Demoed a new Ferris 5100 today and......

[DaddyRabbit]

I have spent some time looking at the Bad Boy as well but am curious as to why the BB offering has a 35 h/p 4 cyl Cat diesel and the Ferris employs the use of a 33.5 h/p 3 cylinder diesel. I wonder if there are any drawbacks to the 3 cylinder as opposed to the 4 cylinder? Regardless, I am pretty much sold on the Ferris.

 

[coobie]

I have spent some time looking at the Bad Boy as well but am curious as to why the BB offering has a 35 h/p 4 cyl Cat diesel and the Ferris employs the use of a 33.5 h/p 3 cylinder diesel. I wonder if there are any drawbacks to the 3 cylinder as opposed to the 4 cylinder? Regardless, I am pretty much sold on the Ferris.

Good choice,stay with the ferris.coobie

 

[Scooby074]

That Ferris is a BEAST. Very impressive. I havent driven a ZTR with suspension, but i imagine it would help the ride immensely.

 

[nomad289]

My Ferris 4500IS has the 28hp CAT and plenty of excess power for a 60" deck cutting 8" tall fescue down to 4.5". I think the ~33 hp CAT on the 5100IS would be more than adequate even if you went with the 72" deck; I can't see the need for a 4 cylinder. I believe the Ferris "CAT" is actually a Perkins diesel manufactured and serviced by CAT; I'm sure it will outlast me.

The machine is awesome. The only drawback I've found is the heavy weight results in compressed grass wheel tracks --- looking in your posted picture in the background I can see where you drove the machine. Given the country setting this is a non-issue, but if you were a commercial landscape mower some businesses might find the tracks objectionable. Maybe I"m cutting the grass to long.

Ferris has been making mowers for 20 years and has been bought by Simplicity then Briggs and Stratton, so they "probably" will have staying power and not file chapter 11. History Bad Boy has been around for <10 years, and didn't have any inventory for me to test. Who We Are | Bad Boy Mowers

Simplicity has the patent rights to the Ferris IS so if you wanted a cheaper "homeowner" version you might check them out. But, from the looks of your land the Ferris diesel is the way to go.

 

[nomad289]

My Ferris 4500IS has the 28hp CAT and plenty of excess power for a 60" deck cutting 8" tall fescue down to 4.5". I think the ~33 hp CAT on the 5100IS would be more than adequate even if you went with the 72" deck; I can't see the need for a 4 cylinder. I believe the Ferris "CAT" is actually a Perkins diesel manufactured and serviced by CAT; I'm sure it will outlast me.

The machine is awesome. The only drawback I've found is the heavy weight results in compressed grass wheel tracks --- looking in your posted picture in the background I can see where you drove the machine. Given the country setting this is a non-issue, but if you were a commercial landscape mower some businesses might find the tracks objectionable. Maybe I"m cutting the grass to long.

Ferris has been making mowers for 20 years and has been bought by Simplicity then Briggs and Stratton, so they "probably" will have staying power and not file chapter 11. History Bad Boy has been around for <10 years, and didn't have any inventory for me to test. Who We Are | Bad Boy Mowers

Simplicity has the patent rights to the Ferris IS so if you wanted a cheaper "homeowner" version you might check them out. But, from the looks of your land the Ferris diesel is the way to go.

PS: Check out the suspension of the Ferris (spring/shock design with ~3-4" travel?), ie a real suspension system; vs the Bad Boy which appears from the photo's to just be compressible rubber bushings. The Ferris will have much greater suspension travel based on the design.

 

[DaddyRabbit]

The Ferris dealer is a very nice person that is going the extra mile to get my Biz by calling and offering me incentives and advising me of this months specials, I.e Extended warranty. He has indicated to me that he'd deliver it upon my request. He gave me a demo price but he's moved a couple, (including the one I demoed) since so he said mine would be a NIB for the same $$. He has thrown in the optional hitch. I of course wouldn't ever tow anything w/this as long as my Kubota tractor is alive but its sure nice knowing there will be something to hook on to for when myself or my son run this beast in the drink.

 

[RWEST]

My brother has the diesel Ferris, and a gas powered one, as well, and that diesel IS a beast. Not cheap, but a real BEAST!!

 

[DaddyRabbit]

Well guys, I pulled the trigger on a new Ferris 5100Z. The dealer was awesome and sold it to me at an exceptional price that made it hard to say no to. It should be in next week. I'll post some action pics later.

 

[srs]

Well guys, I pulled the trigger on a new Ferris 5100Z. The dealer was awesome and sold it to me at an exceptional price that made it hard to say no to. It should be in next week. I'll post some action pics later.

Good for you, can't wait for some action photos. Did you get any kind of special financing or was this a cash deal?

 

[DaddyRabbit]

They have a special in place now for same as ca$h/0 % until Sept 2010. I hate to wish my life away but I simply can't wait until it comes in next week.

Good for you, can't wait for some action photos. Did you get any kind of special financing or was this a cash deal?