Compare Mowers
List prices are the manufacturer’s published figures, re-checked daily; they exclude tax, freight and dealer setup.
A side-by-side reference of each model's stated specifications. MowerFacts doesn’t give opinions: where a published, spec-derived rule can separate machines we mark a Data Pick and show the rule; here, read the values and decide what fits your needs.
Best suited for
What each model is built for, from its duty class and key specs. This is a neutral reference — MowerFacts does not rank one model above another.
- Scag SLS — commercial: daily paid use and high acreage; 42-inch deck; gas powered
- Scag Cheetah II — commercial: daily paid use and high acreage; 61-inch deck; gas powered
What’s different? The 5 differences that matter most, from the published figures.
- SLS holds 3.5 gal (13.2 L) of fuel; Cheetah II holds 13 gal (49.2 L) of fuel, a 9.5 gal difference. Tank size bounds how long a machine runs between stops. Consumption varies with engine, load and speed, so hours per tank are not fixed.
- SLS has a published top speed of 7 mph; Cheetah II has a published top speed of 16 mph, a 9 mph difference. Top speed is the maker's maximum in transport. Mowing speed is lower and depends on grass, terrain and the deck.
- SLS has a 20 hp engine; Cheetah II has a 36 hp engine, a 16 hp difference. Published horsepower is the maker's rating at a stated engine speed. It is a different measure from displacement, and two engines of equal rating can pull differently.
- SLS uses a Briggs & Stratton® PXi Series™ engine; Cheetah II uses a Vanguard BIG BLOCK engine. The engine maker builds the engine; the mower maker chooses the model, rating and fit, so the badge alone does not settle output or longevity.
- SLS has a 42 in (1,067 mm) deck; Cheetah II has a 61 in (1,549 mm) deck, a 19 in difference. Deck width sets how much grass each pass covers. Mowing time also depends on ground speed, turns and obstacles, so a wider deck alone does not fix the job's length. Time both decks on your own lawn ›
2 more differences, calculated figures and what isn’t comparable
Other verified differences
- SLS has Hydro-Gear ZT2200 (EZT) drive; Cheetah II has Hydro-Gear ZT5400 Transaxle. Two-Speed drive.
- SLS cuts from 1.5 in (38 mm) to 4.5 in (114 mm); Cheetah II cuts from 1.3 in (32 mm) to 5 in (127 mm).
Calculated by MowerFacts
- SLS works out to 2.4 acres/hour; Cheetah II works out to 7.9 acres/hour, a 5.5 acres/hour difference. Calculated by MowerFacts from deck width and the published top speed at 80% efficiency; it is not a manufacturer figure, and real mowing is slower.
Not comparable
- Weight: not published for SLS.
- Price: SLS is dealer quote only.
Verified means each manufacturer publishes the figure. A bigger number is only a bigger number; nothing here says which machine is better. The full specification table is below.
Which is faster on your property? › Measure your lawn once and MowerFacts times all 2 against it.
| Spec | SLS Scag · Zero-Turn |
Cheetah II Scag · Zero-Turn |
|---|---|---|
| List price | dealer quote | $13,999–$18,999 |
| Engine | ||
| Power Source | gas | gas |
| Engine Power | 20 hp | 36 hp |
| Engine Make | Briggs & Stratton® PXi Series™ | Vanguard BIG BLOCK |
| Deck | ||
| Cutting Width | 42 in (1067 mm) | 61 in (1549 mm) |
| Min Cut Height | 1.5 in (38 mm) | 1.3 in (32 mm) |
| Max Cut Height | 4.5 in (114 mm) | 5 in (127 mm) |
| Deck Construction | Dual-plate cutter deck constructed of 2 steel plates. Reinforcement plate at cutter deck spindles. | Tri-plate cutter deck constructed of 3 steel plates totaling nearly 1/2″ of steel. Reinforcement plates at cutter deck spindles. |
| Deck Gauge | — | 7 |
| Drive | ||
| Ground Speed | 7 mph | 16 mph |
| Drive Tire Size | 20″ x 8″-8″ (42”)20″ x 10″-8″ (52”)20″ x 10″-8″ (61”) | 24″ x 12″-12″ |
| Reverse Speed | 5 mph | 8 mph |
| Drive System | Hydro-Gear ZT2200 (EZT) | Hydro-Gear ZT5400 Transaxle. Two-Speed |
| Dimensions | ||
| Weight | — | 1392 lbs (631.4 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 3.5 gal (13.2 L) | 13 gal (49.2 L) |
| Commercial / Pro | ||
| Seat Type | — | 4-point iso-mounted mid-back mounted on operator-suspension platform |
Where these models differ, explained
SLS: Specs verified against the manufacturer spec sheet on Jun 6, 2026 — scag.com.
Cheetah II: Specs verified against the manufacturer spec sheet on Jun 6, 2026 — scag.com.
Independent reference database. Specs compiled from manufacturer sources and normalized for comparison; verify with the manufacturer or dealer before purchase.