Ferris ZTR's - Any Problems?

[RWEST]

My brother is looking at a Ferris Zero Turn Mower. I'm not sure of the model, but, I think he mentioned one having a 60" deck and Kawasaki gas engine, or another one with a 72" deck and 33 HP Cat. diesel (holy mackerel!!). He says the Ferris' have a suspension system to cushion the ride a bit. I don't know, maybe he's just getting soft.

Anyway, I had never heard of Ferris (J-D green/yellow here ) so I told him I'd check with the folks here at the forum to see if there were any major issues.

Thanks.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Good machines with very few problems.

I am heavily over stocked on Ferris mowers right now. Our dry summer is hurting mower sales. If he wants a deal have him give me a call. (Neil)

 

[PBinWA]

I just bought a 1500 IS (25hp/52") and I am happy with it BUT I only have 5.5 hours on it.

The suspension is nice! On smooth areas where the grass isn't too thick I can mow at full speed (~10 mph) and it is only as bumpy as my old Crapsman GT5000 is at 4 mph.

I think the 4100 and 3100 which your brother are looking at must be real beasts as my 25hp Kawasaki, rarely slows down much in thick grass.

The biggest complaint I've heard about Ferris is that the cut quality isn't the best. I'm working on improving mine but it could be a little better. Fortunately, I can live with a few stragglers as long as I can keep mowing at a fast pace!

 

[RWEST]

Our dry summer is hurting mower sales. If he wants a deal have him give me a call. (Neil)

Hi Neil -
I was down your way (Gettysburg, actually) a week or so ago. I was amazed at how brown everything was!! Here in Somerset County, we've been getting pretty regular (once/twice a week) rains. Really strange.

Anyway, he sounded close to a deal with the local Ferris guy in Bedford (he's actually looking to buy 2 of them, I think he said a 1500 and a 5100, but I could be wrong), but, I also know my brother likes good deals (he drove to West Chester, a 4 hr trip each way!!, last Friday nite to check one out that he saw on e-bay!!). I'll give him your number. His name is Brad.

 

[aesanders]

Neil's gonna make an offer your brother can't refuse......

I hear Godfather music playing in the background...

 

[Oleozz]

I've had a 1500 for three years, no major problems. I have a switch under the seat that needs replaced. I don't think they are great mowers in wet or thick grass and the cut quality is not the best. They are hard to service and the decks are hard to get under. My brother just bought a Walker and I like the idea of shaft drive and the tilt up deck for easy maintenance.

 

[koop]

If you have a local dealer, you might want to look at a Scag. A suspension seat(like a tractor) can be purchased to improve ride quality and the Turf Tiger is a grass cutting machine that is glued to the ground.