Scag vs Bad Boy

[Creamer]

I wouldn't own a mid mount mower - not after having my front mount Deines with a flip up deck. Two pins and the deck can go vertical and sit there for me to clean or do blade work. Plus I can get closer to trees and shrubs without getting scratched.

Having to jack them up to get deck access means they will not get cleaned or sharpened as much. Plus the more weight on the wheels running over the grass ahead of the mower means less snap back and a more uneven cut. For less than $2k more than you are talking you could get a new Deines. I have had mine since 98 and other than tires and blades this is the first year I have had to do anything to it.

I know commercial guys like the mid-mounts but a lot of the reason is hauling space - they can haul three mid-mounts in the space of two front mounts. Front deck Grasshoppers, Deeres, etc. are much more expensive which is why I bought the Deines - same quality of components for a lot less. The people I know with Scags and Bad Boys sure have had a lot more issues than I have had.

 

[4570Man]

We have a few mid mounts, but the front mount is much better. A rear mount finish mower works good too, but you loose the benefit of less grass compaction.

 

[Ford850]

Thanks for the input! I was just talking with a guy the other day who told me that he mows 10 acres and moves snow with a grasshopper 725d. Said that it has tons of torque for mowing or blowing and the front deck is a blessing. He even gave me info on his dealer...who is pretty far away, but their page says free pick up and delivery. He was saying the diesel engines will last 6000-7000 hours and that would be a lot of use on my property. Plus I can use it year round. I'm still going to demo Scag and Bad Boy, but that Grasshopper idea doesn't sound bad either.

Thanks everyone for the posts/opinions. Always nice to get a little nugget of info from experienced people that I had never considered!

I have had a Grasshopper 722DT6 for several years and love it. I use the floating deck bushings on it so it can float left to right as well as front to back. The front mount works best for my property, and does a good job on hills too. I don't use the other attachments since I have other tractors to do snow work etc, but they are easy to swap on and off. The electric flip up decks make it easy to clean the underside and to remove the blades. I like mine so well I am getting a 725DT6 now to use along with the 722.

 

[MESSMAKER]

I am a Scag fan, but that being said, there are lots of good mowers made. Bad Boy, Xmark,Grasshopper,Toro,JD,Kubota are all pretty good. I am sure that others are fine as well. The only ones I have heard negatives about are Cub Cadet and Swisher. My one piece of advice would be to get the best seat available. It will let you mow faster with more comfort.

 

[Clay45]

The Scag is a good machine, but the build, cut, and component quality isn't any better than Hustler, Exmark, Gravely, etc.

When it comes to these commercial mowers, it all boils down to dealer convenience and personal seating preference...and color of course.

Hustler recently ranked number one in dealer choice, or some silly ratings category... And I think my Hustler is a great machine, but I certainly wouldn't boast that it's "number 1" in any particular category. They're all pretty equal.

I agree. Didn't mean to imply there weren't other good choices; just the reasons between those two. A buddy of mine loves his Hustler but there wasn't a Hustler nor Ferris dealer near me. Scag and Toro dealers were close and I was more impressed with the Scag offerings.

 

[Creamer]

Just mowed my lawn this morning and I got to thinking about this thread. A number of mentioned the importance of a good seat. I do not have a seat with suspension but got thinking are your lawns really that rough that you need one or are your derierres a little sensitive?

 

[daugen]

I do not have a seat with suspension but got thinking are your lawns really that rough that you need one or are your derierres a little sensitive?

I won't speak for others but my five acres of lawn was originally woodland, bulldozed and cleared thirty years ago by the prior owner, and man are there still potholes everywhere. Plus I have no cartilage left between my discs and have a fused neck so bouncing around for three hours isn't the height of fun. But it's quite manageable if the worst bangs are absorbed.
Once you sit on a properly dialed in suspension seat, you won't go back...

now if you are using a riding mower on a half acre, well...

 

[coobie]

Just mowed my lawn this morning and I got to thinking about this thread. A number of mentioned the importance of a good seat. I do not have a seat with suspension but got thinking are your lawns really that rough that you need one or are your derierres a little sensitive?

Nope,but when you have rods and cages in your back from surgery it makes a difference.I owned a Kubota ZTR and a ferris ZTR with the independent suspension. The ferris ZTR made a hugh difference in ride comfort.

 

[Clay45]

My place is a tad under 7 acres. A good portion of that is a long driveway, a Barn, storage building and tractor shed so I'm guestimating that I mow 5 1/2 acres or so. I cannot think of any of it that I can just take off and cut flat out without losing directional control or spots commanding my concentration. My seat has a graduated dial between my knees where you adjust tension for the weight of the operator so I supposed its more than just your basic seat. But its not the same suspension seat my neighbor's Cheetah has. He let me test drive it which I did in both high and low ranges. His seat and suspension were nicer than mine but it still bounced the mower around requiring you to slow down to maintain control and a better ride.

I'm going to have to bite the bullet and make some changes for sure.

 

[kenmac]

I don't own 1,but they claim to be the fastest mower Best Commmercial and Residential Zero-Turn Riding Lawn Mowers | Dixie Chopper