If you work in the lawn care industry, you are aware of how crucial it is to have the appropriate tools for the task. And having a top-notch, effective bagging system can be really helpful and add some extra up-charges to your mowing service. This article will examine the Scag V-Ride II and its bagging, mulching and debris management options in more detail, examining the many systems that are offered, their advantages and disadvantages, and how to select the best one for your requirements.
Introduction
When it comes to Stand-on Riding Zero-Turn Lawn Mowers the Scag V-Ride II is the absolute best choice. This is due to it's overall quality, performance, reliability and power which is unmatched for it's class. Its compact size, high performance, and comfortable ride make it an excellent choice for mowing large areas quickly and efficiently. One of the standout features of the V-Ride II unlike many of it's competitors is the ability to add a bagging system, which allows you to collect grass clippings and debris as you mow.
Main Benefits of the Scag V-Ride II
Before we dive into the different bagging options available for the Scag V-Ride II, let's take a quick look at why this mower is such a popular choice among professionals. Here are some of the top reasons to choose the V-Ride II:
Compact size: The V-Ride II is designed to be small enough to fit through gates and around tight corners, making it easy to maneuver in those hard to reach areas and spaces. The Scag V-Ride II's compact size lets you fit more mowers on a trailer compared to a traditional sit-down zero-turn mower, allowing you to use your precious space wisely and more efficiently.
Comfortable ride: The V-Ride II features a suspended operator platform and ergonomic and easy to use controls, making it comfortable to ride for long periods of time.
Variety of Powerful Engines: Starting with the smallest V-Ride II (32") which features a 16 HP Kawasaki® 541FX, and it's largest (61") 40 HP Briggs Vanguard™ BIG BLOCK™ EFI – electronic fuel injection. The Scag V-Ride II has the perfect engine for whichever size you choose and is built to tackle even the toughest mowing jobs with ease
Variety of Deck Sizes: The Scag V-Ride II is built in a large assortment of Mowing deck sizes. The 32" and 36" V-Ride II feature Scag Advantage Decks, moving up to 48", 52" and 61" which are available with the envy-of-the-landscaping-industry Velocity Plus Cutter deck. Overall the Scag V-Ride II comes with the perfect size deck for any landscaping situation.
Bag or Mulch? ... That is the Question!
Bagging and Mulching both have their own benefits and drawbacks:
Bagging Benefits
Service Upcharge: If you are a professional landscaper adding a bagging service fee is a common upcharge, making you more money in the long run.
Improved appearance: Bagging your clippings can give your lawn a clean, manicured appearance.
Reduced thatch: Leaving clippings on your lawn can contribute to thatch buildup, which can lead to problems like fungus and disease.
Reduced weed growth: Bagging your clippings can help reduce weed growth, as seeds are not left on the lawn to germinate.
Reduced environmental impact: Bagging your clippings can help reduce the amount of grass and other debris that ends up in storm drains and waterways.
Bagging Drawbacks
Emptying the bag: Emptying the bag is an extra step you will need to take when mowing lawns this costs valuable time which also means money.
Disposal of Grass clippings: Depending on your location getting rid of grass clippings can be tough and adds an extra step in your overall landscaping business, plus it might cost money depending where you are.
Removes Nutrients from the Lawn: bagging removes the grass clippings from the lawn, which can be a disadvantage as the clippings contain valuable nutrients that can help improve soil health and reduce the need for fertilizer.
Mulching Benefits
Returns Valuable Nutrients to the Soil: As the grass clippings are finely chopped and left on the lawn to decompose. This helps improve soil health, which in turn can lead to a healthier, greener lawn.
Saves Time Compared to Bagging: Without the need of having to stop the lawn mower, remove and carry the bag to dispose of the clippings. Mulching allows you to just mow-and-go!
Help Prevent Weed Growth: Mulching can help prevent weed growth by blocking sunlight and reducing soil temperature, which can create a less hospitable environment for weeds to grow.
Mulching Drawbacks
Can leave Unsightly Piles/Clumps of Grass: If you are mowing an overgrown or wet lawn mulching can leave piles and clumps of grass on the lawn. This can create an uneven appearance and potentially even damage the grass underneath.
Additionally, if the lawn is not mowed frequently enough, the grass clippings can accumulate and create a thatch layer, which can inhibit water and nutrients from reaching the soil.
What are my Options for Mulching and Bagging with the Scag V-Ride II?
There are a handful of options OEM and Aftermarket available on the market which allow you to mulch, bag, or both with the Scag V-Ride II they are as follows:
Bagging
Fabric Bag Side Discharge Grass Catcher: This is simply a cloth bag which is connected to the discharge chute of the Scag V-Ride II which allows for collection of grass clippings. Due to it's small size it can be a good choice for bagging with the smaller size deck V-Ride II's (32" and 38") The larger size decks simply cut a much larger volume of grass making it inefficient due to having to frequently empty the bag.
2-Bag V-Ride II Spindle Driven Grass Catcher: This is a go-to choice for those of you who want to bag with the Scag V-Ride II for two reasons, first it's spindle driven meaning it's connected to the Scag V-Ride II's mower deck using a belt which drives a paddle which helps push the grass clippings up the chute and into the bags. Secondly the two fabric grass catcher bags have a 7-bushel capacity giving you enough space so you don't have to empty them as frequently. (A traditional walk behind 21" lawn mower has a 2.5-bushel capacity bag in comparison)
Aluminum Grass Catcher: The Aluminum grass catcher fits snuggly onto the discharge chute of the Scag V-Ride II. The Aluminum grass catcher features 4.1 cubic feet of volume, comfortable, simple-to-hold handle, Slide bolt door latch that is simple to use, and rapid removal of the door for dumping. Although it might be an "aftermarket part" many Scag Dealers sell them. The main downfall of the Aluminum Grass Catcher is that it adds extra width to your mower deck. This could be a problem if you have to mow any tight or hard to reach places.
Mulching
Mulch Plate: This is a simple way to start mulching, simply block off the discharge chute using a Mulch plate allowing the grass to be chopped up rather than discharged out the side.
HURRICANE PLUS™ MULCH SYSTEM: Available on 48", 52" and 61" is the Scag Hurricane Plus Mulch System which gives new meaning to mulching. The Hurricane Plus system chops and recuts clippings into a fine mulch before spreading them across the lawn. It does this with the use of "Eye of the Hurricane" mulching plates, bolt-in baffles, unique Eliminator mulching blades, and a side-discharge block-off plate.
Operator Controlled Discharge Chute: This allows you to manually block off the discharge chute and close and open it depending on the situation. This is a great choice if you are frequently mowing around sidewalks, paths, flower beds or gardens. Keeping clippings out of these areas saves you precious time to get other jobs done and make more money There are a handful of variations of this electronic (such as the grass flap) and manual (OCDC)
Scag V-Ride II Mulching & Bagging Options In Summary
In conclusion, the Scag V-Ride II is a great option for experts in the lawn care sector because of its small size, smooth ride, and selection of strong engines and deck sizes. While mulching can return important nutrients to the soil and save time, adding a bagging system to this mower can be an excellent method to charge more for a service and enhance the aesthetic of the lawn. The Scag V-Ride II has a number of bagging and mulching options, each with advantages and disadvantages of its own. By carefully considering your unique demands and requirements, you can choose the finest choice for your company and offer your customers first-rate service.
