Kubota ZG327 vs Scag Cheetah

[bilrus61]

I've not used a Kubota mower but do have three Kubota tractors and a Scag Cheetah mower. I can tell you the Scag is just a great mower. Very well balanced. If you buy a mower with a diesel engine the engine will outlast the rest of the mower by quite a bit. Seems to me that most mowers give out about 2000 to 2500 hours. Then your repairing it like every time you mow. Get a engine, like a air cooled Kawi that will last about the same as the mower. Saves you money in the long run. My Cheetah has the 31 Kawi on it and it seems to have plenty of power. The Cheetah mows very fast in "low" and there really isn't a reason to have it in high range but for transport. The DECK is the thing on one of these mowers.

My Cheetah just needs the spindles greased every 50 hours. Thats wonderful! The Grasshopper said every ten hours. Saves lots of time. Even though we have Kubota dealers around us none of the commerical mower guys has them on their trailers. They have mostly Scag,Grasshopper, and Deere. Not sure who makes the Deere, maybe Hustler or Walker? I will say that Scag mowers, are considered a very well balanced mower with everything made for lots of mowing. I've got right at 300 hours on mine and not one issue. Leaves a super nice cut. A Grasshopper with the mower out front will still ride smother than a midmount like a Cheetah or a Turf Tiger. If you have hills get the Turf Tiger as its a bit lower gravity. One thing I love about the Cheetah is the two large gas tanks. At first the tanks seem to block the view of the mower but its something you get used to fast enough. Mowing is a pleasure with my Cheetah.

 

[MonkeysTractor]

bilrus61-Dude, what great input. Thank you! What you are saying is consistent with what another commercial landscaper friend of mine has related.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

See, I told you you'll get Kubota all the way here. :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

bilrus61-Dude, what great input. Thank you! What you are saying is consistent with what another commercial landscaper friend of mine has related.

:laughing::laughing:Great things about forums. Leave the door open long enough and you can always find at least one differing opinion and go with it. :laughing::laughing::laughing:

 

[GSmith4965]

Another differing opinion.....

Scag mowers are built like tanks, have a excellent cut and are cheaper to maintain than kubota mowers, overall better value than kubota IMHO

I also have a kubota b2320with a fel and bh. Fantastic machine.

 

[KBOTA1]

I have owned 5 different pieces of Kubota tractors and yes they are very good, reliable and quality built units.
I also own a Scag Tiger Cub, it is 5 years old and cost about 2/3 of a Kubota Diesel zero turn. It has been just as reliable as Kubota and the quality of the cut is exellent. Plus-Its American made!

 

[murphy1244]

I usually see Scags on those Landscaper trailers don't think I ever seen a Bota on one.

 

[MonkeysTractor]

I usually see Scags on those Landscaper trailers don't think I ever seen a Bota on one.

Same here pards...I have a commercial friend that believes in Scag.

 

[MonkeysTractor]

I have owned 5 different pieces of Kubota tractors and yes they are very good, reliable and quality built units.
I also own a Scag Tiger Cub, it is 5 years old and cost about 2/3 of a Kubota Diesel zero turn. It has been just as reliable as Kubota and the quality of the cut is exellent. Plus-Its American made!

I very much appreciate the perspective of someone that has owned both products.

 

[1savoy]

Hi Monkeys Tractor,

I have not owned both products, but I could offer up a little of my perspective. My next door neighbor and brother in law, was my father in laws originally, both have Scag Tiger Cats and really like them. I think the Scag gives a slightly better cut than my Kubota ZD323 and it is really quick. Nothing is bullet proof without the proper maintenance and my neighbors is a victim of that. He is waiting for me to do some work on it for him. It is not the mowers fault, but lack of maintenance. My neighbor across the street has a small Hustler and the previous owner had a Scag Freedom Z. They will all do the job and with proper maintenance will last a long time and give a good cut. I looked hard at the Scag's before I bought, but I really wanted a diesel and when you put that in a Scag, Hustler, Bad Boy, etc the price jumps way up and makes the Kubota look like a bargain

If you decide to go the Kubota route, I would really try to talk you into the diesel. You will never have to deal with gasoline turning to varnish, adding stabilizer, spark plugs, gumed up carbs, etc. As soon as I fill my gas cans with gas, I immediately add stabilizer and Lucas ethanol treatment. My diesel cans I do not have to add anything and the diesels alway run perfect. The diesels are also much better on fuel. I don't think you will recoupe the fuel savings dollars wise just mowing your lawn, but the lack of gas issues and higher resale is well worth the price of admission to me. You also get the great diesel sound and smell. Again extra credit :cool2: Also, the ZD gives you the articulating front axle, which I use quite a bit to clean the deck. I leave it in the articulating position instead of fixed to allow a better ride and it allows me to go through my ditches in multiple directions following the terrain. The diesel will get you a liquid cooled engine as well, which again helps with longevity.

I do agree with the people saying landscapers tend to be hauling around Scags, Hustlers, etc but that is different to me than a homeowner. If I was a landscaper I do not think I would get the Kubota. I could not stand to see the sheet metal beat to heck. There is no sheet meatl/ tin work on a Scag to get beat up, without a real effort at doing it. I do see some landscapers in my area (North Texas) with Kubota ZD's on trailers and the highway crews along the tollway, 121, etc seem to all be using ZD's. You also see landscapers hauling around large walk behinds but I have never seen a homeowner owning one, even though some may and work well for their needs. Just trying to say what landscapers use, may not be what a homeowner likes to use.

I have owned a few different diesels over the years and I have also owned two lawn mowers with Kawasaki's. The Kawasaki is an awesome engine, but it is not a diesel. It still has all the gas related issues. I am not an engine expert, but from what I know, the Kawasakis I have had and the ones in the Scag's are vertical shaft engines whereas the Kubota gas engine (and diesel) are horizontal shaft engines. The horizontal shaft engines always seem to have greater longetivity. Someone will probably tell me that is not true, but just my 0.02. I do not agree that a diesel engine will outlast the rest of the mower. With proper maintenance, the whole mower will last a lifetime. I will post a picture of my JD330 I sold when I moved to Texas. It was 23 years old in this picture and my old neighbor bought it from me and still loves it. It is now 27 years old and the only thing other than regular maintenance was an electric fuel pump went bad and the fuel filter mounting bracket broke. My father had a JD332 and had the same great luck with it. Every diesel I have had has been perfect. With my JD330 it blew snow every winter in Western New York (snow belt) and mowed all summer. I also posted a picture of a JD525 with a Kawasaki 17 hp engine I picked up on craigslist for the kids to mow with. They were somewhat afraid of the 330. The 525 had a powerflow bagger and a snowblower we used. The 330 had the bagger as well. The only mower that came along with me is a JD JX75 with a Kawasaki engine. Great little mower.

Sorry for the long post, but I would say go drive both. See which one you are more comfortable on and driving. I really wanted a diesel, but would have bought a gas if I found one that I really liked. What sold me on the Kubota was the big tires. Two inches taller on both front and rear than the Scag. Makes travelling on my not so smooth lawn much nicer. The Kubota also has a super comfortable seat with armrest and reclines. I think that is pretty much the same as Scag. The articulating axle that I mentioned above. The zero percent financing is nice with Kubota. I know Scag was not offering that when I was looking. I am not sure their current offers. To me, if you are going to spend a somewhat premium price to get a Kubota, why not get the diesel?



Happy shopping,
Russ

P.S. I think another note to add is the Kubota deck has a gear box and is shaft driven, verses belt drive to the deck on most everything else on the market.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Seems to me that most mowers give out about 2000 to 2500 hours.

In 2000 hours, the diesel would burn about 1/3 less fuel more than paying off the cost difference of the diesel engine. Its effectively 'free' over the life the machine, and gives much better torque which is very noticeable on a ZTR.