jacobson vrs scag (and JD) ZTR

Spiffy · Jul 27, 2005

BCZoom really nailed it with getting a demo on your property.

As for your options:

The way I see it you can get the 19-48 for 6K or spend 20% more on 20% wider deck and 20% more HP. So I really don't see the value going wider since a large part of your challange is obstacles. As far as HP; since you're cutting proportionally wider you won't have an advantage unless cutting "partial-widths" which you can also do with the 48" deck. I'm betting the simplicity you're on now is a Kohler, a great engine and 25HP is still going to feel more powerful than 19HP, but the conditions you described should put you in an area on the torque curve where the Kaw may narrow the gap a little [not to mention the 25% difference in deck width that 25HP has to pull].

I've never been on a Scag; but I'm really impressed by the approach they take on their "smaller machines". Far as I can tell, they still use the same quality of components across the board. (I can't think of another that uses tapered roller bearings, pumps/motors, fab deck, and weighs over 1000lb in their "compact" ZTR). To hold market share against all the "transition units" for $4-5K, you're dealer may be right about them pricing the Tiger Cub tight [read on another thread where the Z-Cat was more competetive than I expected too].

But that's a bit off track for you comparisons; the long and short, I'd say if you want to spend more for wider [it might have a time advantage] than go for it [I also recall from another thread 48" or 52" may be the best size for even [antiscalp] mowing on rough terrain]. And either way; that demo could be priceless.

Finally I wouldn't be scared of any of them, but just to split hairs: around here you don't see a Jacobson [or GH] unless it's front mount FWIW. JD's seem to sell more GT's.

Good Luck! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Sigarms · Jul 27, 2005

Chad

Bingo on the Kholer.

Problem is, as of now, two dealers that I went to see would not let me demo one on my property.

Reason I was wondering about the Jacobson is that not only does it "look nice", it comes with 24 month same as cash /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif which always helps!

Scag looks "bombproof" (tiger cub) and just wondering about the power, and without demo-ing on my land, I won't know until I've bought it (in which case if I'm disapointed, I'll really be disapointed!).

Thanks for the info.

bczoom · Jul 27, 2005

( Problem is, as of now, two dealers that I went to see would not let me demo one on my property.

Scag looks "bombproof" (tiger cub) and just wondering about the power, and without demo-ing on my land, I won't know until I've bought it (in which case if I'm disapointed, I'll really be disapointed!).)

Sig,

What are your hills like? Thinking about your mowing patterns, would you be going across sideways or going up and down? If the latter, I would think you'll be OK with most any ZTR.

Not sure about your hills, but myself (I have some decent hills), I would make it a prerequisite that I get to demo it on my land since my mowing pattern requires that I go sideways across some of the hills. The one I ended up getting, he delivered but I didn't cut him the check until I had about 1/2 hour of seat time trying it out. When it did work, he got paid.

Brian

Spiffy · Jul 27, 2005

If the Jacobson is also the one that'll let you demo [probably the JD dealer, to really convolute things] that 2 years same as cash is hard to argue.

BTW I've done that 0% credit before; always with good results, but make sure you put big red circles on your calander; flag your computer, PDA, and anything else that will remind you a month before it's due. If you miss it the date; all that interest [often at like 20%] comes back from day one.

A second option to the at home demo: if your dealer has some conditions that closely mimick or exceed yours, you may be satisfied demoing there.

Probably already have tried it, but maybe you can straight out tell the dealers "I'm going to buy one of these 3 machines, but XXX dealer will give me a demo; I can't consider any others that won't."

Sigarms · Jul 27, 2005

Brian

Really only a "gully" (sp?) on the corner of the land. When your at the "base", tree line behind you, hill going up to the left, right and center for about 80 yards.

Using my neighbors simplicity, I can litterally (sp?) go up and down the hill at any angle, at any speed without a problem (keep in mind, when first doing this "hill", I TOOK my TIME VERY SLOWLY).

All things considered, I'd wouldn't mind going with the jacobson for same as cash deal. Yes, I know about all the finance companys "tricks" as to get you to be late on a payment. This will not happen.

Wondering about jacobson compared to scag and if the price difference is worth it.

Now, if I go look at the country clipper that Brian has, that could really screw up things /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif On that note, can I ask (without searching here) the model and what you paid for it?

Thks

Spiffy · Jul 28, 2005

The one I ended up getting, he delivered but I didn't cut him the check until I had about 1/2 hour of seat time trying it out. When it did work, he got paid. 

Now that might be good "compromise" as well! One dealer I spoke with last spring said he regularly did exactly that and had yet to bring a machine back.

Does that Simplicity have suspension? If so, and you have rough ground, anything else may feel completely different. If the Jacobson comes with a true suspenstion seat that may help. That's likely an option on the other choices as well. It will likely need to be a matter of fit, feel, and handling; I just can't see the $$$ on the step up in deck and HP.

BTW; I got curious and had to check the Jacobson site; I can't find the 58", even in their Bob-cat line [maybe they need to update the site though?].

Really for your budget, I think you can just find a dealer you trust and they'll have a machine that handles your area and conditions easily. The quandry does come in though: when spending that kind of money [big $$$$ to me] you want something that fits you, not to mention any special conditions [cutting sideways on hills metioned above; or in another thread, a member had to get a front mount so he didn't get drawn into his pond].

Finally: you mentioned payments, was that 2 years same as cash [one lump after 2 years] or 24 equal payments? Since, you already know your way around their gimicks you probably know this to, but can't hurt get everyone informed:

Just considering the time value of money; 1 year same as cash is roughly equal to 2years of equal monthly payments.

Now there may be intangibles to your paying style that weights one or the other heavier; also remember interest is cheap right now [anything guaranteed return is at best a few %; on the other side of the equation: banks are just throwing around low rate home equities as well as 1 year 0% credit cards [which some of the lawn mower "financing plans" are anyway].

Oh well, back on track; good luck getting a little seat time in them, no doubt there's at least one you'll really like. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif