Cadillac of Zero Turn Mowers (ZTR)?

[Carl_NH]

Heavy Metal

Which unit and model did you end up with a Ferris or Simplicity? I think B&S owning them doesn't make a product difference as it seems to be the trend anymore - buying up the supply chain and embedding sales.

Also interesting I have read that Ferris sell more with the Kawasaki than the B&S. Good luck with you unit and

Post some pics!

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

I would have loved going for more power, but I didn't want too large a deck due to the tight spots I have. I ended up going with the IS1500, 48" iCD deck and 20hp Kawasaki engine.(I thought they only had 21 - but the tag on the engine is 20) Their price was about 10% off the "starting at" prices ive seen advertised (which I always assumed was the smallest deck / engine for the model).....And it was right there on the showroom floor...kinda calling out to me as I looked over the other stuff they had there. I looked at Hustler and Grasshoppers along with a passing glance at some others that they had there but thought the supsenion ride on the Ferris was the biggest difference.

A lot of the manufacturing processes I could see in the decks made the Ferris deck look the toughest, too - but I know that's something that can be decieving - A continous welded seam may look better (others where skip-welded), but it may not always be stronger if the structure around it isn't heavy enough. The only real test will be using the machine.

I did also note the Sunstrand logo on the hydrostatics - they call it "Hydro Gear", but that must be the line of those particular parts. Good to know it's a decent MFR, though. The only thing I wish the machine had is an oil cooler like they do on the bigger models - might not really be needed, but would make me feel a little better.

Not sure if their frames ar powder coated or not - I didn't see anything about it on the machine, but I thought their website info said they are. The finish looks like it could be either.

I had heard fairly good things about this particular dealer, and with them being so close to home, I realy didn't want to go searching far an wide just to save a little more. I figured the price was fair and I got them to throw in the headlight kit w/installation for free (not like that would be hard - I saw the connector right bellow the seat!).
No pictures of it in my possesion yet. They're suposed to get thier dealer pre-delivery service done and mount the lights and deliver it by the end of the week.

My wife allready said that maybe now she'll be willing to cut the grass....if I let her!:laughing:

 

[beppington]

I would have loved going for more power, but I didn't want too large a deck due to the tight spots I have. I ended up going with the IS1500, 48" iCD deck and 20hp Kawasaki engine.(I thought they only had 21 - but the tag on the engine is 20) Their price was about 10% off the "starting at" prices ive seen advertised (which I always assumed was the smallest deck / engine for the model).....And it was right there on the showroom floor...kinda calling out to me as I looked over the other stuff they had there. I looked at Hustler and Grasshoppers along with a passing glance at some others that they had there but thought the supsenion ride on the Ferris was the biggest difference.

A lot of the manufacturing processes I could see in the decks made the Ferris deck look the toughest, too - but I know that's something that can be decieving - A continous welded seam may look better (others where skip-welded), but it may not always be stronger if the structure around it isn't heavy enough. The only real test will be using the machine.

I did also note the Sunstrand logo on the hydrostatics - they call it "Hydro Gear", but that must be the line of those particular parts. Good to know it's a decent MFR, though. The only thing I wish the machine had is an oil cooler like they do on the bigger models - might not really be needed, but would make me feel a little better.

Not sure if their frames ar powder coated or not - I didn't see anything about it on the machine, but I thought their website info said they are. The finish looks like it could be either.

I had heard fairly good things about this particular dealer, and with them being so close to home, I realy didn't want to go searching far an wide just to save a little more. I figured the price was fair and I got them to throw in the headlight kit w/installation for free (not like that would be hard - I saw the connector right bellow the seat!).
No pictures of it in my possesion yet. They're suposed to get thier dealer pre-delivery service done and mount the lights and deliver it by the end of the week.

My wife allready said that maybe now she'll be willing to cut the grass....if I let her!:laughing:

Please do post pics when you can :thumbsup:

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

The mower got delivered today. And luck was on my side - I was suposed to be out of town for the day, but that got cancelled. So I was home when it arrived and it took me about five minutes to give a quick once over and get to cutting grass.
To put it simply, It cuts as fast as I can handle driving it. Did my whole place in 1.2 hours on the meter - which only clocks time while the blades are running.
I also learned the deck is soooo much more powerfull that it realy kicks up a dust storm in any dry areas and throws the grass twice as far as I'm used to.
Pics are after the cutting - dusty looking already.

 

[Steve HEF]

I ran a landscape business for 15 years using Scag and Kubota ZTRs. What was important to me was production, reliability and longevity. I had Scag's first attempt at a ZTR called a Super Z and it was junk. Scag replaced it with the Turf tiger which is a much better machine.

I think Kubota is the most feature packed machine on the market lacking only suspension. I've owned 2 Kubota ZD28s, I won't own another. Both machines had serious hydraulic problems, one under warranty. The repair cost would have been $5000+ on the first, the second I've been nursing as best I can with repair parts and lots of labor. The problem is both the pump and drive motor are integrated into one housing, if one side goes the whole unit has to be replaced to the tune of $2000+ ! I won't buy another machine with integrated hydraulics, give me separate pumps and motors that can be replaced inexpensively.

I've been looking at Ferris, Dixie Chopper and Bad Boy as replacements, I like the specs on them but have no experience with those brands.

 

[Carl_NH]

Heavymetaldoctor,'


Great pics - enjoy seeing your new mower after a workout!

A couple of thngs - you can reverse the deck lift/lower foot pedal if you have longer legs - just remove the bolts and rubber and flip over.

Deck rubber boot - I took this off after the first cutting - it adds about 8" to the deck width and IMO got in the way especially if you have tight spots =, beds and flowers you are - if you have a lot of rocks you plan to cut, then leave it on.. otherwise remove it is easier to cut..

The deck spindles take a lot of grease - I put 15 strokes into mine, now its seaping from the lower casting - which is OK with me.. I know the bearings are happy. Would rahter have some grease coming out than dirt going in.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

Thanks everyone for the kinds words - this is sort of milestone for me - the first ever brand new peice of equipment I ever bought.

Carl,
I have the seat slid pretty far back and was allready considering flipping the foot pedal around.
I did manage to edge around everything with the left side of the deck and there's enough debris in my yard that I think I should leave the discharge flap thing in place.

Now that I have this, I'll have to go all around the property and trim up the trees. It's easy to get branches caught on the ROPS and the different operating position, compared to a lawn tractor, means that when going under the tress I get a lot more spider webs in the face.:laughing:

Some detail pics:
cutting height adjustment - drop a pin in a hole

What's under the seat