How Long Does a Landscaper's ZT Mower Last?

SMSW

Joined
Sep 4, 2013
Messages
988
Location
Cleveland
Bike
2010 ST1300
This year the landscapers all bought new Scag ZT mowers in my suburb. In years past they ran Xmark, but this spring many of them showed up on orange machines.

From reading, it sounds like small gasoline engines last around 1000 - 1500 hours. I estimate these guys run their machines around 40 hours/week (6 days) or 160 hrs/month. Their year runs from May thru October so 6 months is about 1000 hours. By my rough numbers, that means if they do routine maintenance they might eek two years out of these machines before a new motor is needed.

Anyone know anything different?

If anyone knows which Scags are commercial vs residential builds, I'm curious about those models. They have names like Patriot, Freedom, Tiger Cat, etc. and one can pick the width of the deck and the engine within each model. Scag does not tout one over the other as a 'commercial' machine like, say Stihl (which has a number of 'professional saws' w/ larger air filters, lightweight magnesium cases, and higher power to weight ratios).
 
My neighbour had an old SCAG, I'm going back 15 years..... 60", two wheels up front and a rear pivoting wheel you sat above. 15hp Kawasaki was reliable and smooth. Mower deck quite rectangular and built like a tank. I don't know how you'd kill one. If I were buying, I'd shy away from Briggs Engines.
Depends on how much you have to cut or are you going into business....
 
RaYzerman said:
My neighbour had an old SCAG, I'm going back 15 years..... 60", two wheels up front and a rear pivoting wheel you sat above. 15hp Kawasaki was reliable and smooth. Mower deck quite rectangular and built like a tank. I don't know how you'd kill one. If I were buying, I'd shy away from Briggs Engines.
Depends on how much you have to cut or are you going into business....
Click to expand...
Briggs has moved to Yunowhere. We bought a new mower thru Lowes....lasted three months til the engine tossed its connecting rod. I could find no one, not even Lowes could help me get in touch with Briggs on what would have been a warranty claim. I could find NO shops in the Dallas/Fort Worth area who claimed to honor the Briggs warranty, even though they several were on Lowe's list of Briggs service providers.
In my searches for a new unit, I discussed sources before I moved on. Apparently most (can't commit to all) engines over 10 hp are made in Yunowhere. Be careful with 'Made in America' claims....frequently that simply means assembled here with non-domestic expensive parts. Warranty claims in my area are worthless.
I gave up after five months and subscribed to a mowing service.
 
I don't think you can get a Briggs engine now. I just looked at the Scag website and saw that you can select the engine and deck size. Available engines are Kohler, Vanguard big block, Kawasaki, and Kubota diesel, tho that last adds about $6k to the price of the toy. But, BMW K bikes still cost (MSRP) more than a diesel Scag (but not by much).
 
Kawasaki engine 31hp estimates are 3-4000 hours or more and probably a lot more with Rotella diesel oil. :crackup:
 
Oldbikefixr said:
That seems to be the pattern. Once production cost squeezing dictates garbage....change the name. Is the engine paint color still the same as Briggs? Just wondering.
Click to expand...
Vanguard has been the name for commercial Briggs and Stratton engines since B&S started the commercial engine division in 1986.
 
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