Go BottomFerris Z turn
 | harvey
Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 1550 Moravia, NY 
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2008-09-13 156634
Looking for a new trim mower. Thinking about a 48" cut. Like the looks of the Ferris. Need everyones thoughts on any brand.
Thanks in advance Harvey
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 | cutter
Join Date: Feb 2000 Posts: 1307 The South Shore of Lake Ontario, New York
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2008-09-13 156647
Harvey,
I looked at them and found them to be of commercial quality. Ended up with a Toro because I liked the T handle steering on the belt drive. ....
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 | kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 5275 South Carolina 
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2008-09-15 156662
Harvey,
Three years ago I purchased a ZTR for trimming. What a mistake. Ended up parking the tractor and RFM! The ZTR with a 20 inch narrower deck cut my mowing time by 25%. Where the ZTR is not good is wet or slick slopes. Also if the dirt is wet not good on the turf when turning sharp.
Really enjoy our ZTR which is a Bush Hog Brand. At that time looked at almost every brand in my area. The Ferris I did not consider for one reason was hearing rumors the dealerships were dropping them. Not sure that happened. But at that time either the Toro or Ferris (same dealership) twisted their belt coming off of the motor. That has got to be a wear issue with makes no sense when they could have used a vertical shaft motor and not needed to. Again I was looking for a trimmer machine and the Ferris was higher price than others that impressed me as well. Part of that was due to the dealership no doubt. Not sure on Ferris but some of these companys make more than one product line, commerical and then a lighter duty one. My Bush Hog is Homeowners model and has served me very well. It cuts about 3 acres most weeks and our mowing season begins late March and runs until middle October normally. Can tell you in the three years, there has been a lot of lower price machines at such as TSC and models changed on all brands that I have noticed. Think at that time Toro had a stand to hold the front end up for changing blades. That would be a nice option. One big advantage a RFM has over a ZTR. One big difference to me was spindles. Some were sealed and not greasable and some had to be greased from underneath (dealer for one of those told me due to dirt on the fittings those bearings ran a short life as there were often not cleaned prior to greasing) and others (one reason I went with BH) from the top side with easy quick access. kt ....
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| cutter
Join Date: Feb 2000 Posts: 1307 The South Shore of Lake Ontario, New York
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2008-09-15 156664
My mistake, you said trim mower so I assumed you meant a walk behind.
All of the top commercial brands are high quality (I looked at them all). As mentioned, servicing can be easier on some. My Gravely has sealed bearings that are simple to change if you need to do that, many of the brands have that now. If you go with a front mounted mower, be prepared to wear a blanket of grass. At least in the zero turn models where you sit directly behind the deck. The old Ferris machines that steer with a wheel under the spring mounted seat appear the most comfortable of that type and you sit up quite a bit higher on them.
If you have a back problem, like I do, look at something with a three way suspension seat. Ferris has a suspended chassis, probably a good setup as well.
....
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 | 8x56mn
Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 167 Watkins Glen NY 
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2008-09-15 156666
I bought a IS 3000 three years ago with a 61 inch cut which is a commercial model. Great handling machine, smooth ride, very low maint., very fast. ....
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 | Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2008-09-15 156667
We've been running Ferris mowers for years, definitely top-drawer stuff.
While we don't have any of the smaller ones like you're looking for, we do have several of it's big brothers, the IS3100's and IS5100's and can certainly say that Cutter's remark about the ride quality is correct!!
Those things ride soooooo nice, if your land is at all bumpy you will be VERY happy with the way they ride, so will your back!!!
Best of luck. ....
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| harvey
Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 1550 Moravia, NY
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2008-09-15 156670
Taking home a demo for demo IS 500Z 44" cut. Only need for triming and mowing under trees plus the smaller sections of lawn if it work good. I have a yard it not smooth but not worry about ride wife use it most of time.
Thanks for input I'll keep you posted. ....
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| Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2008-09-15 156672
Harvey, given what you want it for, and your other comments in the last post, do yourself a favour, while you're at the dealers have a look at the 'old standby' 3 wheeler.
They are a LOT (IMHO) more user friendly and wayyyyy easier to learn on, besides, again IMHO, far superior for things like getting in, under, and around trees.
It was all we used for a lot of years, and will (again IMHO) be every bit as fast and maneuverable as the smaller ZTR mowers.
That and a lot of dealers have good stocks of good quality used 3 wheelers, a lot of the landscapers are buying ZTR's and trading in their 3 wheelers, you have to do a lot to kill one.
Best of luck. ....
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| cutter
Join Date: Feb 2000 Posts: 1307 The South Shore of Lake Ontario, New York
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2008-09-15 156673
Harvey,
There is a used three wheeler around here for sale. I saw it last week while traveling around and think I can find it again but can't remember exactly where it is. Want me to keep my eyes open for you?
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| harvey
Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 1550 Moravia, NY
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2008-09-16 156682
I watched a 3 wheeler trying to work on a slope/bank with damp/wet grass he not have a good time. So I not think I go that way. But that was 18 years ago with a 61" he lift deck to get some weight.
The front yard has a good slope with pine trees with lower branches trimmed. Grass and stuff grows in there. Old lawn tractor struggled on damp grass also. Hopefully this get between trees ok. I use old sickle bar to get under the trees.
I try the demo tonight and see how it go. ....
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| harvey
Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 1550 Moravia, NY
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2008-09-17 156725
Demo'ed a IS500Z with a 44" deck, had for 2 days. Wrote check for it today. I am impressed it go better up thru trees than old JD 112. It mow at rocket speed. Zip right around everything. Does not like to turn on down slope. Still have learning curve not to skid tire in turns. ....
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| cutter
Join Date: Feb 2000 Posts: 1307 The South Shore of Lake Ontario, New York
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2008-09-17 156726
Congratulations on the new toy! I can do the fast turn without digging up the lawn but making a more gradual turn at a slower speed is what I prefer, not in that much of a neck breaking hurry. You may find that works for you too. ....
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| kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 5275 South Carolina
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2008-09-18 156737
Harvery, you will enjoy it. As to those turns, Cutter's idea is how I try to turn but don't let one tire not be turning even in reverse it will do much less damage than just being a pivot point. kt ....
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