always check the easy stuff

This spring i bought a 94 scag zero turn (61"deck, 22hp Kohler engine) from my brother. It came with the house he bought last fall, and he wanted something nicer. I just wanted something better than a POS 42"Craftsman that I had been using. Ever since I bought it, it'd bog down fairly easy and take what ess in my mind too long to recover. I was worried I got the raw end of the deal with it.

Today I checked the spark plugs. One was gas soaked after running it for a few minutes on and off doing some yard work. The other one, the wire wasn't pressed tightly onto the plug. I just replaced them both, made sure both wires are pressed onto the plugs, and cut my yard. In the time I've had it, it hasn't run so good. Started easier although still a little cold blooded, and never fellnon it's face while mowing. I got it to bog down a few times but it had some grunt and kept going. My main limiter on some of my yard was how fast I could go and stay in the seat.

I'll still plan to replace it at some point with something that has a suspension, but now I'm much happier about my purchase. Also shaved atleast another 1/2 hour off my mowing time on my 2+ acres I cut with it.

Donovan from Wisconsin [/list]

Don't through the old Craftsman away . I re -powered my Old Craftsman with a 17.5 Brigs , with a spin on oil
filter, made a man out of him , lol. It started life as a 8hp, and could barley carry itself , but this
bigger 17.5hp , makes it march right through most any thing . Bruce

My problem is nothing easy ever wears out on my equipment. It's always some mystery thing not even professionals can find.

I don't think that 22hp is enough hp for a 60" deck.

I have a 54" deck ZTR with a 25hp Kohler, and it seems

to go through any grass I have, at just about any speed.

My thought, too, that 22hp is a bit light for a 60" deck.

We have a Toro zero turn, 23hp Kawasaki engine and 50" deck. That seems to be a good match.

No doubt the scag could use a little more hp, but it does ok now.

For a little while I used my parents lawn tractor,a jd 425 w/a 60"deck. That could use a little more too, but as long as you're not trying to cut it too short it always could mow right along in all but the heaviest stuff.

The craftsman is long gone. Rear end was worn out and the axle had some slop in it. The ride was horrible, the brakes were worn out, and the shift linkage was frozen up.It ran decent enough, but the sale of that helped buy it's replacement.Not to mention it was a cheap mtd built machine.

Donovan from Wisconsin

My JI Case 446 has a 16 hp Onan twin. Runs a 60" deck just fine. It takes 4 1/2 hours each week to mow the yard here. Goes at a good speed also.

I agree about the 22 hp 60"deck. My Husqvarna CZ4817 is underpowered for thick grass, 17 hp 48"cut
is OK when the grass is dry, only taken 1 1/2" or so at the time. Does good on gas though, 5 1/2
gallon tank will run almost 8 hours!!

most scags that been thru this shop have less horse than most
other units out there in same size and are one of roughest ride
units out there. other than that same parts as any ztr out there.
get you a ferris 2100 or 3200 full suspension unit,you will never
regret it, or put you a suspension seat on your unit.

My 1980 Deines zero turn runs two wheel hydros and a 60 inch deck with a 16 horse Kohler Magnum. It's more than enough engine for yard mowing. You can tell it's working when you get in a tough spot, but I think those engines are equal to about 25 horse in an engine built today.

We have a 52" cut 27hp Country Clipper and if you can stay in the seat at full bore you can probably go 8 seconds on the PBR tour. But I agree that your might be a little under powered. I
rarely bog down but once in a while if its wet it'll slow er down a bit.

Remember, it's not how fast you mow... Aw you know the rest

Replaced the blades in the brush cutter and
after i did it all it did was shake . Ready
to take the blades out and redo it and i
snapped the shear bolt replaced that and it
runs fine.Haven't figured out that gremlin
yet.