Frequenty Asked Questions

25hp Kubota diesel engine (Turf Tiger): This engine (Kubota D902) is approved to use up to B5 (5% bio diesel blend). Using higher blends will cause severe damage to the engine.

28hp Cat diesel engine (Turf Tiger): This engine (Cat C1.1) is approved to use up to B20 (20% bio diesel blend). Using higher blends will cause severe damage to the engine.

Since each engine is warranted by the individual engine manufacturer, please refer to your engine owner’s manual or speak to your Scag dealer for specific recommendations. You may also contact the engine manufacturer by visiting their web site:

• Briggs & Stratton: www.commercialpower.com
• Caterpillar: www.cat.com
• Honda: www.honda-engines.com
• Kawasaki: www.kawpower.com
• Kohler: www.kohlerengines.com
• Kubota: www.kubotaengine.com

Since each engine is warranted by the individual engine manufacturer, please refer to your engine owner’s manual for specific recommendations. You may also contact the engine manufacturer by visiting their web site (see list above).

Liquid-cooled engines are slightly more “forgiving” if the exterior of the engine is not kept clean, unlike air-cooled engines that rely upon heat dissipation for proper cooling. There is little extra maintenance involved with a liquid-cooled engine versus an air-cooled. Keeping the radiator clean is the biggest factor. However, this is simple to do by using the removable screen that can be removed and tapped clean in the field, with no tools required.

The major benefit of an air-cooled engine is that they are simpler in design as they have fewer parts involved. Because of this, they are less expensive in price and potential repair cost. We recommend consulting with your local Scag dealer if you need assistance in deciding between these two types of engines. The dealer will be able to share with you their knowledge and experience to help you make an informed decision.

Scag offers a variety of different cutter blade types to match your specific cutting conditions and needs, from low-lift blades to mulching blades.

The hour meter on your machine is completely automatic. It will begin to flash a reminder 2 hours before scheduled service is required and will continue for 4 hours. After this 4 hours has past the meter will reset itself until 2 hours before the next scheduled service. An example of this would be for the first engine oil change. This service is required after the first 20 hours of operation. The hour meter will begin to flash “CHG OIL” at 18 hours and will stop flashing at 22 hours.

Keep in mind that this message does not indicate a problem with the engine. It is simply a pre-programmed reminder of recommended service intervals.

Machine life is dependent upon maintenance, operating conditions, ambient temperatures, hours of operation, etc. It is very difficult if not impossible to put an exact figure on it. We have heard from customers that have some of the original mowers we ever sold with well over 10,000 hours on them and are 25+ years old. We have also seen machines that were terribly abused and looked like they were 25 years old after only two or three years. The Scag product is by far the most reliable, best built mower you can buy. As with any high end product, if you take care of it and use it as intended, it will provide outstanding performance and reliability for many, many years.

The “requirement” to use synthetic oil in a mower is generally the result of producing a machine with a hydro system that has an operating temperature that can exceed the temperature range of the hydraulic components. These systems usually have very small oil reservoirs located in an area without sufficient airflow (due to limited space on the mower) and do not use oil coolers or fans. This is a less expensive way to manufacture mowers, however, the extra cost of the synthetic oil (synthetic oil is normally 4-5 times the cost of standard oil) is a burden you, the customer, will have to pay.

Occasionally customers inquire about switching the hydro oil in their new Scag to synthetic. While there is nothing in the drive system that could be damaged from its use, and as outlined above, it is certainly not necessary. We do suggest that they wait until after the initial break-in period before making the switch if desired.

Please reference your Operator’s Manual for the correct weight and type of oil that should be used in your hydraulic system.

Touch-up paint is also available in a Premium Color Match 0.6 fl . oz. bottle that comes with a brush built into the cap for instant finish repair. The brush allows paint to be touched up in small / tight areas or scratches where aerosol spray cans are not a good option. Order part number 484540 through your local Scag dealer. Bulk paint is currently not available.

Most Scag owner’s manuals also contain an illustrated parts. Please contact your Scag dealer for assistance in determining and ordering the correct parts.

There is a threaded plug in the caster’s to prevent over greasing. The hole is threaded so a grease fitting can be installed when needed. Grease fittings were installed in 1997/98 when the STT was released and the tendency was a lot of over greasing the bearing set and popping the caps off. The bearing set that is in the pivot is a matched tapered roller bearing set just like the cutter spindles. Due to the application (limited rotation); the bearing set in the pivot only needs to be greased once a year or every 500 hours (whichever comes first) so the grease fitting was removed and replace with the plug. This helps prevent over greasing the pivot, popping the cap off or damaging the seal. Furthermore, if the cap is popped off due to over greasing and not reinstalled, the pivot tube now becomes a rain gauge exposing the bearings to contamination (water, debris, etc).

Simply adding a relief fitting to the pivot tube would not work as the grease (as with water, electricity, air, etc) will follow the path of least resistance and would simply go in the grease fitting and directly out of the relief valve. The grease would never reach the top or bottom bearing sets.

Experienced operators of zero-turn riding mowers can often perform the zero-turn maneuver without causing turf damage. However, while zero-turn mowers can turn on a dime (or in very tight circles), it may not always be the best practice to do so on grass. Even tight turns have the potential to cause turf damage in some situations and conditions. The best way we have found to prevent and/or greatly minimize turf damage is to:

Use 3-point / Y-turns at the end of a mowing row rather than zero-turns to change direction. It is still a fast maneuver and will reduce the potential of turf damage greatly.

• 1. At end of mowing path, turn toward next mowing path.
• 2.Reverse while turning slightly in opposite direction to align mower with next mowing row.
• 3.Proceed into next mowing path.

On “tight” turns, pay special attention to the inside drive wheel. This wheel will naturally spin slower than the outside drive wheel. It is important to keep the inside wheel turning at all times. If the turn is made to cause the inside wheel to stop turning, this is when turf damage can occur.

We have found that by using both of these methods, turf damage is all but a thing of the past. Over a short period of time, it becomes second nature and overall productivity can be increased.

Also be sure to inquire about setting up a field demonstration. This is the best way to determine exactly which Scag mower is right for you!

One important consideration is mower deck size. Bigger is not always better. If you are currently using a 61″ deck on a slower, less productive mower, a smaller deck on a Scag may still be able to save you incredible amounts of mowing time. Mowers with smaller decks can actually be more productive than larger units if you have a lot of trees and other obstacles on your property. Again, we recommend talking to your Scag dealer to set up a demonstration to determine which model is best for you.

While we greatly appreciate the loyalty and support of our customers, only authorized Scag dealers and distributors are granted official permission to use corporate-owned images, logos, etc.

You might also check with your local Scag dealer to inquire about any unique items they might have available.