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Hello all, new kid on the block here. Deep into ZTR research for a mower for 3 acres. I'm still undecided about the need for a 52" or a 61" deck. What puzzles me is the fact that they have the same Kawa engine..... Is the IS200o /52" over powered, is the IS2000 61" under powered...



:confused2:

I'm guessing just south of $9000.

What got you there? Rough terrain? Ride quality? Seems like a lot to cut 3 acres. Lots of HP too.

Not trying to aggravate you though.

Charles

Old Goat said:

I'm guessing just south of $9000.

What got you there? Rough terrain? Ride quality? Seems like a lot to cut 3 acres. Lots of HP too.

Not trying to aggravate you though.

Charles

Click to expand...

Hi Charles, being from Louisiana, you would be familiar with Crawfish chimineys, and the hundreds of clods of dirt they leave behind. Well 20 years of cutting the property with those ever-expanding clods of dirt has left the property "very bumpy". I presently cut that area with a JD 345 (with a spring seat). Believe me, there's a lot of bouncing during the cut, even at a slow speed.

I though of the Ferris IS700, but wonder if the IS2000 might better serve my needs of better suspension.

My concern is the same 25 hp Kawa Engine on the 52" & 61". The IS700 has the same issue in that it uses the 23.5 hp Kawa on the 52" & 61". Wondering which size deck might better serve my needs.

One size or the other has to be either over or under powered.


:confused2:

Mais sha,

Eat dem dam bugs, you won't have no more problems! :laughing:

Seroiusly, for that kind of coins, I do believe I'd have them bring a demo unit out.
Were do you live? I moved from Lafayette to St. Francisville about 13 years ago.

Charles

Boudreaux said:

Hi Charles, being from Louisiana, you would be familiar with Crawfish chimineys, and the hundreds of clods of dirt they leave behind. Well 20 years of cutting the property with those ever-expanding clods of dirt has left the property "very bumpy". I presently cut that area with a JD 345 (with a spring seat). Believe me, there's a lot of bouncing during the cut, even at a slow speed.

I though of the Ferris IS700, but wonder if the IS2000 might better serve my needs of better suspension.

My concern is the same 25 hp Kawa Engine on the 52" & 61". The IS700 has the same issue in that it uses the 23.5 hp Kawa on the 52" & 61". Wondering which size deck might better serve my needs.

One size or the other has to be either over or under powered.


:confused2:

Click to expand...

Boudreaux,
I'd make sure what I bought had a "full suspension" seat:0)

Thanks all for the input.

I'm thinking the suspension of the IS2000Z with it's high quality seat, and that optional suspension layer between the seat and the frame...should do the trick.....

Believe me when I say...."My yard is rough".


:confused3: :confused3: :confused3:

I had the pleasure of a side by side demo at my home last week of a IS2000z and Scag Tiger Cat. Both with 52" decks and both with optional higher HP engines. The Scag had the Velocity Plus Deck and the Ferris had the iCD deck. Both are well built, substantial units. But I can say without a doubt the cut quality and ride was considerably better on the Scag. I'm not a fanboy of either; ZTR virgin here. But I like me some quality machinery. :wink:

Boudreax, you mentioned you have a rough yard. Have you tried some of the suspension seats offered out there? I didn't realize at the time but found out the 2013 Scag Tiger Cat comes with a suspension seat standard and this alone made for a better ride. I understand rough terrain may need frame suspension offered by the Ferris but that comes at price to cut quality in my opinion. Pushing the Ferris flat-out several times on rougher areas of my lawn left missed spots from the deck jousting about I believe. I then cut an adjacent area which I left purposely to see how the Scag cut and it came out flawless. Both mowers were at the max forward speed for this test. I now understand why so many LCO have Scags. They are efficient. For a next level up from entry ZTR, these machines are to be beat.

Heading into this purchase I was most interested in A HIGH QUALITY machine that could give a quality cut while decreasing my seat time :tongue: Easy to maneuver(lawnscape beds and hilly terrain) was second and suppleness of ride a near third.

FWIW the Scag was bit higher priced (not by much) than the Ferris but I can understand why after this demonstration.....but yet in the end, I purchased neither. Ask me why later.:confused2:

DD

Hi DD,

It's been four hours.... so I'm ready to ask..... Why not purchase .......???

I'm now in deep consideration of the IS2000Z or the IS3100Z ... totally confused....




:confused2: :confused2: :confused2:

Well nice of you to ask, Boudreaux! :smile: So I live in Pennsylvania and we have hills. Being that these wonderful machines make money for LCO's everywhere I thought to give it a go! I consider myself more than fairly athletic but could not master the skill of controls or get the hang of operation on hills like the Pros do. Also I didn't like the sensation of front end deck bob when moving from level ground to hills and berms. :frown: I've studied many a pro maneuver these machines like a toy around obstacles and hit berms and hills and make it stick like it was a push mower. Both machines I tried had this tendency to lift front end when side hilling and it was not a good feeling. :thumbdown: On the expert forums, there are many a discussion about wider tire combinations and wheel spacers and such but that would defeat my needs of narrower wheel to wheel widths that would allow for deck overhang on left side for close trimming. For wide open flat to moderate hilly grounds these machines cant be beat for productivity. But around my parts, the ZTRs literally slow you down unless you want to live on the edge. :wink: I am now considering a large walk behind with sulky. Seems to be much safer side hilling and climbing with sulky stowed and still decreases my time in the yard using the sulky on flatter terrain.

I am sure either one of those Ferris will be awesome for you though! Best of Luck!!

DD

P.S. try a suspension seat or at very least mount isolators.