Ferris commercial lawnmowers

[GrassWorx]

I was looking into buying a ferris commercial walk-behind and was wondering if any of you guys have tried them out. All pros- cons will be appreciated.

thanks for your input

[casey]

No floating deck. Confusing controls. Built to last. Don't get one.

[steve]

No floating deck. Confusing controls. Built to last. Don't get one.

:confused: 1- They have a 52" & 61" Floating Deck
:cool: 2- Easy Controls
:D 3- Built Strong
:blob3: 4- DO Get One

[casey]

Correction no floating 36 or 48. Doing mainly residentials I don't go bigger. Harder to learn than ECS or T Bar.

[iski3d]

Ferris builds a very bulletproof and very heavy duty hydro. And yes they do haev floating decks.

[awm]

the feris i looked at was under the name yardly
it was built very heavy duty

[Administrator]

If you don't know what your talking about please don't reply to a thread. Especially when it has to do with making a buying decision.

"No floating deck. Confusing controls. Built to last. Don't get one."

How smart of a answer is that? Did that REALLY help his decision?

When was the last time you owned one of these units? When was the last time you worked on one of these units? How many of them have you owned? How many hours do you have invested in them?

Harder to learn for who? You or the next guy? In my experience I could put any number of new employees on a Ferris unit and they could operate the machine.

I owned a number of Ferris units in my days. Very stong mowers, easy to service, and easy to operate. IMHO.

Just make sure you have good dealer support GrassWorx

Chuck Keough

[GrassWorx]

the dealers is giving me a good deal on these mowers. I was just scared about purchasing one because i have never heard of them. thanks for all replies they are vert helpful.

[Richard Martin]

Ferris has been building mowers for a while now. They were the first company to make a hydro walkbehind. I had a 1990 Woods (a license built Ferris) 36" up until last year. It was the hydro transaxle model. It was built like a brick outhouse. I was at the Ferris dealer Tuesday and they are still building this mower and it is almost identical. These mowers will go up and down hills that would scare a billygoat. Side to side on hills leaves a litle to be desired because they have a high center of gravity.

[Grassman]

Their 61" walkbehind looks like it has a really wide stance and could hug a hill. I've never used one but you can tell by looking at them that they are built tough. Russ

[casey]

Forgot Ferris was a sponser. No negative opinions allowed? As far as I know there's no floating 36 or 44 which is important if your looking for that deck size. After trying the Ferris Hydro I found it more difficult to operatre than the T Bar or ECS. Sorry to have a negative opinion but I prefer Exmark and Toro based on my experiences.

[John from OH]

I've been cutting grass commercially for 17 years. I've owned or tried about every mower on the market. I switched to Ferris in 92 and have never looked back. On average my crews get 5 years our of a Ferris with a Kawasaki, 4 years with a Kohler. Our repairs have been limited to igniters on the engines, belts, and a few spindle bearings. As the others have stated, Ferris builds a heavy duty mower. I just bought another 61" 3 wheel rider this morning over the phone and the dealer had it in my one of my crews hands by noon. I won't get to play on it til later tonight.

[Administrator]

Please read the posting guidelines!

Everyone has an opinion but your opinion is NOT backed up with FACTS! Facts are VERY important when they might sway a person from buying a piece of equipment that will make or break their lively hood.
I don't care if its my sponsor or not. As mentioned before.. BACK your opinion up with facts. Im sick of people slammin one manufacturer or the other based on "opinions"

You say floating deck its important.. important to whom? You or the next guy? When I shopped for a 36" unit I could care less if it had a floating deck or not. I only used this unit to get places I could not get my ZTR's.


Again! Backup your opinions.. Why do you think the units controls are harder to use than T-bar or ECS? Do you have small hands or short thumbs? Can't you push the thumb control in? EXPLAIN to Grassworx in complete detail so he can make a better decision based on your opinion.

Chuck

[Ground Pounder]

Like you said...exmark works for me but maybe not the other guy. It is good to share your experiences. When I came to LawnSite, I received a wonderful welcome and good info from the members on making a major purchase. The info included both pros and cons...not just cons.

[Finecut]

Casey,

How many 44" Ferris mowers have you seen? I don't think they build one.

Grassworx,

The Dual Drive Hydro Ferris is a real work horse. You should look at about $3800.00 plus tax for Dual Drive 52"/17hp Kawi. The 48" Single Drive Hydro 48"/14hp Kawi. is about $2700.00 plus tax. The 52" Gear Drive with 14hp/Kawi. will run about $2250.00 plus tax. Those are good prices! You won't be sorry you bought a Ferris if you have a good dealer!

[steve]

[QUOTE]The Dual Drive Hydro Ferris is a real work horse. You should look at about $3800.00 plus tax for Dual Drive 52"/17hp Kawi. The 48" Single Drive Hydro 48"/14hp Kawi. is about $2700.00 plus tax. The 52" Gear Drive with 14hp/Kawi. will run about $2250.00 plus tax. Those are good prices! You won't be sorry you bought a Ferris if you have a good dealer!

Those prices are cheap! are you sure they're right??

[casey]

OK 48".
As far as backing up my statements I do over 150 residentials a week. I run a 36 Metro(fixed) & 36 TTHP(floating). About 30 properties I wouldn't touch with the fixed deck. Maybe our lawns are bumpier in Canada.
When test running the 36 hydro drive Ferris and the Exmark TTHP I preferred the ECS.
Can I say that?
I slammed the Sutech Stealth, used it for 1 day, in another post and noone said boo.

[Finecut]

Steve,

Have them right here in front of me. They are spring specials on 2001 models. These prices are for cash payment. Very good prices, just goes to show you the mark-up some dealers add and then tell what a great deal they are giving you.

Casey,

What you wrote about the Sutech Stealth was something factual, what you wrote about the Ferris wasn't 100% correct...that seemed to be the bone of contention.

[casey]

Ferris is a sponser Sutech is not?????
Didn't back up Sutech statement with fact. Used it for one day. Hated it.
Test drove Ferris, seemed solid, didn't like the controls, wanted a floating 36. Didn't hate it but didn't fit the bill.


If Ferris makes a floating 36 or 48 please inform me.



Chuck, lighten up.

Can I say that?

[Keith]

If I were gonna buy a large Hydro walkbehind, it would likely be the Ferris Dual Hydro. It has a three year hydro warranty, tough to beat. I think it used to be 5 years though.

[Administrator]

Im listening.... but, its 5:25 am and Im beat....

I will reply tomorrow when I wake up around 12 noon ;)



:blob3:

[HOMER]

Theres a dealer in Birmingham going out of business..............he has some excellent prices on Ferris mowers and related goodies. I saw a price list sent from someone else and I couldn't believe it. Your not that far so I would check them out..........need more info e-mail me.

[casey]

Can you use Mobil 1 Tri Synthetic in Ferris petrolium based hydro system?:angel:
Is there a dual hydro 36?:angel:

[GrassWorx]

i live very close to birmingham and the pices i was quoted were alot cheaper from the dealer going out of bussiness. I am probaly going to get one thanks for all the information guys.

[Alan]

I took a Ferris dual hydro for a walkabout at Expo a couple years ago, it seemed like a nice machine to me. Tested a Ferrie IRS on my sites as well, it would run faster than my Exmark over sandy soil infested with anthills. I'll bet the new 4 wheel IS Ferris is a killer rig. Problem is that there is no dealer here now.