Shopping for a Zero Turn Mower

[Gary Fowler]

Any one have any info on a Ferris ZTR. I am looking to upgrade my Craftsman to something that rides a lot smoother. The Ferris has a spring and shock system for each wheel. It looks good but I have no experience with it. They come with both Kawasaki and Briggs engines.

 

[SOS]

Thanks again for the advice. I ended up with a zg127s Kubota. Cut my mowing time in half.

 

[DmansPadge]

Any one have any info on a Ferris ZTR. I am looking to upgrade my Craftsman to something that rides a lot smoother. The Ferris has a spring and shock system for each wheel. It looks good but I have no experience with it. They come with both Kawasaki and Briggs engines.

I think Ferris makes a really nice mower. I used a 1500 series to cut a couple of acres for a year. That being said, I think the suspension is overrated. Is it an improvement over a typical ZTR? I would say so. However, I also used a Gravely 260 with a suspension seat and pivoting front axle to mow the same area and felt it was a better ride. There are a lot of variables that make up the ride quality. Tire size, seat, etc. They all ride pretty rough if you're going fast enough!

 

[sld]

Might want to re-check that info on the Kubota machines. Cub, Deere, Troybuilt, Toro, etc have their low end stuff made by MTD (or its "made by Deere", but its a clone of a MTD), but AFAIK, that is not done with Kubotas.
Yes, the hydro transmission will be made by someone else, its a hydro-gear ZT-3100 in the low end mowers (ZG100 series) and that's as better than most (most use a ZT-2800 for the mid level homeowner stuff)

Aaron Z

I don't think Toro has anything built by MTD. Might recheck your facts.

On edit, as far as ZTR's go.

 

[aczlan]

I don't think Toro has anything built by MTD. Might recheck your facts.

From Wikipedia:

MTD Products - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
MTD builds or has built various other brands and store-brand lawn and garden tractors over the years, including:
Private Label Brands Produced
<extraneous info removed>
Toro (including some lower-priced models sold at Home Depot and Ace Hardware, perhaps others, although not all Toro tractors are made by MTD)

Aaron Z

 

[djdicetn]

From Wikipedia:


Aaron Z

Your quote from Wikipedia specifically states "garden tractors".....this thread discussion is regarding Zero Turn mowers(none of the Toro ZTR's are MTD's!!!!!).

 

[aczlan]

Your quote from Wikipedia specifically states "garden tractors".....this thread discussion is regarding Zero Turn mowers(none of the Toro ZTR's are MTD's!!!!!).

I dont disagree with that (need to verify it though) but I was replying to sld who said "I don't think Toro has anything built by MTD" (which he later edited to specify ZTRs).
Next time I see some low end Toro ZTRs, I will have to look and see who makes them.

Aaron Z