Due to the interest on LS I decided to review the new Scag walk behind SWZT. Like all of my reviews these are my honest opinions and feelings based on my personal experience. They are not intended to offend anyone or be taken as absolute fact. I try not to start brand wars but I will compare other brands that I have experience with.
Honestly I went into this review with a negative view on the SWZT. Im a huge fan of Scags velocity deck and couldnt understand why it was not on this mower. Also I was under the impression that this was a high end home owner/entry level commercial unit based on Scags info that I read online and the original literature calling the deck the freedom deck. Well I was kind of right and wrong ..and didnt realize what the SWZTs niche market was until I started to operate it.
SWZT - Product Highlights:
36" or 48" Scag commercial-grade, fabricated cutter deck options
Ultra-comfortable, highly ergonomic control system
Powerful Kawasaki engine options (481FS and 541FS)
Dual hydraulic ZT-2800 transaxle drive system with cooling fans
Heavy gauge handle tower and main frame for durability
Ground speeds up to 7.4mph for more productivity
5.5 gallon fuel tank with built-in fuel gauge and cup holder
Sealed, no maintenance, aluminum blade drive spindles
Flat-Free front caster tires
Massive skid plates to protect the bottom of the mower and drive system
SWZT - Product Dimensions 36" SWZT 48"SWZT
Length: 75.5" 75.5"
Height: 44" 44"
Tracking Width: 36.25" 41.5"
Width (chute down) 48.5" 60.5"
Width (chute up) 37" 49"
Weight: 550 lbs. 585 lbs.
So I went to my Scag dealer this morning to take my first look at the SWZT in person. My first impressions were it has the typical great Scag craftsmanship and fit and finish. Perfect welds and powder coat. The machines layout was thought out very well. The build is of great quality but I have to be honest the frame is tiny as are the front casters and wheels. I was turned off by this at first but now understand that this was intentional. After spending 10 minutes or so inspecting the machine I was able to operate it in the dealers back lot and parking lot for about 20 minutes.
Now the good stuff!! The new SWZT is the smoothest WB I have ever operated!!! The ZT2800s operated like silk and are super responsive. Also the best reverse I have ever used on a WB, very fast. I tried to scuff the tires during zero turns on tar and sand with no luck. The way the trans was designed is to almost eliminate one tire stopping completely. I couldnt believe how light the machine felt and how light the foot print was. Scag hit a home run with these controls. They are in the perfect position and dont have a long pull for guys with small hands. The controls felt stiff with the machine off and parked but when in operation they are the easiest controls I have ever used (the least effort). Better than the ESC and DD controls IMO. I have not tried the Z style controls on a WB yet so I cant compare to those. Within minutes I was completely comfortable with the machine. The deck height system is amazing!
So after operating this machine I realized what it was designed for. Small high end residential and commercial accounts that cant take the weight of a full sized ZTR, WB or Stander. Accounts that are smooth and with high quality turf that requires little to no impact. BOP fans will LOVE this machine!! What this machine is not is a mower you send out to large rough properties, have crew members curb hop or areas that have a chance of impacts on rocks, foreclosure properties etc. etc. Its just not built like the SWZ that can take a crazy amount of abuse. I consider it a small framed mower that has a niche market, a huge niche market. High end gated yards, commercial/residential properties in town or small suburb yards.
Pros
Smooth operation
Light footprint
Great Reverse
Controls/Comfort
Easy on turf
Deck Height System
Gas gauge
Cons
Tiny frame, casters, front end and tires
Not the velocity deck
Deck only has a 10 gauge top (sides are 7 gauge)
No anti scalp wheels
Next week I will be going back to my dealer to see if I can get a full demo. When I do I will continue my review. Which will be on cut quality and this mysterious deck .The deck opening did appear good sized and it has high lift blades. It did not have adjustable baffles or much protection around the skirt.
Enjoy the pics
Honestly I went into this review with a negative view on the SWZT. Im a huge fan of Scags velocity deck and couldnt understand why it was not on this mower. Also I was under the impression that this was a high end home owner/entry level commercial unit based on Scags info that I read online and the original literature calling the deck the freedom deck. Well I was kind of right and wrong ..and didnt realize what the SWZTs niche market was until I started to operate it.
SWZT - Product Highlights:
36" or 48" Scag commercial-grade, fabricated cutter deck options
Ultra-comfortable, highly ergonomic control system
Powerful Kawasaki engine options (481FS and 541FS)
Dual hydraulic ZT-2800 transaxle drive system with cooling fans
Heavy gauge handle tower and main frame for durability
Ground speeds up to 7.4mph for more productivity
5.5 gallon fuel tank with built-in fuel gauge and cup holder
Sealed, no maintenance, aluminum blade drive spindles
Flat-Free front caster tires
Massive skid plates to protect the bottom of the mower and drive system
SWZT - Product Dimensions 36" SWZT 48"SWZT
Length: 75.5" 75.5"
Height: 44" 44"
Tracking Width: 36.25" 41.5"
Width (chute down) 48.5" 60.5"
Width (chute up) 37" 49"
Weight: 550 lbs. 585 lbs.
So I went to my Scag dealer this morning to take my first look at the SWZT in person. My first impressions were it has the typical great Scag craftsmanship and fit and finish. Perfect welds and powder coat. The machines layout was thought out very well. The build is of great quality but I have to be honest the frame is tiny as are the front casters and wheels. I was turned off by this at first but now understand that this was intentional. After spending 10 minutes or so inspecting the machine I was able to operate it in the dealers back lot and parking lot for about 20 minutes.
Now the good stuff!! The new SWZT is the smoothest WB I have ever operated!!! The ZT2800s operated like silk and are super responsive. Also the best reverse I have ever used on a WB, very fast. I tried to scuff the tires during zero turns on tar and sand with no luck. The way the trans was designed is to almost eliminate one tire stopping completely. I couldnt believe how light the machine felt and how light the foot print was. Scag hit a home run with these controls. They are in the perfect position and dont have a long pull for guys with small hands. The controls felt stiff with the machine off and parked but when in operation they are the easiest controls I have ever used (the least effort). Better than the ESC and DD controls IMO. I have not tried the Z style controls on a WB yet so I cant compare to those. Within minutes I was completely comfortable with the machine. The deck height system is amazing!
So after operating this machine I realized what it was designed for. Small high end residential and commercial accounts that cant take the weight of a full sized ZTR, WB or Stander. Accounts that are smooth and with high quality turf that requires little to no impact. BOP fans will LOVE this machine!! What this machine is not is a mower you send out to large rough properties, have crew members curb hop or areas that have a chance of impacts on rocks, foreclosure properties etc. etc. Its just not built like the SWZ that can take a crazy amount of abuse. I consider it a small framed mower that has a niche market, a huge niche market. High end gated yards, commercial/residential properties in town or small suburb yards.
Pros
Smooth operation
Light footprint
Great Reverse
Controls/Comfort
Easy on turf
Deck Height System
Gas gauge
Cons
Tiny frame, casters, front end and tires
Not the velocity deck
Deck only has a 10 gauge top (sides are 7 gauge)
No anti scalp wheels
Next week I will be going back to my dealer to see if I can get a full demo. When I do I will continue my review. Which will be on cut quality and this mysterious deck .The deck opening did appear good sized and it has high lift blades. It did not have adjustable baffles or much protection around the skirt.
Enjoy the pics