Commercial Exmark vs Ferris vs Scag

[msdprx]

I have these three options and would like your opinion:
Ferris IS3100z (2009 model brand new w/o the new ICD deck), 61" cut; 37 horsepower Kawasaki engine for $10,000.
Exmark Lazer Z, 60" cut; 29 horsepower (can't remember is if was a Kaw or Kohler) for $9,600.00.
Scag Tiger Cat, 61" cut, 27 horsepower Kohler engine for $8,000.

Main concern is durability, smooth ride, and smooth cut. I have about 10 acres of 'yard' I'm keeping up. Some of it is rough terrain. I've demoed the Ferris and it is smoother riding than the Exmark but I'm concerned the Ferris may not be as durable. I have some bahalia grass that can be tought to cut. Here in Mississippi, 80% of the lawn care companies use Exmark.
Would the Michigan suspension seat help on an Exmark? I think the Scag has a suspension seat. The Tiger Cat model is not quite as a commercial grade at the Lazer Z and IS3100Z are but does have a suspension seat on it.
Your opinions are welcome.
Thanks,

 

[LD1]

I have these three options and would like your opinion:
Ferris IS3100z (2009 model brand new w/o the new ICD deck), 61" cut; 37 horsepower Kawasaki engine for $10,000.
Exmark Lazer Z, 60" cut; 29 horsepower (can't remember is if was a Kaw or Kohler) for $9,600.00.
Scag Tiger Cat, 61" cut, 27 horsepower Kohler engine for $8,000.

Main concern is durability, smooth ride, and smooth cut. I have about 10 acres of 'yard' I'm keeping up. Some of it is rough terrain. I've demoed the Ferris and it is smoother riding than the Exmark but I'm concerned the Ferris may not be as durable. I have some bahalia grass that can be tought to cut. Here in Mississippi, 80% of the lawn care companies use Exmark.
Would the Michigan suspension seat help on an Exmark? I think the Scag has a suspension seat. The Tiger Cat model is not quite as a commercial grade at the Lazer Z and IS3100Z are but does have a suspension seat on it.
Your opinions are welcome.
Thanks,

If those are the only three options, I'd look heavily at the ferris. It's, just my opinion but I have had much better lick with the kawasaki engines. The Kohlers just aren't as good/durarable IMO. And the fact they they ride like a drream. Plust the 37HP as opposed to the 27 and 29 may help a lot in your "tough to cut" grass.

There are several players in the game that all make excellent ZTR's. Grasshopper, Dixie chopper, exmark, scag, toro, john deere, kubota, bobcat, ferris, etc., etc. Most either use a kaw or kohler engine. They are all very similar and very reliable. IMO its a matter of which one YOU like that best fits your pocket book. They are all great products, but they all have their negatives.

 

[om21braz]

I've demoed the Ferris and it is smoother riding than the Exmark but I'm concerned the Ferris may not be as durable.

Unless things have changed at Ferris, I would not worry about it's durability.

 

[Dargo]

Unless things have changed at Ferris, I would not worry about it's durability.

Without a doubt. I would not consider an Exmark any more durable than a Ferris. I'd certainly consider the Scag the least durable of your choices, and that is reflected in the prices. Good luck!

 

[D33r3 6r33N]

Without a doubt. I would not consider an Exmark any more durable than a Ferris. I'd certainly consider the Scag the least durable of your choices, and that is reflected in the prices. Good luck!

I have a Scag Tiger Cub, which I didn't realize until I started reading this thread and I went to the website that they must have discontinued. I would have to disagree with your statement about Scag not being durable. My own yard is 3 acres, plus I have several yards I mow commercially in town. This thing is built like a tank...and I run it like it's one too. I have well over 600hrs on it. The only thing I've ever done is change the fuilds and sharpen the blades.

 

[two_bit_score]

I have these three options and would like your opinion:
Ferris IS3100z (2009 model brand new w/o the new ICD deck), 61" cut; 37 horsepower Kawasaki engine for $10,000.
Exmark Lazer Z, 60" cut; 29 horsepower (can't remember is if was a Kaw or Kohler) for $9,600.00.
Scag Tiger Cat, 61" cut, 27 horsepower Kohler engine for $8,000.

Main concern is durability, smooth ride, and smooth cut. I have about 10 acres of 'yard' I'm keeping up. Some of it is rough terrain. I've demoed the Ferris and it is smoother riding than the Exmark but I'm concerned the Ferris may not be as durable. I have some bahalia grass that can be tought to cut. Here in Mississippi, 80% of the lawn care companies use Exmark.
Would the Michigan suspension seat help on an Exmark? I think the Scag has a suspension seat. The Tiger Cat model is not quite as a commercial grade at the Lazer Z and IS3100Z are but does have a suspension seat on it.
Your opinions are welcome.
Thanks,

I think Ferris has a ztr with a CAT diesel engine that is 'just a little more' money but a lot more mower and if you are doing 10 ac. it might be worth it.

 

[Dargo]

I have a Scag Tiger Cub, which I didn't realize until I started reading this thread and I went to the website that they must have discontinued. I would have to disagree with your statement about Scag not being durable. My own yard is 3 acres, plus I have several yards I mow commercially in town. This thing is built like a tank...and I run it like it's one too. I have well over 600hrs on it. The only thing I've ever done is change the fuilds and sharpen the blades.

Please read before you post. Tell us all where I said a Scag was not durable. Sorry Bud, it isn't there. I never said that. However, I do stand firmly by what I said; out of the three, Scag would be the least durable. Wow, 600 hours. Write back after you cross 5000 hours. My oldest machine has been run hard and just crossed over 2200 hours. It's still on it's original deck belt and has never had a wrench on it except to change the oil. If it doesn't make it until then, you still got your money's worth. It's a cheaper mower not built as well as the other two listed. Dane Scag sold off the his company when he lost control and was infuriated at the drop in quality. They sell off of price and name recognition. As far as a commercial machine, it's of average quality. A lot of the pickup truck and utility trailer mowing guys buy them. They are not in the same league as some of the other ZTR mowers. Ten or 15 years ago all of the large and high quality mowing operations around here used Scag. Now I don't know of any who do. Lighten up. They aren't junk, but they certainly are no longer at the top of the food chain.

 

[Alan L.]

Please read before you post. Tell us all where I said a Scag was not durable. Sorry Bud, it isn't there. I never said that. However, I do stand firmly by what I said; out of the three, Scag would be the least durable. Wow, 600 hours. Write back after you cross 5000 hours. My oldest machine has been run hard and just crossed over 2200 hours. It's still on it's original deck belt and has never had a wrench on it except to change the oil. If it doesn't make it until then, you still got your money's worth. It's a cheaper mower not built as well as the other two listed. Dane Scag sold off the his company when he lost control and was infuriated at the drop in quality. They sell off of price and name recognition. As far as a commercial machine, it's of average quality. A lot of the pickup truck and utility trailer mowing guys buy them. They are not in the same league as some of the other ZTR mowers. Ten or 15 years ago all of the large and high quality mowing operations around here used Scag. Now I don't know of any who do. Lighten up. They aren't junk, but they certainly are no longer at the top of the food chain.

I spent over a year looking at commercial ZTRs, reading forums where real lawn professionals post, and drove Scag, Hustler, and Exmark, the bought the Scag. My personal experience is that the quality of construction for Scag and Hustler are about the same but the Exmark for more money seemed less "heavy duty".

The pros never list the best commercial mowers without mentioning Scag. In this area you see just as many Scags as Exmarks and I have NEVER seen a post by a pro that has both brands put the Exmark ahead based on durability. The only thing I have ever heard by some is that if you are cutting very often and not taking much off that the Exmark gives a slightly more manicured look. But the Scag wins hands down in thick or tall grass, which is what I deal with on a regular basis.

The is no basis for saying Scags are "less durable" than the other brands. There are just as many high hour Scags out there as Exmarks, probably more.

 

[3BPercherons]

I bought my Exmark Lazer Z XS mower from a dealer that sells both Exmark and Ferris. The salesman I worked with recommended the Ferris if ride comfort was my #1 criteria and the Exmark if cut quality was in the top spot.

And, after using it for 3 trouble-free years, I have no regrets.

 

[nomad289]

"I bought my Exmark Lazer Z XS mower from a dealer that sells both Exmark and Ferris. The salesman I worked with recommended the Ferris if ride comfort was my #1 criteria and the Exmark if cut quality was in the top spot."

I bought the Ferris and would agree with the salesman's recommendations.

The Ferris cut is good and the ride is top notch. Durability is likely similar.
Given my rough terrain the Ferris was the right choice for me.