Ferris 2100z vs Hustler Fastrack SD

[Hexa Fox]

Thank you for all the advice Mad Mackie. I appreciate the thought and time you put into this for me. I was originally interested in the enclosed trailer to begin with and my girl friend and father talked me into getting the open trailer. This is not by any means the first time I have towed or backed a trailer. However, this is the first time I will actually own my very own and tow it fairly regular. I still have some thinking to do. Because before this post I was definitely leaning towards the open trailer and now I am leaning back towards the enclosed trailer.

If I pick an open trailer I will need to install a trimmer rack and a couple garage door springs to help me open and close the gate. If I get an enclosed trailer I will only require a simpler trimmer rack to be installed at first. The dealer that has been very patient with me has agreed to drop off the Ferris and Hustler on Monday or Tuesday. I am going to try them out on a couple of my customers yards, but will not be able to mow with them. Just get a feel for how they act on the steep slopes. If I make a decision they are going to leave the one I choose here.

I told the dealer that I was very unhappy with the seat on the Ferris, and he said it was no problem he could install a much nicer seat for a few hundred more dollars. This is well worth it to me. I still do not like how the Ferris seat has so much play in it. Also I am not talking about the actually seat either, as I am sure the new $500.00 seat will do the trick there. It is how the seat is attached to the mower. It sits on a sheet of metal and does not have anything securing it near your buttocks. For a machine that is so expensive with such a powerful engine, great suspension system, and well manufactured commercial deck, this seat is unacceptable. Right now I only weigh around 135lbs-140lbs. It sorta feels like a larger @$$ would hold it down better. As mentioned before while I was testing it out, it stalled for a quick second because my buttocks lifted up some. I am certain that if I had some more "@$$" I would be fine. However, I am lacking this @$$.

So I will try them out Monday or Tuesday when they arrive and hopefully get back here with some pictures and feedback. I guess I really want the Ferris to work out because I do believe it is the better equipped machine between these two machines I am picking out. However, if the Hustler does better on the hills or feels more comfortable I just might go with it because of the cost and obviously is better in one aspect whereas the Ferris should be at least slightly better all around. If I cannot feel at least a slight advantage while riding on the Ferris I think it will be a difficult decision...

 

[Hexa Fox]

Another thing is that I am going to go on a weekend vacation with my girl friend soon within the next couple of months. My father is one of the only people I could trust to watch over my equipment around here. He works from later evening to early in the morning. You know? Perfectly in the time range where thieves are out stealing this kind of equipment in the night. Also they could just take the new mower off the open trailer and run with it.

Another aspect is this is just an example. I face many other similar problems. For example, while I am mowing there is probably going to be another zero turn (my backup Craftsman) on the trailer with the gate down. I have a couple one acre yards that have the house near the front and a steep declining property in the rear. This is just asking for it you know??

Plus I do plan to run the Craftsman from time to time to get it some exercise and leave the Hustler/Ferris on the trailer... again asking for it even more so... If I had a enclosed trailer and got nervous I could at least close it, then if more nervous lock it back up while I mow. I thieving business on landscapers is getting worse all the time. We are getting ready to make money during the mowing season and the thieves are getting ready to make money stealing our equipment. They are literally getting their "business" ready to make money stealing. They get the hydraulic bolt cutters, rescue saws, and come by and steal all your stuff or just a few things in a flash...

 

[Mad Mackie]

Around 2008 a lawn care friend broke his arm while skiing in Vermont. He asked me to do his route as he was healing and I agreed. His route was in a nasty part of a nearby city and to be prepared for this. I had no idea what I was getting into, but locked the trailer while I was mowing. It was at the 2nd stop that the trouble started and as I packed "heat" while on my machine and swung around the house to do a check, the bandits were at it. Come to find out, my friend had setup the "bandits" to test my security skills so he would feel more comfortable while I did his route. The situation almost got out of control as I wasn't aware of his plan. My friend never recovered fully from his injury and as result he got out of the business. He asked me if I wanted to take over some of his customers accounts. I declined his offer and gave him my bill with a smile!!!! The guy that took over my friends accounts had an open trailer for a short time and bought a closed trailer. He contacted me and asked me if I could install an alarm system in his new trailer and I did. Several years ago I installed an alarm system in his new trailer, but he asked me to not include the electrical shock system!! Funny how things go!!!
There is a reason why my friends call me Mad Mackie in CT:smile::biggrin::laughing:

 

[Hexa Fox]

Around 2008 a lawn care friend broke his arm while skiing in Vermont. He asked me to do his route as he was healing and I agreed. His route was in a nasty part of a nearby city and to be prepared for this. I had no idea what I was getting into, but locked the trailer while I was mowing. It was at the 2nd stop that the trouble started and as I packed "heat" while on my machine and swung around the house to do a check, the bandits were at it. Come to find out, my friend had setup the "bandits" to test my security skills so he would feel more comfortable while I did his route. The situation almost got out of control as I wasn't aware of his plan. My friend never recovered fully from his injury and as result he got out of the business. He asked me if I wanted to take over some of his customers accounts. I declined his offer and gave him my bill with a smile!!!! The guy that took over my friends accounts had an open trailer for a short time and bought a closed trailer. He contacted me and asked me if I could install an alarm system in his new trailer and I did. Several years ago I installed an alarm system in his new trailer, but he asked me to not include the electrical shock system!! Funny how things go!!!
There is a reason why my friends call me Mad Mackie in CT:smile::biggrin::laughing:

Yeah I have a concealed carry permit. I would never think of keeping it with me while mowing though. It would be extremely uncomfortable even for the smallest firearms. Also I'm sure you probably already figured this out, but the firearm probably will not help you much. Most of the time if they target a open trailer they go after something they can just "grab and go" like a trimmer, push mower, or even a gas tank. However, if they target an enclosed trailer they are going after a lot more. Because they will probably come prepared to gain access to the trailer no matter how tightly you have it locked up.

My insurance agent made me very aware of the details and also made me second guess buying a open trailer because of these statistics. Because it is obvious that a thief is more likely to try to take one item off of a open trailer, versus trying to deal with an enclosed trailer for any amount of items. I have hear several stories about people getting very thick locks for the doors on their enclosed trailers. Then I hear about the thieves cutting the hinges off the door and going right in.

The good thing about insurance is if someone cleans you out, you are covered. However, when the little @$$holes take one or two items you are just about always going to eat it. Because first off it usually is not worth the hassle and your insurance will probably have a deductible that exceeds what the tool(s) are worth. I know that the dealer is selling trailers like crazy right now, and I can understand why. He is supposed to get a couple enclosed ones in on Monday. I will probably check them out early next week when I get the time.

I also want to install a new transmission cooler on my truck, and also will need to have the break module installed to control the trailer brakes.

 

[bertsmobile1]

Around 2008 a lawn care friend broke his arm while skiing in Vermont. He asked me to do his route as he was healing and I agreed. His route was in a nasty part of a nearby city and to be prepared for this. I had no idea what I was getting into, but locked the trailer while I was mowing. It was at the 2nd stop that the trouble started and as I packed "heat" while on my machine and swung around the house to do a check, the bandits were at it. Come to find out, my friend had setup the "bandits" to test my security skills so he would feel more comfortable while I did his route. The situation almost got out of control as I wasn't aware of his plan. My friend never recovered fully from his injury and as result he got out of the business. He asked me if I wanted to take over some of his customers accounts. I declined his offer and gave him my bill with a smile!!!! The guy that took over my friends accounts had an open trailer for a short time and bought a closed trailer. He contacted me and asked me if I could install an alarm system in his new trailer and I did. Several years ago I installed an alarm system in his new trailer, but he asked me to not include the electrical shock system!! Funny how things go!!!
There is a reason why my friends call me Mad Mackie in CT:smile::biggrin::laughing:

Not mad at all.
I still have a few old Ford Trembler coils which were used before kettering ignitions became the norm.
Hooked up to a 24V battery gives a very nasty shock, particularly if there is no warnings.
I have no time for petty thieves .
When the first of the pocket paging car alarms became available I modified a few to work on my old bikes which were chained to the front fence.
Have no idea about how all those bricks disloged from around the balcony and landed on the thieves head.

The local cabbies got sick & tired of junkies trying to hold them up so the standard treatment was to hold their hands in the door frames and accidentally close the door on them a few times.
Very hard to hit up with two smashed hands and even harder to slip a knife around a cabbies neck.
Cab roberies just about stopped after the first two or three.

As for making things secure, totally impossible.
The crooks ( most of whome are desperate not stupid ) have the same high powered cordless tools that we use so nothing will stop them getting your gear.