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I apologize in advance for the very long post...

I've run a ferris 61" walk behind for 4 years now. I put about 800-900 hours on it. I am considering buying an exmark tt 60" with the efi kohler engine . Although I have no problems with my ferris other than the fact that reliability may start to lack as it gets older. I am just ready for something better?

I went to the dealership to talk about the Exmark 60" EFI, The machine seems to be well built. Here are my likes and dislikes although I did not demo the unit yet.

Likes: I like that there is much less greasing than the Ferris. I like the vent system instead of the vent at the top of the gas cap where moisture and leaf dust can make it in the tank. I like the EFI engine. Up to 25% better fuel efficiency, according to their specs, if I use the machine for 600 hours, I should save around $635-650 in fuel, or around $1.05 per hour (my numbers may be a bit off). Less carbon build up. The blades do not over tighten. With the Ferris, if you hit the ground/something else, or if you leave the blades on for a long time, they become very hard to take off. With the Exmark spindles, they are not supposed to get tighter than when you tightened them. I'm not sure about the baffle up front under the deck and how they compare to the Ferris comfort control DD, but the Exmark TT is supposed to prevent grass and hopefully leaves from coming out of the front. The air system seems to be unique with the air pulling through and any dust circulates out of the vent on the air filter cover. The speed seems to be a bit faster according to the specs. The hydro fluid does not need to be changed, just the filters. With the smart computer (?) at the shop, they plug in and find out what is wrong with it, and hopefully saving on diagnosis and repair time. The machine seems to be relatively maintenance free. Finally, everything that needs maintenance seems to be relatively accessible.

Dislikes: The air filter cover has the vent and I would be worried that dust from mulching leaves will enter through there and clog the filter up faster. I use a leaf loader and the mowers are on the trailer behind it, so they get covered in dust. The hand controls seem a bit harder to operate. It seems the ECS will cause more fatigue in my hands, fingers and wrists than the pistol grip. Also, with the pistol grip, I can put my weight on the machine and lift the front end up so I do not hit a pot hole, a rock, or a sprinkler head etc. The height adjustment will be much harder than the Ferris. The deck is heavy, I change my height often. I have many different types of grass I cut, and I have the occasional customer that wants the grass cut "really low" although I try to talk them out of it. I think I will hurt my back lifting the deck up 4 times to adjust the height many times per day. It seems they should have an easier way, like some sort of spring system with a lock that helps you lift it then hold it in place. The machine is much heavier than the ferris (or it seems like it is) This may be good and bad. On hills going up, the front end should not lift up. Going sideways, I'd be afraid on a wet hill (which I have a few that stay wet and the ferris slides but I can get it out of there) the weight will cause it to slide more although simple physics says that more weight should grab the ground more. I'm not sure how it will handle because a heavier machine that is sliding and the extra weight of the machine will be working against it and pulling it down the hill faster going sideways. The hydro lines seem like they could catch on something and get pulled out. I know they are quite flexible, but if I hit a sturdy branch or something (which I don't plan to and I am usually focused on what I'm doing unless a pretty girl drives by, or is out tanning!) the lines could pull out, or get damaged. Also the ECS controls do not seem as safe as the Ferris. I like with the ferris that I can use my foot to stop the speed and come to a stop while my hands keep the mower from getting away. The Exmark has the lock that you can put on but that seems strange to me. I'm sure its just because I'm not used to it.

Overall, the three things that have me worried about purchasing an Exmark TT over another Ferris Comfort Control DD is the deck adjustment, the ECS controls and safety compared to Ferris, and the fact that it will be hard to lift the front end should I need to.

If anyone just read that book, can you chime in if you have either run both machines, or just one of them. If I am going to buy a new mower, I need to do so before march 5th, to take advantage of special pricing and financing, so any input to sway me is greatly appreciated.

All I can say at this point is that I am in the same boat. I have been looking at both and am having a tough time making a decision. I do like ex marks cut over ferris, but as you say, the deck height adjustment is key. Keep us up to date on your choice.

i bought a Exmark and have never looked back

Hopefully I can demo the exmark this week. I can always try to get my lawns to be cut at the same height. That way, I won't be changing height much. Or having a small jack or something like it to lift the deck a bit. My ferris has had to have the deck adjusted a few times with the floating deck. One side was cutting at least an inch lower than the other. Exmarks do not need adjustments so that is a plus.

There is a way to get the front end of an exmark up, I am just hoping I can do it with ease. When I need to pop the front end up and down several times because of uneven ground it isn't too hard with the ferris. It's wet here so I couldn't do real world testing in the exmark.

I don't have any personal experience with either mower, but if I was in your shoes I would choose the Exmark. But you would probably be happy with the Ferris, too. Please let us know what you decide! :smile:

Larson Lawn Care said:

Hopefully I can demo the exmark this week. I can always try to get my lawns to be cut at the same height. That way, I won't be changing height much. Or having a small jack or something like it to lift the deck a bit. My ferris has had to have the deck adjusted a few times with the floating deck. One side was cutting at least an inch lower than the other. Exmarks do not need adjustments so that is a plus.

There is a way to get the front end of an exmark up, I am just hoping I can do it with ease. When I need to pop the front end up and down several times because of uneven ground it isn't too hard with the ferris. It's wet here so I couldn't do real world testing in the exmark.

Click to expand...

But adjusting the height is a thing that is usually done often so you might want to look into the Ferris. Yes, you COULD cut the lawns all the same height, but it would be better if you could change the height if you wanted to fairly easily. Also, the controls are a major part of it, too.....so demo-ing both mowers is probably the best thing to do! :smile:

I'd be willing to experience a new deck because the floating deck with crank and chains has cost me a couple hundred to fix already. It still seems to cut uneven in hills. When I'm going sideways on a hill, the side to the bottom of the hill cuts noticeably lower. I think the deck shifts a bit and it swings down an inch or two because of the chains. I'm trying to figure out an easy attachment to the exmark to assist in lifting and holding the deck up.