Which Scag?

[Sam's Mowing]

I am starting a Lawn Maintenance business in the spring, and have decided I am going to go with a Scag zero turn. I am planning on buying new, but am open to any suggestions. I am leaning towards the Scag Cheetah with a 52" deck (not sure which engine yet). Since it will cost me around $10,500, I am wondering if I should instead go with the Freedom Z (52") until I get a solid client base and income, and can buy the Cheetah without financing. A buddy of mine told me I should also look at the Tiger Cat, which is priced in between the Freedom Z and Cheetah. I would like to know what you guys think (as you guys already went through the start up process) and I appreciate any help you can give me.

Thanks in advance!

[Tyler7692]

I wouldn't get the Cheetah...especially if your doing smaller residential yards. You'll never use its capabilities that you are paying so much for.


Save your money, get the Tiger Cat. At max, get the Turf Tiger, but the Cat should serve you many many years very well, if properly maintained.

[Sam's Mowing]

Thanks for the comment! I will probably end up getting the tiger cat. Which engine should I get with it?
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[LibertyFarmLandscaping]

I would get a used walk behind off CL to start with.
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[Dylan's Lawn Care]

how big is a residential yard in your area?

[PabsMaster]

If the yards were large enough for a ZTR to used, by which it makes sense to use one on those properties. If so then go with the freedom or like in the previous post a cat at most. Me personally to save money would look for a used ZTR in good shape, and if all went well then I would go buy a new one, and keep the old as a backup or sell it. I started my business, with a mower from Craiglist, and after a year I then satisfied the needs for a Scag SFW walk behind.

Hope this helps, and good luck!

Pabs

[SRT8]

Search Craigslist for a used one. Recently i found a little Freedom Z with 8 hours and i got it for $2500.
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[S&M Landscapes]

I have a tt, and a tiger cat, personally for my res. Accounts the cat is hard to beat the tt is overkill.

The freedom z here in ga is quite a bit cheaper than a tiger cat.

Never used a freedom z...
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[No Weeds Left Behind]

I just started this year and I got a walk behind off craigslist. I would definitely find it hard to justify spending that money. Unless you have some kind of big contract that would pay for the mower in a couple months. I would avoid that much debt if at all possible. But next year if business is good and you can make enough to pay it off or even save for the second year then pay for it i would do that. My opinion

[caseysmowing]

Just starting out and only having one mower I would look at stander if I were you. I just started this year and I find myself using it more than my ztr. Just a suggestion.