pagestiger
New member
I'm tired of mowing a few acres with the 60-inch deck on a Kubota tractor. Came across this site as I was trying to find out if the suspension in the Ferris zero turns is truly that much better than others
Researching zero turns
- Thread starter pagestiger
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davesl708
Elite Member
Hi. Welcome. I am sure someone on here can help get you some answers.
mguitas
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:welcome:
smstonypoint
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I don't have any personal experience, but the majority opinion on TBN appears to be that the Ferris comes out on top when it comes to its suspension.
Steve
Steve
Ed of all trades
Elite Member
Welcome from Va. I am in the same place you are, tired of mowing 3 1/2 ac with a Massey GC2400. To make it worse we are trying to buy about a 1/2 ac from the neighbor so if we do I will be mowing 4 ac. I have been looking at Scag and some are saying they ride better than the Ferris. ( It was somewhere else not TBN ) Wish you well on your mower hunt, let us know what you find. Ed
Gary Fowler
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I have a Ferris and the suspension does help a lot compared to mowers with no give at all. The larger the tires the better the ride so bigger mowers are going to ride better than smaller ones. Suspension seats are a big plus.
The best of both worlds is a mower with spring over shock suspension like the Ferris and add a suspension seat to it if you have really rough ground like I do.
I mowed for a year with mine just with the suspension and it is like floating on a cloud compared to my Craftsman ZTR6000. Last year I added a suspension seat and it was an improved ride even though the suspension seat is a cheap spring mounted one, it does soften the dead blow from hitting a pot hole. A nice air ride suspension seat would be even better but I didn't have $1000 to spend on one.
So my vote is yes, Ferris suspension system is a definite improvement and I would strongly recommend them. Get the largest model you can afford with the largest tires.
The best of both worlds is a mower with spring over shock suspension like the Ferris and add a suspension seat to it if you have really rough ground like I do.
I mowed for a year with mine just with the suspension and it is like floating on a cloud compared to my Craftsman ZTR6000. Last year I added a suspension seat and it was an improved ride even though the suspension seat is a cheap spring mounted one, it does soften the dead blow from hitting a pot hole. A nice air ride suspension seat would be even better but I didn't have $1000 to spend on one.
So my vote is yes, Ferris suspension system is a definite improvement and I would strongly recommend them. Get the largest model you can afford with the largest tires.
TBN Support
TBN Support
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Welcome to the forum! :welcome:
I'm going to move your thread over to the lawn and garden section to see if we can get you some additional answers.
I'm going to move your thread over to the lawn and garden section to see if we can get you some additional answers.
DK35vince
Super Member
Toro has the new "myride" suspended operator system that looks like it would really help the ride.
Toro | Z Master® Zero Turn Mower with MyRIDE™ Suspension System
Toro | Z Master® Zero Turn Mower with MyRIDE™ Suspension System
murphy1244
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Good Job! Catherine.
Poopdeck Pappy
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Whoever is saying that has been drinking WAY too much Scag koolaid. Scag makes some fantastic mowers with one of the best decks around (the Velocity + deck), but there is no way the ride will compare to a Ferris with full suspension.
dgeesaman
Silver Member
I own a Ferris 3100z and was forced to use a Kubota zero last year. The Kub is built with a solid frame like the SCAG or Exmark. I found it to be torture and took me far longer to get done.
I suppose if I was mowing only well-watered golf fairways that are completely free of divots and sprinkler heads, they might ride the same. But not in the real world!
Coyote machine
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I own a Scag Wildcat with a Velocity+ 61" deck, regular Scag seat, and full Scag 12.5 bushel bagger,(3 bags). I've owned it since 200 hours in 2009-2010, and have 150 hours more on the clock now.
It's a bulletproof tank, but not the smoothest ride or most comfortable lounge chair out there.
I just bought a Husky AWD, 322t Rider with 41" mulching deck to replace the Scag for the terrain I have. The Z-turn is too dangerous for my hilly terrain; it is too easy to possibly flip, and it has a mind of it's own on wet or slightly wet grass.
Now I don't worry, don't bag, just pulverize everything into the lawn, and yes it takes more time with the smaller deck, but everyone, wife, grown kids can operate the 322 with no fear of flipping or running downhill out of control when the Scag decides to chase after trees.
Zero turns are great for a lot of people, but the last 150 hours has taught me not for my property.
Hope this helps. Know exactly what you're buying and what it's limitations are. And what your terrain is best suited to. Otherwise you'll waste money getting something not suited to your specific needs.
It's a bulletproof tank, but not the smoothest ride or most comfortable lounge chair out there.
I just bought a Husky AWD, 322t Rider with 41" mulching deck to replace the Scag for the terrain I have. The Z-turn is too dangerous for my hilly terrain; it is too easy to possibly flip, and it has a mind of it's own on wet or slightly wet grass.
Now I don't worry, don't bag, just pulverize everything into the lawn, and yes it takes more time with the smaller deck, but everyone, wife, grown kids can operate the 322 with no fear of flipping or running downhill out of control when the Scag decides to chase after trees.
Zero turns are great for a lot of people, but the last 150 hours has taught me not for my property.
Hope this helps. Know exactly what you're buying and what it's limitations are. And what your terrain is best suited to. Otherwise you'll waste money getting something not suited to your specific needs.
Jack Vines
Bronze Member
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Definitely try before you buy. I jumped into a zero turn and am finding it just won't handle the hills, slopes on my property. I mowed them for forty years with two different riding tractor style mowers with no problems.
Just to confirm it wasn't just my lack of technique, I had a pro come in and he did very little better.
jack vines
Just to confirm it wasn't just my lack of technique, I had a pro come in and he did very little better.
jack vines
DK35vince
Super Member
I'd expect the full suspension on the Ferris to be a little better.
I have a Hustler Super Z with suspension seat and the flex fork suspension in the front and the ride is pretty good IMO.
IMHO a front mount mower is the way to go.
Most front mount mowers have the ability to flip up the mower deck from a horizontal position to a vertical position (service position) making it easier to clean out grass clippings from under the deck and for changing mower blades.
Another advantage with a front mount deck is the grass is cut before being run over by the front wheels of the riding mower.
Like "Coyote machine", I also have the Husqvarna R322T AWD,
I needed more traction for the slopes on my property, and the AWD insures there is no traction loss.
Because of the articulating steering, maneuverability around object is much better with the R322T than my old Wheel Horse riding mowers use to be.
The feature I like the best, is the ease of putting the front mount deck in the service position (less than 30 seconds).
So after every mowing session, grass clipping from underneath the mower deck can be easily cleaned out, greatly extending deck life.
Most front mount mowers have the ability to flip up the mower deck from a horizontal position to a vertical position (service position) making it easier to clean out grass clippings from under the deck and for changing mower blades.
Another advantage with a front mount deck is the grass is cut before being run over by the front wheels of the riding mower.
Like "Coyote machine", I also have the Husqvarna R322T AWD,
I needed more traction for the slopes on my property, and the AWD insures there is no traction loss.
Because of the articulating steering, maneuverability around object is much better with the R322T than my old Wheel Horse riding mowers use to be.
The feature I like the best, is the ease of putting the front mount deck in the service position (less than 30 seconds).
So after every mowing session, grass clipping from underneath the mower deck can be easily cleaned out, greatly extending deck life.
Attachments
slow84ta
Member
Whats your price range? Try this site, I've used it often in my quest for a zero turn mower. Good luck!
Zero Turn Review Website with lots of information
Zero Turn Review Website with lots of information
skiller67
New member
I have owned a hustler raptor 52" for 11 months and it's been for repair 6 times for the same issue. Hydrostatic drive. The system thru hustler/excel industries is not helpful and I now am asking for a refund. I'm getting a cold "no" from my dealer and am having to pursue legal avenues to get this resolved. Meanwhile, I have grass growing and a mower that wants to drive in circles!! Hustler won't dive into the root cause which I suspect highly (I'm a mechanical engineer, by the way) and will attempt the cheapest fix first. Adjusting linkage is all they have done( two different hustler repair centers) and I still have a mower that wants to just turn left. Steer clear of hustler.
