OK, This Is What I Was Told

[rodfather]

Ferrris 32" Hydro WB.


Been a lot of stuff said back and forth about Ferris's 32" WB. Today, I went and chatted with the Second in Command at a big Ferris Distributorship close by (who also happen to be a client of mine). These people handle all the Dealers in PA (including yours GarPA), NJ, DE, MD, Long Island, plus a couple of counties in Southern NY. That adds up to over 100 Dealers.

I asked,

"How come guys on LS are telling me they can't see this new 32" WB and demo it?" His reply was, "Their local Dealer hasn't purchased one yet, that's why". And on top of that he said, "And many Dealers won't even bother because the machine is too small for them, they only deal in Z's, or WB's, etc."

So if you want to see/demo one of these units, bottom line is, your Dealer needs to buy one first. I guess Ferris is not going to arbitrarily send one out to each Dealer to be put on the showroom floor.

This Distributor told me they just sent out around 40 of them to their Dealers in the last week or so...maybe one will wind up at yours. Hope this helps clear up some confusion. Oh, almost forgot. You don't steer them with brakes and they come with either fixed or swivel front casters.

BTW, don't shoot me, I'm only the messenger guy...LOL

[65hoss]

:gunsfirin RodFather :gunsfirin

Sounds like there is a dealer problem then.

[rodfather]

Originally posted by 65hoss
:gunsfirin RodFather :gunsfirin

Sounds like there is a dealer problem then.


Dunno hoss...at least they were straightforward with me. I just questioned the fact if you want to introduce and market a new product, free demos should be available...at least a couple anyway.

But I also understood when they said they weren't just going to put one in every Dealer's showroom for whatever reason. We'll see I guess.

BTW, I was told that the 2 Dealers out by GarPA probably would not purchase one without a commitment from a customer. They don't stock equipment that small.

[paponte]

Hey rodfather, this is a little off the subject. Is it really worth it to spend the extra on a hydro 32? I usually just get hydro's on my larger machines for ground speed on open areas. Most of the areas I need a 32 for are small backyards. Just a question

:confused:

[Gravely_Man]

That is strange to say the least. I would not ever contemplate buying anything mower wise without being able to demo it. Thanks for letting us know!



Gravely_Man

[rodfather]

Originally posted by paponte
Hey rodfather, this is a little off the subject. Is it really worth it to spend the extra on a hydro 32? I usually just get hydro's on my larger machines for ground speed on open areas. Most of the areas I need a 32 for are small backyards. Just a question

:confused:


Well that is one of the nice things about this mower...it is hydro and sells for only $2400.

This whole discussion about this unit came up months ago when GarPA asked if I knew anything about it. He told me he had slopes that a 22" took too long and weed-whacking them left them looking kind of shabby...hence the 32" maybe. I told him I was unfamiliar with it, but would check it out since I have some pull with the Mid Atlantic Ferris Distributor (not only are they a client, but the President and I went to high school together).

I ran it last Fall and liked it. Plenty of power, steers easy, deck raises and lowers fast, and has front-locking castors for slopes (I believe that is what got GarPA originally so interested in it for the first place) for some of his accounts.

This unit also comes in a belt drive too I might add. It's kind of funny...even though this machine is hydro, Ferris really doesn't consider this a commercial machine. Commercial to them is their 36" model.

GarPA wanted the hydro vs. belt for the slopes he would be cutting. Your situation may be similiar or different...I can't say.

[paponte]

Gotcha!! :D

[Boycea]

Does the 32" Ferris look like a commercial walk-behind, or does it look more like a 22" self propelled? Any pictures available?

[rodfather]

Originally posted by Boycea
Does the 32" Ferris look like a commercial walk-behind, or does it look more like a 22" self propelled? Any pictures available?


It looks and runs like a commercial WB...it's 6'2" long...it's a nice unit and I think for the applications it's intended for, it will prove itself admirably.

my 2 cents

[kutnkru]

Rod

If you plan to purchase this unit with steep hilss in mind I would think you're looking at it backwards.

The wider the deck the better the stability. I know of several hillsides we attempted with a 36 hydro that were just too steep for that small a deck that do much better with a wider unit.

Just my .02

[Green Finger]

Rod,

Where the pics?:dizzy:

[kutnkru]

I just looked at the specs for that machine.

Did you notice that it says 37" wide -- That completely depletes the purpose of getting a 32 to access most 36" gates!!

It seems that many of the other 32"wb are between 32.5 and 34" wide which WILL fit thru the smaller gates. Odds are this machine will not.

[brucec32]

Remove or do a little cutting with a hacksaw and the mower will be just over 32" wide. It's the discharge shoot not flipping all the way up that is the problem due to clearance issues.

This mower has to be steered by muscle power, and is its only real flaw. I tested one out. Good mower for $2400, but the deck doesn't really float, it just adjusts quickly, I believe.

The addition of a couple of steering brakes would make this a great unit. I predict it will either be withdrawn totally or redesigned with a real steering system. No homeowner will pay $2400 to walk, and pros may not want to manhandle it to steer it. It's light, but not that light. And to do hills, you have to stop and lock the casters.

I think the thumb control of speed and forward/reverse is cool. Is this what the single hydro sd? units use?

[Meier]

I bought a Ferris 32" Hydro. I love it. It fits easily through a standard gate. 13 HP kawasaki. I can mow knee high weeds, green and juicy, no problem.

This machine is good. It is kind of hard to steer, though.

DFW, TX

[Benry1234]

Rodfather, I better watch what I say when you are in my office. From what I heard a few weeks ago, I don't think the locking front caster will be on future production of the HC32. I am not sure if it was a cost issue or they may not feel it is nessesary.
Benry:blob3:

[rodfather]

Originally posted by Benry1234
Rodfather, I better watch what I say when you are in my office. From what I heard a few weeks ago, I don't think the locking front caster will be on future production of the HC32. I am not sure if it was a cost issue or they may not feel it is nessesary.
Benry:blob3:


thanks for the head's up:) ... a lot of people have asked me about that mower.

[adrianvbarrera]

I looked at this mower but manual steering is what killed the deal.
The price is really good.
I am going to purchase a 36" SCAG instead.
I demoed it and thought that it would be the machine for me.

Adrian

[Meier]

Can you get a 36" mower through residential gates?

DFW, TX

[LakeSide Lawn and Landscape]

In most gates you can:)

[brucec32]

Originally posted by LakeSide Lawn and Landscape
In most gates you can:)

They must make smaller gates here. I bought a 32" mower to replace my 36" specifically because I coudln't get the 36" through several gates that were nominally 36" wide.

[LawnCrafters]

I just bought this mower on thurs day and got it home Friday. And so far I love it. Once you get the hang of the single drive you can turn it as if it were a dual drive hydro. I wasn't so sure about the manual steering at first but after demoing it and now using it a little bit it's no problem at all.
It doesn't have the locking casters. The distributor said they aren't going to put them on the production models. Don't think I'd really use them much anyway.

[LawnsRUsInc.]

I have a 32" WB and i love it yes it sux for those larger yards but we just use it for trimming or for small areas in lawns. I would recommend it way way over a 22".
Jason