Mower series / SCAG
SCAG Cheetah II
The SCAG Cheetah II is a zero-turn built for commercial mowing, with a 61-inch or 72-inch Velocity Plus tri-plate deck. Engines run 36 to 40 hp from Vanguard, Kohler and Kawasaki. A two-speed transaxle tops out at 16 mph. At J5 Tractors, our Navasota store sells SCAG, and the Cheetah II is the best-selling mower there.
At a glance
commercial zero-turn · 2 models: 61 in and 72 in
- Deck size
- 61-72 in
- Engine
- Vanguard Big Block, Kohler Command PRO or Kawasaki FX (EFI)
- Engine horsepower
- 36-40 hp
- Transmission
- Hydro-Gear ZT-5400 two-speed transaxle
- Top speed
- 16 mph
- Cutting height
- 1.25-5 in
- Fuel capacity
- 13 gal
- Weight
- 1,364-1,427 lb
Sold at Navasota. Best for crews mowing open ground all day, big properties from several acres on up, operators who want a suspension platform.
Every model, side by side
| Specification | 61 in | 72 in |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | ||
| Engine | Vanguard Big Block, Kohler Command PRO EFI or Kawasaki FX EFI | Vanguard Big Block EFI, Kohler Command PRO EFI or Kawasaki FX EFI |
| Engine horsepower | 36-40 hp | 37-40 hp |
| Fuel capacity | 13 gal | 13 gal |
| Deck | ||
| Deck size | 61 in | 72 in |
| Deck construction | Velocity Plus tri-plate, 3 steel plates (nearly 1/2 in total) | Velocity Plus tri-plate, 3 steel plates (nearly 1/2 in total) |
| Cutting height | 1.25-5 in | 1.25-5 in |
| Drive | ||
| Transmission | Hydro-Gear ZT-5400 two-speed transaxle (16 cc pumps, 21 cc motors) | Hydro-Gear ZT-5400 two-speed transaxle (16 cc pumps, 21 cc motors) |
| Top speed (forward) | 16 mph high range, 12 mph low range | 16 mph high range, 12 mph low range |
| Top speed (reverse) | 8 mph high range, 5 mph low range | 8 mph high range, 5 mph low range |
| Size | ||
| Front tires | 13 x 6.5-6 in | 13 x 6.5-6 in |
| Rear tires | 24 x 12-12 in | 24 x 12-12 in |
| Width (deck out) | 73.5 in | 83 in |
| Weight | 1,364-1,392 lb | 1,399-1,427 lb |
| Comfort | ||
| Seat | 4-point iso-mounted mid-back seat | 4-point iso-mounted mid-back seat |
| Suspension | Operator suspension platform, 5 settings | Operator suspension platform, 5 settings |
| Current pricing | See Cheetah II 61 in pricing | See Cheetah II 72 in pricing |
All specifications on this page were taken directly from SCAG, the manufacturer. Figures from SCAG Cheetah II specifications, checked November 2, 2026: SCAG Cheetah II specifications. SCAG lists the Cheetah II deck as 61 in, not 60 in. Figures are for 61 in and 72 in.
61 inches or 72
The engine lists are close. On the 61-inch, you can pick a Vanguard Big Block, a Kohler Command PRO EFI or a Kawasaki FX EFI, rated 36 to 40 hp. The 72-inch takes the EFI version of all three, at 37 to 40 hp. Both carry 13 gallons of fuel.
Width is the real choice. With the deck out, the 61 measures 73.5 inches and the 72 measures 83. Weight runs 1,364 to 1,392 lb on the smaller deck and 1,399 to 1,427 lb on the bigger one. That's a heavy machine either way. Measure your trailer and your narrowest gate before you pick.
Both decks are SCAG's Velocity Plus tri-plate: three steel plates, nearly half an inch thick in total. Cutting height runs 1.25 to 5 inches, so you can go short on a lawn or leave it tall through a dry spell.
Built for a full day in the seat
The ZT-5400 is a two-speed transaxle, with 16 cc pumps and 21 cc motors. Low range tops out at 12 mph, and high range reaches 16. Reverse runs 5 mph in low and 8 in high. That gives you one pace for trimming close and another for crossing open ground.
You sit on a 4-point iso-mounted mid-back seat. It rides on an operator suspension platform with 5 settings, and the rear tires are 24 x 12-12. Do you mow for a living? Or keep a big place cut, from several acres on up? Then this is a machine worth sitting on.
Navasota's best seller
The Cheetah II is the best-selling mower at our Navasota store. Zero-turn demand peaks from March through July. Want to talk through both decks before the grass takes off? Call the store or come by.
Looking for pricing?
Current pricing is on our live inventory page at j5tractors.com, where our Navasota stores list the SCAG mowers they have. Check the 61 in and 72 in there, then call the store to see one.
Financing
Financing for the SCAG Cheetah II starts with our easy online credit application. It works for new and pre-owned machines.
Reach out to our sales team
- Bryan LathamNavasota store(936) 825-8722
Store page: Navasota
Questions people ask
How wide is the SCAG Cheetah II with the 72-inch deck?
It's 83 inches wide with the deck out. The 61-inch model measures 73.5 inches. Check your trailer and the gates you mow through before you choose. That extra 9.5 inches cuts more grass on every pass, but it has to fit where you're going.
What engines can you get on a SCAG Cheetah II?
On the 61-inch deck, there's a Vanguard Big Block, a Kohler Command PRO EFI or a Kawasaki FX EFI, at 36 to 40 hp. The 72-inch gets a Vanguard Big Block EFI plus the same Kohler and Kawasaki choices, at 37 to 40 hp. Each one feeds from 13 gallons of fuel.
How fast does SCAG's Cheetah II go in high range?
Up to 16 mph forward in high range, and 8 mph in reverse. Low range tops out at 12 mph forward and 5 in reverse. That's the two-speed ZT-5400 at work. You'll use low range for trimming and high range for open ground.
How much does a SCAG Cheetah II mower cost?
We keep current pricing on our live inventory page at j5tractors.com, where our Navasota stores list the SCAG mowers they have. Pricing depends on the model and how it's equipped, so check the listing for the 61 in and 72 in. If the one you want isn't listed, call the store.
