Some help from owners of ZTR's

[cruizerjoy]

I bought my is2100 in 2014. I just love it. 29hp efi Kohler has power in spades and doesn't use much more fuel than the 18hp Briggs on my old mower. Close to 70 hours on it and the only problem has been not changing the fuel filter often enough. That efi needs clean filters to work properly. Not very careful when refueling. Lots of grime and dust on the farm. That's my fault :thumbsup: Have not had any other issues with the efi or anything else other than that. Suspension system works great and is adjustable. My "yard" or as my wife calls it "the rock pile" is very hard on lawnmowers. The Ferris just takes it and asks for more. This thing is more of a piece of equipment than a lawnmower. Money well spent and no regrets:wink:

 

[gogojuice]

Thanks for the info.

I have my eye on a Ferris is2100z 52 inch deck and vanguard EFI motor.

I think the 52 is a better size for my area.

I'm not 100% sure on my engine choice. I was leaning towards the Kawasaki.. but did a bit more reading from owners / reviews etc.
I would like to hear your thoughts on engine choice.

Last thing I was thinking about was the mulch kit. I absolutely hate clippings on my lawn that. My simplicity regent cuts them up so fine with the mulch kite that I can't even see them.
I'm hoping the ferris would do the same, but I don't know for sure. Can't seem to find any info on it.

So.. If you have any thought on that I would also appreciate it.

Thanks all

 

[cruizerjoy]

The vanguard is an excellent engine. That's the briggs that was on my old grasshopper. 16 years of service and all I did was change oil and filters. It still ran good but the rest of the mower was done. Great choice. That is what I would have bought if they would have had it in stock. But got such a good deal on the kohler couldn't pass it up. I think when it comes to the commercial engines you really cant go wrong with any brand. My moms hustler has a kawi on it and it is solid as a rock too. So unless you are just brand loyal any one of the pro series engines are good to go. Take the best deal you can find. No wrong choice. I don't have any experience with the mulching kit but have heard good things about the gator blades. sorry not much help on that. Sounds like the 54" cut is perfect for your needs. Hope you can make a great deal. The only other advice is research the dealer ask others about their service. That will be important IF you have any problems. Good luck on which ever one choose:thumbsup:

 

[Ric]

Thanks for looking...

I have 2+ acres.

I have a simplicity regent (Which I love the cut) but the build quality is just not strong enough. The frame is cracking. steering is going.
The ground used to be a pasture.. but I have tried to smooth it out.

I will be using the new mower with mulching

I also have a kubota bx2670 with a mid mount mower. I now use this on the back half of the property where it is a bit rougher.

I would like to find a mower that will cut my mowing time down, but sill allow for a great cut. I need something durable, which is why I thought of the ferris.

The other brands that I have around me are Kubota and Scag.

I was thinking of the is2100.. but would like to hear others opinions / options.

Thanks

Now this is just my opinion but if you now have a simplicity regent and you say the build quality is just not strong enough. The frame is cracking. steering is going bad why would you buy another mower made by the same company

Out of the choices you've posted the Kubota or Scag are the best. If you're looking for durability and ride comfort you may want to take a look at the Toro Z Master MyRide suspension system, they make those with the 52" 60" and 72" Turbo Force deck.

 

[gogojuice]

I don't think it had to do with the company. Rather it was the wrong size for the property. It wasn't built to take that kind of punishment.
It is what we had in the beginning. It's my opinion that most of the tractors in that size share basically the same size / strength parts.

I think a comparison would be using a small pickup truck to haul heavy stones in the box and then comparing it to a 1 tonne or commercial equipment. Over time that small pickup is going to fail no matter what the brand. It won't go as quick, won't haul as much, and won't last as long.

I will look at other models for sure.

The only other one, within an hour drive, is the Kubota dealer. Others are virtual stores. They might sell the product, you can't see it, touch it, or demo it.

 

[jekjr]

Thanks for the info.


I'm not 100% sure on my engine choice. I was leaning towards the Kawasaki.. but did a bit more reading from owners / reviews etc.
I would like to hear your thoughts on engine choice.



Thanks all

I have three Scags with the Kawasaki motors on them. One is around 1000 hours, one is 700 hour range, one is under 100 hours. I have never had an engine problem with any of the three and I would imagine that there is nobody on this forum that runs one harder than we do. In my opinion Kawasaki would be the engine of choice hands down.