OT Zero Turn

Row Crop · Mar 14, 2013

I'm going to replace my P.O.S. Bush Hog zero turn mower soon. I read that Ferris builds them with suspension for a smoother ride. Anyone have knowledge of Ferris mowers, and how they perform?

Anonymous-0 · Mar 14, 2013

1. Hustler-Brand
2. Scag-Brand
Tom

John B. · Mar 14, 2013

Front mount get more traction than a mid mount
zero-turn mower.

Just my experience.

Anonymous-0 · Mar 14, 2013

2 ways of getting a suspension. Ferris uses springs and moving parts. Dixie Chopper uses big flotation tires.

showcrop · Mar 14, 2013

I have a Ferris that is about 16 years old, that I bought used about four years ago. It has rear suspension but not front. The newer ones have front suspension also. I am very happy with it. I mow three times as much lawn as I used to, in less time, arthritis was keeping me from doing much. It is important to remember that on a ZT you will be going much faster than on an L&G so suspension is a big help. Keep in mind also that Ferris is made in NY and is not known as much as other brands outside of the northeast. I would say that the Ferris is very strongly built and has a far longer life expectancy than lighter built units such as a cub cadet ZT.

JDSNOW · Mar 14, 2013

I went shopping last fall for some new ones. We keep our zero turn 3-4 years and will have 1500-2000 hours on them. Bought some 460 Gravelys with 60"X2 decks under them. Best air flowing deck and ride I felt.

pontiacanddeere · Mar 14, 2013

Just because they can go fast doesn't mean you need
to, that is the beauty of hydro-static drive you
can run them at any speed you like and it won't
hurt them a bit you don't need to bury the levers.
It never ceases to amaze me the amount of people
that think they need to run 10 MPH or faster on a
lawn that is too rough for 4 or 5 MPH.

G1355 · Mar 14, 2013

Get a Dixie chopper, smoothest riding, best mowing mower out there, deep deck and they love tall wet grass, they are the most expensive new but there worth it and hold resale pretty well

Andy Wickiser · Mar 14, 2013

I have a Simplicity Champion with the front and rear spring suspension - actually a Ferris with Simplicity name (however Simplicity bought Ferris and Briggs and Stratton owns Simplicity). Anyhow, with those little front wheels the ride is not that smooth, still bumpy. When I bought the machine I thought it would have a smooth ride because that was a selling point of the spring suspension. This is my first ZTR mower so I don't have any experience with a rigid frame ZTR to compare to.

evilboweivel · Mar 14, 2013

I think the Ferris with full suspension rides nice
Take a ride on a Hustler with the Flex Forks and the best optional seat that is a nice ride.
Different Zero Turns are putting suspensions under platforms, seats, etc.
Need to do some serious checking on what is new and availble
Good luck
Ron

Blackhole49 · Mar 14, 2013

Where I used to work, we bought exclusively Dixie Chopper until we started having major problems (hydraulic pumps and drive motors) with them. Changed to X-Mark and they were a much better unit. None of ours had suspension when I retired. I agree with the comment about only going as fast as the grounds allows. No matter what, get the best seat offered.

Mike M · Mar 14, 2013

Go look at the better line of Kubota's. You can really see they are much heavier duty, built more like a tractor.

Adirondack case guy · Mar 14, 2013

You can't beat a Ferris, even with a Dixie. The Ferris is built here in Centeral NY. The company has been involved in the machinery busness for many decades. Their mowers are built with common sence engineering. Extreamly rugged and servicable. You won't be disapointed. About every brand of machinery dealers around here sells them, even the JD guys if there is not already an existing Ferris dealer nearby.
Loren, the Acg.

Rick Kr · Mar 14, 2013

Row Crop,

I cant say enough good things about my Ferris, I have a IS3100, 72inch deck. I take down a lot of acreage every week. 4 wheel suspension, big tires for more suspension, and I added the real nice seat that is available on the Exmarks.

It is set to go 10mph, but can be adjusted to 12mph. The deck articulates with the suspension so its almost impossible to scalp.

Since I bought your backhoe and ran it a bunch in your field, come over for a test drive, I am only 20 minutes from you.

Rick

jm. · Mar 14, 2013

I second the other guys suggestion , go look at the shaft drive ,hydro, diesel engine and more. Will out last most of the gas unit out there.

Anonymous-0 · Mar 14, 2013

If you need suspension on a mower, you're going too fast. Same as a tractor. If you want a good heavy duty mower, you could look into a used commercial mower like a Toro Groundsmaster. Not zero turn but will turn sharp to go around tree's and have individual wheel brakes. A lot of times golf courses/municipalities will trade them in with relatively low hours and regular maintenance.

BillinCentralMO · Mar 14, 2013

We have two different Hustler Z's. Not cheap but It will mow like no tomorrow. Very few pieces of equipment run as well as those two mowers do. I don't think they have independent suspension but have no complaints about the ride. We cut 5 0r 10 acres of rich thick prairie grass.

Straw Boss · Mar 15, 2013

I'll second what others say about the Hustlers.
They are what all others strive to be. Spendy but they are the real deal, not the half priced look-a-likes the others are. Heavy duty hydraulics, coolers, air intake filters, decks, spindles etc. and the controls are smooooooth and comfortable.
Seat has suspension as do the front wheels.
Solid built. Mow as fast as you can ride it AND 15 mph between farms.
I'd buy a used one with a 1000 hrs before I'd buy a new anything else.

641Dave · Mar 15, 2013

Is there any $3,500 Bad Boy users here?

Texasmark1 · Mar 16, 2013

I have a 44" Hustler FasTrack with an 18 hp Honda. Have had it since '05 and running strong. I use it for most running around in addition to mowing but it is NOT sprung. I live on black dirt with clumping grasses and cow hoof holes and it is not easy to ride. I put cushions in the comfortable seat to help with that. I change the oil once a year and use only syn. which stays relative clear the whole year, unlike parafin that you have to change 2 or 3 times.

When I finish this answer I am going to go back to the one that's supposed to be smooth, Fisher I think and have a look at that.

Mark

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