Ferris is2100z or an is700z?

MinnesotaEric · Nov 13, 2015

Think it is worth spending an extra money to get into a Ferris 2100 rather than a is700 or Simplicty XT?

Which engine do you think is best on either mower?

I've been looking around the internet and there isn't a lot of info out there, so I'm throwing out a lifeline looking for advice.

Thanks!

MinnesotaEric · Nov 13, 2015

Adding to the mix is a 2011 John Deere Z925 with a 54" 7 iron deck deck and 600 hours for $5,000.

MinnesotaEric · Nov 16, 2015

I ended up purchasing an is2100 today. As a bonus, it uses Hydro-Gear ZT5400 hydrostatic motors which are Hydro-Gear's heaviest motors, rather than the smaller ZT4400.

art · Nov 17, 2015

Eric you made the right choice! We are the oldest dealer for Ferris mowers as well as the largest dealer in NY. We did help them get started over 25 years ago so we have a little time together since they build them about 15 miles from here!

The 2100 is a great unit and we do sell them to upper end home owners as well as commercial people. You also probably noticed the front suspension on the 2100 is a real independent suspension system not just a pivoting axle with shocks and springs to dampen it it like on the 700 chassis.

MinnesotaEric · Nov 17, 2015

art said:
Eric you made the right choice! We are the oldest dealer for Ferris mowers as well as the largest dealer in NY. We did help them get started over 25 years ago so we have a little time together since they build them about 15 miles from here!

The 2100 is a great unit and we do sell them to upper end home owners as well as commercial people. You also probably noticed the front suspension on the 2100 is a real independent suspension system not just a pivoting axle with shocks and springs to dampen it it like on the 700 chassis.

I'm neither high-end or commercial. I just have a really bad back and am hoping this mower will allow me to keep doing what most people take for granted.

Feature wise, I noticed the 2016 is2100Z has independent front and rear suspension as well as the gold-standard of drive motors, the ZT5400. I also noted the seat pan is dead flat and will allow me to bolt on any air seat I want to try out. The feature I really liked is the dual fuel tanks, which given the engine choices will be needed at 1.5+gph fuel consumption.

I ordered the light kit today and will figure out a 12v power source for a potential air seat when I bolt the lighting kit on in the spring.

Today, with 0.0 hours still reading on the meter, I dropped the throttle cable bracket to get enough room to swing a 1/2" wrench to pull the fuel solenoid and drain the float bowl. Then I pulled the battery out and closed the door for winter on the boat barn. See you in April, new Ferris is2100z mower.

Mr Bitz · Nov 21, 2015

I've been looking at a ferris. Did you get a pretty good deal for purchasing in the fall of the year? What is the price difference between the is700 and is2100? I know a few people that have the ferris and just love them, they wouldn't even consider anything else at this point. Cut their mowing time in half..

Mr Bitz · Nov 21, 2015

Also looks like you got the briggs huh? Good choice..

MinnesotaEric · Nov 22, 2015

Mr Bitz said:
I've been looking at a ferris. Did you get a pretty good deal for purchasing in the fall of the year? What is the price difference between the is700 and is2100? I know a few people that have the ferris and just love them, they wouldn't even consider anything else at this point. Cut their mowing time in half..

I was quoted $5999 for the 28hp 52" IS700Z. I skipped that and wound up with the not EFI 26hp Vanguard for the 52" IS2100Z, which is all they had in stock, for $7799 an extra set of blades, one engine oil filter and three Ferris hats thrown in. The dealer also sent me home with his personal trailer since I'm just over 100 miles away.

I've had good experiences with the Kawasaki engines. If this dealer had an EFI in stock I would have purchased it. Even so a brand new replacement EFI 26hp Vanguard engine is only $1699, so these engines are still relatively inexpensive.

Mr Bitz · Nov 22, 2015

Do you think the almost $2k was worth the extra $$$? Is it a big difference between the 2 mowers?

MinnesotaEric · Nov 22, 2015

Mr Bitz said:
Do you think the almost $2k was worth the extra $$$? Is it a big difference between the 2 mowers?

I have absolutely no idea other than what I read online as I've literally spent three minutes in a parking lot nailing curbs like it was a UTV and another three minutes unloading it in the rain and into a friend's boat barn. What I can share is that the dealer did the best mower demo I've seen (and in the rain and cold too). The dealer responded to my questions such as Deere's deck height dial in comparison to Ferris' pin height adjustment, and answered my questions about the durability of the suspension components.

What I can tell you is that prior to my dealer visit, I poured over the internet reading everything and watching all videos.

http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=434188

From what I gather is that the 2014 had 5400 drive motors, Ferris went to 4400s in 2015, and if my 2016 is any indication, the 5400 drive motors are back in the is2100z.

Anyway, I read many of the threads that this search link provides and was undecided until I drove the thing and concluded to spend the extra money for the better suspension and the 5400 drive motors which I already knew are the heaviest integrated HST motor for mowers on the market. FWIW, I also liked the light, responsive controls which felt just like the Toro I ended up selling with my city house (thus the need for a new mower).

https://www.google.com/search?q=fer...JAhUF1h4KHV3rCVQQrQIILSgEMAE&biw=1337&bih=564