unbiased commercial mower opinions wanted

[crappieseeker]

If there is such a thing, I would like some unbiased opinions if any of you mow commercially. I have never owned a Badboy or a Scag. Scag has been around forever, and I know people are loyal to them for a reason, because they are proven. I hear a lot of Scag guys say Badboy is junk, but I just wonder if it's true or just hear say. When I do research, it appears the Badboy has the better pumps, wheel motors, transmissions, etc. they have a sturdier deck, and the motors are equivalent. So why do I hear so much negative about them? I have found a good price on a Scag and a Badboy and the price point is considerably cheaper on the Badboy. Trying to make a decision. I know Badboy doesn't use a middleman for sales and that's one reason prices are lower.

[BAMA S]

I had a Scag 61” cut 15 years ago with water cooled Kawasaki. I run it ten years with no problems. Sold it for 5000. Got a kid cutting 4 acres twice a month for 150. Not worth me to
upkeep a mower at that cost. Bought my dad a Scag 52” cut. 20 years ago. He still cuts his yard at 83. Gives him purpose, iffn I ever buy again it will be a scag.

[Slabprowler]

When I started my journey with the zero turns around 7 years ago I looked at them all and was going to go with a green one since they had a dealer close by but they were too busy trying to make a sell on a $750,000 combine and didn’t want to talk to me about a $7500 mower at that time and that’s what I found while researching/looking at others so I ended up with a ferris from a dealer that acted like he wanted my business . the cut was good but it had issues with it clogging up with thick grass or if it was wet at all so I went back to that same dealer and
traded the Ferris in on an Exmark close to 5 years ago now and it has right at a 1000 hours on it and it has preformed excellent and I have been ruff on it. I run it wide open just about everywhere I go. Have only had to replace the starter and had to replace a spindle because I hit something that I didn’t need too ! (Grin) other than regular maintenance and a belt here and there No complaints like it so well I bought another new one back in May just to have as a spare so if the first one was to go down.Also they usually offer 4 years 0 interest through Sheffield. Only issue is closet dealer is in Boaz or Huntsville. You are welcome to come get either one and give em a try to see how they suit you. They are other mowers out there that do a good job but for the price and the warranty that Exmark has it’s hard to beat em. The new one I bought in May came with a 4 year 750 hour which ever comes first warranty pretty much speaks for its quality. Good luck on your search and holler if you need me!

[jimp]

I had a Ferris IZ 48" cut with a 2x hp Kawi engine, the entry level to the commercial line. I used it on a 3/4 acre lot and mowed my SIL's lot of similar size as well for 15 yrs. Needed new rear tires due to dry rot, and a drive belt for the blades, changed the oil annually, etc., mowed good/level, rode good. I tried to avoid cutting when wet, but it handled it fine, the thicker spots of grass it would bog down a little but did not change the cut quality. I sold this mower to the owner of the lawn service I now use and he still runs this machine on the football fields he mows with a grass catcher set up.

I don't mow the yards now (tired of hearing the other half fuss about me out in the heat, etc) the lawn service uses Scags, they are HD machines, but they don't keep the blades sharpened, and go too fast while mowing, so the cut quality sucks IMO. I don't think the machine is at fault, the lawn service is for not servicing the mowers and QC over the end cut. I would buy another Ferris if I could get one with a Kawi engine in the same size but don't think they offer that combo anymore.

[Bassing_53]

I have a scag liberty 52", I wouldn't consider it a commercial, I cut 2.5 acres plus another .5 acre and have had zero problems. My neighbor has a bad boy and likes it.