Thinking of buying a zero turn mower????

[dfeck]

Broncobilly,

I own a Ferris IS3100Z and can only comment on the Ferris ZTR's. I've owned 3 Ferris' over the years and found them to be VERY well built. The full 4-wheel suspension is awesome if you have bumpy ground. I have the 32HP big block w/61" deck and found it to be very reliable. I've had ZERO problems with the mower in 2 years of ownership. I would also recommend the greasable spindles. I had a Ferris that had sealed non-greasable spindles and blew the bearings in 2 of the 3 spindles within 200hrs of use. Apparently, Ferris got away from the sealed non-greasable spindles due to having issues with them.

Thanks,
Doug

 

[Dargo]

Broncobilly,

I own a Ferris IS3100Z and can only comment on the Ferris ZTR's. I've owned 3 Ferris' over the years and found them to be VERY well built. The full 4-wheel suspension is awesome if you have bumpy ground. I have the 32HP big block w/61" deck and found it to be very reliable. I've had ZERO problems with the mower in 2 years of ownership. I would also recommend the greasable spindles. I had a Ferris that had sealed non-greasable spindles and blew the bearings in 2 of the 3 spindles within 200hrs of use. Apparently, Ferris got away from the sealed non-greasable spindles due to having issues with them.

Thanks,
Doug

I'd agree with you. When I was in the mowing business I had a Ferris mower. I found it to be particularly well built, easy to maintain and that it had a far better ride than other mid mount mowers. I'm also big on having greasable spindles. I have just over 2000 hours on my older Grasshopper (greasable) and all three spindles are completely tight with zero wear apparent.

 

[Diamondpilot]

If going for the Ferris I would pass on the big block and get the Kawasaki 37 HP engine. My neighbor has one on a 72" cut and its awesome. He has had 3 Ferris mowers all with Kaw Engines. Before that he was a Briggs guy but had to replace or rebuild the engine every 2 seasons on Dixons.

Chris

 

[LBrown59]

Are you getting rid of the tractor and riding mower now that you have a ztr?

I toiled away for four years, mowing the four or five acres of my 13 that are cleared and have grass using either a riding mower and/or my JD4500 pulling a six foot landpride mowing deck. Usually, after golf on Saturday or all day Sunday, I went out and suffered through about 3.5/4 hours of driving back and forth, trying to figure out a pattern that I could cut that would allow me to not have to back up to try to make tight turns etc. 4 HOURS!! My property is not symmetrical like a football field. It has lots of decorative trees, horse fencing, garden beds, etc. I'm telling you, four hours in the hot VA sun is not pleasant at times. Not to mention the fact that after I was done with just the mowing I had to try to get other chores done. That is, if I had the energy or inclination.

So, I decide to go ahead and sell the riding mower (for only $100 less than I paid four years ago!) and a woodchipper (turned a profit on that one, thanks JINMA!) on Craigslist and take the cash and apply it toward a zero turn. I browse Craigslist for a few weeks and find a commercial grade Husqvarna with only 200 hours on it. Retails for 10K, guy is asking 5500. I offer 4000, we settle on 4500. I go out to pick it up and turns out it belongs to some millionaire who got foreclosed.

Anyways, the zero turn mower has literally changed my life. Using a standard digital watch, I have timed my first three sessions mowing the entire area I used to do in 3.5/4 hours using the riding mower and tractor. It has taken me between 59 minutes and 65 minutes each time! That's ONE QUARTER the time it used to take!! I can mow my 4 to 5 acres in less time than it takes some surbabanite to mow his postage-stamp yard!! Now, I can mow on Friday after work before the wife even gets home. I have discovered this thing that they call a "weekend". It's a strange and wonderful period of time between two work weeks when you can garden, play golf, spend time with the kids, repair your house, work on projects, engage in some "physical" activities with the wife and/or girlfriend (depending on mood).

IF YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT A ZERO TURN, DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[crbr]

Kawasaki = bulletproof.

 

[asher halfon]

hello im new here, glad to be with you , im sossy that my english isnt so good. iwonder if you can help me to find a mathews 9ft in everag shap tanks asher

 

[PBinWA]

Kawasaki = bulletproof.

True but Kawasaki also equals - gas guzzler! If you care. I don't really but I do notice the difference comparing my Kohler 25HP and Kawasaki 25HP.

 

[aczlan]

Kawasaki = bulletproof.

As long as you don't lose the nylon gears in the oil pump they are good engines. We had a 60" Exmark where I used to work that was essentially scrapped after the oil pump went and took the engine with it. The mower had ~1000 hrs on it and had regular maintenance when the nylon gears in the oil pump went.

Aaron Z