Good Zero turn for 6 acres?

[Gary Fowler]

That's why I'm looking at the Ferris, because it's what this guy carries. He's no more than 15 minutes down the road and has been in business for a long time. End up using him a lot on the weekends because they have a hardware store to, and very helpful people (day and night between a box store). Ultimately, whatever brand he carries would be the one I'd be looking at.

Per the other recommendation, will probably lean towards the larger engine of the two I mentioned. Will need to take the ROP off though as a lot of overhaning trees, not too hilly anywhere, and my other mower didn't have one as well (the ROP doesn't fold on the 48" but does on the 52", but don't think it's worth the extra coin).

Just wanted to make certain there were no horror stories to some extent as well.

Forgot to add, that you are going to love the ride on the Ferris with the adjustable spring over shock suspension. It really smooths out the rough spots.

 

[rgr33]

I have a 10 year old Exmark with a 23 hp Kawasaki that gets used a lot every year. Thing is a grass cutting beast, and has never been worked on other than routine maintenance and blade replacement through the years.

The one change I did make was to change out the seat to a suspension seat. I mow areas around the barns, and in a large vineyard regularly, where the terrain is a bit rough.
The Ferris with a suspension system and Kawasaki motor sounds like a good way to go if you are doing much mowing.

 

[Sigarms]

I have the 52" Ferris and the ROPS does indeed fold but it was still too high and I was constantly hitting limbs so I just removed it completely after mowing all my property several times and found that even in the extreme slopes, there was no danger of overturning.

My old mower with 1000 hours had no ROPS, so I'm not too worried. Actaully works better for around the lower trees IMO. The dealer said if I go with the 48" one, he has to sell the ROPS with it on, but I just take it off when I get it home.

 

[RoyJackson]

I've been mowing about 2-2.5 acres with a Deere Z920 for 3 seasons.


This has about 23-24 HP and is a commercial quality mower.

Pros: Fast, easy to maintain, great dealer network

Cons: bumpy ride, PTO switch fails frequently (inexpensive and easy to replace though), rather expensive to buy

I bought this machine used with about 100 or so hours on it. It has just under 300 hours now. I've replaced the blades, belt and one PTO switch...and the replacement switch is giving me problems so I expect I'll be replacing it again this year.

I'd rather have a diesel, but I can't complain about the air cooled Kawasaki engine.

My neighbor also has a Deere ZTR, a Z930. Same mower as mine with a bit more HP. He mows his lawn (probably about 1.5 acres) and field (3-4 acres)...really beats the machine, but I don't think he's had any major issues with it.

Around here (central Vermont), most of the commercial guys run Deere or Kubota mowers. Deere isn't surprising since there are 3 dealers within a 30 mile radius. The Kubota dealers are at least 40 miles away.

 

[Maxify55]

I beat my Ferris 1000Z for 15 yrs down here on my 7 acres.
I think that there's around 1300 hours on the clock now but there might be a little less.
It has severed us so well that, of course, I went looking for the same quality.
Our fleet of machines here now is all diesel. So that's what we bought.



It's like mowing from your reliner on a cloud.
It so mich quieter than the kohler I'd gotten used to hearing.
It's also a little pricey but my spine just couldn't take the pounding any more.

 

[kittyhawk]

I looked at the Bad Boy mowers at tractor supply co. On Saturday, they had a 60 cut for $3999. I think it had a 23 Kawasaki not sure tho. The next one up was also a 60 cut but it was $5400 didn遞 have time last weekend to really spend the time looking at them to tell the difference. I willl have to pick a new mower soon. My 42 cut X300 is going to take way to long to mow my five acres.

 

[Sigarms]

Took them out for a test drive with the boys today.

Really couldn't tell any difference power wise between the 25hp 48" deck and 27HP 52" deck.

That said, the 25HP is $800 cheaper ($5,300 out the door with tax, cash), added it has a total $400 rebate whereas the 27 HP has no rebate.

Both seem fine driving, with decent amount of power. Since the boys will be riding it most of the time, most likely going with the 25HP due to the price difference.

So far from what I've seen, no major horror stories with Ferris overall as a company. As noted, the most important aspect of this purchase is the dealer is only 6 miles up the road from me.

 

[QRTRHRS]

I wrote a post about my Pro Z-160 last summer. It is a Cub Cadet Pro level with all wheel steering and steering wheel or lap bars as options. I went from a Scag Wildcat with 61" deck with blower/bagger I bought used with 200 hours. I sold it last year to my excavator for $4K. with probably 400 hours.
IF you have any sloped ground the CC will go up/down, around any other conventional ZT.
I know lots of people think you have to buy the real expensive high end machines, BUT I'm here to say it makes NO difference if you have sloped or hilly land, etc. They will NOT perform well in those conditions. Yes, some have lowered COG and displaced weight more evenly, but when one decides to take off down a slope there is NO stopping them. The CC Pro series with front wheel steering is completely different. I couldn't believe the difference when I drove it. I got a carbed 23.5 HP Kawa gas engine, and it is quiet and fast and cuts incredibly tall grass without strain. No blower or bagger needed, I just mow and done.
It's very solidly built with two serviceable transaxles, Hydro-gear with a Hydro filter on each one. There is a EFI Kawa too but more money for it. I got mine as a off floor demo for $6K vs. $7K + new retail. I am very happy with it. Check it out and find my other thread about it- there's more details on the mower.

The front mounted deck mowers perform better on sloped ground. I even pulled a tow behind with mine. Granted, I did have to watch going uphill and did get hung up on occasion but overall, I could take that mower in places where you would not want to be on a tractor. I think if I had upgraded to lug type drive tires I could have even pulled up the steep slopes with the tow behind hooked up.

I bought a Scag this past January. It will be interesting to see how the Scag performs on the hills vs what I was used to. PS, the Scag is a Turf Tiger II with the 35hp B&S which has a max 6 inch cut which was what I was after to maintain my horse pasture.

 

[Turbys_1700]

I have Ferris, Gravely, Toro, Deere, Bob Cat, Kubota, and now Spartan close by with good dealer support. My child hood buddy started carrying the Spartan line a year ago. Looks like a good unit. My son purchased a residential Bob Cat and has had no issues thus far. You won't go wrong with Ferris. Lots of those units out in the market now. I believe they are part of Briggs and Stratton corporation.

 

[Sigarms]

The thing I find interesting is if you go online to read reviews, probably 8 out of 10 people will tell you to get the Kawasaki motor over the B&S.

After a couple of phone calls to people I trust, I don't have a problem with a B&S engine. However, if I believed everything I read off the internet, I probably wouldn't touch one.

No different than a recip or scroll compressor IMO.

 

[Maxify55]

The thing I find interesting is if you go online to read reviews, probably 8 out of 10 people will tell you to get the Kawasaki motor over the B&S.

After a couple of phone calls to people I trust, I don't have a problem with a B&S engine. However, if I believed everything I read off the internet, I probably wouldn't touch one.

No different than a recip or scroll compressor IMO.

All engine companies manufacture quality machines and they manufacture junk machines.

The very next question is:
1) How much are you willing you spend for their junk?
2) How much for their best?

You'll take home whichever is within your price range puff acceptance.

Sooner or later you'll good engine for a little bit of money but you can get their best....

Just as soon as you pay them for their best.
Until then, you'll settle for what you can afford.

 

[Sigarms]

Went with the IS700Z with 27 HP B&S engine, 52" deck.



Put 3 hours on it over the weekend. More than happy with the machine.

Total out the door with tax was $6,300

Mowers are crazy price wise. Anything half of that and it's apparent you get what you're paying for.

As mentioned, biggest factor is what the guy stocked. If the guy would of had a Bobcat or Cub, I would of went with that.

 

[TractorGuy]

On the small gas engine subject, I will take a B&S over any brand out there. At age 66 I have never killed one.

I went from zero turn to a rear discharge Finnish mower last year and couldn't be happier. I use a 42 inch Craftsman lawn tractor for right around the house and under some trees.

 

[Coyote machine]

Nice looking ZT. I suggest strongly, put the ROPS upright. IF you flip with it that way you'll at minimum break your neck, at worst....

 

[Sigarms]

Nice looking ZT. I suggest strongly, put the ROPS upright. IF you flip with it that way you'll at minimum break your neck, at worst....

1000 hours on the last mower around the house, pretty flat ground, never a problem as the zero turn didn't even have a ROPS. The ROPS is lowered because I wanted to ensure I could get under the trees with no problem, which wasn't a issue.

If I take it down back or on the side of the house with slopes, the ROPS comes up.

 

[Turbys_1700]

That's a really nice mower Sigarms. You will get many years out of it. My buddy who is a really good mechanic is a fan on the B&S engines and especially the big block Vanguards. He sells the Spartan line of mowers.

 

[Sigarms]

My buddy who is a really good mechanic is a fan on the B&S engines and especially the big block Vanguards.

Nice to know.

Thing that put my mind to ease was talking to guy of the shop. He said when he talks to B&S with a issue, they actually seem to want to help. When he talks to Kawasaki, their attitude isn't as friendly.

As mentioned, you read online reviews, everyone will take a Kawasaki over the B&S any time of the day due to quality. Didn't make much sense to me as if a company really does make crap, they wouldn't be able to stay in business.

Still can't get over the price of mowers still. Been a while since I was looking.

 

[hawkeye08]

Went with the IS700Z with 27 HP B&S engine, 52" deck.

View attachment 544775

Put 3 hours on it over the weekend. More than happy with the machine.

Total out the door with tax was $6,300

Mowers are crazy price wise. Anything half of that and it's apparent you get what you're paying for.

As mentioned, biggest factor is what the guy stocked. If the guy would of had a Bobcat or Cub, I would of went with that.

Same mower we have, only problem is a slow leak with one rear tire. I tried breaking bead, cleaning, lubing, reinstalling, worked for awhile, but now is leaking again. I have not decided whether to tube it or slime it, but will do one before mowing season gets going next month.

The first year, I really liked mowing with it, mowed a couple of times per week most of first year.. just a blast.

 

[Coyote machine]

1000 hours on the last mower around the house, pretty flat ground, never a problem as the zero turn didn't even have a ROPS. The ROPS is lowered because I wanted to ensure I could get under the trees with no problem, which wasn't a issue.

If I take it down back or on the side of the house with slopes, the ROPS comes up.

Good plan, there's no room for error with the ZTs. :thumbsup: