Laser Z vs. Scag wildcat

[NicholasMWhite]

I'm deciding between those two mowers. Now they are only $100 difference but due to the fact that exmark has their low interest loan going on now. The Exmark actually costs $1000 less over the life of the loan. The engine combo I was looking at was the 26 liquid cooled kawi for the scag and then 28 air cooled for the exmark. I was also considering the kohler efi which is 400 more but claims 25% less fuel consumption(I'd like opinions on that if anyone knows about it). I'll be getting the 61 or 60 inch. So here are the main difference's I see.

Scag has 10cc hydro's where exmark has 12
Scag has the liquid cooled engine, but exmark is 2hp more. (what do you think is more important?)
Oh here's one thing I really like. Exmark has a 13.5 gallon fuel tank where as scag only has 8.

Also Scag really brags up their bearings. How are the exmark bearings?

Alright so those are the only notable differences. So what does every one think of these two machines.

[Bulldog26]

Have you looked at both in person? The Scag is built like a tank. I have the 61" with the Kaw. liquid cool. Great machine, you wont be disapointed. Can't really compare to the Lazer Z, I have only been on once before. Two full season and it has not let me down. Great off - set to the tire for edging. Check that on the Z. Good Luck.

bt

[NicholasMWhite]

No I didn't look at neither in person, but I looked at some similar models. Right it seems that no one has anything in stock. They seemed fairly comparable. I was leaning towards the scag originally but it's tough to beat the 1.9 percent interest rate with exmark compared to 8.8 percent with scag. I'm going to another scag dealer tomorrow to see if they can get a better price and maybe they'll have one in stock I can look at. Are mower prices usually negotiable like buying a car or is it you pay what they ask??? Thanks Nick

[Green Bay]

Exmark, Made in Nebraska, Corn feed Steak eating machines just like our women

[btammo]

Everything is negotiable with these mowers. 1.9% is a great rate to own a great machine.

[Bulldog26]

No I didn't look at neither in person, but I looked at some similar models. Right it seems that no one has anything in stock. They seemed fairly comparable. I was leaning towards the scag originally but it's tough to beat the 1.9 percent interest rate with exmark compared to 8.8 percent with scag. I'm going to another scag dealer tomorrow to see if they can get a better price and maybe they'll have one in stock I can look at. Are mower prices usually negotiable like buying a car or is it you pay what they ask??? Thanks Nick

Don't buy just because they have a great intrest rate. This machine is the hart of your bus. When it breaks down what are you going to do? Which location has the best service? Important to know. Are they going to loan you a demo if yours is down for more than a day? IMO.... the Scag machine is built much better than the Exmark. And please don't tell use your going to buy a machine without testing it out. In the spring all these guys will have demo's for you to try for a few hours or even a day. Set it up now and after the demo fig. out which is better for your bus.

bt

[NicholasMWhite]

Both Locations seem to have pretty good service. And I will be testing both machines. And they both have last years demo model that they were trying to sell me although the price on both of them wasn't good enough to justify buying a used one. The Exmark dealer even admitted that Scag was more beefy, but at the same time, I don't think the Exmark will fall apart, it seems as if the Scag is over kill. As long as I don't run the Exmark into trees all day everyday. I don't think it will make a difference. In my research I've seen both machines go to 2000 hours with no frame damage. So I don't know if having a stronger frame is worth the money. If this thinking is flawed let me know, but it's just the thought process I went through.

I'm going to the other scag dealer today. To see what they have to offer as far as price and see if he can give me a good reason to buy the scag instead. Also I can't really demo any of them right now because we have like 10 inches of snow on the ground with another 10-12 coming tonight. But I will be testing them when I can.

Thanks for all the replies and keep them coming.

Nick

[Bulldog26]

Nick,
Do some research on thier spindels. I have hear some complants on the Xmark's greaseless spindles.
Looks like your doing your homework.

bt

[NicholasMWhite]

Well I went to the other dealer and they definitely wins hands down. There is no doubt I'm going with them now. They had a ton of mowers in stock. But only offer Scag, Ferris and Gravely. So Exmark is out. Oh and he showed me an Exmark style bearing cut away next to a scag and the scag's are definitely better. And he gave me a much better interest rate than the other scag dealer. He can get me the same wildcat for 8600 which is less than the other dealer. But he talked me into a 2006 turf tiger that he has. It has 0 hours and is brand new. I can get either the 27 liquid cooled kawi with the velocity deck or the 35 liquid cooled vanguard with the advantage deck for $10000. I know that's alot but it also comes with a suspension seat which I'd really like to have to avoid back problems re-arising.

So now the question is 27 kawi with velocity or the 35 vanguard with the advantage. I'm leaning toward the vanguard.

[Ms. Jen]

Tt

Exmark vs. Scag - not apples to apples in my opinion. You did your homework and saw the difference. Scags are like a tank that aim's to please. I know because I've been running a Turf Tiger 61" for 3 years now and wouldn't trade it for the world. I will be buying a second and look forward to the new Velocity deck, I heard its awesome! We have 3 Scag walk behind's also and they are just a better product, when you own one you will see for yourself, some guys are set in their ways and they love their products just the same as I love my Scag. You can't loose when you have a problem, Scag also stands behind their product and will go beyond the extra mile for you when you don't expect they will. Not anyone can be a Scag dealer, I think criteria needs are important, and they work with the dealers to insure that their products are what people will come back for. SO.....Enjoy your TT. Go with the Kawi - It's just my humble opinion. Also enjoy the 10 gallon tank over the Wildcat's 8. You will enjoy the seat, coming out of back surgery in October - Take my advice and wear a belt for added stability. Let us know what you decide on. You won't be disappointed

Ms. Jen

[highlander316]

Well I went to the other dealer and they definitely wins hands down. There is no doubt I'm going with them now. They had a ton of mowers in stock. But only offer Scag, Ferris and Gravely. So Exmark is out. Oh and he showed me an Exmark style bearing cut away next to a scag and the scag's are definitely better. And he gave me a much better interest rate than the other scag dealer. He can get me the same wildcat for 8600 which is less than the other dealer. But he talked me into a 2006 turf tiger that he has. It has 0 hours and is brand new. I can get either the 27 liquid cooled kawi with the velocity deck or the 35 liquid cooled vanguard with the advantage deck for $10000. I know that's alot but it also comes with a suspension seat which I'd really like to have to avoid back problems re-arising.

So now the question is 27 kawi with velocity or the 35 vanguard with the advantage. I'm leaning toward the vanguard.

velocity is supposed to be a much better deck, heard nothing but good things aobut it. $10k is high. I could get that mower in the fall for I think 8600 dealers were selling them for. As for the interest rate, just pay it off sooner to avoid that extra money.

[lawrence stone]

You can buy four of these machines for the price of that one rider.

http://cgi.ebay.com/EXMARK-48-hydro-walk-behind_W0QQitemZ120218512503QQihZ002QQcategoryZ71272QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

In the ad it says he also has turf tracer 60" for $3100.

[GeorgiaLandscaper]

This is not a preference of what brand you like better! It is a preferece of what you will be using it for.

These two mowers are both fine machines, but are made to preform at to totally different levels.

Exmarks are made and designed to mulch. Hints the 6in. deep decks and high horsepower engines. They new trition decks are mulching machines. It is more of a fine turf mower.

Scags are made and designed to side discharge. Hints the more shallow decks and the slant on the front of the deck. Does good on fine turf, but more of field/junk grass mower.

I own and operate both machines. They are both great and both built like tanks. I will tell you that it almost cost double to work on scag vs. a exmark. Parts are always much higher for scags.

[GeorgiaLandscaper]

Hear hear!!! And I can't expect anyone would have trouble finding a place to get an Exmark serviced.

And with all the talk of breaking... I dunno what you fellas are doing with your mowers, but I'm running a Snapper starting it's 5th year, and haven't had a breakdown yet. A couple snapped belts, and I did put new spindles in last year, but the only thing that ever stopped me from mowing with it was a flat tire from running over roofing tacks in a yard.

Either mower will do you just fine as they are both commercial units. Better service and price should be your deciding factor here as you won't be losing either way. Lots of folks have a brand preference for one reason or another, but if you really look at specs the mechanicals (engines, hydro pumps, and motors) are usually the same in all commercial brands.

When mowers are being used, they are going to break. How many hours do you have on that snapper in those four years?

I agree with you that either mower will do just fine. But what I am saying that any mower will out preform anohter mower when it is being used in the way it was designed to.