02' scag turf tiger demo

[captdevo]

i had a chance to run a Scag Turf Tiger today....what a POS...in my own humble opinion!

23hp efi liquid cooled Kawasaki, suspension seat, 60" deck.

the controls are real hard to push, as a friend said..."it's like pushing a loaded wheelbarrow around, who wants to do that"

i opened it up on flat ground and it bounced and rattled like crazy.

the whole machine was just too busy...meaning alot of nuts and bolts and moving parts ... very few welds.

i didn't care for the clutch system with it's long pto.

why would anyone buy this machine?

they do make a nice walk behind, but they need to go back to the drawing board with their ztr'.

i realize this will get stuff stirred, but it's just my .02

if your looking for a mid-mount ztr...steer clear of scag and go run a hustler, dixie or an exmark.

[P&J Lawncare]

I totally agree with you and if I aint mistaken the mower that you demo'd is totally redesigned allready (they changed alot of stuff this year) so it will probably be designed this way for a while.

[Evan528]

I agree also. I had a chance to use my buddys new tiger for a day last year. That machine rode to bumpy I almost flew out of the seat a couple times! The cut quality is also about as bad as that of the toro z master if not worse! Stringers every where! I also dont understand why anyone would buy them besides the fact that there cool looking machines! :laugh:

[Mark]

I have a friend who has been is this business now for 19yrs and all he uses are the Turf Tigers and his lawns always look very nice, i believe its the operators that don't know how to run the machine,and never change-out blades,or clean there decks and such, and as far as the Toro, my 62 Z-Master gives a excellent cut.....My 52" Scag walkbehind also gives a great cut and stripe... Marks Mowing Service

[captdevo]

mark...have you run one?

ask your friend to let ya or go demo a new one, then tell us what you think.


it's a shame after 19 years he hasn't learned there are other machines far more superior than these things....

[LawnSmith]

i run turf tigers as well including a 2002 w/27 kaw. i couldnt DISagree with you more on your opinions.
if the end result continues to look like this from SCAG, they will always be "Simply The Best"..............

[yardman1]

I had a chance to run a 2002 turf tiger with the 27 kawisaki and i loved it, i am going to buy one in a couple of months. I already own a 52" tiger and it cuts excellent, but that is my .02 cents. I have ran exmark and it does not cut bahia grass worth a s#@% it had brand new blades and it left strigers all over the place, my turf tiger does not.:D

[LawnSmith]

one more

[captdevo]

i didn't say it didn't cut good...that is a nice job, but it rides like ****!

doesn't it?

any problems with things coming loose and/or rattling?

it's not a machine i would want to be on for more than 5 minutes....in fact, i think it jarred my back (know any good ambulance chasers?)..lol

[mklawnman]

I have a 2001 Tiger 52inch 23Kaw on it. Yes the ride can be a bit harsh on rough terrian but you get used to it, Scag also makes those suspension seats you have to order it special otherwise you get the standard seat.
The control levers are fairly easy to use, controls are easy, um its built like a tank, and the PTO clutch hasnt let me down at all.
Only thing im disappointed is the striping on some lawns, i can get stripes like Lawnsmith but on others it leaves a funny looking mark down the middle of the stripe. Still working on trying to get that to go away. But it cuts everything alright, doubles on the thing work great, have little to no power loss and it cuts the grass up that you barely see the clippings.
Scag makes good walkbehinds, just have to work on redesigning there ZTR decks more.
Id buy a new Tiger anyday with the big Kaw on it
Matt (lawnman)

[watatrp]

For those of you that are die hard Exmark fans, I bought a Scag Turf Tiger this spring. I started out wanting an Exmark. Ended up w/ a 27hp LC Scag. I but the two machines side by side and made the decision. The Scag just seemed a little more engineered. I use Bobcat offset blades on it and it seems to give a better cut. My dealer sells both Exmark and Scag. In past years, Exmark had been outselling Scag 2-1. This year, with the redesigned Turf Tigers, he can't keep them on the showroom floor. To each his own. I will say that for a person who was set on an Exmark, Scag impressed me enough to sway my decision.

[ProMo]

i had 1 8 yrs ago with motor under seat the engine turned inside out at 1000 hrs guess it didnt get good air circ they changed it since or maybe not a freind just called the other day just went out of warranty with 400 hrs and boom cracked head his machine is serviced at the dealer even oil changes so i think its safe to say its not a maint issue

[Oliver1850]

I run a 2001 Laser Z and a 2002 Scag Tiger Cub. Even though the wheel base is shorter on the Tiger Cub, it rides much better than the Exmark. Scag did a great job with the 2002 improvements.
In addition, the Exmark is more prone to scalping than the Scag, especially over septic fields. This is probably due to the lack of full length scalp wheels behind the deck on the Exmark.

[sdwally]

We have three of the 2001 Sabre Tooth Tigers (B&S 31hp turbo diesel) with 72" deck and mulching plates. In heavy grass they hardly slow down and still mulch in one pass. Ours are equiped with the deluxe seats and do not ride rough.
The only drawback we have so far is that the clutches are not holding up to this diesel engine's power. However, we keep one clutch in stock and it takes about 15 minutes or less to change. Talked to Scag and they are working with Ougra on the clutch problem and will continue to warranty our clutches.
As far as that "long PTO shaft", you actually have less loss of horsepower to the deck with a PTO shaft than with belts. That is one reason Exmark uses two belts instead of one to power their deck on their 31hp gas and 28hp diesel.

[Oliver1850]

sdwally,

Check with your dealer regarding an upgrade of the Ogura clutch for 2002. I am almost certain the clutch's on all Scag's were improved for 2002. The Sabre Tooth's got the GT4 bumped to 250 lbs.

[LawnSmith]

Originally posted by Oliver1850
sdwally,

Check with your dealer regarding an upgrade of the Ogura clutch for 2002. I am almost certain the clutch's on all Scag's were improved for 2002. The Sabre Tooth's got the GT4 bumped to 250 lbs.

you are correct. the regular TTs got an upgraded clutch as well.

[Jimbo]

Bought a 2002 Scag Tiger Cub 52" 23HP Kawi this year and I am very pleased. I have not used other brands, so I will not bash them.

I have used this machine for cutting residential, and commercial properties. I also cut some properties (fields) that should be cut with a Bush Hog (but I don't have one), so I use my Scag. The rough stuff is 7"- 9" High weeds which I cut down to 5" every two weeks (AND I DON'T GET ANY STRINGERS) even when the grass is damp in the morning. Furthermore it cuts the mess so fine it looks like a yard when Im finished. I am going slow though since the terrain is so rough, but thats still close to 4" of weeds/ grass being cut off.

Seems pretty good to me so why would I want to try another brand. Plus the Scag Catseye Orange paint matches my Stihl trimmers pretty well. Looks much more professional having matching equipment. Anyone agree?

Jimbo

[chariot]

Jimbo, I thought that my Great Dane was doing a good job also. I thought that until I tried the eXmark. I cannot believe the difference in the ride, controls, cut quality. The eXmark is an all around better machine than what I thought could not be topped. I also like that the red on it matches my Shindaiwa. 2002 Lazer 60" EPS.

[ProMo]

not sure if my next mower will be an exmark still having problems with cut quality on my 36 it rained all weekend so i have not been able to get under the mower yet I am impressed with the customer service,need a 48 as soon as my ex and dc are paid off in the next 2-3 months will probably wait until start of next growing season to make purchase