New zero turn

MarkB_MI · May 18, 2014

Yesterday I took delivery of a brand new Ferris IS700Z zero turn radius mower. Two weeks ago when I started shopping for a zero turn I had never heard of Ferris. Then I searched the archives here and read how enthusiastic Ferris owners are about their mowers.

The Ferris is an exceptionally well-built machine, and I expect it to save me a couple hours a week for the portion of my yard I was previously mowing with a garden tractor. My yard is pretty rough and even with its independent suspension it's a bumpy ride on the Ferris. I can't imagine what it would be like trying to mow fast on a typical zero turn with no suspension. Some of my yard I'll probably continue to mow with a six foot flail mower behind my Ford 4000, although I think the 52 inch zero turn could keep up with the larger flail mower.

Thanks everyone who has posted zero turn recommendations in the past.

Bob Bancroft · May 18, 2014

I have a 500 and finally figured out what's wrong with it. It's ridiculously over powered! You can mow as fast as you can stand the ride.

Anonymous-0 · May 18, 2014

THere's 2 ways of providing a suspension, Ferris uses a couple extra parts up front, Dixie chopper uses big soft tires. Each has its pros and cons. main point is, you can always slow down on the rough spots, it's easy to build a mower that goes 15 MPH, but hard to mow at that speed, with any control...

Anonymous-0 · May 18, 2014

I bought a Ferris Z 2000 last summer. What a machine, 4 wheel independent suspension and ride that isn't much different than riding a ATV across the lawn. My back really likes it.

Wile E · May 18, 2014

I have heard that the Ferris mowers are good. What did that cost you if you do not mind telling us.

I bought a cub cadet walk behind a year ago, $ 1,200. I only have 1/3 of an acre to cut and I usually split it up. I cut the back one day then cut the front another day. I have been told that the bad boy brand out of TSC is a good mower, a guy I work with wants one, but $ 5,000 is out of his price range.

Adirondack case guy · May 18, 2014

Bob,
How is the spring planting going out there. I guess we have been fortunate here. Ground has been dry, and the uncles are working the final fields for beans. I don't know what the final acerage count is for oats, corn, and beans. The oats and alfalfa look real good. Hope they didn't jump the gun on planting, as the ground is still cold.
Loren

Bob Bancroft · May 18, 2014

It's not. I've never seen the ground in such terrible shape. Just the opposite of what I expected after the long, cold winter. It won't dry out. It's sticky, greasy, snotty, slimy, and any bad word you can come up with.

I sprayed wheat on the 7th. It went pretty well. I chisel plowed (in the mud) all day Thur. 8th, still hoping to get some oats in. Fri. 9th I tried to disc some fall chiseled, and just couldn't go anywhere. We've had three inches of rain since. Just had a little shower this AM !

MarkB_MI · May 18, 2014

Wiley, I paid list price, $6K. That's with the Briggs "Commercial Turf" engine; for another 500 bucks you can get the 52 inch deck with a Kawasaki engine. That same model is also offered with a 61 inch deck and a choice of Briggs, Kawasaki or Vanguard engine.

I needed something with a heavy-duty fabricated deck, so I really only looked at commercial-grade mowers. Cub Cadet does make a pretty decent 54 inch zero turn with a fabricated deck that was on sale for $3K. I have no regrets spending the extra three grand on a Ferris. Should be the last mower I buy.

Dick2 · May 18, 2014

Did you get the Deisel engine? I drove some of the Ferris models at an equipment demo. Really liked the Diesel model; it was built like a tank!

MarkB_MI · May 18, 2014

Only the biggest, most expensive Ferris (IS 5100Z) is diesel-powered. More info at <a href="http://www.ferrismowers.com">http://www.ferrismowers.com</a>

Dachshund · May 18, 2014

MAN! I couldn't justify 6 grand on ANY mower! Lol!
I doubt a zero turn would mow my yard any faster, though. I paid $1100 for a 24HP lawn tractor 4 years ago, and thought THAT was high!

David G · May 18, 2014

I have 3 acres to mow with a lot of trees to go around, it cuts my time in 1/2.

AllisG · May 18, 2014

Wher I work we sell Scag and husqvarna mowers and the scag would be my next mower even with the high price, they use an independent seat suspension. Not trying to sell but they are a nice set up

Wile E · May 18, 2014

Holy Crap that is a lot of money.
And it only cuts grass......Waaaay to steep for my budget.

John T · May 18, 2014

If you have a lot of mowing and a lot of things to drive and circle around a zero turn is the way to go. I have used Ferris and Dixie Chopper and Dixon and a few others, but prefer my Husquvanra over all of them. Good thing they sell a lot of different brands lol to each their own.

John T

jennifer408 · May 18, 2014

(quoted from post at 08:33:40 05/18/14) Holy Crap that is a lot of money.
And it only cuts grass......Waaaay to steep for my budget.

yea, me too, i'd spend my money on cross fencing, some sheep and a milk cow instead. just saying

Agri King · May 18, 2014

I looked at the Ferris also, agree I thought it was well built. This Gravely was traded in at our Case dealer for a high $ Kubota. $2700 I don't think it was used very much. I really like it, it's well built and simple. This one has a fully welded deck, not a stamped out deck. I had a Cub Cadet zero turn, what an Absolute pile of garbage. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Throw away junk.

Rick Kr · May 18, 2014

Mark,
I am one of those guys on here that love my Ferris. I have a IS3100, 72" deck. Bought it in 2007, have had zero problems. Only maintenance.

I put the nice air seat on it too. Makes it even smoother. I knock down quite a few acres a week with mine.

I timed my mow, before I bought it. Cut my mowing time in half over my Ford tractor with a 12 foot batwing.

Rick

MarkB_MI · May 19, 2014

Yes, it's an absurd amount of money to be spending on a dedicated mowing machine. But then you've never seen my yard. I'm getting to an age where time is more important than money and this machine will save me upwards of two hours a week in the summer. I'm pretty sure when I'm on my deathbed I'm not going to say "ya know, I sure wish I'd spent more time cutting grass".

I looked at cheaper machines, but you have to spend a minimum of three grand to get a fabricated deck, and those are still pretty flimsy machines until you get up to around 5K. I also looked into used machines, but May is not a good time of the year to look for mower bargains. A local dealer has several used Exmark mowers priced at 5K or more; these machines have over a thousand hours on them!

showcrop · May 19, 2014

I have long been a believer in buying used top quality than new lower quality. Four years ago I got a Ferris with two cyl. Kawi with 1,200 hours on it for $1500. A city had traded it in to a friend on a new Ferris. I had to change a coil the second year, but I expect that it will still be going strong when other ZTs bought new at the same time will be used up.

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