I have the exact mower. Cons:- clutch replacement that scagg provided is made of soft metal and bends. - Both rear wheels pull in tatem, makes it difficult to turn. - not good on hills or soft dirt. - heavy mower - front caster wheels will break if they hit a root sideways Pros:- good suction -good cut quality - great on level ground - engine always starts - Easy oil change - gets job done faster than 21 inch. Thanks for posting. Great video.

Fair review. I’ve got one with 30 hours on it, and haven’t had any of the issues you’ve pointed out. I have never used the mulch plate tho, as any of my previous machines (including the xmark 30) all failed in mulch mode. Most machines can’t handle mulching, especially in wet conditions. The machine is heavy, and despite it being setup like a big push mower, you have to ignore that and try to operate it like a traditional commercial walk behind. It’s just too big to try and manhandle like a push mower.

Best review on a Scag I've found.Thank you.

@diydarren7879

Жыл бұрын

Thank you, I appreciate that!

Good review thanks

I live in the nw. It's wet half the year, the SFC doesn't like wet grass and it's a tank.

I just bought a 30in SCAG this spring and love it. Gotta have some strength to operate as it is 200lbs + but real mean should be able to handle it. Suggest making sure your deck baffle isn’t installed if you are mulching or side discharge.

You cut in the 2's in the Northeast in spring??? Wow.

Good review. Pointed on things that thought was a issue.. i dont have one .. would like to see the cut..

@diydarren7879

Жыл бұрын

Good idea for the next video. We have snow in the forecast this week though 😳 Hopefully soon! Thanks for the comment.

@diydarren7879

Жыл бұрын

Check out my new video. 3 types of test cuts on wet grass. The results even surprised me.

oh you talked about taking them off right after lol

I've been a Timemaster user since they first came out. Saw these mowers got excited. Tested one for a week in St Augustine early spring. Biggest lead weight I've ever used. I stick with my residential lightweight mower that is easy to maneuver and I can live with the small gas tank, and occasional repairs. Now I don't think the Timemaster is worth the crazy prices they're charging now. I won't buy a new one at those prices. Maybe scag can do a newer lighter generation.

I was very interested to watch this video and see what your thoughts were. I was able to acquire the same exact model from a local lawnmower shop here in southern New Jersey and I did a demo of it last weekend. I was not totally thrilled with the mower myself. I noticed that the weight of it and trying to steer it with the casters on was an issue for me. Right now I have an old product called Better Outdoor Products quick 32 commercial walk behind that has pistol grips individual handles that you can steer the mower yourself from the back. The Scagg 30 inch has your typical lawnmower Handle which steering all of that weight seem to be a lot more difficult. The mower I demoed also made that gas running out noise and stalled several times on me just sitting there as I was emptying the grass catcher. At 224 cc or equivalent 7 hp Kohler engine I feel did not offer enough power to get through my grass. The mower I currently have has a 15 hp Kawasaki engine. The problem I was having with my current mower is that the grass in the Northeast at this time of year like you mentioned is very wet even though the external grass itself is not where the moisture content in the grass itself is very high and tends to stick underneath my existing mowers deck and clumps up to where the blades start hitting it making a very high pitch noise. Unfortunately the Scagg also clumped up several times and I had to stop and clear the shoot even though I was taking my time going through my grass with it. I also noticed that it is very rear heavy like you mentioned. Once the grass catcher bag became halfway full I noticed the casters in the front lifting off the ground very easily and bouncing along the lawn. When I picked up the Scagg from the dealership they had the handle set at the highest setting which was difficult for me to steer so I lowered it down two notches which made it a little easier to steer but I also noticed that getting the bag on and off with the handle two notches lower became very difficult and very frustrating. As you mentioned it was very good on gas and I noticed that as well with my current mower being a 15 hp it does eat up a lot more gas but also has the power to demand that. I was looking to sell my Better outdoor mower but now I’m keeping it and hoping I can find parts that will work since the company went out of business like 10 years ago. I Also considered The Exmark and the toro turf master 30 inch models but may just not try those since the engines are even smaller than the Scagg Koehler. I’ll be interested to how you continue to make out.

I don't know what Scag was thinking building this pig. It's too heavy for a push mower. They should have made the mower out of aluminum and made the wheels twice as wide.

Is 2023 the first year with swivel castors?

Thanks for sharing. I am considering this model for a residential personal use over 1/2 acre with some tight spots and trees. I mow at 3 to 3.25” and I can always wait until it dries before I mow. I really like the 30” deck size but I really want a nice clean cut. Is this model still worth a harder look or do you recommend a different brand?

@diydarren7879

Жыл бұрын

After putting some hours on mine, I think it cuts well. If you have a lot of tight spots it might not be the choice due to its weight. You have power going forward but it's all muscle for reverse. Sometimes having the front casters gives people the impression it would turn the way a hydrodrive/zero turn does but that is not the case. The rear rear wheels move in sync under power, so independently so it is something to get used to. I can't recommend over another brand because I haven't used anything else similar. I would suggest asking the dealer if you can take out in their grassy area to drive it around. Everything feels great on blacktop - so you need to get out in grass to experience how it really turns. If you're comfortable with the weight and turning it will give you a nice cut for a walk behind. Hope this helps.

I think at this weight and price it should come with pneumatic tires instead of these cheap plastic thin tires.

I would've paid a little extra and got the next size up. It could have been a lot better for a business flash. Maybe not for a homeowner, but for a business. It would have worked out better.

I am concerned that your selected cut height was just way too low for the conditions. You are at 2.5” during wet season. Grass is growing thick, and the ground is wet meaning your heavy mower could be sinking 1/8-1/4 inch or more meaning you are digging in. I don’t have the mower but I watched your review to decide if it will work for me and I think you may not be giving it a fair shake here. The fact that it stalled out seems to be due to clogging as it was cutting the wet and heavy fresh growth. Perhaps raise your cut height and do a double pass. Could save time in the end.

@diydarren7879

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the feedback.

Toro Time cutter 30 in cheaper lighter and just as good a cut, ive used the scag sgc30 not a fan, i have a scag zero turn it gets the job done but i dont love it…

@diydarren7879

Жыл бұрын

I will definitely keep this in mind next time. Always keep my options open! Thanks for the comment.

@Azidburn555

9 ай бұрын

​@diydarren7879 honestly the timemaster can only cut grass in perfect conditions. Toro decks can't seem to handle any humidity.

Hru216m3 sinks in soft ground aswell, I joke about fitting dual rear wheels, but not enough deck width. I see the scag might have enough so your not flattening the grass. My sites get way to soft, looks like scag is just to heavy. Even walkers high flotation tyres sink in.

@diydarren7879

Жыл бұрын

I had a similar thought on making changes to the rear wheels. Possibly wider with more rounded edges so they don't immediately dig in sideways and tear up the turf. I have this mower to get through customer gates. Overall width is 31.5 inches so it fits through as small as a 32 inch gate. They would have to engineer wider tires without going above the 31.5 inches overall width for me to want it.

scag should put a high wheel kit out for this mower

@cleancutslawncare

Жыл бұрын

Exactly.

@CodyH88

11 ай бұрын

I have been trying to tell them and my dealer this. Problem is they really can't because of the offset deck. The right wheel barely clears the deck. They need a redesign with larger diameter wheels for sure though. It won't get stuck so much if they did.

I had that mower I hate that mower lol the blade power is way weak compared to my toro it bogs up fast and at 2.5 in

Fyi...your spindle cover is not on the deck correct....there are two metal tabs underneath the front that fit in an unwelded spot on the perpendicular riser. Then you just slide the back of your cover plate over your 2 thumb screws and tighten down I kept hearing a rattling noise for 8 hours of use..that was it. Problem solved

@diydarren7879

Жыл бұрын

You're right. I was in my pajamas watching the NFL Draft but had to go out to the garage to check after reading your comment. Who could sleep? Lol Thanks for the comment.

Nearly 350 hrs no tread on rear wheels over that on Turfmaster rear wheels plenty of tread

@diydarren7879

Жыл бұрын

😕

i would of bought a Honda if i had to walk.

If you’re going to be mulching, use an exmark.

Uh, oh. Did not like to hear about plastic wheels and clogged grass. Heavy deck not an advantage for home owner use, I would say.

@diydarren7879

4 ай бұрын

I agree with you. The heavy duty nature of the deck is much more than needed for the average homeowner.

Great job on the video, Darren. You are right and mine has several of the same issues. I also don't care for the drive system, myself. Scag needs to either go back to the drawing board or just consider not producing these anymore. For $2000+, this thing should have virtually no issues for several years. The rear wheels are totally a joke but due to the deck, they can't increase the diameter several inches for high wheels. The right wheel has no room. These wheels can't handle the weight, get traction, stay balanced and run smoothly. It's why mine always is hanging up and I cut at 3"!!. The $400 husqvarna in bought in 2016 was better than this thing in totality, plus had a Honda engine that I pulled once and started. This Scag isn't horrible or anything but the cost is crazy for the issues. The most bizarre thing is Scag doesn't seemed interested in feedback or customer service too much. My dealer is doing what they can, I am frustrated and it's like it's no problem to Scag. This 30in has some obvious flaws and after all these years of producing them, they cant correct it. They must be mowing on golf courses when they test these things lol. At least you had the correct and current model sold to you. I bought the 21 and 30in in May of this year and the SFC 30 isnt even the newest model. It appears to be several years old( I don't have removable side plates as example) and is was warned they won't exchange or do a replacement from my dealer. Scag probably will be hearing from me lol

REMOVE the deck guard plates. FOR the love of all that is mowing, they come off.

This machine sucks. I own one

@CodyH88

11 ай бұрын

I am beginning to feel the same to an extent on mine. Way overpriced but that's what you get for American labor. My main issue is becoming Scag itself. They don't seem to be into opinions or customer service real well.

Who cuts at 2 inches in soaking wet grass or when it’s raining or wet?!? You’re suppose to actually raise your cut height when wet. The negatives sound more like user error to me. Also you have a mulch plate on and you’re getting surprised that the grass is clumping up when it’s been raining or soaking wet and the machine stalls out. How about next time it’s raining you go out and raise the deck height up 3/4 of an inch and or take the discharge blocker off. Take the time to learn to properly use a piece of equipment and then make a review video about it you got .9 hours on it which was spent improperly using the equipment. I’m not even a scag guy, I have wrights and watching this review annoyed me because it literally told me nothing about this machine other than the cut quality is as good as the velocity deck. Id like to actually know real cons about this machine. I already knew compound wheels would be a bit of an issue when wet from common sense. You go with compound wheels, steep pitch terrain that’s for sure has divers and bumps just from natures course, wet or soaked wet grass or actually still raining, a chute blocker, and attempt to cut at almost the lowest setting of the machine. You’ll read the manual for the weight but not proper cutting instructions. Also what kind of grass are you cutting in upstate NY at 2 inches?!? I’m at the Jersey Shore on nice level flat land and we rarely ever go below 3 inches.

@michaelsalice9952

3 ай бұрын

I agree, you raise some very good points. I have one and think its a pretty good mower, much better than my old Toro TimeMaster it replaced. Its a little bit heavy but by no means a deal breaker, maybe some people need to stop eating junk food, loose some weight and hit the gym........

you think commercial mower cuts look good like that? Well we all have our opinions