Scag Tiger Cub - Price/Quality?

bth · Oct 4, 2005

Looking for a ZTR to mow about 3 acres. Have looked at and driven the Exmark, Toro, Dixie Chopper, Grasshopper, Kubota, and Scag (haven't looked at Cub Cadet yet). Of these, I like the Scag Tiger Cub (52" deck, 24 hp Honda) the best - seems to handle the best and be built the strongest. However, it is one of the more expensive units - price I got from my local dealer is $8200. Does this seem reasonable? What about quality/reliability? Any other units I should look at closer?

jblackwell · Oct 4, 2005

I purchased a Tiger Cub about 6-weeks ago. I am now very pleased with it. I say "now" because it came from the dealer with the mower deck about 1" higher on one side than the other. I adjusted that myself but it was a major deal. It is built like a tank and I like the way it handles. Mine is the 48" with the 19hp Kawasaki. Paid $6000.
Hope this helps.
jb

aesanders · Oct 4, 2005

Scag's are very good ZTR's. A couple other to consider...

Ferris (and or Simplciity and Snapper which are all part of the same company)-- Ferris has a great reputation in commercial ZTR's.
Walker--Another top quality ZTR.

_RaT_ · Oct 4, 2005

I took a quick look at the Ferris. They do look very nice. My closest dealer is about 100 miles away.

deereowner · Oct 4, 2005

I would recommend looking at the Hustler Turf Mowers. Very well built, great reputation. I did a lot of looking, and wound up choosing the Fastrak. But for your size yard, you would want the Super Z, or the Z , which has great reveiws. According to the guy I talked to at the tractor dealer, who also sells Exmark and a few others, the Hustler is now outselling the others, because it has some standard items that are considered options on the other brands. Their web site has some details on the equipment.

_RaT_ · Oct 4, 2005

Wow, I never knew there were so many brands. I found the information available from the net interesting but figuring out who has the one I want is tough. I'm looking for a grass catcher type about 52" or smaller. SCAG, Ferris and Hustler look great. At the Hustler site, it's not easy figuring out the differences. I like the Super Mini Z and Hustler Mini. 44" would work fine for my needs.

rugs · Oct 5, 2005

BTH--

I bought a new "leftover" 2003 Tiger Cub in March, 2004 w/ 21 hp Kawasaki & 52" deck ( pics) ). I paid $4990. This is a very well built unit, and in general I've been quite happy with it. However, within the 1st 20 hrs I frayed & broke the hydro drive belt (dealer replaced it for free). Two weeks ago I cut & broke the deck drive belt... this one cost me $89(!). The bright side (should there be one) is that belts are incredibly easy to replace. The idler pulley brackets take a 1/2" breaker bar which makes it very easy to "untension" the idler when installing the new belt. I *don't* like the fact that the blades are mounted on long bolts that form the center of the spindles. To remove the blades for sharpening you have to jack the deck up high enough to allow the blade/bolt to drop out the bottom of the deck. The bolt is 6-7" long, so the deck really has to be up in the air.

FOURTEEN · Oct 5, 2005

( I like the Super Mini Z and Hustler Mini. 44" would work fine for my needs. )

 The 52" is less than $100 more ( Hustler MSRP ) and is much handier with 6" of Trim Capacity!

If all you are doing is 3 acres weekly, check out the FasTrac 52" cut with 20HP Honda V-2 and 4-year warranty for less than $5,000!!

_RaT_ · Oct 5, 2005

Thanks, that is exactly what I will do. I am going to check out the Fastrac in both deck sizes. I would prefer a Honda engine and talking to the folks at Hustler, they seem to understand. A bagger is available.