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Implement Alley Discussion Forum

Advice Zero Turn Mower

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TomTX

04-14-2007 02:57:18

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Been looking at new mower purchase. Would like opinions on these 2 zero turn mid-mount models that I am slowly focusing on. Also if other brands are better. I have looked at several brands. Cant aford the diesel or gas liquid cooled models. Two below are $6500 for either one. Thanks for input. Tom

Scag Tiger Cub Model STC 48V-19KAI. Kawasaki 19 HP engine FH-580V-KAI, air cooled, 48 inch cut, remote canister air cleaner, folding ROPS, rear tires 23x9.5-12, flat-free caster tires 13x5-6, weight 1030 lbs. See at www scag com.

Gravely XDZ 148M Model no. 991027. Kawasaki 21 HP, air cooled, 48 inch cut, no ROPS, rear tires 23x10.5-12, caster tires 15x6-6, weight 951 lbs. See at www gravely com.

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FreeRanger

04-15-2007 11:52:29

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Scag all the way in reply to TomTX, 04-14-2007 02:57:18

Go with the Scag. I love my seven year old Scag Tiger Cub with 48" deck. I really push it. We are talking chopping corn stalks, acres of pasture cleaning after sheep have eaten the "good" stuff, acres of cutting thislte to make new organic hay fields.

We cut our lawn only four or five times a summer...really long..no problem.

It's a tank, will take out the fence before you damage it. Easy to service, parts are available.

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TomTX

04-16-2007 05:18:58

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Re: Scag all the way in reply to FreeRanger, 04-15-2007 11:52:29

Thanks FreeRanger. Can't get a much better endorsement than that. Sounds like you really push the mower more than I will.

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Dave Anderson

04-15-2007 10:11:49

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Re: Advice Zero Turn Mower in reply to TomTX, 04-14-2007 02:57:18

Hey Hobo: Sounds like you found the second of the 2 mystery grease fittings!

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MarkinMO

04-14-2007 18:54:36

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Re: Advice Zero Turn Mower in reply to TomTX, 04-14-2007 02:57:18

I have the Scag Tiger Cub 48" zero turn and would definitely recommend it. I think this will be the 4th year for it and it has between 250 and 300 hours on it. Been solid as a rock so far. Only problem was self inflicted when I put some bad gas in it. They are heavy duty and well built.

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TomTX

04-14-2007 19:03:07

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Re: Advice Zero Turn Mower in reply to MarkinMO, 04-14-2007 18:54:36

Thanks Mark. Sound good to me, as I am now leaning toward the Scag in that model the Tiger Cub 48 inch. As I understand the literature they have even improved on the Tiger Cub. I guess you have the 19 HP Kawaski KAI on yours? The Tiger Cub I looked at has folding ROPS, remote canister air cleaner, non-flat front tires, etc. Tom

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MarkinMo

04-15-2007 07:22:53

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Re: Advice Zero Turn Mower in reply to TomTX, 04-14-2007 19:03:07

Yes, mine has the Kawasaki 19hp engine. Horsepower has never been a problem for the type of mowing I do. Sounds like they've added some new features since I bought mine. My first zero turn was a residential grade Airens like the ones they were selling at Home Depot but I only kept it a couple of years because it didn't seem very durable. If you buy a Scag I think you'll be pleased with it although I'm sure some of the other commercial grade mowers are good too.

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Hobo,NC

04-14-2007 18:38:15

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Re: Advice Zero Turn Mower in reply to TomTX, 04-14-2007 02:57:18

a friend of mine got a 60" Toro so I got a Toro demo to try out and man did it git'r done. My friend has been tickled to death with the Toro. B'in the tightwad i am I brought a Gravely. Its been OK but no were near the mower the Toro izz. the Gravely wuz $600 cheaper, I wish i had spent 6 more and went Toro. Best I remember the blade tip speed on the Toro izz rite much more so it took on enny thing I run over up to knee high with a 19 HP engine. Gravely has a 25 Hp but does not cut well if the grass gits around 6" high. what sold me on the Gravely, suspension seat standard (STD), hydraulic deck lift STD. 25 HO engine STD. The Gravely I got i think izz a 260 and had a float'n or lets say a front axle that has a pivot in the middle. it did not take me long to add stops so the front axle does not pivot. That makes for a nicer cut and most Z turn mowers have a locked front axle. Why Gravely did not at that time izz beyond me.

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TomTX

04-14-2007 19:08:23

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Re: Advice Zero Turn Mower in reply to Hobo,NC, 04-14-2007 18:38:15

Thanks Hobo. Sounds like the Gravely has been a disappointment at what these things cost. I am going to compare a Gravely and Scag side by side at one large lawn sales/repair center, and am going to campare the Scag and Toro side by side at another. Advantage to Scag in that both centers sell/service the Scag. Tom

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Dave Anderson

04-14-2007 17:20:29

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Re: Advice Zero Turn Mower in reply to TomTX, 04-14-2007 02:57:18

Ask the Gravely dealer to show you where the mystery grease fittings are. All Gravely mowers come from the factory with at least 2 grease fittings that are special and unique to Gravely. 1 will be put in a position so that no matter how you try, you can never get a grease gun attached to it. The other special fitting will be in plain sight, but the grease that you apply will come out immediately, and have no effect whatsoever on the permanently dry surface that it is supposed to lubricate. Also remember that Gravely dealers do not stock parts, and do not know how to get them drop shipped from the factory. I wish I was LOL.

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TomTX

04-14-2007 18:59:13

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Re: Advice Zero Turn Mower in reply to Dave Anderson, 04-14-2007 17:20:29

Thanks Dave. I am being push into a leaning position toward the Scag, with another look at the Toro. As you will read below the Scag seems to be reallly overbuilt, which is what I need. Also Scag has 2 large dealers/repair centers near me; Toro and Gravely only have one. Tom

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johns48jdb

04-14-2007 13:39:50

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Re: Advice Zero Turn Mower in reply to TomTX, 04-14-2007 02:57:18

i've got a ransome 720 which is a front cut mower. ransome has been building mowers for over 200 years and they have got it right. i bought mine when it was a year old and have had it for 5 years now and i've welded on the pulleys twice and put some belts on it. it cuts 63 inches and i pull a 49 inch tag-a-log swisher behind it. the pulleys broke loose from the drive axle and all i did was pull then back up into place and being sure it was level rewelded the pulley to the shaft. its a dream to shapen blades on and i've never worn a bearing out on it. i cut some commerically with it. it takes me about 4 hours to mow what i have to mow and have a 574 ih with an 88 inch frail mower doing some of the bigger flat places. its not good for ditches and rolling land but on flat land it eats up alot of ground in a hurry.

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TomTX

04-14-2007 17:00:22

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Re: Advice Zero Turn Mower in reply to johns48jdb, 04-14-2007 13:39:50

Thanks. Haven't been able to find out much about the Ransome brand othr than it seems to be tied in with BobCat. Will do a little more surfing the net. Tom

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Don-Wi

04-14-2007 11:48:24

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Re: Advice Zero Turn Mower in reply to TomTX, 04-14-2007 02:57:18

We've got pretty good parts support for both models, but I'd prefer the scag. My brother has a walk-behind model with a 36" deck, and a set of dolly wheels(Jungle Wheels brand) to ride on the back. Cuts really nice but with the extra weight on the back fomr having to pull the operator it can cause a little bit of skipping and an uneven cut so we gotta slow down just a little. Thing is a blast to run once you get the hang of it though.

With a zero turn rider, skipping shouldn't be a problem on the Scag. Those things are still overbuilt from what I can tell, which is a hard thing to find nowadays.

Donovan from Wisconsin

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TomTX

04-14-2007 16:57:36

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Re: Advice Zero Turn Mower in reply to Don-Wi, 04-14-2007 11:48:24

Thanks Don. I am going to a large lawn care dealer/repair center that sells both Scag and Gravely. Will get to see them side by side. I agree with you on the Scag; things like it seems to be the only brand that uses 2 tapered Timkin brand bearings on each blade shaft like front auto wheel bearings. Also the deck is 3 ply around the hubs, almost half inch thick. I am leaning slightly more toward the Scag over the Gravely or Toro, but will look at all three. Tom

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Don-wi

04-14-2007 18:23:57

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Re: Advice Zero Turn Mower in reply to TomTX, 04-14-2007 16:57:36

Thought I would also add-Gravely is built by Ariens and are made locally, maybe 20 minutes away from where I live. Never been too overly impressed with the company, even though I did work at a machine shop that made sprockets for them.

Donovan from Wisconsin

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William Sill

04-14-2007 06:26:08

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Re: Advice Zero Turn Mower in reply to TomTX, 04-14-2007 02:57:18

I have a 5 year old Toro Z Master 27 hp with 60 inch deck wish I had goin to a 72 inch deck . Reasons why because of mowing close to the trees you don,t have to be so close The mowing time was cut in half and the gas I would buy another machine just like. had no problems Ask your dealer to bring you one out to try before you buy you will have fun trying the different models out GOOD LUCK BILL

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TomTX

04-14-2007 16:52:41

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Re: Advice Zero Turn Mower in reply to William Sill, 04-14-2007 06:26:08

Thanks Bill. Toro is on my short list, but seems a little bit more. Also, there are 2 really large dealers that also service the Scag, and only one in my area that does the Toro. Hear what you are saying about the trimming close with the wider decks but I have a lot of narrow spaced trees and such that would make a wider deck a little bit much. Tom

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farmermatt

04-14-2007 05:40:45

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Re: Advice Zero Turn Mower in reply to TomTX, 04-14-2007 02:57:18

I bought a Toro 48" 17 hp last year. The only complaint is that 48" is too narrow of a deck for the width of the wheels. For example if you turn around a small tree(4") youll miss it with your deck a scrape it with your tire trying to get a close cut. I know the wider is more expensive. Just try to demo it before you buy.

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TomTX

04-14-2007 16:49:00

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Re: Advice Zero Turn Mower in reply to farmermatt, 04-14-2007 05:40:45

Thanks Matt. I looked at the Toro Z-Master and it is 3rd on my list, just a bit more pricey for the same size/features of the Scag. I am leaning toward the 48 inch because I have lots of uneven ground where a larger deck may scalp some. Also I lots of close trees that make a little narrower deck easier to get between them. I will closely watch what you are saying about the wider deck being better for close trimming around tree trunks. Tom

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ed1

04-18-2007 09:55:35

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Re: Advice Zero Turn Mower in reply to TomTX, 04-14-2007 16:49:00

Go with the Toro if you can. I'd put them in the #1 spot followed by Exmark. The place I'm associated with purchased the big commercial one and are very very happy. I tried it out - great machine and a year later no problems.

A few years ago Toro bought Exmark the leader in the industry and took all their technology, improved it and build a new Toro zero turn.

Although I've never driven a Scag and a lot of landscapers use them - it just looks a little clunky to me. I haven't seen the gravely. Their seems to be a lot of consumer priced models out their.

One thing to remember is that cutting quality goes down as speed increases. The Tory cuts perfictally at a reasonable speed - at max speed it's not as nice. The Toro also has the best reputation for cutting quality of all the zero turns.

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Easy1

04-14-2007 05:27:42

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Re: Advice Zero Turn Mower in reply to TomTX, 04-14-2007 02:57:18

A friend of mine from work and I both bought Gravely mowers a little over a year ago. ( 48 in ) Both of us have had problems with uneven cutting - the middle of the cut is a little higher than the outside. Not the worst thing in the world, but not great either. My dealer no longer handles Gravely..... SOL! I really like the looks of the Cub Cadet Z force mower. For residential or light commercial use it would be great. I think it is about <5K for a 60 in model, not sure of the smaller models.

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TomTX

04-14-2007 16:44:43

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Re: Advice Zero Turn Mower in reply to Easy1, 04-14-2007 05:27:42

Thanks for the heads-up about the uneven mowing of the Gravely. I will look close at the Gravely deck versus the Scag. Looked at the Cub Cadet Z Force and only problem is that it does dot use hydraulic pumps and seperate wheel motors like the commercial models. It instead uses two hydrostatic transmissions. Would be good enough for large estate size lawn use, but I ruled them out for the farm. Tom

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TimS in Mo

04-16-2007 20:17:37

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Re: Advice Zero Turn Mower in reply to TomTX, 04-14-2007 16:44:43

We traded a Dixon cone and chain drive zero turn (plus a used Toro self propelled mower and some cash of course) for a used Gravely zero turn, it has the twin cylinder brigs engine and a 48" deck, we really like it.

It cuts very nicely, hasn't given us any problems.

We cut about an acre of lawn with it every week and have no complaints so far.

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