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 SW Belt-Drive — commercial: daily paid use and high acreage; 32-inch deck; gas powered
- Scag SWZ Hydro-Drive — commercial: daily paid use and high acreage; 36-inch deck; gas powered
What’s different? The 5 differences that matter most, from the published figures.
- SW Belt-Drive lists at $5,349 to $6,499; SWZ Hydro-Drive lists at $8,449 to $11,329, a $3,100 difference. List price is the maker's own figure before tax, freight and dealer setup. Dealers set the final price.
- SW Belt-Drive has Belt Drive with 5-Speed Peerless Transmission drive; SWZ Hydro-Drive has Dual Pump and Motor drive.
- SW Belt-Drive has a published top speed of 6 mph; SWZ Hydro-Drive has a published top speed of 7.4 mph, a 1.4 mph difference. Top speed is the maker's maximum in transport. Mowing speed is lower and depends on grass, terrain and the deck.
- SW Belt-Drive has a 32 in (813 mm) deck; SWZ Hydro-Drive has a 36 in (914 mm) deck, a 4 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 ›
- SW Belt-Drive weighs 450 lbs (204.1 kg); SWZ Hydro-Drive weighs 515 lbs (233.6 kg), a 65 lbs difference. Operating weight bears on trailer payload, ramps and soft turf. On its own it says nothing about build quality. What SW Belt-Drive's weight means for a trailer ›
calculated figures
Calculated by MowerFacts
- SW Belt-Drive works out to 1.6 acres/hour; SWZ Hydro-Drive works out to 2.2 acres/hour, a 0.6 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.
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 | SW Belt-Drive Scag · Push / Walk-Behind |
SWZ Hydro-Drive Scag · Push / Walk-Behind |
|---|---|---|
| List price | $5,349–$6,499 | $8,449–$11,329 |
| Engine | ||
| Power Source | gas | gas |
| Engine Power | 14 hp | 14 hp |
| Engine Make | Kawasaki® FS Series | Kawasaki® FS Series |
| Deck | ||
| Cutting Width | 32 in (813 mm) | 36 in (914 mm) |
| Min Cut Height | 1.7 in (44 mm) | 1.7 in (44 mm) |
| Max Cut Height | 4.5 in (114 mm) | 4.5 in (114 mm) |
| Deck Construction | Dual-plate cutter deck constructed of 2 steel plates. Reinforcement plate at cutter deck spindles. | Dual-plate cutter deck constructed of 2 steel plates. Reinforcement plate at cutter deck spindles. |
| Drive | ||
| Ground Speed | 6 mph | 7.4 mph |
| Drive Tire Size | 13″ x 5″-6″ (32″)13″ x 6.5″-6″ (36″, 48″ and 52″) | 16″ x 6.5″-8″ |
| Reverse Speed | 2 mph | 3 mph |
| Drive System | Belt Drive with 5-Speed Peerless Transmission | Dual Pump and Motor |
| Dimensions | ||
| Weight | 450 lbs (204.1 kg) | 515 lbs (233.6 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 5.5 gal (20.8 L) | 5.5 gal (20.8 L) |
| Commercial / Pro | ||
| Seat Type | n/a | n/a |
Where these models differ, explained
SW Belt-Drive: Specs verified against the manufacturer spec sheet on Jun 7, 2026 — scag.com.
SWZ Hydro-Drive: 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.