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Hi I am new to this site.I am thinking about buying a new ztr. I can get a new hustler fastrack 54" with a kaw fr691 engine or a ferris 700z with a briggs 810 cc commercial series v twin engine for about the same amount of money. They are both 2015 models. Which one would you guys buy

If I am right, I have read somewhere that the Briggs Vanguard is a very good engine and not like all thoe other Brigg engines. If that is true then I would say that both machines that you have been checking out have good engines (I like Kawi engines).

The most important is dealer support. You want a dealer close by that can serve you well if you have problems with your machine. Next, check to see which one has the best drives and the best warranty. Finnaly, if you can, try them out to see which one you like.

Personnaly, I would say that both are good mowers. It all depends on personnal preference. Ferris does have a nice suspension for a smooth ride, but you have to get use to not "flooring it" when starting from a stop. Otherwise it won't cut well (deck will rise).

Ferris IS 700z hands down for me.

The same dealer has both machines.

Well, I just got a Ferris. So, I do have to say Ferris since I like them. My judgement is biaised tho.

I don't think the 810 briggs commercial turf motor ia a vanguard

rmo826 said:

Hi I am new to this site.I am thinking about buying a new ztr. I can get a new hustler fastrack 54" with a kaw fr691 engine or a ferris 700z with a briggs 810 cc commercial series v twin engine for about the same amount of money. They are both 2015 models. Which one would you guys buy

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Which ZTR doesn't really make a difference. I'd do some research and look at the spec's and find out things like what drives are in each, do they both have the commercial drives? What gauge is the frame and mowing deck? What do they have for spindles, are they sealed or are they the type you play with and grease every 25 hrs. Same with the front wheels, are they sealed or do you grease them? Things that really matter and that you may have too deal with down the road.

Things to consider and a lot to me would depend on how you are going to use the machine. Do you have a lawn business or are you a homeowner and how much machine do you actually need for what you'll be mowing. It's been a long proven fact that Hustler has always made a good if not one of the best commercial machine on the market and has for years. The problem is your basically comparing a cheap commercial ferris to a residential Hustler and it's not a real good comparison. If you want to compare the ferris to a Hustler you would have to look at least at the Fastrak SD to have a fair comparison.

rmo826 said:

I don't think the 810 briggs commercial turf motor ia a vanguard

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The Briggs & Stratton Commercial Turf Series motor isn't a Vanguard, it's a glorified In-tek with a new air system, at least that is what was told to me. You can get the Vanguard in the 810cc but it will cost you more.

Ric said:

The Briggs & Stratton Commercial Turf Series motor isn't a Vanguard, it's a glorified In-tek with a new air system, at least that is what was told to me. You can get the Vanguard in the 810cc but it will cost you more.

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That is not a true statement and you know it. The Vanguard is Briggs top of the line commercial engine (comparable to FX series Kawasaki). Mad mackie has gone into detail about the differences between the commercial turf and the Intek engine. The commercial turf engine has been out long enough now to prove it is a reliable mid level commercial engine (comparable to the FS series Kawasaki). Can't give an opinion on an engine you have no experience with.

I am a home owner that mows around 3 acres. As I stated I can buy either one for around 5500 dollars. I am leaning towards the Ferris 700 because of the suspension system. I have read some bad reviews about the kaw FR691 developing oil leaks. the briggs 810 is 27hp as the Kaw is23 hp. They told me both machines are considered light commercial. It seems like the dealer was pushing the Fastrac. Maybe he wanted to get rid of that machine

rmo826 said:

I am a home owner that mows around 3 acres. As I stated I can buy either one for around 5500 dollars. I am leaning towards the Ferris 700 because of the suspension system. I have read some bad reviews about the kaw FR691 developing oil leaks. the briggs 810 is 27hp as the Kaw is23 hp. They told me both machines are considered light commercial. It seems like the dealer was pushing the Fastrac. Maybe he wanted to get rid of that machine

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The Hustler Fastrak is listed on the Hustler site as a Residential Mower, it does have the 3100 drives which are commercial drives though. The FR691 is a good engine but it is the low end Kawasaki and used on a lot of residential mowers. I would think if they were 2015 they could do better on the price than $5500.00 that seems a little much to me but I guess it depends on what part of the country your in.

rmo826 said:

I am a home owner that mows around 3 acres. As I stated I can buy either one for around 5500 dollars. I am leaning towards the Ferris 700 because of the suspension system. I have read some bad reviews about the kaw FR691 developing oil leaks. the briggs 810 is 27hp as the Kaw is23 hp. They told me both machines are considered light commercial. It seems like the dealer was pushing the Fastrac. Maybe he wanted to get rid of that machine

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Both mowers are well built. Both have commercial grade decks tha leave a good cut. The Ferris has a better engine and hydros, however, the suspension on the IS700 does not travel as much as the higher end models. The suspension does improve the ride some, but a suspension seat on another mower will offer about as comfortable of a ride. As far as most bang for your buck, the Ferris is the better mower of the two. Ric was right about comparing the two. The Fastrack sd is the mower that compares to the IS700.

The 2016 IS700z Ferris can be bought with the Briggs & Stratton 810cc 27hp commercial turf series motor or the Kawasaki FS691V 726cc 23hp motor for $500 more. If you are talking 52" deck. If you go to the 61" deck there are 3 different motor choices.

If I am correct, the B&S Commercial Turf motor is not the same as a Vanguard. The Vanguard is maybe assembled by Briggs but not made by Briggs? Not sure but they have some kind of connection.

I myself am shopping and looking at Ferris IS700z and IS2100z mowers in a 52" deck width.
I am wondering if the Briggs Commercial motor is good enough or if the Kawasaki is worth $500 more on the IS700z.

When you get to the IS2100z the motor choices are Vanguard 26hp 810cc , Vanguard 28hp 810cc EFI (+$500) or Kawasaki FX801V25.5hp 852cc (+$600) and you get bigger wheels/tires and ZT4400 hydro over the ZT3400 on the IS700....

Prices start at $6,099 on the IS700z and start at $8,499 on the IS2100z

MorrisGray said:

The 2016 IS700z Ferris can be bought with the Briggs & Stratton 810cc 27hp commercial turf series motor or the Kawasaki FS691V 726cc 23hp motor for $500 more. If you are talking 52" deck. If you go to the 61" deck there are 3 different motor choices.

If I am correct, the B&S Commercial Turf motor is not the same as a Vanguard. The Vanguard is maybe assembled by Briggs but not made by Briggs? Not sure but they have some kind of connection.

I myself am shopping and looking at Ferris IS700z and IS2100z mowers in a 52" deck width.
I am wondering if the Briggs Commercial motor is good enough or if the Kawasaki is worth $500 more on the IS700z.

When you get to the IS2100z the motor choices are Vanguard 26hp 810cc , Vanguard 28hp 810cc EFI (+$500) or Kawasaki FX801V25.5hp 852cc (+$600) and you get bigger wheels/tires and ZT4400 hydro over the ZT3400 on the IS700....

Prices start at $6,099 on the IS700z and start at $8,499 on the IS2100z

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You are right, the commercial turf engine is not the same as the vanguard. The Vanguard engine is actually made by Daihatsu, which is owned by Toyota. Briggs entered into an "alliance" with Daihatsu.

It appears that Ferris is having frequent V belt failures on some of their machines.
I have yet to hear if there has been any resolve to this problem.
Briggs and Kawasaki engines are horsepower rated by different standards, not sure why.
It appears to me that Briggs is separating the Vanguard line of engines from the Briggs name and starting a new line.

Mad Mackie said:

It appears that Ferris is having frequent V belt failures on some of their machines.
I have yet to hear if there has been any resolve to this problem.
Briggs and Kawasaki engines are horsepower rated by different standards, not sure why.
It appears to me that Briggs is separating the Vanguard line of engines from the Briggs name and starting a new line.

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I have read that thread concerning the belt on the IS700z, but I have an s150xt with the same ICD deck and belt configuration. I have not had any problems with the belt on my mower. Several people in my area also run mowers with the same deck and have had no issues. I think it's more of an issue with that particular mower.