First time Zero turn mower buyer...Ferris??

rjohnson82 · Apr 1, 2012

Hey guys,
Im in the market for my first ZTR mower. I have about 6 acres of grass to cut(3 acres of yard and about 3 acres of horse pasture). Very flat ground and pretty well graded however the horse pastures are quite bumpy from the horses tearin around! Not sure if I'll use the ZTR to cut the horse pasture but it is a possibility. I definitely want something of a commercial grade that will withstand lots of use and last a long time. I have stopped and looked at John Deere models and am kinda interested in the Ferris brand because of the suspension. What are the opinions you guys have on Ferris mower? I got a quote on a 2012 Ferris is2000 with a 30hp Briggs engine for $8399 with 48 months 0% interest.
What does everybody think about the price and the 30hp briggs engine? I've noticed alot of people swear by the Kawasaki engines but both dealers I talked to said they prefer the Briggs over the Kawasakis??? Briggs has better warranty, cheaper, and more fuel efficient than the Kawasakis?? One dealer even said he doesnt even carry the kawasakis cuz its a no-brainer on the Briggs. Also, the new briggs have the cyclonic air filtration system....meaning no canister filter. Dealer swears its better than the canister and filter should last 2 years in a commercial setting???
Kinda want to get a honest opinion from a non-dealer thats why I'm askin the experts!
Thanks for all your help. Cant wait to get a new mower!! I'm spending tons of time on my Craftsman 54" rider and I'm just waiting for it to fall apart!

yelbike · Apr 1, 2012

I bought a used Z465 w/ kawi engine, I know the new Z465 now come with the briggs engine. I was told that JD changed engine bc of cost not bc the briggs is better.

BTW I mow about 6.5 acres or so and I bought the Z465 bc I thought even though its not a commercial machine, I'm also not cutting 40 hours per week. I read somewhere they were rated for some 800hrs for life use. I might put 60 hrs per year. So I figure thats a long time and by then I will want a NEW DEERE /Toy anyway!!:thumbsup: My land is mostly flat and smooth with a little rough spots.

TUFFONE · Apr 1, 2012

There are alot of nice mowers to choose from on the market today. If you are looking for something with some type of suspension system I know your options become more limited. My current knowledge of mowers with some type of suspension are Ferris, Hustler, Dixie Chopper, and SCAG. I believe that Hustler and Dixie are options that replace the front casters. The SCAG "Cheetah series" is about 2-3 years on the market. It is different in that it's suspension system is isolated to the entire operator's platform therefore the quality of cut is never compromised. Engines available are Kawi, Kohler, and Briggs Vanguard. We have a good record with all of these engines. Good luck

Carl_NH · Apr 1, 2012

RJ,

I have the IS2000 52" with the Kawasaki 25HP and use it on the lawn 1.5 ac and then rougher reclaimed forest area thats rough and rocky. The suspension really does a great job on rough ground and the cut is great.

I bought a leftover 2009 in June 2010 - at the time the local dealer wanted $8500 for a new 2010 IS2000 52" 25HP Kawa and mine was $7000 delivered from a Maine dealer. SO far its been a great machine.

As far as engines the Kawasaki's have been the preference for many years, but I beleive Briggs has come a long way and make a very good engine today. The larger Ferris have been using the Briggs engines for 5 years now, so I would not be wary of the 30HP Briggs engine in a Ferris.

They both carry the 3 year engine warranty and as Yelbike points out homeowners will typically put 50 hrs a year on a machine so 20 yrs = 1000 hrs.

I would say the price of $8400 is a decent deal, BUT I 1)get them to include the deluxe high back seat (mine has it and I am a big guy and its support is much better) and they probably have a seat they can swap from another machine - this is a $200 option 2) a second set of blades - get mulching blades $60 a set.

Otherwise if they balk on this offer them $8100 and get the 4yr financing would be my suggestion.

BTW, if you didnt know, Briggs owns Ferris now so they can make more $ selling with Briggs than a Kawasaki engine. Just for fun, ask the price for the Kawasaki and see what they say?

Good luck, and I think you will be very happy with the IS2000

Carl

9973720wb19 · Apr 1, 2012

about three years ago i purchased the JD 997 with a 72' deck and diesel engine - i love the mower - no complaints. however, my lawn is very bumpy; while my 997 has lots of power and speed, I'm limited because of no shocks (perhaps?), it kicks you around and you need to mow slower to say in the seat. I've often thought how the Ferris suspension would work out...too late now since i've sunk my money into the JD, so maybe next time. my guess is that once you hit a certain price range, all of the Zs work great. i'd focus on added features.

RollingsFarms · Apr 1, 2012

I've never had much luck with Briggs and Straton engines. My dad swears by them, but like alot of things, they aren't what they used to be. I feel the same way about Snapper mowers made today...don't hold a candle to the older one's! in my opinion Kawasaki makes one of the best gasoline engines on the market today. I own a golf cart and a commercial z-turn both powered by Kawasaki motors and have had 0 issues. I can't say that about any mowers I've owned that were Briggs and Straton powered.

Carl_NH · Apr 1, 2012

Rollings Farm.

I dont know your specific experience, however presently I have 6 B&S engines, rototiller 12 yrs old, Trac Vac 6 yrs old, push mower 20 yrs old (gave to neighbor and still running), push mower 8 yrs old, 9 HP snow blower 8 yrs old. All of them run well, none of them burn oil, some have been worked hard.

Now, I also have a Cub Cadet with 18HP Kohler Magnum 20 yrs old 715 hrs, and still runinng fine, very little oil use, but it burns more gas than my new Ferris with a 25 HP Kawa..

I work on the neighbors lawn machines usually 18-25 HP with briggs engines and the biggest thing I see is neglect causing problems. I have resurected two machines by just adjusting valves, changing oil, and doing a general PM on the machines and they run fine.

Yes, I concur Kawasaki make GREAT engines, the standard by which others are measured, however B&S has come a long way in the last years and tofay are making very good engines that will run a long time with proper care and attention.

Carl

Carl_NH · Apr 1, 2012

RollngsFarm,

Shear coincidence, we both have 986 posts! one after the other how about that!

The bottom line I think with modern manufacturing and techniques / systems / QC controls all motor manufacturers are very good today. For a lng time B&S were considered "entry motors" now tho, they have stepped up into the same realm and possibly supassed Kohler, Onan, and some others.

They also make commercial series, and homeower series, and the Ferris engine is the top of the line commercial series that is on the Ferris.

Happy 986 posts!

Carl

rsewill · Apr 1, 2012

For six acres I would get a Diesel!

phiferpharm · Apr 1, 2012

I have the 1500 series with the Kawasaki engine. It was used for commercial landscaping prior to me buying it from my BIL and had over 1000 hours on it. No problems, no regrets and I use it to mow about 9 acres, some of which is very rough. I would opt for the suspension seat if you can. The suspension is nice, but the seat will make it nicer .:thumbsup: