Good deals on Ferris - Any comments?

[Tville Rider]

Hi All - I have been researching zero turns for residential use but want better quality than the $3K entry level units and I'm leaning towards the commercial low end. Unfortunately, the more I learn, the price tag increases with the knowledge. I don't have acres to mow but still appreciate good quality tools and equipment and want something to last a coupe decades. I liked a number of units including the Scag Tiger Cat and Exmark Lazer Z but they are out of my price range.

I found a local Ferris dealer with a couple of good deals. With these units, it appears you get quite a bit for your dollar. They have a 44" IS600Z with a Kawi FS 18.5HP and ZT3400 trans axles for $4800. It does not have the iCD deck but it looks pretty solid. The other unit is a 48" Evolution for $4200. It has a Kawi FX 20HP with dual pump and wheel motors. The drawback to the Evolution is that it can't take a rear bagger, only the side catcher. Based on what I read, the suspension is not as good on the lower Ferris models as compared to their high end line however, the others I looked at have none so if it rode the same as the others, its fine. I drove the Evolution, certainly different but I don't have much experience on the zero turns to compare it to.

I haven't found much feedback on the Ferris machines especially the Evolution. Am I going to find something else in this quality range for $4 - $5K? Any input on these is appreciated.

 

[djdicetn]

Hi All - I have been researching zero turns for residential use but want better quality than the $3K entry level units and I'm leaning towards the commercial low end. Unfortunately, the more I learn, the price tag increases with the knowledge. I don't have acres to mow but still appreciate good quality tools and equipment and want something to last a coupe decades. I liked a number of units including the Scag Tiger Cat and Exmark Lazer Z but they are out of my price range.

I found a local Ferris dealer with a couple of good deals. With these units, it appears you get quite a bit for your dollar. They have a 44" IS600Z with a Kawi FS 18.5HP and ZT3400 trans axles for $4800. It does not have the iCD deck but it looks pretty solid. The other unit is a 48" Evolution for $4200. It has a Kawi FX 20HP with dual pump and wheel motors. The drawback to the Evolution is that it can't take a rear bagger, only the side catcher. Based on what I read, the suspension is not as good on the lower Ferris models as compared to their high end line however, the others I looked at have none so if it rode the same as the others, its fine. I drove the Evolution, certainly different but I don't have much experience on the zero turns to compare it to.

I haven't found much feedback on the Ferris machines especially the Evolution. Am I going to find something else in this quality range for $4 - $5K? Any input on these is appreciated.

Take a look at the Gravely ZT HD and Toro Titan if you have those dealers nearby and compare them to the Ferris. Not to say I have anything against Ferris as I've only heard good things about them. As you've begun to realize, it's all about the engines, trannies, deck gauge/build and warranties(and of course price, for what those components end up costing). If you're like me your head will be spinning by the time you've compared 6 different makes or so. There are a LOT of good quality ZTR's to be bought. But for $4k-$5k look at my recommendations and compare everything to the others you have looked at. Decide which features are most important to you and keep in mind a ZTR built to last 10-20 years may end up costing a bit more than you think although most in the $4k-$5k range if well maintained may last that long.

 

[Swiftchop]

Hi All - I have been researching zero turns for residential use but want better quality than the $3K entry level units and I'm leaning towards the commercial low end. Unfortunately, the more I learn, the price tag increases with the knowledge. I don't have acres to mow but still appreciate good quality tools and equipment and want something to last a coupe decades. I liked a number of units including the Scag Tiger Cat and Exmark Lazer Z but they are out of my price range.

I found a local Ferris dealer with a couple of good deals. With these units, it appears you get quite a bit for your dollar. They have a 44" IS600Z with a Kawi FS 18.5HP and ZT3400 trans axles for $4800. It does not have the iCD deck but it looks pretty solid. The other unit is a 48" Evolution for $4200. It has a Kawi FX 20HP with dual pump and wheel motors. The drawback to the Evolution is that it can't take a rear bagger, only the side catcher. Based on what I read, the suspension is not as good on the lower Ferris models as compared to their high end line however, the others I looked at have none so if it rode the same as the others, its fine. I drove the Evolution, certainly different but I don't have much experience on the zero turns to compare it to.

I haven't found much feedback on the Ferris machines especially the Evolution. Am I going to find something else in this quality range for $4 - $5K? Any input on these is appreciated.

I may seem biased towards the Ferris simply because I purchased an IS600z with a 48" iCD deck. I got it because I don't want to buy another for some time. My FIL has a 52 or 54" Hustler FasTrack and its a nice machine. I almost purchased one of the Hustler models but no stores that carried them were open in a 50 mile radius on a Saturday. Anyway, I got started on ZTRs back when eXmark was about the only option. I've seen those take all kinds of wear and still mow the grass beautifully. Nevertheless the dealers in my area weren't open and/or couldn't service them after the sale anyway.

I ended up contacting a guy that I knew sold mowers (same saturday). We discussed requirements, etc. and he ended up bringing the mower out to the house and we settled up on Monday. I got a little break in price because it was used all of 3hrs by the guy who traded it in for the same mower but with the 27hp B&S engine. For me, the Kawasaki 19.5hp has not failed yet to perform anything other than what a commercial rig should.

I'd get some more input on the non iCD deck though and my main point is to find a dealer who can stand behind their stuff.

Hope that helps.