Are Scag Mowers Good? (With Video & Explained For Beginners)
Scag power equipment ranks among the most prominent manufacturers of mowers today. For a company that started operations in 1983, you can’t help being impressed with Scag’s ascendancy to the top of an industry hotly contested by much older mower manufacturers like John Deere (started 1837) and Craftsman (started 1927).
For all its acclaim, are Scag mowers really good?
Scag mowers combine speed, power, and durability remarkably. Starting with just one gear-driven lawn mower model in 1983, Scag mowers have exploded exponentially into more than 50 mower designs today, specifically dominating the zero-turn lawn space. The richness in functionality, accessories, ease of maintenance, and balance in design have endeared these mowers to users globally.
Trust me, there is so much to know about scag mowers. Investigating the zealotry of Scag users involves exploring the specific features of some of the most popular Scag mowers, like engine, speed, fuel capacity, convenience, and lots more. I would definitely stick around to the end of this exciting article if I was you.
Why the rave about Scag?
The lawn maintenance industry is traditionally not a niche where newcomers strive that well. Blending a great dose of innovation and rigorous attentiveness to quality, Scag has managed to give age-long giants like John Deere, Honda, and Craftsman a hectic run for their money.
Generally, Scag mowers count among some of the lowest-maintenance lawn maintenance tools made in the United States.
The bulk of users I have come across are equally enthused with how easy it is to use these mowers, even with little or no technical experience.
Yes, Scag has been pretty diverse in its lawn maintenance offerings. This company produces zero-turn riding mowers, stand-on mowers, walk-behind, and wheeled mowers.
However, it is its zero-turn riding mowers where Scag has made predominantly made its mark. Its six zero-turn models count among some of the most adored in the market today. These are the Tiger Cat II, Turf Tiger II, Liberty Z, Patriot, Cheetah, and Freedom Z models.
I admit Scag mowers don’t have as much dominance in the walk-behind mower space as they do in the zero-turn equivalent. Generally, Scag has three walk-behind mower models.
These are the SWX series, SW-series, and the SWZT-series Scag mowers. I was impressed with the ergonomics of the design, particularly the comfort and adjustability of the handlebars.
With a sharp focus on versatility, Scag designed these models to offer differing capabilities. The engines, sizes, power, and price vary across each model. This move can be attributed to Scag’s desire to accommodate both commercial and residential lawnmowers.
Are Scag mowers strong?
No one wants to buy a mower every season hence durability is a core consideration when choosing mowers. Scag mowers are reputed for their strength and endurance even in the face of persistent rough usage.
Such resilience can be attributed to the various mechanisms Scag integrates into each of its models. Take the Turf Tiger™, to start with.
This model is the hallmark of durability in the mower world, with a significantly lowered center of gravity to enhance its stability.
Its broad mower stance combined with its famed heavy-duty Velocity Plus cutter deck (Tri-Plate) contributes to this model’s resilience.
What more, such a model is fitted with high-torque wheel motors, a solid double-tube steel frame to ensure this is a mower to stand the test of time.
The strength of Scag mowers is also demonstrated in the Tiger Cat II model. Here you get wheel motor drive and a strong dual pump guaranteeing the mower is reliable from season to season.
Are Scag mowers comfortable?
Believe me, you don’t want to feel like you just completed an Olympics marathon after mowing. Comfort is a big part of every operator’s mowing experience, and Scag dutifully attends to this need across its signature mower lineup.
Scag mowers stand out for the peculiarity of their ergonomic control system. These systems were designed prominently to reduce operator fatigue.
The generality of Scag’s mowers are fitted with controls that incredibly adapt to the natural angles of the operator’s hands. This means less shakiness or forceful jerks on your hand when you mow.
More than this, Scag mowers are kitted with a range of mechanisms for enhanced comfortability when mowing. For example, Scag’s Cheetah’s operator suspension system is a master class.
Leveraging a coil-over shock system enhanced with rubber iso-mounts, this system can absorb that notorious bumpy feeling when mowing dense areas.
The Turf Tiger II also promises a great deal of comfort when in operation. Utilizing a custom Command-Comfort Operator Station from Scag, this mower is supplied with an adjustable 4-point iso-mounted suspension seat system.
When this is combined with the Turf Tiger II’s Quick-Fit adjustable steering control levers, you are assured of a seamless experience when driving this mower.
Aside from the riding mowers, the SWZT is one of the most comfortable walk-behind mowers in the market. It boasts an illustrious operator control system, robust – but hitch-free – hydraulic drive system, a readily adjustable cutter deck that floats easily.
How safe are Scag Mowers?
Scag mowers are built with the safety of the operator in mind.
User safety is one thing Scag zero-turn mowers don’t miss out on. The deck pedals are self-locking. Thanks to this pedal, you can adjust the deck in every Scag zero-turn mower from 1 inch-6inches.
However, as typical of any reputable mower manufacturer, a lot of safety has to do with how you operate the mowers.
I have seen users of Scag mowers complain about the amplified possibility of hazards when mowing steeps with Scag mowers. Yes, Scag zero-turn mowers handle several slopes and terrains just fine, but you should be mindful of the slope’s steepness.
It is unsafe to use Scag zero-turn mowers for steeps whose slopes beat 15 degrees. Expectedly, attempting to mow such slopes comes with the risk of your mower tipping over, resulting in avoidable injury.
That said, Scag recommends you using Rollover Protection System (ROPS) with its mowers, especially for elevated mowing. Such ROPS is beneficial in preventing the mower from tipping over due to gravitational forces.
If your mower succumbs to such forces, you are yet safe as the ROPS causes your mower to fall on its sides. This indicates drastically reduced chances of the operator coming in contact with the mower blades.
Are Scag mowers’ engines good?
Scag mowers’ engines are powerful and ready for the work. Scag gives you a pretty broad scope to choose from in its zero-turn, stand-on, and walk-behind mowers.
Differing in size, Scag’s Patriot is supplied with Kawasaki engine variants of 22hp and 23hp. Also, the Freedom Z is fitted with a Kohler 7000 Series Pro engine, coming in 22hp or 24 hp.
There is even more. The Tiger Cat II has series of two engines variant coming in a series of horsepower ratings. These are the Kohler Command engine (ranging from 23-26hp) and the Kawasaki FS engine (spanning 22-23hp).
Scag’s Cheetah is supplied either a Kohler Command Pro engine (ranging from 23-35hp) or a Kawasaki FX engine (spanning 22-31hp).
Of all of the zero-turn mowers Scag produces, the Turf Tiger II is the most powerful. This mower is either fitted with a Kawasaki engine (with variants of 36hp, 26hp, and 25hp), 35hp Briggs Vanguard, or a 26hp Kohler Command Pro.
I wasn’t any less impressed with the range of engines the V-ride strutted. The V-Ride is fitted with commercial-grade Kawasaki FX engines.
These engines are furnished with canister air filters and double-barrel carburetors. The end product is an eco-friendly engine with remarkable power. These Kawasaki FX engines have four power rating levels, oscillating between 29hp down to 20hp.
The Ride II’s engines are its best selling points. The Kohler engine has a power range of 25-29hp, a Kawasaki engine with a range of 25-29hp, and a 37hp Vanguard EFL. The latter is exclusive to just 61 inches V-Ride II models.
Is the fuel capacity of Scag Mowers good?
Scag mowers have a range of fuel tanks, depending on how keen you are on portability (in terms of wanting a small-sized tank) or mowing continuity (in terms of preferring a larger fuel tank to reduce refueling interruptions).
The Tiger Turf II is fitted with a single tank of 12-gallon capacity. This tank is positioned towards the mower’s lower region.
For the Patriot Z and Freedom Z, Scag positioned the tank just atop the wheel. Both models have a 6.5-gallon capacity. The Tiger Cat and the Cheetah are sharp deviations from these, coming with double tanks.
In the Cheetah, the double tanks are positioned towards the mower’s CG (center of gravity) to enhance its stability, especially on tilted topographies.
Varying with the deck size, the tanks could either have a capacity of 10 gallons or 15 gallons. In the Tiger Cat II, the double tanks sit just on top of the wheel. They have a fuel capacity of 9 gallons.
Moving on to Scag’s walk-behind mowers, the SWZT Hydro-Drive has a total fuel capacity of 5.5 gallons. The same capacity applies to the SW Belt-Drive mower.
What size and quality of decks do Scag mowers offer?
Decks in Scag mowers have different sizes. The most common decks from these mowers are the size 71″, 52″, and 52″.
To start with, the typical deck in Scag zero-turn mowers is fitted with a shaft drive mechanism. The SWZT Hydro-Drive mowers offer a range of cutter decks, ranging from 36-inch, 48-inch, 52-inch, and 61-inch cutter decks.
The SW-series mowers have various deck sizes and designs like the 52″ Velocity Plus deck, 48″ Velocity Plus deck, 36″ Advantage deck, and the 32″ equivalent.
Similarly, the V-ride presents four deck sizes, leaving you to make your pick for your engine power rating choice. These sizes (just like the Scag V-Ride II) range from 61-36″, depending on the size of your lawn, the versatility you need, as well as the toughness of the vegetation to be chopped.
Generally, these decks are sturdy, adequately poised to survive years of rugged usage. Specifically, these decks are fitted with 10-gauge and 7-gauge reinforcement plates to ramp up the stability.
The likes of Tiger Turf II, Cheetah, and Tiger Cat have a custom-cut baffle system that enables you to personalize your deck’s cutting size further. The decks in Patriot Z and Freedom Z don’t have this custom capability, making do with standard designs.
How fast are Scag mowers?
If you are like me, passionate about speed, Scag has got you covered with its zero-turn mowers. As critically demanded of modern-day lawnmowers, Scag zero-turn mowers have impressive speeds in forward and reverse driving modes.
For the Cheetah, the speed differs with the deck mower size. Bigger sizes like the 72 inches and 61 inches can drive as fast as 5mph in reverse and 12 mph in a forward motion for low range.
The same Cheetah sizes can drive as fast as 16mph in forward motion and 5mph in reverse for high range. Relatively smaller Cheetah deck sizes like the 52 inches drive at 5mph reverse and 10.5mph in forward motion.
Patriot Z goes at 5mph in reverse and 8.5mph forward. The Freedom Z goes at 8mph when forward and 5mph when in reverse. The Turf Tiger is not too far off, with similar reverse speeds of 5mph and forward of 12mph. Not bad at all, I would say.
The SW-series mowers can run between 2-6mph. Also, the SWZT-series Scag mowers have a ground speed (in forward motion) of 7mph.
You can expect anywhere around 11mph in forwarding motion and 6mph when in reverse for speed for the Scag V rider. Smaller engine sizes can get you around 8mph in speed.
Are Scag mowers cheap?
The truth is Scag mowers are not the cheapest in the market. A typical Scag Patriot mops off $4600-$18,500 from your net worth. The Cheetah has a cost range of $11,000-14,500.
The costliest is the Scag Tiger Turf II (admittedly the best Scag zero-turn mower). You can expect to spend anywhere from $13,500 to $20,000 to get this mower.
If you are keen on saving as much as possible when buying Scag zero-turn mowers, you can go for the Liberty Z. The cost comes in the region of $5,000.
The Scag V-Ride II has a cost range of $8,250 – $11,600. The Scag V-Ride I costs between $7000-$10,000.
Is Scag mower warranty good?
Scag mowers come with a spectrum of warranty policies, depending on the model you get and the specific that suffered the defect.
The generality of Scag mowers is supported with a 2-year commercial warranty, 3-year cutter deck warranty, and a 3-year cutter deck spindle warranty, engine warranty.
There are also the 3-Year or 500-Hour Non-Commercial Machine Warranty, and the 90-Day Wear Item Warranty & Rental Use policy.
The 2-year commercial machine warranty covers frame and structural components, including fittings, electric switches, pulleys, reservoirs, and oil coolers. The 3-year cutter deck spindle warranty provides exclusive coverage for the Scag heavy-duty cutter-blade spindle.
Furthermore, the 3-year cutter deck warranty covers the Scag Velocity Plus™ and Advantage cutter decks, specifically manufacturing defects. The 3-Year or 500-Hour Non-Commercial Machine Warranty is quite different.
Here manufacturing defects for structural and frame parts are covered for 500 hours (a Scag equivalent of 3 years depending on which happens first) for non-commercial users.
The individual engine producer covers the engine warranty, while the 90-Day Wear Item Warranty & Rental Use policy covers components like hydraulic hoses, blades, and drive belts.
How broad is Scag mowers’ range of accessories?
Scag mowers come with a broad range of accessories that enhance their versatility regarding what you can use them for. Scag’s three-wheel, zero-turn, and walk-behind mowers are compatible with custom Scag accessories like grass catchers, lawn stripers, mulching plates, light kits.
Of course, Scag produces an extensive array of options for each of these accessories. Take grass catchers, for instance. Scag offers several designs like the Scag 52 inch Turbo Baffle for Velocity Decks GC-F4 & GC-4D 920C, Scag 48 inch Turbo Baffle for Velocity Decks GC-F4 & GC-4D 920B, and Scag Fabric 4 Cubic Feet Capacity GC-F4.
The Turf Tiger models from Scag are some of the most accommodating regarding the array of accessories that can be fitted into them.
Specifically, the Tiger Turf works well with the Clam-Shell Grass Catcher, OCDC – operator-controlled discharge chute, 3-Bag Grass Catcher, Blade Buddy, and the famed Hurricane Plus™ Mulch System.
Are Scag Stand-on mowers good?
There is so little to complain about in Scag’s stand-on mowers. If you ask me to compare Scag’s stand-on mowers to its zero-turn riders, I will pit these stand-on mowers against mid-mount zero-turn riders. They pack impressive power with a floating deck design. Altogether, these mowers are fast, mowing speedily in open lawn areas.
Maneuverability is one of the strongest selling points of Scag stand-on mowers. They are efficient in mowing extremely tight space, something not atypical of hilly urban areas. The increased visibility of these mowers comes in handy when mowing a lawn with obstacles strewn around.
However, as characteristic of stand-on mowers, these mowers may not boast as much ground speed as other Scag models. Of course, considering their compactness, you will have a harder job (regarding your maintenance program) in Sacg stand-on mowers than its zero-turn models.
With this synopsis, I will move to the two best (if not the only two best-known) Scag stand-on mowers. These are the V-Ride and the V-Ride II stand-on mowers.
See this video for more information about Scag Mowers.
Is the Scag V-Ride Mower good?
The Scag V-ride compares favorably with high-end riding mowers, thanks to its impressive collection of heavy-duty features, including hydraulic oil coolers, dual-wheel motor mechanism, and hydraulic pumps.
When combined with its optimal operational operation and sufficient lubrication, the Scag V-ride mower will stand the test of time for sure. Varying with the footplate positioning and the deck size, the Scag V-Ride is averagely 4x6ft.
On the downside, I would say the hydro line couplers came off too quickly.
Is the Scag V-Ride II Stand-On Mower good?
As you can readily deduct from the name, this is a build-up on its stand-mower predecessor, the Scag V-Ride. Let us begin with the sweeter side of the cake, of course.
For the positives, it is hard to come across a better Velocity deck than that presented by the V-Ride II. With impressive versatility, it can cut in just any terrain.
The Ride II is strong and pretty on the eye. For safety, the machine shuts down when you step off while the blades are on the run. The implication is zero to minimal injuries if you accidentally fall off your mower while operational.
So what don’t I fancy about the Scag V-Ride II? I feel Scag can do more in improving the controls of this Ride II. Compared to the generality of stand-on mowers in the market today, this one is significantly jerky. Many times, it spun out.
Scag Mowers Pros and Cons: An overview of what I like and what needs to be improved
I admire the flexibility of these mowers. Scag was pretty extensive in spreading its mower lineup, ensuring various categories of users have a befitting mower size or model for their needs.
Such variety extends to the engine options, which are strong and durable. Scag has gas-powered, diesel-powered, or propane-powered models, giving a broad array for your pick.
The speed and comfortability of these mowers deserve applause too. The bulk of Scag mowers users agree mowing is less exhausting on Scag mowers. The ergonomics were impressive, ensuring there is lesser shock or pressure on the operator when they use Scag mowers.
For the disadvantages, very few cons come to mind that applies to every Scag mower model. Of course, individual models may have their specific shortcomings, which is not atypical of the lawnmower industry.
However, the lots of Scag mower users I have come across wish Scag could reduce its mowers’ cost, complaining they are relatively expensive.
References
http://blog.scagoemparts.com/scag-v-ride-mower-review
https://commercialmowerreviews.com/category/scag/
https://dengarden.com/landscaping/Commercial-Zero-Turn-Mowers
https://mowerprices.com/scag-lawn-mowers-review/
https://nrpowereq.com/scag-freedom-z-zero-turn-riding-mowers/
https://scagaustralia.com.au/zero-turn-mowers/
https://www.kcequipment.com.au/brands/scag/
https://www.richardsonsaw.com/rslm/scag-mowers/
https://www.scag.com/
https://www.serviceautopilot.com/lawn-care/how-to-choose-the-best-commercial-lawn-mowers/
https://www.the-lawn-advisor.com/Scag-Cheetah.html