Ferris 1500 Best in Class?

[koop]

To the uninitiated, the new Ferris 1500 zero turn mower seems to be the best mower in the size class. I am looking at the 48" deck with 21HP Kawasaki motor. The Scag, Dixie Chopper and Exmark look like the closest competition, but the suspension system of the Ferris seems to push it to the front of the pack. My local dealer is asking $6199 with 6 months same as cash. I am hoping that someone who has a lot of ours on these machines may know something I am missing as a layman. Thanks

 

[Oleozz]

This is the third year for my 1500, 48 in. deck with the 21 Kawi. To be honest with you I don't think the suspension sysem on the low end Ferris mowers is any big deal. It's not nearly as smooth as I expected it would be. Quality of cut is another issue that I have with my 1500, not nearly as good as my Woods 6 ft finish mower that I used for 6 yrs. They are not an easy mower to service and the deck is difficult to work on. Mine will be going into the shop soon to fix a switch that has gone bad.
The 48 inch mower, I think, would be better served by a bigger engine, heavy grass can bog it down. I hope I haven't discouraged you from getting one, still a lot of mower for the price. (I paid $5500 back in 2005).

 

[koop]

This is the third year for my 1500, 48 in. deck with the 21 Kawi. To be honest with you I don't think the suspension sysem on the low end Ferris mowers is any big deal. It's not nearly as smooth as I expected it would be. Quality of cut is another issue that I have with my 1500, not nearly as good as my Woods 6 ft finish mower that I used for 6 yrs. They are not an easy mower to service and the deck is difficult to work on. Mine will be going into the shop soon to fix a switch that has gone bad.
The 48 inch mower, I think, would be better served by a bigger engine, heavy grass can bog it down. I hope I haven't discouraged you from getting one, still a lot of mower for the price. (I paid $5500 back in 2005).

I assume your finish mower was PTO driven? If you had it to do all over again would it still be the Ferris or would you buy something different?

Thank you for your input.

 

[Oleozz]

Yes, the Woods finish mower was PTO driven.
I would probably buy a Ferris again although I would look at the Hustler Fast Trac. Everyone on www.lawnsite.com. says to test drive them first but nobody around here wants to haul mowers to your house so you can use them. I did mow with the Ferris at the dealers. I liked the Ferris because they are well built and use quality wheel motors and pumps.
I mowed on Friday and was looking at the lawn yesterday and it looks pretty good.

 

[koop]

Is the Ferris 1000 still made? It seems to also have a 48" deck and 21 HP Kawi but has a true independent front suspension instead of the solid front on the 1500. I only see the 1500 on Ferris' website.

 

[Oleozz]

Can't answer that but I did see a new one at the mall when they had their home and garden displays, I think it was a 500 and was about that much lower in price than the 1500.
My brother just spent the last three weeks looking at ZTR's and he got a bit discouraged, he felt that the residental mowers didn't look like they would hold up and the commercial mowers were to expensive.
The Kawasaki engine is smooth and is very thrifty with fuel, I would recommend it although from what I've read some of the pros are high on the Kohler engines.

 

[Bill Barrett]

Don't remember the number. I looked at one that was a 6' cut with a Cat 30hp. I tell you it was a mowing SOB. I got a Kubota Grand L 3130 for the same money. But I sure was impressed with the Ferris.

 

[upgw]

My one neighbor bought one a few years back, he's very happy with it. He lent it to another neighbor, who then liked it so much, he bought one too. I think they are both pretty happy. I mowed with a neighbor's grasshopper, it seemed to ride pretty well, about the same as my BX 2200. Then again with another neighbor's Scag Turf Tiger, a truly, horrible trucklike ride, but an absolute mowing powerhouse... the ride is just too rough though. I hear the Hustler machines with their 'flex fork' fronts ride pretty well.. and are really high quality. Me, I've had my eye on an is1500z for awhile though, and with my BX headed to the shop AGAIN, maybe it's time...

- Patrick

 

[art]

We sell Ferris's, their oldest dealer and probably still sold more then anyone else. We also sell Cadet and Kubota so we have three brands in total. The Ferris's are built in our back yard and have been a good machine from the start. The Cadets have been good with the right application and the Kubota's unique drive system is the best operator so far. It is important to compare like to like when comparing brands and models.

 

[koop]

What is a good price for the 1500? My local neighbor says he has no wiggle room on the 48" / 21HP model .... $6199 + tax (1% off if I pay cash). On the 52" / 25HP model .... $7199 + tax (3% off for cash). Still cannot decide exactly how much mower I need but his prices seem a little high compared to some I see online, but I cannot find a regional comparison.

 

[Bill Barrett]

We sell Ferris's, their oldest dealer and probably still sold more then anyone else. We also sell Cadet and Kubota so we have three brands in total. The Ferris's are built in our back yard and have been a good machine from the start. The Cadets have been good with the right application and the Kubota's unique drive system is the best operator so far. It is important to compare like to like when comparing brands and models.

Just interested, can you expand on Kubota unique drive system?
Not trying to high-jack the thread, thought it may help koop too.

 

[art]

On both models pf Kubota's zero turns they have developed their own drive system. They come from the engine by driveshaft to the unit and it is also shaft to the deck! While designing their own drive unit they also have incorporated a hydraulic lift system for the deck. I can't tell you of the sizes of pumps but for most people they just tell us of a smoother operation and it is a unique design for a zero turns drive system.

 

[koop]

To add to my confusion, two used Kubota mowers just appeared locally. Both priced around $7000 with about 500 hours. One KD18 with 60" deck (this needs clarification because I have been told Kubota KD18 came with 54" deck) the other is KD21 with 60" deck. So..... bigger mower with diesel power or smaller mower with gas motor but brand new with two year warranty. Ahhhhhhh, too many options!!!!

 

[koop]

OK, It's down to a new Ferris 1500 or a Scag. I rode a Scag Tiger 52" with 27 HP Kohler yesterday. The ride was rough (maybe enough teeth left to eat dinner tonight) but the machine looks built like a tank. The financing and warranty of the new machines are keeping me out of the used market. Maybe the question is: is the machine being beat up as badly as I am, or am I just too soft?

 

[jeffmazz]

Koop,
The Ferris 1500 uses smaller wheel motors than the larger Ferris models. The suspension on the 1500 doesn't last as long as you would hope. The shocks go bad and they aren't cheap. The PTO clutch has half the holding power (125 ft. lbs.) as the other machines.

The Scag is a tank. It has cast iron blade spindles with tapered bearings. The Ferris has aluminum spindles. The Scag has a 250 ft. lb. PTO clutch. The Scag uses top of the line Parker wheel motors.

I have owned both machines and in my opinion the Scag is the better choice.

 

[art]

How about a hydraulic wet clutch instead of the electric PTO clutch! Hydraulic lift for the deck!!!!!! How about a shaft drive from the the engine to the drives! Shaft drive to the deck! Cast Iron pulleys and a double width drive belt!!!!
Just to name a few of the standard features found on the ZD Kubota chassis, as well as the front jacking system for working on the deck and on the new chassis a door on the floor for quick access to the top of the deck.

 

[koop]

Used Scag just appeared in local paper

2003 Tiger Cub
48" deck
19HP Kawi
538 hours
3rd or 4th owner
Asking $4500

Is this a good deal, or should I buy new? New, this unit runs about $6900.

Art, thank you for all your input. I believe the Scag Tiger 61" deck is a little for comparable to the Kubota machines. It too has a shaft driven deck. I must say, this does seem to make a lot of sense. What is different between the Kubota and Scag Tiger just so I can compare apples to apples. Around here, 61" units run $10000 for Scag and $11000 for Kubota (more because of desiel).

 

[CARNEYM]

I have the scag cub with the 48" deck. The cub has a short wheelbase and rides ruff, my yard is fairly smooth so I don't mind. But I will say it is built like a tank and will last many years, most all of the commercial contractors in my area run scags or exmarts. You may want to check out what is being used in your area.

 

[koop]

I have the scag cub with the 48" deck. The cub has a short wheelbase and rides ruff, my yard is fairly smooth so I don't mind. But I will say it is built like a tank and will last many years, most all of the commercial contractors in my area run scags or exmarts. You may want to check out what is being used in your area.

Hands down, Kubota is on the back of more trailers than any others. Then John Deere then its a toss up. HUGE Kubota dealer in area drives the popularity, same with JD. The tractor market seems to influence the mower market.

I am going with the Scag, just trying to decide which model.

What is vital and what is just gravy???

Liquid vs. air cooled
Crankshaft out of bottom or back.
Mechanical drive for deck or belt?

 

[jeffmazz]

koop,

If you're only cutting a few acres any Scag will probably out last you. Vertical vs. horizontal engine doesn't really make any difference. Belt drive vs. shaft drive is a matter of opinion. Belts are easy to change, they will dry rot before they wear out unless you're using the machine for commercial use. Liquid cooled engine is a nice feature because it extends engine life. Air cooled is nice because there are fewer componenets to fail...(radiator, water pump, hoses etc.). An air cooled Kawasaki engine used for residential use will most likely out last you.

Jeff