Looking for insight on scag or Exmark. I recently demoed an Exmark and loved it. We have been running scag for years but just several things on the new scags that I’m learning to not like, so it has me looking at different options. I’m in west ky so we mow every different type of yard imaginable, wet or dry. I’ve heard Exmark can’t handle wet grass but seemed to do ok for me people preach that the scag handles wet grass but I haven’t been too impressed with it. My question boils down to is Exmark a good option or would I end up being disappointed after running scags last several years. Appreciate any experienced responses
Scag or exmark
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Lawntamer1212
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Ok I was confused by this:
"The ZK's deck funnels grass into the discharge side of the deck better, so you can use wider stripes.".
Were you comparing to the Exmark lazer?
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.
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.
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...
Do what exactly? Gonna need you to be a little more specific...
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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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Scags are over priced for one, second they are going down hill with quality. Third they dont handle as well as a exmark. Yes exmark is expensive also, but you get a very reliable good quality machine.
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 😂
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 😂
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