All Scag mowers are equipped with our exclusive heavy-duty spindles. Scag uses the same proven spindle design on their entire product line, regardless of the mower category or price. Each Scag spindle housing is machined by Mazak Super Turn machining centers to ensure a perfect fit for the tapered roller bearings. Every Scag spindle is assembled, greased and torqued by hand at the Scag factory. This is the best performing, most reliable spindle in the commercial industry...hands down. We have been using this same rock-solid design for years and proudly stand behind them with a 3-year limited warranty. 

Don't be fooled by the "no maintenance" spindles some companies offer. Typically these are lower quality, "disposable" spindles that are constructed with aluminum housings and ball bearings. These lower cost spindles are not as reliable as the Scag spindle. A component that works as hard as the deck spindle does, needs new grease on a periodic basis. Period. After all, what takes more time: 20 seconds of greasing or the downtime caused by a seized up "no maintenance" spindle? 
· Cast-iron housing versus aluminum housing: Cast-iron is stronger 
· Tapered roller bearings versus ball bearings: Tapered roller bearings can handle more load 
· Greaseable versus "maintenance-free": At over 1.8 million revolutions per day, greaseable spindles are a must 
 

Cast iron spindle housing. Increased shock load strength over aluminum housings. Super strong to take the everyday abuses of mowing. For 2004, Scag spindle housings feature a thicker mounting flange that has increased the strength by 163%! 

Spindle shaft 1-1/8" diameter. Extra large diameter, hardened spindle shaft provides superior strength. Key groove is cut into shaft for solid pulley mounting.

Grease fitting. Top-mounted for quick and easy greasing. No need to crawl under the cutter deck.

Grease relief poppet. Special relief poppet ensures that "over-greasing" and damaging a seal is impossible, even with powered grease guns.

Blade bolt mounting hole. Cutter blade retaining bolt travels through the center of the shaft. Under extreme impact, only the bolt may need to be replaced, not the entire spindle assembly. The thru-bolt design also allows you to change blades without altering the proper preload (150 ft. lbs.) on the tapered roller bearings.