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Has anyone had any problems with their Ferris IS1500 making ruts on a dry lawn? After cutting the grass a few times, it seems to push the lawn down a an inch or two in the tire track path. Never had this problem with any other mower. Normal soil conditions for N.E. Pa.

misuco said:

Has anyone had any problems with their Ferris IS1500 making ruts on a dry lawn? After cutting the grass a few times, it seems to push the lawn down a an inch or two in the tire track path. Never had this problem with any other mower. Normal soil conditions for N.E. Pa.

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Could you post some pictures of what your are talking about? What is your tire pressures at, if they are very high the tire will acted like a roller. Maybe you should check to see if they are to hard and if they are drop the pressure down some. What does the owner manual say for tire pressure.

I would suggest rolling the lawn. gregjo1948

I have noticed some soil compaction with my snapper pro s150xt. Don't run in the same path every time you mow. These mowers are pretty heavy. The manual on mine says it has a dry weight of 1107 lbs. that's one reason they mow hills well. My dad has a s200xt and the foot print on his mower is much lighter. The only difference I see is he has wider tires. Spreads the weight over a larger surface area. I just make sure that I either change the direction I mow every other time, or make sure I don't run in the same tracks I mowed the time before. Seems to be working for me.

That machine with an operator is about 2400lbs...most of that is on the rear tires...your going to have ruts...period.You can change patterns everytime.I still wouldn't want that machine on my lawn, especially over my septic system.

Raw Dodge said:

That machine with an operator is about 2400lbs...most of that is on the rear tires...your going to have ruts...period.You can change patterns everytime.I still wouldn't want that machine on my lawn, especially over my septic system.

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Ferris IS1500 weighs 1012 lbs with 27 HP Kawi and 52" deck.

My apologies. I'm clearly dislexick..thought you had a 5100.

Raw Dodge said:

That machine with an operator is about 2400lbs...most of that is on the rear tires...your going to have ruts...period.You can change patterns everytime.I still wouldn't want that machine on my lawn, especially over my septic system.

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That operator must be huge! I really dought the mower weighs over a ton. gregjo1948

I wasnt figuring on a particularly big operator..i figure 180 lbs-200 is average..machine weighs 2200plus without fuel....check it out before you imply I'm wrong..it's bad enough I thought the guys 1500 was a 5100....

Raw Dodge said:

I wasnt figuring on a particularly big operator..i figure 180 lbs-200 is average..machine weighs 2200plus without fuel....check it out before you imply I'm wrong..it's bad enough I thought the guys 1500 was a 5100....

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Dry weight IS1500 with 23hp Kawasaki & 52" deck is 1087 lbs. gregjo1948

Raw Dodge said:

I wasnt figuring on a particularly big operator..i figure 180 lbs-200 is average..machine weighs 2200plus without fuel....check it out before you imply I'm wrong..it's bad enough I thought the guys 1500 was a 5100....

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gregjo1948 said:

Dry weight IS1500 with 23hp Kawasaki & 52" deck is 1087 lbs. gregjo1948

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Ferris 1500z dry weight 1087 lbs with 52" deck, 1222 lbs with 61" deck. With 200 lb operator and 61" deck = about 1422 lbs.

Ferris 5100z dry weight 2178 lbs with 61" deck, 2218 lbs with 72" deck. Whit 200 lb operator and 72" deck = about 2418 lbs.

misuco said:

Has anyone had any problems with their Ferris IS1500 making ruts on a dry lawn? After cutting the grass a few times, it seems to push the lawn down a an inch or two in the tire track path. Never had this problem with any other mower. Normal soil conditions for N.E. Pa.

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Have you ever used a roller on your lawn? I us mine the next day after a good rain, helps keep the ground good and flat. I pull it behind when I cut and it works good for me. Maybe you could try that and see if that helps with the ruts. "But thats just me"

gfp55 said:

Have you ever used a roller on your lawn? I us mine the next day after a good rain, helps keep the ground good and flat. I pull it behind when I cut and it works good for me. Maybe you could try that and see if that helps with the ruts. "But thats just me"

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As I posted earlier in this thread I have noticed the same issue. What do you mow with? Can you post a picture of your roller set up and where you purchased it? I have considered looking into purchasing 22x12 wheels instead of the 22x10 wheels that come standard. My dad's mower has 24x12 wheels and I can't see any ruts behind his mower.

So far I have been able to prevent noticeable ruts by changing the path I take when I mow each time, but a roller may help smooth my lawn out some.