First ZT - Gravel Pro Turn 52 - Ferris IS700 - Exmark Pioneer S - Snapper Pro Sx150t

[DSepe]

back to snapper pro-----never paid much attention to them until reading specs and saw the zt 5400 trans on the sx150 and sx200 models....went and drove a 200 and was dissapointed that it did not go as fast as i thought it would [ 10 mph ].....told dealer and he could not understand either......anyway he is getting more in within 2 weeks and i am going back.....maybe the hydto was not warmed up or something.....i know it was not 10 mph because i had just drove a bobcat fastcat and it is 10 mph and was much faster......what i see in snapper pro is a solid built mower with a good looking deck and many options to choose from on engines......dealer told me 6000 out the door on a 52 inch s150xt with 26 horse vanguard......if the speed issue can be worked out i am seriously considering it......icd is same deck as ferris because they are basically the same company

I wouldn't hesitate on a s150xt for that price that's like a Ferris 2100z without suspension. Ferris pricing for dealer is $6,971.17 retail is $8,399 obviously this must not represent Snapper dealer pricing because he would lose money. Do you know retail on that machine? Iron spindles on 52" and flat free casters not bad at all. Of course do what you think is best...I demoed the fast cat and they fly...most likely the weight difference 840 vs 1171 or 705 if you demoed fastcat pro se.

 

[ddbtdd]

back to snapper pro----- was dissapointed that it did not go as fast as i thought it would [ 10 mph ].....told dealer and he could not understand either......anyway he is getting more in within 2 weeks and i am going back.....maybe the hydto was not warmed up or something.....i know it was not 10 mph because i had just drove a bobcat fastcat and it is 10 mph and was much faster......what i see in snapper pro is a solid built mower with a good looking deck and many options to choose from on engines......dealer told me 6000 out the door on a 52 inch s150xt with 26 horse vanguard......if the speed issue can be worked out i am seriously considering it......icd is same deck as ferris because they are basically the same company

Hmmm... I have a 2012 s150xt with an FX 20hp Kaw and I would bet it does every bit of 10 mph. Now I just changed the trans oil and filters and purged out all the air so I'm not sure if the one at your dealer may be need to be purged or something.
Hydrogear rates the zt5400 up to 18mph which I think it would be insane mowing that fast on that mower but anyhow my buddy told me if I wanted it to go faster there is an adjustment to do so. My land is much too bumpy to cut any faster than 8mph even with the premium Milsco seat. The Snapper Pro also lays a beautiful cut.
Everyone makes the best mower until it breaks down and I'm sure you can find a better mower than a SP but maybe not a better one for the money.
Snapper, Ferris and Simplicity are all owned by Briggs. I once had a 10hp Simplicity rider and you could almost cut hay with that thing...

 

[DSepe]

Hmmm... I have a 2012 s150xt with an FX 20hp Kaw and I would bet it does every bit of 10 mph. Now I just changed the trans oil and filters and purged out all the air so I'm not sure if the one at your dealer may be need to be purged or something. Hydrogear rates the zt5400 up to 18mph which I think it would be insane mowing that fast on that mower but anyhow my buddy told me if I wanted it to go faster there is an adjustment to do so. My land is much too bumpy to cut any faster than 8mph even with the premium Milsco seat. The Snapper Pro also lays a beautiful cut. Everyone makes the best mower until it breaks down and I'm sure you can find a better mower than a SP but maybe not a better one for the money. Snapper, Ferris and Simplicity are all owned by Briggs. I once had a 10hp Simplicity rider and you could almost cut hay with that thing...

I agree with everything you said. Had a simplicity riding mower for 26 years before the clutch went bad and I upgraded to a Ferris ZTR

 

[wdrdoctor]

Why haven't you been able to get a price on the Toro yet ?

 

[Nwatson99]

I should have said "the reason companies don't have Ferris looking suspension...." I see my small mistake has cost me dearly and everyone wants to bash me now...enjoy.

No bashing from me what so ever just correcting a little oversight in thought is all. :thumbsup:

JD had a great front wheel suspension system going "saw the video of it" and like a big dummy they abandoned it and I am betting the R&D under-engineered it and the suspension system probably failed.
I hope they get their act together, get the engineering corrected and put it out on the market, I know I will purchase a set from my ztrak when they do.

 

[DSepe]

No bashing from me what so ever just correcting a little oversight in thought is all. :thumbsup: JD had a great front wheel suspension system going "saw the video of it" and like a big dummy they abandoned it and I am betting the R&D under-engineered it and the suspension system probably failed. I hope they get their act together, get the engineering corrected and put it out on the market, I know I will purchase a set from my ztrak when they do.

Haha all is well...I'm sure your used to all the JD bashing that goes on around here anyways (ex: JD decks are garbage...yadda yadda). More and more companies are putting some form of suspension on ZTR's. I believe the way Scag isolates the entire operator makes the most sense. No cut compromise or bump/vibration absorption to upper body through the legs. As you have stated JD may have abandoned if it was under-engineered but don't be surprised if it comes back.

 

[captain ron]

Why haven't you been able to get a price on the Toro yet ?

Sorry I forgot to update that price....I have two toro dealers close to me. This is recent as of this weekend. The first one quoted the zmaster 2000 52" with the current $500 rebate at 7000 pre-tax which based on what I know is high. That same dealer quoted the 52" 3000 at 8000 pre-tax. The next dealer (which is master toro dealer) doesn't stock the zmaster 2000 because they weren't selling much of it, and people either went with the Titan MX or went to the Zmaster 3000 for the price difference. His price on the Zmaster 3000 52" was 7,399 (includes the rebate) pre-tax (600 cheaper than the other dealer).

I also looked this weekend at the Pioneer S 60" with the Kohler and suspension seat with the ultra cut 4 deck. This is the same one that Van had mentioned in a previous reply, but the local dealer didnt have one in at the time. I understand why he went that way, vs the standard Pioneer S with one of the lesser decks and seats this machine looks supreme and is very nice. They were at 6,999 pre-tax on it.

 

[Vanousb]

Sorry I forgot to update that price....I have two toro dealers close to me. This is recent as of this weekend. The first one quoted the zmaster 2000 52" with the current $500 rebate at 7000 pre-tax which based on what I know is high. That same dealer quoted the 52" 3000 at 8000 pre-tax. The next dealer (which is master toro dealer) doesn't stock the zmaster 2000 because they weren't selling much of it, and people either went with the Titan MX or went to the Zmaster 3000 for the price difference. His price on the Zmaster 3000 52" was 7,399 (includes the rebate) pre-tax (600 cheaper than the other dealer).

I also looked this weekend at the Pioneer S 60" with the Kohler and suspension seat with the ultra cut 4 deck. This is the same one that Van had mentioned in a previous reply, but the local dealer didnt have one in at the time. I understand why he went that way, vs the standard Pioneer S with one of the lesser decks and seats this machine looks supreme and is very nice. They were at 6,999 pre-tax on it.

Sounds like you are taking your time and working on the best deal. Good for you. If your dealer gets one in. an you get the chance to ride the Exmark I would like to know how you think they compare to the other two you are looking at. Did not ride a toro as we did not have a local that carried. The demo ride of the Pioneer S helped solidify my decision. Seem to recall the Pioneer is more in line with the Zmaster 3000 when you look at specs and priced with bigger mowing deck little less the price. Either way, have fun and good luck on the dealing making. Keep us updated. haha

 

[chemingthroughtheleather]

In a highly competitive market I would strongly factor in the service reputation of the dealer.Don't be penny wise and pound foolish!

 

[Shughes717]

I did exactly what you did when I bought my mower in 2012. Price was important, but I wanted a mower that was built well so it would last me for 15 years or more. I also wanted to be sure I had a great dealer close in case I needed parts. I come from a farming family so I have had a lot of experience with machinery. I went with the snapper pro s150xt for three reasons. First was the quality of the main components. Like you I noticed that the snapper pro was the only brand to offer the fx series Kawi engine and the zt5400 hydro pumps for under 6000. The fx series engine is top of the line Kawi. The zt5400 are the largest of the hydro gear pumps. 10 mph is plenty fast for me. Second was support. Have a couple of great dealers in my area. Have not had any problems with my mower yet but i know they can handle any repairs that may be needed. Finally was price. S150xt 20hp fx series Kawi 48" icd deck for under 6000. No other brand offered those features for less than 8000. As for the ride, the suspension seat is available on the snapper pro and I would suggest trying to get your dealer to throw that in if you make the deal. I would love to have a ferris with the same features as my snapper pro but the price just isn't right for me. The benefits to the suspension to me would go beyond the ride. With independent suspension it would be easier to keep the deck down on uneven parts of the lawn (witch I have in a couple of areas). As for the comments on that scalping your lawn, that's what the anti scalping wheels on the deck are for. I mow 4.2 acres with my snapper pro. It's a great machine. It handles all types of grass well, except white clover. Didn't want that in my yard anyway so I mounted a spray boom and a 25 gallon tank on my mower. Can take the tank off easily when not in use.