The Scag Patriot is an entry-level commercial zero turn made with the homeowner with some acreage or part-time landscaper in mind. It is a step up from the Freedom Z model with some true commercial components.
If you are in the market for a zero turn mower this may be one for you to consider. I was very impressed with the overall performance and build of the Scag Patriot mower.
Scag Patriot vs Freedom Z
Below is a comparison of the Scag Patriot and Scag Freedom Z. The Patriot is the first commercial grade mower within the Scag lineup. Many people will compare these mowers when making a decision on a mower so I decided to compare these.
| Mower | Scag Patriot | Freedom Z |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 22 HP Kawasaki®FX691, 23 HP Kohler® Command PRO®, 26 HP Briggs Vanguard® 810, 23 HP Kawasaki®FX730 | 24 HP Kohler® 7000 Series™ PRO, 24 HP Scag SR Series 708 cc, 27 HP Scag SR Series 803 cc |
| Deck | 52″- 61″ | 48″ – 52″ |
| Cutting Height | 1.5″ to 5″ in .25″ increments | 1.5″ to 4.5″ in .25″ increments |
| Speed | Forward: 8.5 mph (52″), 10 mph (61″) Reverse: 5 mph | Forward: 8 mph Reverse: 5 mph |
| Drive System | Hydro-Gear ZT3100 Transaxle (52″) Hydro-Gear ZT3400 Transaxle (61″) | Hydro-Gear ZT2800 Transaxle |
| Fuel Capacity | 6.5 gallons | 6.5 gallons |
In the Scag zero turn line, the Freedom Z is a comparable model to the Patriot. The two major things you will notice are the difference in engines and transaxles. The Scag Patriot features commercial engine options and commercial grade Hydro-Gear transaxles.
There are also a few smaller upgrades, like deck type, deck size, speed, and other small things that make this mower more commercial grade. This mower is made for mowing about 5-10 acres per week during the cutting season.
One major difference in the Scag Patriot deck size options is the difference in transaxles. If you don't have a specific reason for a 52″ deck I would recommend going with the 61″ model to get the more durable ZT-3400 transaxles.
Power
The Scag Patriot has several different engine options including Kawasaki, Vanguard, and Kohler. Each of these engine options is considered commercial by its manufacturer. They range from 22 hp to 26 hp options.
This will mainly come down to personal preference and maybe which mower you're able to find. If I personally had the choice, I would go with the Kawasaki FX model engine.
Features
The Scag Patriot comes with a handful of great features that make the mower stand out.
- Commercial engine
- Commercial Hydro-gear transaxles
- Suspension Seat for added comfort
- 8.5 / 10 mph
- Low maintenance design with very few grease points
- Iso-mounted footplate for improved comfort
- Easy to reach height of cut adjustment
- Foot-operated parking break
- Modern and sleek design
Cut Quality
The Scag cutting deck is one aspect that sets it apart from other mowers on the market. The Hero™ Cutter Deck delivers premium performance for both professionals and homeowners. The aluminum spindles are “maintenance-free” for years of reliable performance. Measuring 52″ and 61″, it expands the reach of the mower and gets the job done faster!
This deck isn't quite to the level of the Velocity deck (found on the larger zero turns), but it is still a very well-built deck. It is made for many different types of grass and terrain. You will get a high-quality cut with this long-lasting deck.
Durability
Each Scag mower is fully fabricated for a quality build. Premium materials and expert welding give it the classic strength expected from a Scag. The mower is built with high-quality tubular steel that will hold up for a long time.
The rest of the mower is also very durable. Everything from the engine to the frame. You should receive very good longevity out of this mower.
Comfort
The mower is fairly comfortable. It features a suspension seat and an iso-mounted footplate to absorb a lot of the impact. This definitely isn't the most comfortable mower I've ever driven, but it isn't too bad for a fixed frame mower.
Scag has really done everything they can to make this mower comfortable. Outside of the ride quality, I think this mower is situated well. The bars to drive the mower are in a comfortable position and all of the buttons/knobs are easily accessible.
Aesthetics
The fuel tank has a blackout design. It is the same tank that is used in the Cheetah, and it was reduced in size to accommodate the Patriot. It features the classic Scag branding on the side.
This is a great-looking mower. The black with the orange accents has a very modern look and feel to it. Overall, I think this mower looks better than most previous Scag models. Now we just have to get rid of those brown seats… lol.
Build Quality
It is built with a steel frame and deck. The spindles are made of aluminum with sealed bearings. Each piece is made for the mower and made to be durable. The cutting height adjustment is also made to be durable with a large handle that is easy to grip and turn.
The mower starts quickly with the electric start and has plenty of power to get through tough grass. You can also bag or mulch your clippings and additional accessories make it easier to keep neat and organized.
Pros / Cons
Pros:
Commercial-inspired design with commercial engine and transaxles
Large deck sizes
Large rear and caster tires
Powerful build with high-performing features
Pretty comfortable ride for a fixed frame mower
Cons
Cut quality isn't as good as other slope nose decks like the Scag Velocity deck
Speed is slow at 8 mph on the 52″
Our Rating
| Performance: |  (4.3 / 5) |
| Cut Quality: |  (4.0 / 5) |
| Durability: |  (4.5 / 5) |
| Comfort: | (4.0 / 5) |
| Price: | (4.0 / 5) |
| Overall: |  (4.2 / 5) |
Price
The Scag Patriot starts at $8,500 and has financing available. This price is about on par with other mowers in this category. It may be a little higher than some brands, but overall it is a fair priced mower. It is beginning to be tough to find a mower under $10,000 with a Kawasaki FX, Vanguard, or Kohler Command engine on it.
Wrapping It Up
The Scag Patriot is an upgraded Freedom Z. It is the first commercial mower within the Scag lineup. The engineers paid close attention to what their users wanted, and it is a high-powered zero turn riding mower.
Personally, I would highly recommend this mower to the homeowner with around 5 acres or a part time lawn care business owner.
What Do You Think?
What do you think of the Scag Patriot zero turn riding mower? Let us know in the comments!
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Images are from Scag.
The middle blade of the mower always seems to slip and it mows in a mowhawk with the middle of each trip having an area in the middle that is not cut flush with rest of the path.