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I'm about to pull the trigger on buying either Ferris IS700Z or a Snapper Pro S150XT. I have looked and looked, but I have narrowed it down to these two against several others that I have tested (exmark, scag, gravely,etc)

Interestingly, they are both made by the same parent co (and hey they are both red). For features and value, I think they are in a good spot in the market. I was about sold on the Ferris when I ran across the Snapper Pro.

In both models I am looking at the 52" inch deck, which as I understand it exactly the same because of who they are both made by. I also understand to some degree the Snapper Pro is the re-branded Ferris without the shocks.
I know both Kawasaki engines are good, but when I started looking I saw that the Snapper Pro I saw that it used the FX model which I see on more of the higher end commercial gear, and then the same with the 5400 series hydros.

The overall drive and feel seem about equal, I've only did some demoing at the dealership. The dealer seems to be fairly impartial saying both are great machines, either will serve me well, and they have had no issues with either warranty wise. (although he did mention the IS700 is a newer model for Ferris replacing the 1500 line). My land is fairly flat, but to be honest I have never mowed it at the speeds these machines can so I'm not sure how the end ride will feel.

I was looking for some advice and experience from the community on some thoughts here

Is overall the suspension greater than the engine/hydro upgrade?
Has anyone else seen pricing on these machines does it seem to be inline with what you saw?
Anyone have experience/opinions with these models that can help with decision making process

2014 Ferris Is700Z - 52'' 23HP KAWASAKI FS691V / ZT-3400 Hydros- $5,999 (pre-tax)
2014 Snapper Pro S150xt -52'' 24HP KAWASAKI FX730V ZT-5400 Hydros - $6,300 (pre-tax)

deigo said:

I'm about to pull the trigger on buying either Ferris IS700Z or a Snapper Pro S150XT. I have looked and looked, but I have narrowed it down to these two against several others that I have tested (exmark, scag, gravely,etc)

Interestingly, they are both made by the same parent co (and hey they are both red). For features and value, I think they are in a good spot in the market. I was about sold on the Ferris when I ran across the Snapper Pro.

In both models I am looking at the 52" inch deck, which as I understand it exactly the same because of who they are both made by. I also understand to some degree the Snapper Pro is the re-branded Ferris without the shocks.
I know both Kawasaki engines are good, but when I started looking I saw that the Snapper Pro I saw that it used the FX model which I see on more of the higher end commercial gear, and then the same with the 5400 series hydros.

The overall drive and feel seem about equal, I've only did some demoing at the dealership. The dealer seems to be fairly impartial saying both are great machines, either will serve me well, and they have had no issues with either warranty wise. (although he did mention the IS700 is a newer model for Ferris replacing the 1500 line). My land is fairly flat, but to be honest I have never mowed it at the speeds these machines can so I'm not sure how the end ride will feel.

I was looking for some advice and experience from the community on some thoughts here

Is overall the suspension greater than the engine/hydro upgrade?
Has anyone else seen pricing on these machines does it seem to be inline with what you saw?
Anyone have experience/opinions with these models that can help with decision making process

2014 Ferris Is700Z - 52'' 23HP KAWASAKI FS691V / ZT-3400 Hydros- $5,999 (pre-tax)
2014 Snapper Pro S150xt -52'' 24HP KAWASAKI FX730V ZT-5400 Hydros - $6,300 (pre-tax)

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I bought Ferris's is600z a few moths ago. I would say the suspension does not do anything at all. You see them moving and working but its still not a smooth ride. As far as the prices go. The price for the is700 is a good price. I was quoted that for my 600. I have not had a problem with mine. Either one you go with will please you. You will not be disappointed.

clpolcar said:

I bought Ferris's is600z a few moths ago. I would say the suspension does not do anything at all. You see them moving and working but its still not a smooth ride. As far as the prices go. The price for the is700 is a good price. I was quoted that for my 600. I have not had a problem with mine. Either one you go with will please you. You will not be disappointed.

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My opinion has always been that the fancy suspension on Ferris ZTR's(as well as the Hustler Flex Fork option or EZ-Ride system on Bad Boys) were more of a "gimmick". A good suspension seat will provide a more comfortable ride, more effectively and for less money.

I have 10 hours on my mower and I use a side catcher. Can't afford the vac system right now. Well last week it was wet. Kept clogging up and now I have really weird sounds coming from the suspension from up front. Or deck and pulleys. Like the mower but I agree with you that they don't do squat and are there to make more money

I bought the s50xt 36" with the 19 hp kawi fx l love it!! still waiting on the mulch kit tho apparently it's on back order it's been 2 month since ordered it with the machine. And I do a lot of residential with flower beds 5-10 feet across from each other so I can't even use the machine on a lot of my yards yet:/

jay stortini said:

I bought the s50xt 36" with the 19 hp kawi fx l love it!! still waiting on the mulch kit tho apparently it's on back order it's been 2 month since ordered it with the machine. And I do a lot of residential with flower beds 5-10 feet across from each other so I can't even use the machine on a lot of my yards yet:/

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Just make a discharge block. Then you can use it.

Thanks for some of the feedback guys. I have did some further reading in some other posts that the suspension on the lower end Ferris's 600 and 700 models (Not to say they are not great machines overall) the suspension setup is a little different than the higher end models 2100Z and up. That the true smooth Ferris ride that folks talk about is more in those models. Sounds like that might be the case based on some of the feedback here.

I looked at the suspension seats that one person had mentioned. The IS700 can be upgraded to the premium seat, but not the suspension seat that is reserved for the 2100Z and up by the literature.

On the Snapper S150xt its looks like you can get a suspension seat insert, but the suspension seat itself is only available as an upgrade on the model above and higher.

Anyone have an S150xt that they can give some feedback on, I just havent been able to find any real reviews on the mower... the overall components seem to be top notch.

Jay on your S50xt did you get the ICD cutting deck, I think that mower series can come with a different deck other than the ICD?

Icd deck only comes on 48" models

clpolcar said:

Just make a discharge block. Then you can use it.

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Ya I would like to just make it so it flips up if I do want to discharge or bag easily
Any ideas?

deigo said:

On the Snapper S150xt its looks like you can get a suspension seat insert, but the suspension seat itself is only available as an upgrade on the model above and higher.

Anyone have an S150xt that they can give some feedback on, I just havent been able to find any real reviews on the mower... the overall components seem to be top notch.

Click to expand...

New member here.
2 weeks ago I bought a 2011/12 Snapper Pro s150xt used with 120hrs. It has the 20hp Kaw and the 48" ICD deck. I've been learning it reading the manual and mowing. Overall I like it very much and it mows beautifully! I also have the Milsco v5300 Suspension seat. I'm sure this seat helps some but ZTR's do give a bumpy ride. Mine also has 22" tires as opposed to the 2014's which I believe have 23" tires. I would think the bigger tires the better the ride. What I don't like about this ztr is the turf tires. I would much rather have chevron type tires. I think I would prefer their traction. Comparing the hydros, both machines you are looking at have commercial grade drive trains but the Snapper's zt5400 is a beast with a 1.375" axle. Hydrogear says it has a top speed of 18mph but my s150xt probably goes only about 10mph.

Well I got my mulch kit:/ instead it and used it the reviews were right it leaves a strip of grass down the middle (Mohawks) so people suggested taking the baffle off and just use the discharge cover well if you like grass in your face and blowing all over the place from under the deck than that's great not happy using gator blades by Oregon maybe I will try the snapper mulching blades. But probably end up just side discharging which sick because I bought the s50xt for residential homes and tough to keep grass out of some gardens.
Anyone have any ideas on how I can stop this striping problem? And it's not that the grass was to long or I was going to fast.

Update! took the Oregon gator blades off and put the wavy snapper mulching blades on. Happy to say it is way better and it seems like 2 and 3/4 is the magic number as far as height adjustment goes with the mulching kit