Are Ferris zero-turn mowers really smoother?

[gogojuice]

OK.. I'm still thinking about the is2100z..

But I am having a problem pulling the plug.

I have a simplicity regent. Love the cut.. but it just isn't built to take the abuse my property has. The frame is cracked, steering going etc.. but boy can that tractor cut a lawn. By far the best I have seen around where I live.
So I went to look at the 2100z.. and the dealer told me that I would be quiet disappointed in the cut of the ferris. I should stick to the lawn tractor as it has a better cut. This threw me completely off.

I have not seen the 2100z cut.. and there is no where around for me to see one.

For the people who have them.. how would you rate its cut. I leave mine about 4-5 inches long and cut regular when it is dry. I'm not taking lots off either.. about 2 - 3 inches at most when I cut.
Hoping someone can tell me how they cut compared to their lawn tractor. If I can get it to cut as well as my simplicity (with mulch kit, which leaves NO clippings) I'll pull the plug lol.

Thanks

 

[Gary Fowler]

OK.. I'm still thinking about the is2100z..

But I am having a problem pulling the plug.

I have a simplicity regent. Love the cut.. but it just isn't built to take the abuse my property has. The frame is cracked, steering going etc.. but boy can that tractor cut a lawn. By far the best I have seen around where I live.
So I went to look at the 2100z.. and the dealer told me that I would be quiet disappointed in the cut of the ferris. I should stick to the lawn tractor as it has a better cut. This threw me completely off.

I have not seen the 2100z cut.. and there is no where around for me to see one.

For the people who have them.. how would you rate its cut. I leave mine about 4-5 inches long and cut regular when it is dry. I'm not taking lots off either.. about 2 - 3 inches at most when I cut.
Hoping someone can tell me how they cut compared to their lawn tractor. If I can get it to cut as well as my simplicity (with mulch kit, which leaves NO clippings) I'll pull the plug lol.

Thanks

The dealer must need to sell some tractors. I have owned and ran both and as far as cut, I cant see any difference between them. You can make a divot in the grass if you turn it around by locking or reversing one wheel with a zero turn and if mowing close to a wet ditch, you can easily slip sideways on the slope. I have had to pull mine out of mud many times when trying to cut too close to the pond or a ditch. I think a tractor might steer better in those situations.
All these cons don't add up to me going back to a tractor because I can mow circles around most tractors and get closer to shrub and trees without having to make a 4 corner cut. Most of the time, I don't need to weed eat around obstacles after I mow.

As for mulching, I cant help there because I just let the mower spread the clippings which it does quite well. It will throw them more 6 feet from the mower discharge chute. I don't have the luxury of owning a 2100Z but my 750Z does pretty well.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

I have a 2100 but I don't mow a yard and cannot really explain the quality of the cut. At some point I mean to make a video review but I need more grass for that.

 

[art]

Like many mowers the quality of cut goes away after 5 to 6 mph. They may do 10 getting to the mowing but five is about all that will cut clean at. Take a path across the lawn mowing then drop a 2/4 down and go back twenty feet. There should be a perfect line on the 2/4 and if not sharpen the blades, slow down and up the throttle!

 

[KBP]

The only problem I have ever had with my 61" Turf Tiger was when I ran over a Ferris and bent 1 of the blades.

HA HA! Never had even one problem with my Ferris IS 2000Z! It is not meant to run over other mowers, that's why it does such a great job mowing grass and can't be beat! It is built to mow smoother and better than any other mowers. Stick with yours if you need to be in a demolition derby but get a Ferris if you need to mow grass fast in comfort!

 

[Maxify55]

My 1000Z is 14 yrs young now and still sliding me along here in Florida.

Had a family member years ago ride it. Went home to Mo. and bought an IS3000.

Yep, we're happy with them.

 

[DovelynFarm]

Bought a Ferris 2600Z 61" with Yanmar diesel a year ago for use on our farm and love it. It was a replacement for a 1999 Dixie Chopper twin 20HP Suburb'n Turb'n 72" zero turn. The Ferris has an incredibly smooth ride in comparison to the non-suspended Chopper (even with only 6 psi in its rear tires) which has been great for my old back. I will never go back to a zero turn without a full suspension. Also, the diesel uses almost no fuel by comparison and I can fill it with our farm fuel tank as a convenience. The Chopper was a beast in the tall grass, however the Ferris diesel is great in tall grass as well. So the answer to the question is...yes, the difference in ride smoothness with a full suspension is huge and a must have if you have had any back problems like me.

 

[Maxify55]

My Ferris is a little long in the tooth, year-wise but still just a shade under 1000 hrs on the clock. I just use her to more the Bermuda around the house and trim around fence posts (& Under bottom fence rail)any more. Anyplace I want a groomed appearance. After all these years, she still does a fine job.
Figure I'll keep her around a while longer.

 

[Plantation Paul]

My 2100.

I love mine. I have the EFI Vangard dry sump motor, 28 hp and 61" cut. The last JD "wheel" mower lasted me 21 years. I am sure I will pass this one on to my son. And I am hoping I get another 20 yrs before I clock out. :laughing:

And YES, it DOES ride smoother! :thumbsup:

 

[Plantation Paul]

Another advantage of the Ferris is the mower will stay in consistent contact with the surface because the wheels are all independently moving. So they will stay in contact with the ground better and supply a more even contact pressure.