I bought the Scag Cheetah over the Turf Tiger b/c it has the Kawi 38.5hp. The Turf Tiger also doesn't ride as well as my Cheetah. Cheetah is also lighter + more fuel efficient, as long as I don't go at high load. It is also easier to back the Cheetah up a curb. Dixie Chopper went to shit in 2018, plus the steering is too sensitive.
Great video... I got the Turf Tiger with the 26.5hp Kohler with EFI and was hesitant at first. That with a 52" deck ran around $12k and my only regret is not going to a better dealer to purchase it. I am very pleased with the mower and have had no issues for 1800 hrs so far. I see a fuel savings or what seems to be over my older non commercial John Deere. I also bought a commercial Wright Stander 36" with Kawasaki motor for yards with smaller gates. It is a good mower as well but dont use it nearly as much.
The Tiger Cat 2 with the 61 inch velocity deck is around $9000-9500. It’s basically a compact Turf Tiger 2, and it’s fuel injected. The fuel injected mowers run so much better and are less problematic. My boss’s eX-Mark Lazer Z has 2200 hours on it and it runs and cuts pretty good still, he runs the Kohler EFI motor, and that was around $8000 when he bought it brand new a few years ago. Them Cheetahs are fast though.
I've got the 72" Cheetah II with a Kawasaki and a 61" V-ride with a Kawasaki and I've had nothing but engine issues with both. They've each been in the shop more than 4 times. Kawasakis smoke like crazy upon start up even from the factory. I'll definitely go with the Briggs next time.
The best mower is the Dixie choppers. Period..I own 3 10.12.& 1 year old hasn't been in the shop. We mow every day all day ..we live in Florida were grass grow like crazy
Congratulations on your purchase I would wonder how satisfied you are with the Briggs engine. The Kawasaki engine is light years ahead of the Briggs unit
I’ve had dealer maintained units go 2000 hours with Kawasaki’s and have engine troubles while the vanguard I’ve put 4000 hours on and it’s only needed a fuel pump and a starter
super slow racing that’s bull shit, nobody is going to mow 16 mph, the tt is built way tougher than the cheetah and will get more hours than the cheetah
Do what’s right for you, I purchased the scag turf tiger 2 with 31 kaw liquid cooled yes it was 14k but I can mow all day on a tank and three yards I have are over a acre. I also use amsoil in the motor and hydros that helped as well!
I sold my John Deere with a Kawasaki engine. It was GX345 with 2700 hrs. on. Last time I talked to the buyer it was at 4760 hrs. He was giving it to his son in law . Kawasaki is light years ahead of any engine,
Same deck without shaft driven..! First belt wear out is from engine powering deck..! Recommend keeping expensive spare belt in toolbox, unnecessary downtime waiting on replacement belt, travel for parts, and repair time is lost money..! Cheetah has internal transaxle brake system and if steering handle linkage wears and/or become loose often results braking transaxle internal brake system..! Fortunately most common within warranty limit but generally requires several days before parts received and dealer repairs are completed..! Again lost time and money..! Turf Tiger has external disc brakes easily accessible DIY fast repair and extremely rare failure occurrence. Inexpensive brake repair without warranty coverage in comparison..! Compare Kawasaki 31hp liquid cooled engine to Briggs 37 hp air cooled shorter life span 6 extra hp doesn’t compensate..! Air cooled Briggs and especially Kolher engines don’t run as well as Liquid Cool Kawasaki over 2000 running hours..! Briggs a lot better than junky Kohler engines but with proper preventive maintenance Kawasaki engines out last competition..! Sure, in the beginning years ago Kawasaki had minor issues which had been eliminated, but unfortunately mower salesmen and lawn care UTurders regurgitating same outdated news promoting inferior products in comparison..! That’s why you save 3k on original purchase but you will spend more than 3k on repairs, lost time, and replacing mower sooner..! Long run you’ll pay more if you plan to operate your lawn care business long term..! Both are great high performance mowers completing task by design but Turf Tiger is more durable lowering over long term business costs and hold higher resale and trade-in values..! Too many Turf Tigers with over 3000hrs average resale $3500+..!
Vanguard was actually Japanese until the partnership with Briggs and Stratton has them now being built here in the U.S. I have a Vanguard on one of my non Scag mowers and it is the Japanese built version and it has dependability on par with kawi just a little less power.
Great points! As much as I prefer the independent pumps and motors, and a shaft drive deck of the Turf Tiger... it just isn't worth the tradeoff. The Cheetah is: -lighter -better on hills/slopes -easier on the hydros -more responsive -easier on turf -faster when you can use it -more efficient -more power/torque available to the blades -cheaper to buy -cheaper to maintain -lower parts count -puts more profits in your account, and productivity in your day (who doesn't like getting a raise and shorter work days... or possibly adding another property to your schedule?) Some will argue with me on belt drive vs. shaft, but I've seen the Cheetah under full load... NO BELT SLIP, PERIOD. It sold me on modern belt drives. These new belts are perfectly capable of delivering 37 horsepower to the deck. Granted, that MIGHT change if you're cutting 2ft tall material for a full shift, but I've watched one go 3hrs in a jungle without slipping.
Do you mind sharing what issues you had with the Kohler engines that you did not like . i have the ech 749 Efi and have noticed it is using oil when checked daily but Kohler says that’s normal I DONT THINK SO. WHAT HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED WITH KOHLER? THANKS TOM
It’s normal for newer Kolher engines since 2010. My valve covers leak and Kolher engine consumed oil from day one. Unfortunately I chose Kolher powered mower based on past experiences without knowing newer Kolher manufacturing today turned into garbage..! Biggest purchase regret ever and one I will not make again ever..! In my experience newer Briggs is better than latest Kolher engines but not as good as Kawasaki or Yamaha..! Briggs and Kolher have completely different business models for success based on lowering production cost designing mowers last one day beyond warranty maximizing profit margins..! Kawasaki and Yamaha building solid reputations based on performance and long term durability business model which eventually dominate small engine market eliminating competition..! Strong survive and the weak dies..!
With small push lawn mower I have Victa which is Australian and Victa was best buy over other brands because it came with 4 stroke Briggs with best chassis. I have it for 10 years, service 2 times a year it pay for itself in 6 months. For $300 mover the dealer was shock when I ask for parts he said they were throw away mower they weren’t meant last 2 years. Now I say my mower is now getting bit tired, I thinking upgrading
You choose wrong. I bought the cheetah first and then tried turf tiger. I got both with vanguards....same price. After mowing with both it’s hard to get back on the cheetah. Not sure why the price difference for your situation.
Pros for turf tiger 2 over cheetah. Superior deck leveling, easier to blow off, believe it or not tiger has smoother ride, smoother pump/wheel motors, easier access to top nuts on spindles
I respect your opinion. Like I said I checked them both out and for me I didn't see a huge difference to pay more. Thanks for the comments. Happy Thanksgiving
Great vid bro!! Im looking to get a commercial mower for the house. I think I'm hell bent on Scag. I wonder if EFI is worth the buy. Im a Master Mechanic.
Heard Briggs and Stratton was suied for false hp postings.... in reality Kawasaki didn’t want the same issue so a 25hp stated is more or less a 27-28hp This is what I’ve was told from a regional manager... Not sure if they were telling the truth
Great video man and good points! The only thing I disagree with is is that Kohler makes a really good engine, very comparable to the quality of Kawasaki. Here are all the engine brands from best to least in my opinion.Honda KawasakiKohlerSubaru BriggsJust my thought. Thanks for the video!
You're going to have to throw Yamaha in there somewhere now ! Jury is still out on Yamaha though. I think this was their first year out. I've only seen them on Gravely so far. Anyone buy one this year ?
Yeah your'e right! I forgot they were making mower engines now.. If they are as good of quality as their dirt bikes and generators, than I would rank them right after Honda.
Ferris 2100. 25.5hp kaw. $8999 0% interest. Comfortable with shocks. I love it. It hasnt bogged down on my yet with that low of hp. We can trade a day or two (next 2 wks or next season) to test it out. Not the greatest striper as toro and scag is but worth it.
I'm debating purchasing a left over 2017 model Cheetah. But it only has the 31hp Kawasaki engine. I'd love the 35/36/37 hp Vanguard. Do you think I'd miss the extra hp when cutting thick wet grass?
Plus you wanted to be like me right? I mean, ... ... ...right? Anyway, that's cool you got that giant Briggs. I saw that option when I got mine but I chickened out. Now, I think the Turf Tiger also has a diesel option, which would be crazy strong and long lasting. But you are right, you should expect to get 3000+ hours from that engine. Now, seriously, that's not the same Kohler making toilets and engines, is it?
@@SpencerLawnCare Don't pay any attention to Michael Mac Tavish he's a marketing troll from Kubota paid to try to interest you in their over priced, crappy ass mowers.
I'm having an issue with electrical on my 2013 Koehler ech 749 efi only 200 hours on it and. Not much help form Koehler on the issue so far so I'm out of work now for 5 days
Horsepower means nothing. when it comes to power out of a small engine, torque is what you want. I have noticed that mowers that offer Briggs engine options and Kawasaki engine options always have smaller horsepower Kawas than Briggs. Because Kawa produces engines with the best torque on the market. whatever model engine they had on that mower that was a kawasaki would have had as much if not more power than that Briggs. that is just my opinion though. I personally hate briggs and will never buy a new machine with a briggs on it. to each his own. and you have already had carb problems out of that engine havent you? typical briggs. carb problems plague any briggs engine badly.
I'm about to pull the trigger on a 2019 Tiger Cat 52 22hp. ANY reason I should instead go for the 2019 Cheetah 61 with the 31hp?? Tomorrow I'm signing papers.
You like carbureated? You like buying a lot of fuel then. When I went to dfi in 08, best thing I ever did...cut my fuel in half...literally! Big engine plus carburetor equals no profit.
@@eatshitful it's You're* 😂 but back to the comment, EFI is a huge improvement on fuel economy. I was all about carb too. But EFI saves you a good amount per yr.
@@bignickdigger7105 Ohh here we go with the grammer nazi..... It wouldn't be that way had you setup your carb right.... On the bright side that EFI will cost you at least 4 times as much in repairs. So much for your fuel savings right? I get a kick out of these people like you telling me how great it is. There bill before normally $100 or less for a carb issue. They go get a EFI engine so they don't have to come see me. Then find out it is not that great and they had a $600+ bill waiting for them. Nice savings there bud. Now mister know it all if you really wanted to talk fuel savings or saving the hole life of a machine you would ditch carb and EFI for diesel! More efficient more power even with the lower rating. (learn how ratings work) much less to go wrong, last double or triple the hours of gas engines easily, no road tax on the fuel, safer to haul large amounts of fuel around without such a fire hazard. The list goes on. But hey what do i know i only fix the things for a living and i like the ignorant like you so i get more work!
@@eatshitful calm down ma'am. If its a small outfit with 1 or 2 mowers running daily, yeah..carb makes sense. But in my case, running 9 mowers daily..the EFI is the way to go. I cant argue any further with some mechanic that makes 30k a yr. You work for a business, i own one. We can't relate
@@bignickdigger7105 I don't work for anyone whats wrong with you? 4 bay shop service trucks and all buddy. 30k wouldn't even pay for 1/4 of the tools in just 1 of the service trucks. To make it sting more kiddo all of it is paid for in CASH! No bank loans. not to mention running a small farm of 400 acres with all equipment paid for. Ohh crap almost forgot the small construction side to. just a few skid steers semi, 60,000lb excavator. Again all paid for not a single loan. If you was such a big time guy you wouldn't be talking EFI you would have diesels. You got 9 mowers LMFAO! Just one of my skidsteers cost more then that. You ready to write the check for the excavator son? I will sell it to you. You can put a brush mower on it and mow along the ponds. It has the dual pump flow setup and ready to go!
