Finally got my Cheetah. Got it with the 36 hp big block, and 61" velocity plus deck (standard deck)
Cut some 3 week growth (st. aug, super thick) at about 3/4 full forward speed and she didn't skip a beat, or a single blade of grass for that matter. Deck was set at 3.5"
Cut some 2 week old st aug mixed with random weeds, same results, but at full forward speed. Both scenarios were in low gear.
Tried to cut some thick random weeds in HI gear (16 mph) and it actually cut better than my old Hustler fasttrak super duty did at full speed, but it did leave a couple stragglers here and there, although I definitely DO NOT reccomend cutting in HI. I was also instructed to NOT cut in high when I picked up the mower, and that HI is strictly for transport purposes.
The power it has is absolutely amazing, I think I might have bogged it 2 times at most cutting as fast as it would let me. Cutting at 16 mph is just STUPID fast, and not very nerve wracking. I didnt get a chance to cut pure grass at full speed in HI, but it cut extremely well on the stuff I did cut.
In low, it will cut at full speed with no hesitation, and no missed blades of grass.
I will be installing a mulching kit next week and report back how it does.
I will also get some pictures up later for all you picture whores
I'm looking forward to hearing more about your Cheetah experience.
I think you have the best big block mower engine built today, and yes, contrary to popular belief, there are areas that can be cut at 15 mph. When I say 15, I'm taking into consideration the blade an grass drag pulling at least 1 mph off its 16 mph top speed. The only thing that would make the engine better would be a closed loop fuel injection system, and I understand this is being worked on.
The TT was $200 more and came with a 35 big block versus the 36 that the cheetah has. Only reason for the power difference is the cheetah uses a vertical shaft and the TT uses a horizontal shaft.
I'm looking forward to hearing more about your Cheetah experience.
I think you have the best big block mower engine built today, and yes, contrary to popular belief, there are areas that can be cut at 15 mph. When I say 15, I'm taking into consideration the blade an grass drag pulling at least 1 mph off its 16 mph top speed. The only thing that would make the engine better would be a closed loop fuel injection system, and I understand this is being worked on.
Im looking forward to actually getting to use it! Lol. Too much rain lately. And I honestly don't think I will ever be able to open it up and cut at anything above 12ish, the terrain is too rough for one, and the high speed uses up a ton of power. Time will tell though. Hopefully tuesday or wednesday I will be able to get out to my big property (the reason I bought it) to open it up and try it out, but that is pending on what this storm that is brewing decides to do
congrats on the cheetah, every time i cut my bigger lawns and the customer is watching they say its quite entertaining to see me cut the lawn on then new machine vs. my 48" tiger cub i had, they can't believe how fast it is and how nice it cuts at the speeds i'm going, not that my tiger cub with the advantage deck didn't cut great but the cheetah is animal on all my accounts even the pickiest customers i have in million dollar houses comment on how perfect the lawn looks when i'm and how much attention to detail i have compared to anyone else they have used in the past. i really wanna demo a 72 and see what kinda times i can shave off each lawn right now. anyways congrats and have fun with it.
I had a cop friend radar the cheetah in both high and low. In low, scag says it does 12, it did under 10 (radar gun doesn't pick up anything under 10). In high, scag says it should do 16, and it did 14. I am dropping it off at the dealer tomorrow so they can make it go the speed it is supposed to.
As for cut quality, so far so good. I will also be getting the mulching plate installed tomorrow, so we will see what happens.
Lots of people ask about the visibility of the deck...well...that all depends on how you have the seat adjusted. It tilts back for enough to make you want to fall asleep. it also slides forwards and backwards a good ways, so I dont see any reason for anyone to have any issues at all seeing the edge of the deck. I will update more as I get some more seat time.
I will be very interested in knowing if you dealer gets more speed from your Cheetah. The only Cheetah I know of that was checked accurately, because of being done by a certified land surveyor, did meet the advertised 16 mph speed.
The police radar should be very accurate as well, so it will be interesting to see if your speed is changed by the dealer.
I just spoke with my nephew which is a NC Highway Patrol Officer, he told me their radar was accurate to within 1 mph, not as accurate as I would have thought.
I will be very interested in knowing if you dealer gets more speed from your Cheetah. The only Cheetah I know of that was checked accurately, because of being done by a certified land surveyor, did meet the advertised 16 mph speed.
The police radar should be very accurate as well, so it will be interesting to see if your speed is changed by the dealer.
I just spoke with my nephew which is a NC Highway Patrol Officer, he told me their radar was accurate to within 1 mph, not as accurate as I would have thought.
I called the dealer today, since I didnt have time to bring it in, just to ask some questions.
I was informed that per scag, the term "up to" means it doesnt HAVE to do 12/16, but just somewhere close. I was told they will look at it but not necesarily do anything about it. I ahve a friend with a tachometer, and tomorrow we are going to check rpm's.
I am still extremely pleased with the cut quality. It doesnt chop up the grass very well but it cuts it very quickly and cleanly and spreads it very evenly. I now have about 6 hours on the machine and the blades still look brand new, and there is minimal clumping on the underside of the deck.
I also experimented with the seat some today. I have it adjusted a good bit back and I can still see the deck edge. I have VERY good depth perception so untill I read about other people's issues with seeing the deck I never realized that I didnt even look at mine. It was a bit weird cutting today and trying to look at the deck but I am starting to get used to it.
I also started off on 2 full tanks of gas over the weekend, to check fuel consumption. So far I am not pleased, as the gauge is saying I have burned almost half a tank in just 2 hours.
I called the dealer today, since I didnt have time to bring it in, just to ask some questions.
I was informed that per scag, the term "up to" means it doesnt HAVE to do 12/16, but just somewhere close. I was told they will look at it but not necesarily do anything about it. I ahve a friend with a tachometer, and tomorrow we are going to check rpm's.
I am still extremely pleased with the cut quality. It doesnt chop up the grass very well but it cuts it very quickly and cleanly and spreads it very evenly. I now have about 6 hours on the machine and the blades still look brand new, and there is minimal clumping on the underside of the deck.
I also experimented with the seat some today. I have it adjusted a good bit back and I can still see the deck edge. I have VERY good depth perception so untill I read about other people's issues with seeing the deck I never realized that I didnt even look at mine. It was a bit weird cutting today and trying to look at the deck but I am starting to get used to it.
I also started off on 2 full tanks of gas over the weekend, to check fuel consumption. So far I am not pleased, as the gauge is saying I have burned almost half a tank in just 2 hours.
The Velocity Plus Deck is design to do just what you are seeing, process a large amount of grass very fast, get it out of the discharge opening and spread it evenly. This is why you see the longer pieces, unlike what you would see with a deck such as the Exmark Ultra Cut, one that processes the grass more, and discharges it in much smaller pieces.
Your deck will handle wet grass and a wider variety of cutting situations better than a further processing deck. You will not clean grass from underneath your deck nearly as often as you would with the Ultra Cut, but nether will you get the manicured cut of the Exmark deck.
Don't depend too much on any gas gauge used on a mower, most are not that accurate. I'd say you are in the 1.8 to 2 gph range, depending on what you are cutting.
I called the dealer today, since I didnt have time to bring it in, just to ask some questions.
I was informed that per scag, the term "up to" means it doesnt HAVE to do 12/16, but just somewhere close. I was told they will look at it but not necesarily do anything about it. I ahve a friend with a tachometer, and tomorrow we are going to check rpm's.
I am still extremely pleased with the cut quality. It doesnt chop up the grass very well but it cuts it very quickly and cleanly and spreads it very evenly. I now have about 6 hours on the machine and the blades still look brand new, and there is minimal clumping on the underside of the deck.
I also experimented with the seat some today. I have it adjusted a good bit back and I can still see the deck edge. I have VERY good depth perception so untill I read about other people's issues with seeing the deck I never realized that I didnt even look at mine. It was a bit weird cutting today and trying to look at the deck but I am starting to get used to it.
I also started off on 2 full tanks of gas over the weekend, to check fuel consumption. So far I am not pleased, as the gauge is saying I have burned almost half a tank in just 2 hours.
You mean the Cheetah doesn't come with a tach?! I'm surprised that one of Scag's top of the line mowers doesn't have one....would have never thought that.
Yeah, I am definitely investing in one asap. On the right side tank there is a blank plate. Looks like there should have been stuff mounted there..guess it will be a great spot to put one.
They're just so common place I was just surprised to find out that particular mower didn't have one. If I'm remembering correctly some of the Scag's come from the factory with one don't they?
It's just nice (for me anyway) to be able to check from time to time to make sure the engine is still turning what it should turn at full throttle.
A tach is VERY important, and IMO should be standard on every mower. Especially now since just about every manufacturer has gone to a digital hour meter anyway.
I'm not 100% sure, but dont think SCAG ever offered a factory tach. I was only aware of DC, and as you say, Bad Boy. Posted via Mobile Device
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