. That machine has had some serious problems. Most people have found they spend more time down than running. I've heard this from several dealers and a few LCO's have verified it. If your looking for something like the Walker, I would suggest you get the Walker. For what the Walker does, its the best at it.

[C4chris70]

I have a friend who has an Exmark 52 w/25 kohler that he purchased a year ago. I recently purchased a Scag 52 TT w/22 liquid cooled Kawi. We have run these mowers side by side and found them both to be very comparable. I would take a look at the support available for each mower before making a choice. IMHO, both mowers are rock solid.

I know you said you are looking for a 48 inch mower, but I would seriously consider a 52 if at all possible. I just replaced a 48 inch Hustler Shortcut with my Scag (mainly due to support) and noticed a huge time savings. Just a thought.

[harperservices]

What's the use of buying any mower if you can't find support for it!

Make sure you can find local support! And find out how much will it cost for basic maintenance, parts, ect.

Find the most expensive part on that mower and find out how much is it going to cost to have it fixed.


I almost bought a Yazoo Kees at an excellent price but no one within 75 miles provided support or parts.

[yardman1]

I am a scag person, i own three of them my biggest is a 52'' Turf Tiger, I can cut 90% of my yards with it. I have demoed alot of mowers and my favorite is the scag. Toro/exmark and scag have the same hydro pumps and hydro motors, the scag is about 200 pounds heavier than the exmark and toro, which are the same mower pretty much. toro bought them about a year or so ago, so any of them are good.

In the south we have alot of bahia grass and the scag cuts it better than any other mower that I have seen. but that is my personal opinion, everyone has there favorites. but anyway you go you should not have a problem with either. good luck and happy cuttin.:blob2:

[dlandscaping]

just got back from exmark and the lazerhp is a real nice machine. the dealer is great, loaners, preference to landscapers, no downtime! He is a real "people person" and is looking to outfit me with the mower i need the most not the most expensive one. I really like the dealer and i am going to the open house next month to determine what mower i am going to buy.

[Doogiegh]

Originally posted by LAWNGODFATHER
Look at all the mowers you can, talk with the dealer.

Each mower cut different grass types better than the other.

Lesco/Toro are for more southern grasses, eXmark, Hustler, Scag, etc.. more northen grasses.

What is the main grass type?

Hey LGF,
Question for you: How does a lawn mower (mechanical piece of equipment) vary it's cutting ability based upon the type of grass that it is cutting?

I *thought* that all a lawn mower was, in primal form, was a machine that was whipping around a sharpened metal blade against some vegetative "pulp", creating a clean slice.

That would be kind of like saying that you need a different type of DRILL to drill in different types of wood, be it oak, pine or maple. Now, I can see that you may need a different type of BLADE to cut different grass, like you could use a different drill bit for different types of wood, but a different mower?

The only thing I can think of that may differ is the vaccuum properties of the deck itself, causing lift that changes the cut quality from mower to mower, or the blade tip speed may vary.

What else am I missing? Thanks guys

Gary

[dlandscaping]

from what lgf said here is something i can add.
the lesco and toro (floating) decks do not have front baffles like scag or exmark's decks.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Originally posted by Doogiegh


Hey LGF,
Question for you: How does a lawn mower (mechanical piece of equipment) vary it's cutting ability based upon the type of grass that it is cutting?

I *thought* that all a lawn mower was, in primal form, was a machine that was whipping around a sharpened metal blade against some vegetative "pulp", creating a clean slice.

That would be kind of like saying that you need a different type of DRILL to drill in different types of wood, be it oak, pine or maple. Now, I can see that you may need a different type of BLADE to cut different grass, like you could use a different drill bit for different types of wood, but a different mower?

The only thing I can think of that may differ is the vaccuum properties of the deck itself, causing lift that changes the cut quality from mower to mower, or the blade tip speed may vary.

What else am I missing? Thanks guys

Yup mowers cut grass types better at different heights. Vacuum, blades, baffles, discharge opening, blade tip speed, floating deck, etc....all factor in what grass type it will cut better at the height you want.

[johnhenry]

There is a lot of difference between the two.Every mower has there quirks. There is nothing wrong with the scag's . The exmark though you will be alot more happier with.The company is dealer friendly. And from what you said you wanted to stripe.The exmark has far better cut.

[JJOHN22042]

Well, thought I had bought the Exmark but went back to the dealer for the Last look. Well, the Dealer would not move on his Price one Penny also no free Bagger and repair work 2-3 Days.
Looked at the Exmark Metro HP for $3300 plus Bagger $3500.
Stopped at Scag Dealer he told me $2900 for the Scag plus Free Bagger and Service same day if Parts are in stock or Next Day if not. All I said was SOLD.


Sorry Exmark you lost this Sale...

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Oh my god dealer didn't garuntee same day service!!!!!!!!

Just wait till the Scag dealer does the same as the eXmark dealer said.

I have yet to find a dealer that will garuntee same day service.

BTW eXmark parts are free if you can't get them by next day air if ordered before 1pm.

[65hoss]

Originally posted by JJOHN22042
Well, thought I had bought the Exmark but went back to the dealer for the Last look. Well, the Dealer would not move on his Price one Penny also no free Bagger and repair work 2-3 Days.
Looked at the Exmark Metro HP for $3300 plus Bagger $3500.
Stopped at Scag Dealer he told me $2900 for the Scag plus Free Bagger and Service same day if Parts are in stock or Next Day if not. All I said was SOLD.


Sorry Exmark you lost this Sale...

You wanted something free. You wanted quality at a discount. Don't you just love how customers do that to you?

eXmark didn't lose anything. You did. Good luck, but when 30 guys are in his shop wanting same day service and all you did was buy 1 w/b who do you think will get serviced 1st. No dealer can guarentee same day service. Just to many variables for that. They can try to give it to you, but during the busy season it just doesn't always happen. You just heard what you needed to hear for him to make the sale. I've been down that road before myself. It very seldom works that way.

[Nebraska]

We purchase our equipment from a dealer that gives us a "no down time guarantee". He happens to be an Exmark dealer which is a plus in my opinion... But if it was another manufacturer dealer it would not matter. This switched us by even giving us loners on non-exmark equipment. What's the value of never being down? Priceless!!! or rather equal to lost revenue of a customer that leaves multiplied by the years you expect to retain them. Let's say a small residential is worth 1500 a year and you can keep them for ten years...they leave cause you can't show...what's that add to?

[65hoss]

Originally posted by Nebraska
We purchase our equipment from a dealer that gives us a "no down time guarantee". He happens to be an Exmark dealer which is a plus in my opinion... But if it was another manufacturer dealer it would not matter. This switched us by even giving us loners on non-exmark equipment. What's the value of never being down? Priceless!!! or rather equal to lost revenue of a customer that leaves multiplied by the years you expect to retain them. Let's say a small residential is worth 1500 a year and you can keep them for ten years...they leave cause you can't show...what's that add to?


What happens when 25 people that have the same guarentee show up during the busy season on the same day? My point is, sometimes its impossible to make that. Intentions may be good, but they are just that...Intentions. My dealers go out of their way to keep me up and running. Of couse I spent some major money with all of them. But not always can they take care of it just when I walk thru the door.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Originally posted by 65hoss
You wanted something free. You wanted quality at a discount. Don't you just love how customers do that to you?


That's my line!!!:D

One thing I can't stand is penny pinchers.

What's the price of the correct tool for the job, ANYONE KNOW?

[GarPA]

Related to what 65HOSS said.....DO NOT believe that dealer line about how "we'll give you a loaner when your mower is down" .
I'd bet you my Exmark HP52(HOSS...hows that for a little slippery Exmark marketing!) that this dealer says this to every prospective customer. Now how many loaner mowers do you think he'll have to maintain in order to honor this "promise".My dealer is very reputable here in PA...fair prices, prompt service ...and brutally honest...told me point blank he holds back a "few riders" for loaners to small operators first ....he says these mowers are always on loan "so don't assume there will be one available when you need it". You need to formulate a back up plan when your mower is in the shop....if that means walking with a 21" then just plan on it happening...Murphys Law guarantees it will

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Loaner mowers equal high over head for a dealer just like back up mower for you and I.

Don't ever count on getting one. My dealer has 0 loaners.

They one dealer that had loaners is out of biz.

[rodfather]

My dealer has a loaner...it's my old Ferris 52" WB that I traded in last year. I guess he hasn't been able to sell it.

[Administrator]

My old dealer actually delivered a loaner to the job site and picked up my mower for service at the same time.

I can remember when my new Scag 52" Turf Tiger had several "issues" .... I had a loaner for as long as a week at a time. Smitty's Lawn & Garden in Kansas, ... Dealer name Scott, Store owner was Ellis.

[Kerry Elliott]

:angry: So we have established that ..... all lawn equipment salespeople are lying and just want you to buy something from them, no matter what they have to promise you.

And which one of us "PROFESSIONALS" didn't already know that.

Come on.... raise you hand . . . .

That's what I thought.:p

[TLS]

JJOHN22042,

Were the Exmark and Scag walkbehinds both EQUAL in size/hp and gear/hydro?

The SCAG walkbehind isn't a bad mower, not the BEST cut out there, but still not all that bad. The Exmark walkbehind is a better cutting machine, but isn't as heavily built as the SCAG walkbehind.

Now if were talking ZTR's, Exmark wins hands down!

[Nebraska]

Sorry guys but this one does!

[JJOHN22042]

The Scag is a Fixed Deck 15hp 48'' Deck. I really liked the Exmark but the sales person kept changing his story and changed the Price twice in 30 days. The Scag Dealer spent about one hour showing me his Shop and showing the changes on Scag for this year. He also gave me a FREE lunch.. Plus the Bagger.

I have used this Dealer before if they tell you it will be done today they have it done. Plus they will give you a mower to use while yours is down. The other plus is only two miles from my House.

[Kerry Elliott]

:jester: That is a person's prefrence on dealers, not an actual plus or minus for the brand of mower.

I also have a Scag dealer that I can trust. I have delt with him on some other brands and he has always done what he said that he would do. Nothing more, but nothing less.

I personally have never used an Exmark, but I am very happy with the cut of my Scag. I am very picky about the curb appeal of a lawn and Scag gives me what I want. Where I live we have a lot of long grasses, my John Deere walkbehind would leave stragglers of grass and you woould have to double cut in spots. My Turf Tiger does not do that. It leaves a smooth even cut, even at high speeds. My customers have commented on what a good cut I give them.

That's what I promised them and that's what I delivered:cool: period

[toby]

Any legitimate or at least professional LCO should have their own back-ups & have no need for dealer loaners or same day service.

[Nebraska]

Having to find a reason to legitimize your lack of work?

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Originally posted by toby
Any legitimate or at least professional LCO should have their own back-ups & have no need for dealer loaners or same day service.

So what you're saying is, if you don't have a back up mower then you're not a professional LCO?

I guess you just cleariffied that 97% of the members hers are not professionals.

I did get the point though.
Nebraska; Having to find a reason to legitimize your lack of work?
HUH?:confused:

[Nebraska]

Any legitimate or at least professional LCO should have their own back-ups & have no need for dealer loaners or same day service

Having to find a reason to legitimize your lack of work?

[LakewoodLawnCare]

I bought a Scag Turf Tiger 61" in '99, and it stripes wonderfully, i've been completely satisfied with it, but i'd say if i had to do it over again, i would go the eXmark route....

[65hoss]

I guess I'm a professional. I've got backups for everything. :D

I understand his point. Most people that have been doing this a while usually have extra parts, equipment and trucks. Also, the knowledge of what parts to keep in shop and on truck.