Z-Turn suspension worth it?

[N80]

I have a home-owner level 54" Z turn that I mow 3-4 acres down at my cabin. It is the first one I've ever owned. I've had it about 4 years. Most of what I mow is closer to what you would call a field than what you'd call a lawn. It looks like a nice smooth lawn when I'm done but it is rough as heck and that's starting to take a toll on my back and my rear end (I'm skinny). The seat is basic and still in good shape but sometimes I add a thin cushion to it.

I can live with it. The mower does a good job and seems to be holding up well despite the beating its getting.

However, I do see commercial mowers that have suspension on the front caster wheels. I've even seen a few with suspension on all 4 wheels (Stihl). I'm sure those are inanely expensive.

Anyway, I'm very curious about other folk's experience with Z-turns with suspension vs. those without. Does it make a difference? Is it worth the cost? Are their tradeoffs other than cost? Does anyone have experience with one that has 4 wheel suspension?

I would also assume that models with larger rear tires would ride better than ones with smaller back tires?

 

[camshawn]

We have a toro with the suspension seat. I had a back injury a while ago and I would definitely recommend a suspension of some kind.

 

[kozal01]

Ferris is known for their suspension on their ZTR's, that's who makes the Stihl BTW. While I haven't had a Ferris I've heard the suspension works very well. I recently upgraded from a residential Exmark to an entry level commercial Exmark and it has the suspensions platform, my residential one had a nice seat but only had springs under it for suspension. The suspension platform of my new machine makes a huge difference in ride, its far more comfortable.

 

[stevem5215]

I have two Simiplicity ZTR's here. One with suspension and one without. The one with is the primary machine and you can run it full speed across the field. The other, no way. It's just too brutal on the body. You can imagine which one is used the most. The other was my first one and I learned about suspension after buying it. Cry once and buy once. Full suspension on a ZTR is worth it IMO.

 

[gstrom99]

The SIL has a Gravely, with some sort of suspension, like the (made by?) Ferris. He loves it, but it was like $10k. Someone makes springed fronts that you can retro fit. I wanted a set but not avail for my JD 5 series.

 

[Racer4]

I like the Toro my ride. Very good at smoothing out the ride.

 

[sklunk]

Someone makes springed fronts that you can retro fit. I wanted a set but not avail for my JD 5 series.

You can put ZGlides on your Z530. I put them on my Z960 and they made a huge difference!:

ZGlide John Deere Z500R Series ZTrak Mower Suspension JDZG500R - ZGlide Suspension

For a set of 2 ZGlide Suspension forks.

zglidesuspension.com

Back to the OP -- there are also suspension plates you can put under your standard seat that help a lot too:

Seat Suspension Kits

Tractor Seats, Suspension Seats, Lawn Mower Seats, UTV Seats, Gator Seats, Buddy Seats, Forklift Seats, Contstruction Seats. FREE SHIPPING! Shop Today!

tracseats.com

 

[MinnesotaEric]

I have a Ferris 2100 with an air seat and 5400 HST motors (That only come on the 3100 series in Ferris' line, but my mower has them without the 2-speed shift linkage). I first tried a Grammer air seat, but found out that the Grammer seat had too much lumbar support for my fused back. That led me to trying out a Milsco Michigan V5400 airseat, which I am super happy with. All of this was ten years ago.

I go into "seat theory" in this video.

 

[Duds13]

Ferris owner. I can vouch for the full suspension. Can mow for hours and not feel like you just rode a horse.

 

[IXLR8]

I have a JD Z-turn and as I age my back is not liking the bumps on our lawn. I am going to start with a suspension seat kit. If that doesn't work well enough I'm going to have to step up to a Ferris suspension mower. I have talked with a few mowing contractors who have the Ferris setup and they really like it. Although they do admit that mowing 8 hrs per day, 5 days a week, even the Ferris will beat up on you a bit.

 

[gstrom99]

You can put ZGlides on your Z530. I put them on my Z960 and they made a huge difference!:

ZGlide John Deere Z500R Series ZTrak Mower Suspension JDZG500R - ZGlide Suspension

For a set of 2 ZGlide Suspension forks.

zglidesuspension.com

I just ordered a set of ZGlides, for my JD Z530R. Kinda pricey, but I hope they work as good for me, as I've seen/read. They teamed up with Michelin, for the rubber part.

 

[Carl_NH]

Another Ferris user here IS2000 with full suspension and highback seat very comfortable. I have been mowing reclaimed forest for a lawn for last 15 years and no complaints.

When we had it cleared and stumped then fill and top soil in the early years it was smoother, then as things settled and rocks grow up there's a lot of uneven areas and the suspension works well.

 

[N80]

I am seriously looking at the Ferris ISX 800 with a 60" deck and Kawasaki engine. From what I've read it is between a consumer and commercial grade unit. It has the front and rear suspension and a suspension seat. It costs well over twice as much as the Cub Cadet that I have now. But, financing is available (ugh).

The other thing that is motivating me a little is that my daughter and her husband need a Z turn for their property and can't afford a new one. I could give them a deal on mine and that would help with the down payment on the Ferris.

I don't know that I will do this any time soon. Not until closer to spring anyway. But I'm coming to grips with the fact that if I want to keep doing the sort of things I do (managing my property, operating my (very manual) sawmill, mowing 4-5 acres every week, etc) I'm going to need to make some accommodations for getting older in regard to the gear I use. It might be expensive but the alternative is cutting back more and more on those activities some of which are necessary and some of which I enjoy.

Anyway, I've put about 120 hours on the Cub Cadet in 4 years which isn't very much compared to commercial use. I've seen reviews of the Ferris model I'm looking at going good at 500 hours with only minor issues and typical maintenance. That would be nearly 20 years of use for me at which time I'd be well over 80. Spread over that much time the cost seems like it might be worth it.

 

[Carl_NH]

N80 I average the same 32 hours per year on my Ferris IS2000 in 15 years - now at 475 hours with no major issues, Installed my second battery this fall, the Kawasaki FH721 -25HP has had 2 valve adjustments a new stator and voltage regulator in 15 years.

Then hydrogear pump/parker wheel motor fluid and filter changes at 100 and 350 hours. So yes it's been reliable over the long haul - was $7200 in 2010 and it should easily last another 15 years if I am fortunate enough to last to 85 YO it was $ well spent,

 

[stevem5215]

Same thoughts here. By buying something better it'll last that much longer. I spent $6000 on mine and it was a few years old sitting in the dealership. Worth every penny I spent though on the smooth ride at full speed cutting. Floats like a Cadillac.

 

[mikester]

I demoed a Ferris and a commercial Kubota diesel on my property mowing the same areas. The Ferris had a Kubota diesel and manual deck controls and cost more than the comparable Kubota ZD. The Kubota had a heavier duty built deck and overall was built like a tank in comparison to the Ferris.

I didn't feel any benefit of the suspension from the Ferris and felt the manual deck lifter was a PITA. I bought the ZD326-60P with side chute and hydraulic deck lifter.

The front suspension is a nice idea but the reality is I sit over the rear wheels that have no suspension. An air suspension seat is worth spending money on IMHO. The hydraulic deck lifter is a must have in my books.

 

[gstrom99]

The front suspension is a nice idea but the reality is I sit over the rear wheels that have no suspension. An air suspension seat is worth spending money on IMHO. The hydraulic deck lifter is a must have in my books.

I swapped ZT's with my SIL, to fix his Gravely plugged gas line, and parking brake issue. The Gravely has a suspension seat, my JD has the ZTrac front kit but does not have a suspension seat. Significant difference in ride. I will look into a suspension seat, or Trac Seat suspension "kit" when I get mine back.

$700 seat vs $180 kit...

 

[dieselscout80]

I demoed a Ferris and a commercial Kubota diesel on my property mowing the same areas. The Ferris had a Kubota diesel and manual deck controls and cost more than the comparable Kubota ZD. The Kubota had a heavier duty built deck and overall was built like a tank in comparison to the Ferris.

I didn't feel any benefit of the suspension from the Ferris and felt the manual deck lifter was a PITA. I bought the ZD326-60P with side chute and hydraulic deck lifter.

The front suspension is a nice idea but the reality is I sit over the rear wheels that have no suspension. An air suspension seat is worth spending money on IMHO. The hydraulic deck lifter is a must have in my books.

Interesting I thought the Ferris zero turn mowers had front and REAR suspension. Maybe not all have the rear suspension which I know some Badboy models don’t have the rear suspension.

 

[N80]

Interesting I thought the Ferris zero turn mowers had front and REAR suspension. Maybe not all have the rear suspension which I know some Badboy models don’t have the rear suspension.

The higher end Ferris do have front and rear suspension but not every model.

 

[EricW]

I am seriously looking at the Ferris ISX 800 with a 60" deck and Kawasaki engine. From what I've read it is between a consumer and commercial grade unit. It has the front and rear suspension and a suspension seat. It costs well over twice as much as the Cub Cadet that I have now. But, financing is available (ugh).

The other thing that is motivating me a little is that my daughter and her husband need a Z turn for their property and can't afford a new one. I could give them a deal on mine and that would help with the down payment on the Ferris.

I don't know that I will do this any time soon. Not until closer to spring anyway. But I'm coming to grips with the fact that if I want to keep doing the sort of things I do (managing my property, operating my (very manual) sawmill, mowing 4-5 acres every week, etc) I'm going to need to make some accommodations for getting older in regard to the gear I use. It might be expensive but the alternative is cutting back more and more on those activities some of which are necessary and some of which I enjoy.

Anyway, I've put about 120 hours on the Cub Cadet in 4 years which isn't very much compared to commercial use. I've seen reviews of the Ferris model I'm looking at going good at 500 hours with only minor issues and typical maintenance. That would be nearly 20 years of use for me at which time I'd be well over 80. Spread over that much time the cost seems like it might be worth it.

I have an ISX 800 and the only thing that I’ve had to do was replace the battery. I love that mower. It rides so nice, I can mow my 6 acres faster with the 61” Ferris than I could with my 72” JD z850 with a suspension seat because the ride is much smoother I can go faster. Highly recommend the Ferris.