Comparison SCAG, SNAPPER, HUSTLER-Trying to decide on 3 mowers w different criteria(help!!)

[texlion]

In my price range i have narrowed it down to these 3:

SCAG (Freedom Z) 42' w Kawasaki
SNAPPER (550Z) 60' w Kawasaki
HUSTLER (Raptor SD) 54' w Kawasaki


I have a 2 acre RUGGED lot. I need something durable that cuts nice and even. THANK YOU for your help!

 

[Texasmark]

In my price range i have narrowed it down to these 3:

SCAG (Freedom Z) 42' w Kawasaki
SNAPPER (550Z) 60' w Kawasaki
HUSTLER (Raptor SD) 54' w Kawasaki


I have a 2 acre RUGGED lot. I need something durable that cuts nice and even. THANK YOU for your help!

I have a Hustler 44 Fastrak with a Honda 18 I bought back in '05. I have a 2+ acre yard and associated area that it mows. Have had zero problems with it. I changed the plugs last year. Use 10-30 syn oil that I change once per season. Would buy another. Cuts nice and even as it can considering either the mower or the deck anti scalp wheels have to follow some sort of terrain and the cutting can vary accordingly.

My problem with this machine and most is the horrible ride. Seems MOST mfgrs build mowers to mow plush lawns and not rural terrain. The optional spring suspension for the front is too stiff to be of any good. I spent $400 for 2 sets for 2 mowers and was a waste of money. I even added about 30# out front of the foot rest on the hustler and that helped little. Running the tires at less than 10# helps some. The seat comes with NO springs whatsoever.

I bought a suspension seat for another brand and it was useless there so I adapted it to my Hustler. Works pretty good with an additional pad in the seating area. With all the mods I get a pretty good ride now. On the other ZT machine (DR) which also came with no springs, I fabricated a combination spring/motorcycle seat air suspension and that works really good on that mower....which has the other set of shock absorbing forks on the front wheels.

Been told that the Ferris front end works pretty good. Would have to ride in one before I commented.

HTH,
Mark

 

[Gary Fowler]

If your lawn is a bit rough, check out the Ferris or Simplicity (same mower-Ferris is owned by Simplicity) with the spring suspension front and rear. It does make a difference from the other mowers without it. I suppose if you put a suspension seat on one of these it would be even better (I don't have a suspension seat on mine and it is pretty smooth on my rough lawn (former cow pasture). They aren't cheap though. I have the IS 700 Z with Kawasaki 690 FS engine and it was $6800.

 

[gmccall]

In my price range i have narrowed it down to these 3:

SCAG (Freedom Z) 42' w Kawasaki
SNAPPER (550Z) 60' w Kawasaki
HUSTLER (Raptor SD) 54' w Kawasaki


I have a 2 acre RUGGED lot. I need something durable that cuts nice and even. THANK YOU for your help!

You should read my posts about My Scag Tiger Cat 52" mower that now has 65 hours on it.
Mower has been and is back in the shop for most of the last 8 months.