Simplicity mower or Ferris mower

[Mean Jean]

Good afternoon all and thanks in advance for the replies.
I'm in the market for a zero turn mower and am looking at 2 different models.
The dealer has provided excellent services over the years I've been buying parts and will decide on 1 of 2 machines.
They earn my business every time I go there.
I know everyone prefers their own Snapper, Kubota, John Deere, Scagg etc.
I'm only interested in these 2:

Ferris IS600ZB2548
25 HP Briggs and Stratton pro series
48" deck 10 gauge ICD fabricated with lawn striper
Dual commercial ZT-3400 hydro gear transmission with 7" cooling fans. (10mph)
2 years warranty plus another 2 years or 500 hours (whichever comes first)
Includes pick up and delivery
$6725

Simplicity Champion Z turn
27 HP Briggs and Stratton pro series
50" deck
Dual hydro gear pumps with cooling fans
3 year warranty
Includes pick up and delivery
$5800


Both mowers have front and rear suspension.

Simplicity has a slightly larger deck, 2 inches. Hardly enough to sway my decision.
Simplicity does have 2 extra HP though...
Ferris has an extra year of warranty.
Is the Ferris worth the extra $925?

 

[engine29]

Ferris and Simplicity are essentially the same mowers, just different colors. Briggs owns both lines as well as Snapper and Snapper Pro. Are you sure he is covering free PU/del.? The manufacturers warranty doesn't cover that.

 

[Mean Jean]

100% certain he is covering the delivery charge, it is in both email quotes I received from him. If they are virtually the same machine I would be more willing to go with the simplicity. A couple extra horsepower along with a slightly larger cut.

 

[Tompet]

There are two models of the Champion the standard and xt. Is the Champion model you referenced the XT? In any event, you will be happy with either brand. Just for reference, check out the difference between the Champion XT and the Citation. The XT Champion has a fabricated deck and a few other items that bring it closer to the Citation or the Ferris you referenced.

I owned the Champion and currently the Citation with a Kawasaki FX engine. Btw, I definitely recommend the mulch kit.

If the Champion is the XT and both have the same Briggs model line of engine then I think the Simplicity is the better deal, if not get the Ferris or get a price on a Simplicity Citation.

The easiest thing to do is go to each website and compare the options directly...each brand has good simple sites with all the info.

 

[Zick]

Are the hydro pumps exactly the same?

Differences I see
Ferris has fabricated deck whereas Simplicity has a stamped deck
Speed: Ferris 10mph, Simplicity 7mph
Drive wheel size: Ferris 22", Simplicity 20" (Bigger tires could help smooth out bumps)
Deck lift: Ferris foot pedal, Simplicity hand lever (I like the foot pedal design, able to lift and lower while moving)

I personally think Ferris is worth the extra money.

 

[Mean Jean]

Great reply Zick, thank you.
I received a reply from the dealer stating the Ferris is actually $7250. Now we're looking at an additional $1450 for the Ferris.

I'm going to have both mowers dropped off for a demo on my property. It will need to be a considerable difference to opt for the Ferrris.

Will inquire re:hydro pumps.

 

[tcartwri]

The 3MPH difference is huge. Not much point in buying a z-turn that is not any faster than a good garden tractor. The deeper deck will also process grass much quicker allowing a higher ground speed through heavy grass.

I have the simplicity citation BTW. It is comparable to the IS600.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I have the IS 700 with 52" deck and if I recall correctly, I paid $6800 for it 2 years ago. Supposedly was on sale. I think you should get a better deal than $7250 for a IS600. Mine also has the Kawasaki FS691V engine rated at 23 HP but it seems to have more power than my Craftsman with 26 HP Briggs engine and for sure burns less fuel doing the same acreage.

The deck size increase of 8" for a 60" deck vs 52"was over $1500 more when I bought mine so the Simplicity should be priced higher. There must be some significant difference for the Ferris to be $1450 higher with a smaller engine and deck. A fabricated deck is the only way to go with a mower. You don't want to be stuck with a worn out deck and the rest of the machine in good shape. I priced a stamped deck for my JD 332 once and it was $1200 without spindles or pulleys, just the deck itself. You could be looking at replacing the deck in 5-6 years and there would be your difference in price.

You need to check the hydro drive on the Simplicity to assure you are getting 3400 series drive. This could be a big difference in price if a lower home owner rated hydro drive is installed vs the commercial grade 3400. I think the Kawasaki engine is an upgrade from the Briggs engine also.

Bottom line, price the Ferris at a different dealer if possible and compare. Don't forget to look at a 52" deck in the IS700 with Kawasaki engine before committing to buy. I had always heard that Ferris and Simplicity were the same but I guess not.

 

[Tompet]

The Simplicity Champion 20" rear tires, Simplicity Champion XT 22" rear tires. Simplicity Champion stamped deck, Simplicity Champion XT fabricated deck, etc. There are some distinctions between these two models. I believe the older Citations were like the Ferris IS600, but now the Champion XT is more the equivalent for their respective line up and a lower price point for Ferris, while the current Citations are the same as the Ferris IS700, but with headlights as standard. I paid $6870. otd for mine in 2013.

But over the past few years there have been changes to both brands and my take on the current equivalent between the two:

The Champion XT is the equivalent of a Ferris IS600.

The current Citation is the equivalent of a Ferris IS700 with orange paint and headlights.

The top of the Simplicity line is the Cobalt is the equivalent Ferris 2100.

Ferris then has models which escalate in price up and beyond the Cobalt in price points and features, but now you are talking 12k to 15k and beyond zero turns.

btw, I did remove the folding ROPS on the Citation pictured and an older Citation I use.

 

[Jimmy Joe]

Price for the Ferris seems way high. I bought the IS700 last year for 6500 with the kawasaki 23 hp engine. Could have gotten the briggs for 500 less but liked the Kawasaki in my deere so well wanted one in the Ferris. I got the 52 inch deck. So far I have to say totally love the mower, one thing I noticed it likes fuel but really chops up the grass compared to my deere. They threw in a set of blades and a jacket for me and my wife.