Scag or Gravely?

[Basil]

Hello everyone,

I recently purchased 8 acres and last summer my H.O. mower died. I want to buy a more that will last a long time, so I'm thinking of buying a commercial mower. Two of the eight acres is easy mowing, fairly flat. The other six acres is grown up and I'd like to get it cleaned up. Anyway I'm thinking of a Scag TigerCub 52" or a Gravely 252H XDZ.

A friend from work has the Scag and he highly recommends it. He also mows Semi-professionally while I will only be mowing my property. I went to the dealer to look at the Scags and the owner wanted to show me the Gravelys. He said I'd get more bang for the buck with the Gravely and for what I want to mow it will suit me fine.

Anyone got any opinions on these?

Thanks!

[NicholasMWhite]

The scag is by far the better machine. I work for a dealer that sells both. The gravely has the pump and hydro motor all together which is terrible for maintenance. Because when one thing goes they both do and it's not cheap. And believe me even in residential. Both of them will break. Go with a cub with a kawi on it and you won't be disappointed. Remember the dealer has conflict of interest. Alot of dealers don't care what is the better machine. They care about which rep they like better and which whole saler gives them a better kick back and then obviously which machine they have a bigger mark up on. So take EVERYthing they say with a grain of salt.

[Bulldog26]

NO queation the Scag! For the money I would rec. the wildcat.

bt

[Sammy]

I would take the Gravely over the Cub Cadet.
Scag should be the better of all three.

[Georges Lawn & Mulch]

I've been running a Gravely 252 for 2 years. This is the start of the third season. So far no issues. Oil, blades and gas that's it so far. Cut an average of 13-15 yards per week and the machine is used on all but one. Over 300 hours to date with no problems. The scags seem to be high quality equipment but I never ran any so I can't comment on them. They are the more expensive of the two. Either one would do, depending on what you want to spend.

[spotremix]

none of them, go with toro or exmark. dixie choppers are good too.

[Stephen M.]

Not all commercial mowers are created equally, like cars. However, every car owner or mower owner will say theirs is the best. With that said, I would echo the Scag choice. I can't say anything bad about a Gravelly since I've never owned or run one. I do own the Scag Turf Tiger and its been a very good machine.

[spotremix]

Not all commercial mowers are created equally, like cars. However, every car owner or mower owner will say theirs is the best. With that said, I would echo the Scag choice. I can't say anything bad about a Gravelly since I've never owned or run one. I do own the Scag Turf Tiger and its been a very good machine.

i know there not all created equal. i'm not saying MINE is the best either. i personally just happen to favor toro and exmark.

i personally think gravelly are cheaply made, they even look cheap IMO.

i've demo'd a scag before i there's just something about them i don't like, not to mention for me there a little pricey compared to what i can get from exmark or toro.

but true everyone has there preferances.

[NicholasMWhite]

Here's what I've found. Gravely's are fine. But their market is consumer. Not commercial. Scag on the other hand is the exact opposite. Exmark and toro's are fine. They are actually great IF you are the one running the machine. Problem is when you have employee's. YOU will take care of your **** much better than an employee will. And when you piss them off or they ask for an undeserved raise and aren't happy when they don't get it, guess what they take it out on. Have fun cutting, beating and re welding your front caster arm on the exmark. While the scag guy hits two bolts with an impact pulls the old caster out and is on his merry way. Employees are hard on equipment. That's when a scag is justified.

[Bulldog26]

Sporty, you have demoed the ztr's. I thought you were a wb guy? Have you ever been on a Dixie? If so, did you like it? I would have a hard time putting a newbie on a dixie. You have to know what your doing to work thier sticks!

bt

[Bulldog26]

Hey bulldog we are looking at picking up a new mower and was looking at Dixies, are they much diferent than a hustler? We are also looking at one of the quick 36's. Thanks

rhodesx6, IMO way different! The dixie is for someone that has used a ztr for a long time. The sicks are very sensitive with little or no dampners. I demoed one on a rough property and it was like riding a bull. We are running two scags and two Hustlers. Still getting use to the Hustlers, we only made the change because of the dealer. I only have exp. with the ztr no wb.
Good luck!

bt