Ferris CTR

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LtK

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Could any one tell me if a Ferris CTR would make a good mower for a 2-3 acre yard and what they originally designed for? Thanks.
 
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timmay

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LtK said:
Could any one tell me if a Ferris CTR would make a good mower for a 2-3 acre yard and what they originally designed for? Thanks.
Click to expand...

I know this is an old thread, but there such a lack of information on the Ferris CTR on the internet, that I feel the need to provide what I know. Hopefully this helps someone even if not the original poster.

I purchased a used Ferris CTR 61 with about 1100 hours last spring from a fellow in Illinois. I used it for most of the season and had some issues here and there -- some electrical, lots of broken idler belts, and steering.
The guy that sold it to me told me some things about it, but either didn't know much more, or didn't want me to know, but here are some good and bad things about the mower:

Good:
  • Built like a tank, very solid construction, and in most cases well-built mechanics
  • Turns almost as short as a true ZTR
  • Very simple and useful bi-directional pedal -- rock forward to go forward, rock backward to go backward
  • Love the 61" deck for my ~3 acres of mowing. I can get it done in about 4 hours with this thing
  • Wide range of deck height possibilities
  • Very stable on hills, inclines, and side hills
  • Mows well when blades are sharp

Bad:
  • Steering column mechanism is poor -- basically a high pressure hose with ball bearing in it - I tore mine twice before I realized it needed a u-joint instead. I found an older fellow who found a Dodge pickup steering mechanism that he adapted to fit. Now it's indestructable! The other problem that contributed was that the bearing in the steering column was shot, so that was adding a lot of extra friction and made the old system break more easily
  • The electrical panel seems to prone to failure. The fuses melted into their slots and switches have stopped working here and there. I've had to do a lot of jerry-rigging and re-wiring for the short amount of time I've had it. Although I will say that everything seemed to be original when I got it, so it could just be the age
  • The idler pulley on the deck was breaking belts because the bearing in it was shot. Finally figured it out and am getting it replaced.
  • Put a manual shutoff valve in the fuel line. If you leave it sitting with the tank too full, it can run into the engine and ruin. The guy I bought it from told me that the guy before had that problem and replaced the engine with a large 22hp, so that turned out okay for me
  • It's annoying to have to take apart the body panels to work on anything, but they do help if you're mowing in brushy places, so it's perfect for me in that aspect.
  • The original gas tank is metal, and rusts easily on the inside. If you always keep fuel in it, it's usually not a problem. But if you ever run it out of fuel, or there's just too much rust in it, it will suck it into the screen at the bottom of the tank and clog it. Get used to disassembling and cleaning this out periodically, or else replace it with a plastic tank.
  • The deck adjustment crank seems to drift over time and usage, so I secure it with a bungee cord
  • There's no good place to set your beer. I'm going to have someone weld me in a nice cupholder
  • Hard to find parts and manual for, or even anyone else that own one.

I'm still on the fence about this mower... I like it in a lot of ways, and it's really perfect for my needs, but I'm tired of the problems I've had since I got it. Perhaps it's just its age -- things wear out and need to be replaced. If I can get through that period okay, then I'll probably be happy with it for awhile. But if I continue to have problems with it, and not being able to get it fixed or find parts, then I might start to experience buyer's remorse. I hope it's the first one...

I will say that the most help I've found so far are the schematics and parts lists on the Power Mower Sales website: Error
I've found manuals being sold online, but they only seem to be schematics and parts list as well -- nothing about maintenance or care - so I have never ventured to buy one.

I'm happy to post more info, answer questions, or post pics if that would help anyone. Hopefully, someone will come forward that knows all about them and school the rest of us :smile:

Cheers!
 
S

Shughes717

Lawn Addict
Joined
Jun 12, 2014
Threads
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timmay said:
I know this is an old thread, but there such a lack of information on the Ferris CTR on the internet, that I feel the need to provide what I know. Hopefully this helps someone even if not the original poster.

I purchased a used Ferris CTR 61 with about 1100 hours last spring from a fellow in Illinois. I used it for most of the season and had some issues here and there -- some electrical, lots of broken idler belts, and steering.
The guy that sold it to me told me some things about it, but either didn't know much more, or didn't want me to know, but here are some good and bad things about the mower:

Good:
  • Built like a tank, very solid construction, and in most cases well-built mechanics
  • Turns almost as short as a true ZTR
  • Very simple and useful bi-directional pedal -- rock forward to go forward, rock backward to go backward
  • Love the 61" deck for my ~3 acres of mowing. I can get it done in about 4 hours with this thing
  • Wide range of deck height possibilities
  • Very stable on hills, inclines, and side hills
  • Mows well when blades are sharp

Bad:
  • Steering column mechanism is poor -- basically a high pressure hose with ball bearing in it - I tore mine twice before I realized it needed a u-joint instead. I found an older fellow who found a Dodge pickup steering mechanism that he adapted to fit. Now it's indestructable! The other problem that contributed was that the bearing in the steering column was shot, so that was adding a lot of extra friction and made the old system break more easily
  • The electrical panel seems to prone to failure. The fuses melted into their slots and switches have stopped working here and there. I've had to do a lot of jerry-rigging and re-wiring for the short amount of time I've had it. Although I will say that everything seemed to be original when I got it, so it could just be the age
  • The idler pulley on the deck was breaking belts because the bearing in it was shot. Finally figured it out and am getting it replaced.
  • Put a manual shutoff valve in the fuel line. If you leave it sitting with the tank too full, it can run into the engine and ruin. The guy I bought it from told me that the guy before had that problem and replaced the engine with a large 22hp, so that turned out okay for me
  • It's annoying to have to take apart the body panels to work on anything, but they do help if you're mowing in brushy places, so it's perfect for me in that aspect.
  • The original gas tank is metal, and rusts easily on the inside. If you always keep fuel in it, it's usually not a problem. But if you ever run it out of fuel, or there's just too much rust in it, it will suck it into the screen at the bottom of the tank and clog it. Get used to disassembling and cleaning this out periodically, or else replace it with a plastic tank.
  • The deck adjustment crank seems to drift over time and usage, so I secure it with a bungee cord
  • There's no good place to set your beer. I'm going to have someone weld me in a nice cupholder
  • Hard to find parts and manual for, or even anyone else that own one.

I'm still on the fence about this mower... I like it in a lot of ways, and it's really perfect for my needs, but I'm tired of the problems I've had since I got it. Perhaps it's just its age -- things wear out and need to be replaced. If I can get through that period okay, then I'll probably be happy with it for awhile. But if I continue to have problems with it, and not being able to get it fixed or find parts, then I might start to experience buyer's remorse. I hope it's the first one...

I will say that the most help I've found so far are the schematics and parts lists on the Power Mower Sales website: Error
I've found manuals being sold online, but they only seem to be schematics and parts list as well -- nothing about maintenance or care - so I have never ventured to buy one.

I'm happy to post more info, answer questions, or post pics if that would help anyone. Hopefully, someone will come forward that knows all about them and school the rest of us :smile:

Cheers!
Click to expand...

Can you post some pictures of your mower. I have never seen one.
 
T

timmay

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Shughes717 said:
Can you post some pictures of your mower. I have never seen one.
Click to expand...

I'll have to take one when I get it back from the shop.
But in the meantime, I was able to find one measly picture of one online.

ferris.jpg

And here's one more of my actual mower -- from the original craigslist ad.
ferris2.JPG
 
S

Shughes717

Lawn Addict
Joined
Jun 12, 2014
Threads
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timmay said:
I'll have to take one when I get it back from the shop.
But in the meantime, I was able to find one measly picture of one online.

View attachment 25975

And here's one more of my actual mower -- from the original craigslist ad.
View attachment 25976
Click to expand...

Man, that thing looks like a go cart with a mower deck under it.:laughing: looks like it would be kinda fun to operate though.
 
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