don't know much about exmark, neighbor has one he loves though. I am curious as to what your problems with the newer scags are, I am considering one next year and curious.

 

Man just little crap honestly that add up and bother me being I’m on it every day. One thing is like the BLACK seat, when it’s 100 degrees outside and that mower has been sitting in the sun for very long, that seat is like 500 degrees lol um the parking brake is a joke, they’d be better off not even wasting the time putting one on it. I like the proven Kawasaki engines and they only have one Kwai for the turf tiger and it’s liquid cooled and only 31 hp. Those brigs are good engines but they just aren’t a kawi in my opinion.

 

Sounds like it might be worth a shot to run an eXmark. You already know how Scag performs for you, and if yours are not good in the wet, and the eXmark you tried was, feels like you’ve answered your own question

Id say get the eXmark and rock n roll (and report back). If your eXmark is excelling in certain tougher conditions, I’m sure others could benefit from your setup.

Which eXmark did you demo? What Scag would you be dumping?

 

The Exmark I demoed was Lazer x series. We currently have a couple tt2’s and a cheetah. And also a 960m deere. Deere makes a good mower my gosh it rides like crap compared to the others.

 

We just replaced an exmark with a second Scag. I think it was pioneer…. So Scag does pretty decent on the wet stuff I cut, and that’s all I run. But I’m not going to jump on the bandwagon and say that it NEVER clumps, and it only takes one pass to make any yard look like Augusta National, etc etc. but it has been the best performer IMO after using gravely, exmark, and toro over the years. I was very unimpressed with exmark to say the least. Curious to which Scag you’re running. If it’s one of the models without a V+ deck I wouldn’t know anything about it.

 

All ours have the velocity plus deck

 

I’d say demo some more then and really get a feel for the difference. If you’ve got years of experience of not being too impressed with your Scag, seems like a no brainer. What’s the worst that can happen?

Theres plenty I don’t like about my Scags. It’s been documented on here so I’ll save everyone the repeat post. But I’m learning to deal with those things in exchange for a deck that suits my needs.

I’d say (again 😂) to go for the eX

 

sw tn here and I have run various exmark machines since 2002, they do sometimes tend to clump when wet but more so if running a mulch kit or chute blocker. The big advantage scag and Deere seem to have is that massive opening for side discharging. I think that tends to help reduce wet clumping. I just always raise the deck to transport and run back over clumps or hit them with the blower if it’s not too many.

 

sw tn here and I have run various exmark machines since 2002, they do sometimes tend to clump when wet but more so if running a mulch kit or chute blocker. The big advantage scag and Deere seem to have is that massive opening for side discharging. I think that tends to help reduce wet clumping. I just always raise the deck to transport and run back over clumps or hit them with the blower if it’s not too many.

I agree about the larger opening. And I do prefer my deck in the wet over some others I’ve used or seen. But he’s saying his Scags don’t do well in the wet, and he is unhappy with other things Scag is doing now too. Plus he said the eXmark he demo’d didn’t have trouble in wet conditions. I didn’t ask him how his machines are setup because I figured he’s been running them for years, he knows what he’s doing.

OP can you get a good deal on an eXmark in your area this time of year?

 

Do your scags still have that stupid bolt on baffle behind the discharge side blade? Every time ive used a V+ deck that has them i end up taking them off or convincing others to, because it narrows the discharge opening and collects wet grass and makes it clump. World of difference when you take it out.
Also have you messed with the front adjustable baffle at all? Also curious what blades you run on them.

 

Not my experience at all. That turbo baffle does exactly what it is supposed to and causes the discharge to be spread out over the width of the chute. Not sure how you figure it closes the opening either since it is at the very back of the chute and only 3/16" thick.

I have messed with my front baffle a bit, and I have tried various blades. So far, the G5's work about as well as the oem blades, but tend to leave a bit more green haze under the deck, though no real build up.

 

We're demoing the new Exmark stander...well, we were.

70 hours and a wheel motor took a dump.

Had some other issues...not sure if it was just bad luck or what fixed it. Might have been fuel...and a cracked spark plug.

Scags don't clump half as much as Exmarks.

But to each their own.

I won't own a Kaw if given the choice either.

 

I’m not anti Kawi, but my Kohlers have been great. Bought the first one used with 100ish hours on it. When I bought the second Scag last week I got a Kohler so filter would be the same. 865hrs on the 29hp EFI on my 61” TC2 with great service from it.

I always run my turbo baffle, it prevents grass from recirculating back under the deck. Doesn’t affect discharge at all

 

Try a Wright ZK stander. Maybe even a Stander X.

I've been using an older Exmark Lazer Z for a couple years. Added a used Wright ZK this year. It makes the Exmark feel like a dinosoaur on anything but the most open yards. As in, the ZK is a Velociraptor, and the X-series is a Brontosaurus by comparison. The ZK's deck funnels grass into the discharge TRIM side of the deck better, so you can use wider stripes.

People gripe about the AeroCore deck's quality of cut, and wet performance. I find very little difference in cut quality in realistic mowing scenarios. I only have one account that creates problems with clumping, but I believe it's due to bare, exposed clay dirt combined with moist clippings.

The stander will feel awkward at first. After a couple months on it, the rider will feel noticably slower, and you'll finally realize how much quicker the standers are.



(Edited to fix the discharge/trim side confusion.)

 

Try a Wright ZK stander. Maybe even a Stander X.

I've been using an older Exmark Lazer Z for a couple years. Added a used Wright ZK this year. It makes the Exmark feel like a dinosoaur on anything but the most open yards. As in, the ZK is a Velociraptor, and the X-series is a Brontosaurus by comparison. The ZK's deck funnels grass into the discharge side of the deck better, so you can use wider stripes.

People gripe about the AeroCore deck's quality of cut, and wet performance. I find very little difference in cut quality in realistic mowing scenarios. I only have one account that creates problems with clumping, but I believe it's due to bare, exposed clay dirt combined with moist clippings.

The stander will feel awkward at first. After a couple months on it, the rider will feel noticably slower, and you'll finally realize how much quicker the standers are.

Is the ZK deck different from the stander x? I thought they both have same Aerocore?

 

Yup, I agree with that! Especially if you're down on Scag. Probably should try a Wright and also give Ferris a look-see too.

 

Ok I was confused by this:

"The ZK's deck funnels grass into the discharge TRIM side of the deck better, so you can use wider stripes.".

Were you comparing to the Exmark lazer?

I just realized, that I mis-spoke earlier. I meant the Wright's decks pull grass into the TRIM side, not the discharge side. My mistake...

Yes, comparing this attribute between the Wright AeroCore deck, and the Exmark Series-6 UltraCut deck.

i wonder if hes talking about the toothed baffle on the trim side of the aerocore that pulls grass into the blade versus it being pushed off to the side of the deck, meaning you dont have to overlap as much to cover any missed grass.

Yes, exactly. Wright's deck does a better job of pulling grass into the deck on the trim side. It's very noticable actually. I think it's two-fold. (I've written about this on LS before.)

The Wright deck's exterior is more blunted, and combined with the serrated inner baffle, it really grabs the grass on the far trim side, and pulls it into the cutting chamber. The Exmark's deck has a very steep chamfer on the trim side, and thus pushes a lot of taller grass away from the deck, instead of combing it into the deck, like the Wright's deck does.

I will admit that the Exmark deck is better for trimming. It's biased off to the left/trim side of the machine, and overhangs the tire quite a lot. This overhang, the aforementioned chamfer on the front/trim side of the deck, the front-left caster being offset toward the center, and the overall short wheelbase, makes it so that the Exmark can REALLY get into tight corners for trimming, compared to other machines.

The Exmark's deck overhang, and that front chamfered corner however, work against you in big wide open areas. My estimation, is that you can mow 4-5" wider stripes with the Wright AeroCore deck, than the Exmark decks...




And I used to think my Exmark Lazer X-series was a nimble machine for turns, starts, stops, etc... In fact, it is compared to a Turf Tiger, or a Hyperdrive, etc... But then I got the ZK. On a tight yard, it would embarrass the Lazer, and it does...

 

Don’t most decks do that? My Brodmoor did as well as my Ferris and all my Scags

 

Do what exactly? Gonna need you to be a little more specific...

 

“Pulling grass in” is how you put it I think (on the trim side)

 

Oh, I guess I can't speak to others beyond the Wright & Exmark in that regard.

I don't think it's a vacuum issue either. My Exmark will suck mulch into the deck on the trim side if I'm not careful with it. It has plenty of vacuum.

I think it's specifically how the exterior shell of the deck, and the trim side blade's baffle are designed. The Exmark's deck shell will push tall grass away from entering the cutting chamber. Specifically, the chamfered corner on the front of the trim side. I wrote about it in this thread previously. See photos, circled purple area.

The AeroCore deck performs much differently here. It does a really good job of pulling in grass, even at the far-extreme end of the trim side of the deck. As a result, I can make wider passes with the AeroCore deck. Enough so that if I really push it, when I come back with the Exmark on the same account, same stripes, the Exmark won't cut the full width of the AeroCore's pass/stripes.

 

They do if they have any vacuum at all. I watch both my JD and Scag do it all the time.

 

I heard Scags use smaller hydro pumps so they don't have the speed to suck up those blades of grass. And they run out of gas quicker doing that.

 

Jashley73- I can kinda see what you mean with the UC deck design and that angle. Just never seen it myself on all of them cutting around here, not heard anyone complain about that particular issue yet. I wonder if the issue with your Exmark will be different now that they are finally using double captured gauge wheels on their decks?

 

I would have never even noticed, if it weren't for me getting the Wright.

When I first got into mowing, I was given some accounts by another LCO, and I noticed that my Exmark wouldn't cut the full-width passes on his existing stripes. I had to lay new stripes on every account I got from him. I knew that he used 61" ZK's, but didn't give it any thought.

Then I bought mine. And I noticed the same thing again. If I laid stripes with the ZK, and tried to use the full deck width, the Exmark wouldn't cut the full-width of the pass of those same stripes. That's when I started looking closer at what was really going on.

In my thread on buying/using my ZK, I was initially aggravated by the AeroCore deck in this regard. I was really used to having the Exmark deck, and being really nice for trimming. I complained about the AeroCore deck, and used those same pictures to gripe about it.

And then after a while, I finally realized this issue, and withdrew my complaints. If Exmark users haven't noticed this being an issue, it's because they haven't put their Exmark's on stripes that were previously cut by other mowers.

 

There are no other brands here, well, outside of the two other brands I use LOL

I have noticed that my Scag seems to cut a slightly wider path than my JD. Both use the same basic deck width and the same exact blade length. I think in my case however, it is simply because it is easier to gauge the full width cut with the Scag with minimum overlap vs the JD, even though I have ran the JD for so many years.

 

Let me also be clear that I'm not here to bash Exmark's either. I still like my Lazer X-series. It does very well on hillsides, especially with the AT101 tires. Very low COG, very nimble for a rider. I like the stiff, direct, almost touchy feel of the hydros. The control ergonomics are great. It leaves a nice cut, and I feel like the deck is capable of more than just manicured-cutting in ideal situations, as some folks complain about.

The $18,000 question though, is would I buy one new?

Absolutely not. I could get a Wright ZXL rider for about $4,000 less. With probably more engine honestly. Heck, a ZXT with a 40hp Vanguard is still a couple thousand less than an X-series Lazer. The Stander X, and ZK models are far less money as well.

I also like the fact that one can tune the AeroCore deck more as well. With Wright's blade-washers, and removable/replaceable baffle, there are more options to adjust the deck to cut how you'd like. Running doubles is a very easy possibility - just leave out one blade-washer, and bolt up doubles. (I tried doubles on my Emark, and it was a disaster. It pushes the bottom blade down below the baffles too far, and blowout is insane...)

While I like my used Exmark Lazer, I don't think I'd consider anything other than an X-series model, and they're just waaaay too expensive brand new to consider. Especially when a Stander will outperform it on anything but the biggest of properties.

 

I was actually considering a new X series but they are 5500 more than what I paid for this Cheetah and 4-4500 more than almost all major brands comparative models. Not many engine options either. As nice as they are, they still come up short on many points that matter.

 

I just saw a guy with a Cheetah a couple weeks ago at the gas station (Only one of 3 in the area with no ethanol) and noticed he had the suspension iso seat from the TCII/TTII on the Cheetah iso platform... I did a double take when I noticed the seat and had to ask him about it. The dealer basically added the seat when new for a $200 upcharge. He said it was the best money he ever spent and said it's a very similar ride to his Ferris he just sold. He said he has a fore/aft isolator mount ordered to install and he said he thinks it will ride better than his Ferris. If I had a Cheetah I would definitely be looking into what one of the adjustable seats cost, this guy was over the moon happy with his.

 

If you put Oregon blades on the Exmark it will cut much better in wet grass, almost comparable to a Scag. I've had both.

 

Oregon makes lots of blades. Going to need you to be a lot more precise.

 

Scag did have some trouble with quality control a little while ago. Not sure if that’s been fixed yet or not.

in terms of eXmark handling better - I have no idea. But that’s the first time I ever heard that.

Scags are indeed expensive. Overpriced probably. But price point would not be a reason to buy a commercial eXmark I wouldn’t think 😂

 

I comes down to what you want to spend. I personally, cant justify spending 12,000 for a vride scag and it breaks down 20hrs later, like i said quality control has gone to **** with scag past yrs. Yes my 30yr option is exmark zero turns and stand on mower handle better, cut better and are better on fuel and are more reliable and warranty is better, scag is the past man company is over priced and needs to hit reset button, cause i honestly just bought a Bradley 48" stand on with a big block vanguard motor and this thing cuts better, handles better, faster, more power etc than a v ride scag and I only paid new $6700 cash it has over 700hrs and zero break downs ya scag is the past for sure.

 

Making blanket statements like that is not wise. Where I am, Exmark is $3k more than everyone except Toro, and there are very few full on Toro dealers here anymore. Here, Scag is right in line with JD, Hustler, Gravely,and slightly less than Ferris when comparing true commercial machines from entry level to top tier.

As for an Exmark handling better? I call BS on that, and in fact know of several posts on here in the recent past by guys who own both brands that the Exmarks felt a little sluggish in comparison.

 

Also kawasaki motors, dont hold a finger to vanguard american made motor, check out the oil guard amazing feature.

Making blanket statements like that is not wise. Where I am, Exmark is $3k more than everyone except Toro, and there are very few full on Toro dealers here anymore. Here, Scag is right in line with JD, Hustler, Gravely,and slightly less than Ferris when comparing true commercial machines from entry level to top tier.

As for an Exmark handling better? I call BS on that, and in fact know of several posts on here in the recent past by guys who own both brands that the Exmarks felt a little sluggish in comparison.

Well, i own 12 exmark machines and 5 scag and exmark out performs and out handles scag all day everyday, plus the exmark warranty is way better

 

So you have a lot of time on a vride then? Lots of Scag haters out there who just regurgitate what they’ve read and heard. I’m assuming your perspective is from experience? Was that your machine that broke down after 20 hours?

That’s a lot of hours on your Bradley for having “just bought it.” You must spend a lot of time mowing.

I’ve got a little over a thousand hours on my ‘19 vride and a little under 500 on my ‘23 vride (both 61” inch decks)

lost a clutch and starter right around 900 hours. I like my Scags and dealer.

It’s okay that you prefer a Bradley over a Scag. Just like it’s okay if people prefer a Nitro over a Vexus. Personally, I’d never buy a nitro even if it is thousands cheaper. Just like I’d never buy a Bradley.

like you said it comes down to what you wanna spend (although I believe it comes down to much more than that).