So the search begins . . . for a new ZTR

[Gary Fowler]

How do you know how the other commercial grade machines ride if the Ferris is the only commercial machine you have experience with.
Just because your low end Craftsman rides bad does not mean all others do.

I specifically said that I didn't ever own any other commercial machine, but I can state the Ferris is smooth.

However, I don't have to own one of the major brands or use one mowing to see that they are stiff frame as in no suspension so the only cushioning you would get is from the tires or from a suspension seat. I did look at Grasshopper, Scag and Exmark when I bought my Ferris and they are all solid frames with no give (just like a tractor) and do not come standard with a suspension seat.

A question for you, how do you know your Hustler rides as smooth as a Ferris if you have never been on one. As for other features, just about any commercial grade machine is comparable to any other as they are just about all built the same way. Some may have specialty features like tilting the mower deck for cleaning and blade replacement but other than that, one is as good as the next and all have several different motors that can be had if you are willing to part with $15-20K or more even a diesel engine is available on most models.

If I put 500+ hours per year on a mower, $20K might be a worthwhile investment but at most I might average 2 hours per week from April thru Sept. I have about an acre that I irrigate and the other 5 or so depends on Mother Nature so it may not need mowing but every 2nd or 3rd time that I more the area next to the house which also contains all my fruit trees

 

[DK35vince]

My Super Z is a 1600# high end commercial grade mower. I never said it rides as good as a Ferris. But I guaranty it rides a **** of a lot smoother than your Craftsman did. Solid frame or not.
Wheel base, tire sizes, tire pressures, flex forks, suspension seats. (and yes mine did come standard with a suspension seat) Ect. all make a difference on ride.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

This winter I picked up a used Grasshopper 725k Front mount Mower with a 72" deck. Thing is awesome and I love the front mounted deck. I came from a MidMount Husqvarnia mower and the Grasshopper is so much nicer and heavier duty. Used it was $2500 with about 450 hours on it. I have 2 acres in a subdivision.

Those Grasshopper are nice machines. I looked at a 721d last weekend, but decided to pass on it. Then, I got busy and screwed around too long and missed out on a great deal on a 325d. I've got nobody to blame but myself on that one.

 

[DK35vince]

Here was a recent review on Lawnsite of a Super Z and ride comparison vs a Ferris 3100
http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=418019

 

[whistlepig]

If you are not going for the smooth ride of the Ferris than the Ferris is the same as all others. Ferris is a commercial mower and it will run with the big dogs. There is more to a Ferris than just it's suspension.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

If you are not going for the smooth ride of the Ferris than the Ferris is the same as all others. Ferris is a commercial mower and it will run with the big dogs. There is more to a Ferris than just it's suspension.

I do want the smooth ride of the Ferris. But, I was sorely tempted by the lifted skirt and perfumed inner thigh of the Kubota diesel motor in that Grasshopper 325d. I would have bought it if I wasn't such a dumba$$.

 

[DK35vince]

I'm not trying to knock Ferris here.
They are a nice machine.
I'm only trying to make a point that not all solid frame machines ride bad as some here seem to believe
With larger size tires, flex forks and suspension seat I find the ride on my solid frame machine surprisingly comfortable

 

[whistlepig]

Vince,

You didn't come across negative on Ferris. Objective you were. Pappy, you can go with a CAT diesel on the larger Ferris models. Can't knock a Kubota motor. I'm a totally Kubota guy. So why did we pick a Ferris? Because of the ride and the recommendations of friends and neighbors that have used them for many years. This kind of advice has served us very well in the past.

Dave

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

Vince,

You didn't come across negative on Ferris. Objective you were. Pappy, you can go with a CAT diesel on the larger Ferris models. Can't knock a Kubota motor. I'm a totally Kubota guy. So why did we pick a Ferris? Because of the ride and the recommendations of friends and neighbors that have used them for many years. This kind of advice has served us very well in the past.

Dave

Dave, my Ferris dealer said he wouldn't sell me a Ferris with the CAT diesel because if something goes wrong with the motor, the dealership can't work on it. Only a CAT mechanic can work on it. So, they have to pull the motor and send it off to CAT. That sounds like a bad plan.

My dealer also sells Grasshoppers with the Kubota diesels in them, and he said they can work on the Kubota diesels with no problems from Grasshopper.

 

[Deerherd]

I mow a couple of miles of trails, around 150 newly planted trees and about 2 acres of lawn, all except the lawn is pretty bumpy. If your mowing area is pretty flat I don't know if you would see tons of difference between the Ferris and others with some sort of suspension. Where I did notice a difference was in the rough areas the Ferris was noticeably better.

I tried out a Super Z on my property and it was a little bit faster and the ride really wasn't that different in the smoother parts of the lawn. But there was a marked improvement in the ride with the Ferris in the rough areas. I did also purchase the upgraded suspension seat so it made it even nicer.

My dealer took the Ferris in on trade with 103 hours because the previous owner wanted a 72" deck. I really wasn't looking to go with the 3100 but it was one of those deals I couldn't pass up.

It does drink the petrol though. I guess that's why it has two tanks!

Good luck in your search!