Hey everybody, new to the forum and need your input. I have been mowing 2 1/2 acres residentially for the past 11 years with a John Deere GT235 w/ 48" deck & 18hp Kawasaki engine. It is still running strong and has served us well. I occassionally mow an additional 2 to 4 acres for family who live next to us. I am considering the purchase of a leftover 2015 Tiger Cat 27hp Briggs & 61" deck. I realize this model does not come with the suspension seat, but this will be used residentially. Does $6,999 sound like a decent price for this Scag unit? Would you advise this unit over a 2015 Freedom Z Pro 61" deck w/ 27hp Briggs for $5,999?
Buying Advice Considering 2015 Tiger Cat w/ 27hp Briggs 61" Deck
- Thread starter Herbie
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I haven't been to the dealer yet to check things out first hand yet. I'm hoping to do that this week. They had two left at the quoted price. I'll have to get back to you on the question of filtration with the Briggs.
Mad Mackie
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Hi Herbie,
I have a 2007-08 Scag Tiger Cub that originally had a 26 HP Briggs ELS engine that developed a problem. I repowered it with a Briggs 49M977 engine which is what powers the Tiger Cat that you are considering.
Zero turn machines are dusty by their nature of design and with a collection system installed get even dustier!
The Briggs 49M977 engine has the Cyclonic Air Filtration system which has excellent air filtering qualities. I recommend this engine to you having put about 400 hours on it since the repower. The filter element can be easily removed from the engine and cleaned by tapping it against something to shake out the loose dust. The use of pressurized air to clean an air filter is not recommended by any small engine manufacturer.
This engine has a much larger volume cooling system than previous Briggs twins partly for increased airflow around the air filter element and the partly for increased cooling airflow. I'm pleased with the power, fuel economy and general operating nature of this engine. As I use a collection system most of the time, I generally clean the air filter element 10-15 hours of operation and replace it at 60-100 hours depending on my operating conditions.
Briggs recommends the use of full synthetic engine oil in this engine. I strongly recommend using regular engine oil for the first 50 hours of operation and then change over to 10W30 full synthetic. 50 or more hours of operation with regular engine oil will allow a normal breakin period for the engine.
I have also installed a full suspension seat on my Tiger Cub which has proven to be a "back saver" to me as I have lower back problems.
I have a 2007-08 Scag Tiger Cub that originally had a 26 HP Briggs ELS engine that developed a problem. I repowered it with a Briggs 49M977 engine which is what powers the Tiger Cat that you are considering.
Zero turn machines are dusty by their nature of design and with a collection system installed get even dustier!
The Briggs 49M977 engine has the Cyclonic Air Filtration system which has excellent air filtering qualities. I recommend this engine to you having put about 400 hours on it since the repower. The filter element can be easily removed from the engine and cleaned by tapping it against something to shake out the loose dust. The use of pressurized air to clean an air filter is not recommended by any small engine manufacturer.
This engine has a much larger volume cooling system than previous Briggs twins partly for increased airflow around the air filter element and the partly for increased cooling airflow. I'm pleased with the power, fuel economy and general operating nature of this engine. As I use a collection system most of the time, I generally clean the air filter element 10-15 hours of operation and replace it at 60-100 hours depending on my operating conditions.
Briggs recommends the use of full synthetic engine oil in this engine. I strongly recommend using regular engine oil for the first 50 hours of operation and then change over to 10W30 full synthetic. 50 or more hours of operation with regular engine oil will allow a normal breakin period for the engine.
I have also installed a full suspension seat on my Tiger Cub which has proven to be a "back saver" to me as I have lower back problems.
I have the exact unit you are considering...I bought it before last year's season for a tad over 8K including tax so think you are getting a good deal...my yard is an acre and the field across the road that I keep mowed is 4 acres...with my John Deere 445 with a 54" deck it took me 4.5 hours to mow...the Tiger Cat 61" cut that down to 2.5 hrs...I could not be happier with it...buy it before that price is no longer available...
Cheers/bg
Cheers/bg
Mad Mackie
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As I have become more comfortable operating my Tiger Cub, my ground speed has increased. Being here in rocky, rooty, hilly New England, as my ground speed increased, so did my discomfort level. I did some research on seats and found a Milsco 5300 in tan, bought and installed it. The adjustable lumbar and suspension are the main features that I like. I'm 72.:laughing:
John R
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My Tiger Cat II came with an adjustable seat, works great, dial in your weight, and good to go, guess I thought all Tiger Cats had the same seat.
This one is very comfortable for a long day of mowing.
This one is very comfortable for a long day of mowing.