Researching a new ZTR..driving me crazy!! Need some advise!

[JJZ 109]

Just entering this search myself. Currently have a Troy Bilt 50 inch ZT from Lowe's. It's doing the job OK, but the wife has turned a 1 acre lot that we own next to our house into a large yard. Dozens of small elm trees there. I used to just knock it down with a brush hog a couple of times a year. But that lot along with the other acre that the house sits on aren't all that smooth. She does the majority of the mowing and it pounds the heck out of her and her surgically repaired neck. I've decided to shop for something with a suspension for her.
I think I've narrowed it to a Ferris IS500Z or a Simplicity ZT2500, both 52" cut. Best I've done so far is $5200 + tax for the Ferris at a dealer about 3 hours from home. One local guy says that the 500 is discontinued and replaced with the IS700 and goes for $5900 + tax. I must have misunderstood him, because I can find no info on a 700.
No local prices on Simplicity yet. I have found a price of $4099 with free shipping at Mowers Direct. They also have a ZT2752 Champion for $4999 and free shipping.

 

[kiotiken]

Just entering this search myself. Currently have a Troy Bilt 50 inch ZT from Lowe's. It's doing the job OK, but the wife has turned a 1 acre lot that we own next to our house into a large yard. Dozens of small elm trees there. I used to just knock it down with a brush hog a couple of times a year. But that lot along with the other acre that the house sits on aren't all that smooth. She does the majority of the mowing and it pounds the heck out of her and her surgically repaired neck. I've decided to shop for something with a suspension for her.
I think I've narrowed it to a Ferris IS500Z or a Simplicity ZT2500, both 52" cut. Best I've done so far is $5200 + tax for the Ferris at a dealer about 3 hours from home. One local guy says that the 500 is discontinued and replaced with the IS700 and goes for $5900 + tax.
No prices on the Simplicity yet.

I have a Ferris IS3000 and I love it. I can't say that you don't feel the bumps, especially in the "back 40" where there's more tractor ruts, but if you drive reasonably (unlike my cutting style ), it's a fairly smooth ride.

 

[JJZ 109]

Found an IS500Z at a local dealer about 20 minutes from home for the same deal as the far away guys. Taking the wife down later on to look at it, as she'll be the one using it more often than me.

 

[Carl_NH]

JJZ.

Dont know about the IS700 but the IS500 and Simplicity are both made by Ferris in NY. The IS500 and 1500 have the same suspension then the IS2000 and up have the full indepenent type suspension.

Good luck and definitely ride and compare the models and decide. They have the 3 yr 0% deal too so get the one that feels the best as its an investment for a long time (20yrs) is the way I looked at it.

Carl

 

[JJZ 109]

JJZ.

Dont know about the IS700 but the IS500 and Simplicity are both made by Ferris in NY. The IS500 and 1500 have the same suspension then the IS2000 and up have the full indepenent type suspension.

Good luck and definitely ride and compare the models and decide. They have the 3 yr 0% deal too so get the one that feels the best as its an investment for a long time (20yrs) is the way I looked at it.

Carl

I must have not heard the dealer on the phone correctly on an IS700. I looked at Ferris' website and could find no such model. I read online someplace (so it must be true:laughing that Simplicity bought Ferris in 1999, so I'm sure that they share many things.
I'm really leaning toward that IS500Z and will be kicking the tires on it today. I'll be the guy paying cash, but Mama has to see it because she does the majority of the mowing. I'll just get to pressure wash it and maintain it! :wrench:

 

[JJZ 109]

It's a done deal. Will be picking up the Ferris IS500Z when I have time this coming week. Wife and I went down and looked it over and we like it. Should last us for a long, long time.

 

[Carl_NH]

Congratulations on your new IS500 ZTR JJZ - I am sure you will (and your wife) will enjoy it for a long time.

 

[JJZ 109]

Congratulations on your new IS500 ZTR JJZ - I am sure you will (and your wife) will enjoy it for a long time.

Mostly her, but I may sneak out there now and then while she's putting in a 12 hour nursing shift. :laughing:

 

[stumpmason]

Well after a few more weeks of researching I think I've decided that I'm going to get the Hustler Fastrac 60" Super Duty..Its a 2012 with 0 hrs on it..going this weekend to the dealer..he told me over the phone he would do 6K+tax no doc fees or anything..Not sure if thats a really good price or not and I will try for a better one once I get there..

 

[JJZ 109]

Well after a few more weeks of researching I think I've decided that I'm going to get the Hustler Fastrac 60" Super Duty..Its a 2012 with 0 hrs on it..going this weekend to the dealer..he told me over the phone he would do 6K+tax no doc fees or anything..Not sure if thats a really good price or not and I will try for a better one once I get there..

All you can do is to poke around the net and make some calls on pricing. I started out finding the fairest price over 3 hours from home. After checking out Ferris' website I found a dealer a short distance away that I had no idea sold Ferris. I emailed him, he offered to match the lowest price I'd found and the rest is history.
Good luck in your shopping!

 

[stumpmason]

Finally pulled the plug...bought the 60" Hustler Fastrac SD..only mowed my lawn and my neighbors only so far..about 3.5 acres in about an hour...great so far!

 

[JJZ 109]

Finally pulled the plug...bought the 60" Hustler Fastrac SD..only mowed my lawn and my neighbors only so far..about 3.5 acres in about an hour...great so far!

Good for you. Don't know about you, but I was glad when the search was over and the deal was finished.
I've mowed twice with mine. So far, so good but still getting the feel for it after mowing with my old zero turn for 3 seasons. It's almost mid October, so one or two more times and I'll be putting it up for the winter.

 

[stumpmason]

I am glad the search is over...I was driving myself crazy trying to figure out which one to purchase..

 

[LD1]

I dont think you will regret that decision. Good mower. Congrats on the purchase and enjoy:thumbsup:

 

[Gary Fowler]

I'll just get to pressure wash it and maintain it! :wrench:

I just got around to reading this post and wont offer any info on brands, however your statement about pressure washing your mower needs to be addressed. This could be the worst thing that you do to your mower. This will drive water into the bearings and cause premature failure. Some manufacturers even suggest that you dont wash your deck with a standard garden hose to prevent water encroachment. I have taken to just blowing off the loose grass with a leaf blower. When I wash of the dust from the frame and engine, I use the leaf blower to remove the water. It may not look pretty, shiny and clean but dust doesnt rust but water will.

 

[Carl_NH]

Gary,

Good feedback and thats exactly what I do with the leaf blower. I wash mine off in the fall after leaf collection before storing for the winter, spray a bit of wax on the painted areas and fluid film on the underside of the deck.

Also scrape underside of the deck once a month. Seems to work for me as my cub cadet is still on original deck and bearings @ 22 years and I hope to get that life from the Ferris too.

 

[LD1]

I disagree (to an extent) on the no pressure washing thing.

I do mine once a year (before over-winter storage). After powerwashing and letting dry, I also apply a fresh coat of paint to the underside of the deck. Cause IMO, replacing a bearing a little sooner is easier and cheaper than dealing with a rusted out deck. Grass and leaves that get wet and stick to the deck will eat it out in a hurry.

I just make sure to put several pumps of grease in the bearings after the powerwashing to drive out any water that may have gotten in. The rest of the year though, it gets the air-hose treatment to blow off the loose stuff.

 

[LD1]

I disagree (to an extent) on the no pressure washing thing.

I do mine once a year (before over-winter storage). After powerwashing and letting dry, I also apply a fresh coat of paint to the underside of the deck. Cause IMO, replacing a bearing a little sooner is easier and cheaper than dealing with a rusted out deck. Grass and leaves that get wet and stick to the deck will eat it out in a hurry.

I just make sure to put several pumps of grease in the bearings after the powerwashing to drive out any water that may have gotten in. The rest of the year though, it gets the air-hose treatment to blow off the loose stuff.

 

[Carl_NH]

LD1

We are singing from the same hymn book just at different tones.

 

[LD1]

LD1

We are singing from the same hymn book just at different tones.

Yep, take care of the deck itself. The rest can be easily replaced.

The JD240 dad bought new in 1989 and then sold to me when he got his ZTR in 2006 and then I sold to my FIL 2011 when I got my ZTR....still original deck. Been cared for as I described above. (annual powerwashing and paint on the underside). That deck still looks great. And infact the first and only time the bearings were replaced was by me in 2008 or 2009. (darn sealed bearings anyway). I converted them to greasable.:thumbsup: