What I like about the scag velocity plus deck is the pass through blade bolt that greatly reduces spindle damage. I love my Hustler super z but I have snapped the bolt in the spindle before. Great video.
We had a Spartan mower back 2016 and it had that same deck leveling knob! I hated that feature. The deck height would constantly drop while I mowing. That was one of many reasons I got rid of that mower after only 6 months.
I’ve been cutting grass for almost 28 years, “commercially” running over a 2 pound rubber dumbbell it’s not the same as running over a tree limb that weighs a pound, of course it’s going to break. The housings on those are made of cast aluminum.
Dude - you done gone broke’d it! Maybe they build that part to be sacrificial in some way, to protect even more damage? Hope the bill wasn’t too much of an ouch. And nice one with the blades after the demo 👍
Nice review mate! I like the transport lock on the deck height adjuster but you're right the adjustment system needs to be tightened. As to the spindle that seems weird as. Like you I've hit my fair share of stuff over time in the block cleanups we do and I've never broken a spindle, even on my smaller resi 42" ZT. No suspension seat and easy-break spindles on an expensive "commercial" mower is a big no from me.
I've actually had this mower since Oct 2018 and I have almost 200 hours on it. I've found the dial to be fairly accurate as long as you keep the deck level, as you should on any other mower. You have to remember that this is Deere's low end sit down, mine was less than $8500 out the door. That's what E means on the model name, M is mid-grade and R is the "premium", hence the seat that is not as nice as others and things like the parking brake lever there versus the pedal on the M and R series. I do think that spindle breaking is weird. I've hit edges of driveways and probably a cast iron manhole cover or two and never had an issue like that. Honestly the only issue I've had with it is the engine will randomly blow a giant cloud of white smoke on startup that even my sales guy thought was odd when it was in the shop once
Sorry bro there's always going to be something when you're using a real camera versus a cell phone almost every professional vlog I've ever watched there's always something with autofocusing somewhere lol I will admit I use manual focus because my auto focus on my camera sucks LOL
Thing is how did cut my type of favorite grass being st Augustine grass those spindle,s are made of cheap cast metal but it saved you a bigger head ache
the 915s are a no go. They are pretty much a homeowner model IMO. Need the 7 iron pro. Different spindles as well. I would say demo a 930 with a suspension seat and let us know. The 7iron pro is a beast and you can get mulch on demand if needed. the 915 with no suspension seat will beat you up.
They must be aluminum housings or something because that’s bad . I did notice they have small spindles . But as a landscaper and lawn care specialist. I’ve personally hit way way worse shit and never had to replace any spindle ever I’ve hit a water line cap that’s steel and I’m the ground and it didn’t do anything to the spindle only bent the blade
I've had 4 ztracs never had a mower cut st Augustine cut better never had a spindle problem you got the 915 the cheap model need to upgrade compare it to the cheap gravely then compare the two
Agreed. Higher end models have bigger wheels, more horsepower, better seat etc... Basically fixes most of the issues he found with the machine. Look at the 930 range and up. Especially for heavy commercial work like Beach River does. Crazy about the spindle though, might be designed that way. Who knows.
I need to upload a video of my Quik Trak and 997R. I feel like I could upload some decent equipment reviews and answer a lot of questions because I've used quite a few different machines. I'd have to say I'm super satisfied with both of my Deeres, can't say enough good things. Not a Deere fanboy, but I keep buying more because the support is good where I live and I love the fit and features. Cut quality is bar none. I love my Exmarks too! Can't go wrong with any quality commercial machine. Its just nit picky pros and cons, what fits you better personally, better dealer support etc.. Someone on your crew might love the seat, you might hate it, someone might love the handles being larger, someone else might not fit as good.
But, but, but, it's a John Deere, the best never tears up, never. You're just a biased hater who wants to bash John Deere! Of course I'm only making fun of the Ztrak crowd...
That’s why it best to trim, and walk the property you’re mowing, first! Keep your eyes open, & close your check book! I’m mowing 2.5 acres with a John Deere Z540M, using Kavli Blades, on a standard 48” deck, and I mow every 2-3 weeks, some places 4’ tall, and have been able to mow top speed, except around obstacles, and the mower hardly has any resistance. The Kavli blades out of Australia, keeps me from mowing the same area, multiple passes. I’m sure there are better mowers, but more expensive. I get a great result, economically. Blades make the mower. I’ve run a 30 hp jd diesel with a 72” deck. Big & heavy & powerful. It didn’t leave any better results, but much more expensive. No complaints of either machine, just my choice. Just my experience, not opinion.
I have to disagree with you about that engine not bogging in thick stuff with a mulch kit. Nothing against you or kohler, I just cant imagine a 25 hp on a 60 inch cut with a full on mulch kit not bogging. That's a weak ass spindle if that's all it took to break it. Ive hit cast iron valve covers, all sorts of rocks, roots, had a guy run off a curb with the blades engaged, with toros/ exmarks spindles.
Oh I'm sure it would big. Anything can I just mean cutting through say 2weeks growth I will feel confident the machine would get through it with a mulch kit for sure.
@@beachriverlandscapes we are dealing with a few bi weekly properties right now until the Bermuda gets some damned heat up here in ga, our turf tracers are going through it ez-pz, once it warms up we'll be back to weekly. Do have a question for you though. Why are you changing hieghts per yard on a condo complex? All of our clients stay at the same height, as they have the same turf type. We ran into a big problem about 7 years ago trying to make everyone happy about the height of turf. Too complicated to memorize every yard.
![Failed John Deere z915e Seat Upgrade [Don't buy TRAC SEAT from Amazon]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/1LyT4XxXbyc/mqdefault.jpg)
![Failed John Deere z915e Seat Upgrade [Don't buy TRAC SEAT from Amazon]](/img/tr.png)
I have 4. 915s have had no problems with any of them
jd has the thickest strongest blades of them all
What I like about the scag velocity plus deck is the pass through blade bolt that greatly reduces spindle damage. I love my Hustler super z but I have snapped the bolt in the spindle before. Great video.
We had a Spartan mower back 2016 and it had that same deck leveling knob! I hated that feature. The deck height would constantly drop while I mowing. That was one of many reasons I got rid of that mower after only 6 months.
I found the same thing! Apparently it can be tightened so it doesn't move but still prefer just having a pin system and transport lock in particular
People saying a z915 is cheap homeowner grade, and it retails for over 9,000 bucks.
I’ve been cutting grass for almost 28 years, “commercially” running over a 2 pound rubber dumbbell it’s not the same as running over a tree limb that weighs a pound, of course it’s going to break. The housings on those are made of cast aluminum.
John deere is cheaply made and over priced
Dude - you done gone broke’d it! Maybe they build that part to be sacrificial in some way, to protect even more damage? Hope the bill wasn’t too much of an ouch. And nice one with the blades after the demo 👍
Good stuff
Nice review mate! I like the transport lock on the deck height adjuster but you're right the adjustment system needs to be tightened. As to the spindle that seems weird as. Like you I've hit my fair share of stuff over time in the block cleanups we do and I've never broken a spindle, even on my smaller resi 42" ZT.
No suspension seat and easy-break spindles on an expensive "commercial" mower is a big no from me.
It's only the cheap model anyway, it's not the full commercial machine so can't expect it to have all the same features and parts...
I agree the gravely pro stance deck change is more secure I feel it goes in and it’s in no moving or unsureness
Great video. I love John Deere mowers.
I've actually had this mower since Oct 2018 and I have almost 200 hours on it. I've found the dial to be fairly accurate as long as you keep the deck level, as you should on any other mower. You have to remember that this is Deere's low end sit down, mine was less than $8500 out the door. That's what E means on the model name, M is mid-grade and R is the "premium", hence the seat that is not as nice as others and things like the parking brake lever there versus the pedal on the M and R series. I do think that spindle breaking is weird. I've hit edges of driveways and probably a cast iron manhole cover or two and never had an issue like that. Honestly the only issue I've had with it is the engine will randomly blow a giant cloud of white smoke on startup that even my sales guy thought was odd when it was in the shop once
Your auto focus drives me crazy🤪
Sorry bro there's always going to be something when you're using a real camera versus a cell phone almost every professional vlog I've ever watched there's always something with autofocusing somewhere lol I will admit I use manual focus because my auto focus on my camera sucks LOL
scag simply the best
Two thumbs down for the big "JD". I was waiting for some complaints about the John Deere hat he had on.
Thing is how did cut my type of favorite grass being st Augustine grass those spindle,s are made of cheap cast metal but it saved you a bigger head ache
Ahh, the big debate -- Cast iron vs. Aluminum spindles
the 915s are a no go. They are pretty much a homeowner model IMO. Need the 7 iron pro. Different spindles as well. I would say demo a 930 with a suspension seat and let us know. The 7iron pro is a beast and you can get mulch on demand if needed. the 915 with no suspension seat will beat you up.
Well I can say total pos I got man!
My Scag V-Ride 2 works for me 😎
I've had 4 Deere's hard to beat
Holy shit that’s the worlds smallest spindle lol 🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️ hell no hell no . Cancel my want
They must be aluminum housings or something because that’s bad . I did notice they have small spindles . But as a landscaper and lawn care specialist. I’ve personally hit way way worse shit and never had to replace any spindle ever I’ve hit a water line cap that’s steel and I’m the ground and it didn’t do anything to the spindle only bent the blade
So the deck height can change while you're operating it??
Not without using the foot pedal
@@beachriverlandscapes Thanks. I guess I'm not understanding the mechanism.
NOT ENOUGH LEG ROOM FOR ME!!!!!!!!!
I hate aluminum spindles
I've had 4 ztracs never had a mower cut st Augustine cut better never had a spindle problem you got the 915 the cheap model need to upgrade compare it to the cheap gravely then compare the two
Agreed. Higher end models have bigger wheels, more horsepower, better seat etc... Basically fixes most of the issues he found with the machine. Look at the 930 range and up. Especially for heavy commercial work like Beach River does. Crazy about the spindle though, might be designed that way. Who knows.
I need to upload a video of my Quik Trak and 997R. I feel like I could upload some decent equipment reviews and answer a lot of questions because I've used quite a few different machines. I'd have to say I'm super satisfied with both of my Deeres, can't say enough good things. Not a Deere fanboy, but I keep buying more because the support is good where I live and I love the fit and features. Cut quality is bar none. I love my Exmarks too! Can't go wrong with any quality commercial machine. Its just nit picky pros and cons, what fits you better personally, better dealer support etc.. Someone on your crew might love the seat, you might hate it, someone might love the handles being larger, someone else might not fit as good.
GIMME A GRAVELY 1986 PRO 40 THE TOUGHEST MOWER KNOWN TO MAN.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That spindle is cheaply made
I’ve been tempted to buy one man this video will be that deciding factor . I want one with tweels though .
Ps send me my keychains lol or I’ll shave your beard in your sleep
Good review disappointment on the spindle
Yeah man. Just shocked
I hate Kohler engines
Don’t hate on this channel he doesn’t care
But, but, but, it's a John Deere, the best never tears up, never. You're just a biased hater who wants to bash John Deere!
Of course I'm only making fun of the Ztrak crowd...
Buddy must mow with his eyes closed I been mowing for 4 years now and i haven’t hit nothing with my mower and I ain’t trying too brag either 🤧
Well that's great for you :-) I've been knowing for 13 years and I've had all kinds of stuff and I assure you my eyes are not closed when I'm mowing
Scag has the best spindle & bearing setup on the market hands down.
No issues with mine yet 1200 hrs
Just get the zk
I hate deere john mowers
$340 or a spindle replacement on a mower than I don't even own.
That’s why it best to trim, and walk the property you’re mowing, first! Keep your eyes open, & close your check book! I’m mowing 2.5 acres with a John Deere Z540M, using Kavli Blades, on a standard 48” deck, and I mow every 2-3 weeks, some places 4’ tall, and have been able to mow top speed, except around obstacles, and the mower hardly has any resistance. The Kavli blades out of Australia, keeps me from mowing the same area, multiple passes. I’m sure there are better mowers, but more expensive. I get a great result, economically. Blades make the mower. I’ve run a 30 hp jd diesel with a 72” deck. Big & heavy & powerful. It didn’t leave any better results, but much more expensive. No complaints of either machine, just my choice. Just my experience, not opinion.
I have to disagree with you about that engine not bogging in thick stuff with a mulch kit. Nothing against you or kohler, I just cant imagine a 25 hp on a 60 inch cut with a full on mulch kit not bogging. That's a weak ass spindle if that's all it took to break it. Ive hit cast iron valve covers, all sorts of rocks, roots, had a guy run off a curb with the blades engaged, with toros/ exmarks spindles.
Oh I'm sure it would big. Anything can I just mean cutting through say 2weeks growth I will feel confident the machine would get through it with a mulch kit for sure.
And I agree the spindle has to be crap man. Should've broke that easy
@@beachriverlandscapes we are dealing with a few bi weekly properties right now until the Bermuda gets some damned heat up here in ga, our turf tracers are going through it ez-pz, once it warms up we'll be back to weekly. Do have a question for you though. Why are you changing hieghts per yard on a condo complex? All of our clients stay at the same height, as they have the same turf type. We ran into a big problem about 7 years ago trying to make everyone happy about the height of turf. Too complicated to memorize every yard.