I was originally looking at simplicity "home/commercial" mowers. Theyre stuff $6000-8000 was NOT commercial but seemed commercial quality and more heavy duty. I came across financing for 24 mo no interest same as cash so its hard to pass up. My local dealer has a Ferris 1000z which is NOT the suspension model with the Kohler 27hp, only they kawasaki have the suspension. They have one left for $6195. Its usually $ 7299 though. Thats a hell of a discount. The other model was a IS which is the suspension 3000zx which is the 27Hp kohler and FULL independant suspension for $8899.. Which i dont think is a bad price but the 6k range is much more attractive.
Both have the same 61" Deck and 27hp kohler engines. Im going to "test drive" both to see how different they are. Any opinions on these? Theyve seem to be highly recommended like Exmark and John Deere.
Once you try the IS you will love it. I just bought the IS 4500 and love it. the cut is great and the ride is like driving a cadillac over the toughest terrain. the IS is what sold me.
I very recently went through lots of shopping and research and demoed a 1000Z. It had the 23HP Kawasaki and they wanted $6,500. I have the brochure right here in front of me and was about to say that they all have IS, but now I see that the Kohler models you talk about don't have the IS in front of the model number.
I personally was absolutely BENT on getting a Kawasaki powered mower this time. It might turn out to be the worst mistake I ever made, but I have had trouble with B&S and Kohlers both, so I'm ready for a change.
The IS is really nice, but I am looking for RUGGEDNESS. To me the IS is just a bunch more parts to have to eventually replace. For this reason, if I had no trouble buying a Kohler powered mower I would see the standard frame 1000Z to be a legitimate choice.
Once you try the IS you will love it. I just bought the IS 4500 and love it. the cut is great and the ride is like driving a cadillac over the toughest terrain. the IS is what sold me.
Mr mow, why is the deisel a big option? the 4500s also come in the 35 Gas Briggs big block that seems to be a nice Water cooled motor too, i think 28hp deisel or 35hp gas is just way more than i need, plus how much power do you need on a 61" deck if you can only go 10mph? Ive seen on 60" decks 23hp to 35hp and your 28hp cat deisel lol... is it fuel effeciency?
ok i went and looked at them today, dealer had a bunch of them for demo and on hand. The 1000 27hp/61" kohler was $6999, the $3000zx with 27hp kohler/61" deck was $8899. Thing is, the 3000 is a monster, the 1000 looks like normal sized mowers, more ideal for me.
The 1000 also has 4 wheel rollors at each edge of the deck but its suspended by the chains. you can NOT adjust the roller height which the deck will ultimately ride on, so its only suspended by where the tractor itself goes. The 3000zx has adjustible front rollers, not sure if this is a big issue or not.
Theyre getting me a price on the ROPS kit for it since its not standard and the Striping kit since its a "new" option for 2006 and just comming out Just seems like its missing stuff, but its super heavy duty, every part of it is thick gauge steal and very tuff looking parts for the hydraulics, dual hydros with fans on each, AWESOME air filter kit on the back of the Kohler Command 27. I also picked up a Redmax Zx2500 its a 25.x CC edger, should make things easier but was $390 after sales tax :realmad:
Anyone know of any online stores that sell things cheaper than that? Seems the lawn shops in NJ make a premium on lawn accessories.
Mr mow, why is the deisel a big option? the 4500s also come in the 35 Gas Briggs big block that seems to be a nice Water cooled motor too, i think 28hp deisel or 35hp gas is just way more than i need, plus how much power do you need on a 61" deck if you can only go 10mph? Ive seen on 60" decks 23hp to 35hp and your 28hp cat deisel lol... is it fuel effeciency?
I origanlly was going to get the 72", and had told the dealer to order the 35hp briggs with the 72". He called me back and said even though it is in the catalog, you can't get the 72 yet on the 4500(the time i bought it). The dealer had the one I bought with the deisel on hand, looked at it and loved it. Around here there are probably more diesels than gas anyway. I had the 32 hp dixie and it used a hair over 2 gals per hour. The 28 hp cat uses just a hair over 1 gal per hour, so by this time next year I will have made up the extra cost of the deisel, after that I am ahead, Plus the 6000 hour life is just outrageous, I am sure will outlast the mower it self.
Also a thing to look at is the hercules spindles, you talk about some tough dudes, WOW, they are heavy heavy.
As the power goes, I always feel the more the better, I mow almost 40 acres a week, and not always prime conditions. Plus going up the hills, this thing does not even bogg down in any condition yet. Btw, it goes 12 mph not 10, (4500 and 5000).
Well this at least help with pricing things, don't think they are much cheaper, but I keep it bookmarked just so that I can get an idea of what things cost when looking for something. Never bought anything from them.
i have a 23hp 52" 1000z, i've got about 200hrs on it so far and no troubles at all...the only thing i don;t like about it is you have to clean the deck out alot...grass seems to really stick under there, and you can tell because the cut quality goes way down and it won't do thick grass, but when it's clean, and the grass is dry it'll mow about anything... i have one acount that i mow about evry three weeks (gets tall...it's just some vacant lots) and as long as it's dry it goes through it no problem...very good mower in my opinion...but i've only ever had a john deere 737 to compare it too.
Yeah Grovers, actually i mostly deal with Lawn Barn in Langhorn, PA, I always talk to the owner, and he gives me a lot of detail and information. Grovers seems to like get you in and get you out and be stingy with information kind of almost like they dont really want to sell anything. Anything i say i looked at or am thinking of purchasing they dont make recommendations and tell me what is good or better they just frown like what i researched wasnt good at all lol. Just two different atmospheres. Lawn Barn deals Simplicity and that was my first choice, i would have picked up a 52"/23hp Citation or 25hp/61" Stallion for around $8k but they dont have anymore in and so i cant demo one or at least SEE one before i buy it. Grovers ive been to for many simplicity parts from my parents mowers so im familiar with them and they deal Ferris 100% now.
Your website looks neat, if i hear of anyone wanting plowing and salting done in this area ill let you know. I only do snowblowing of sidewalks and driveways, all residential and plan to keep it that way for a while at least.
Have you ever tried GRAVELY thats all we use, a well built product.
If you do any sub-contract work for snow this season we got a contract for a shopping / office complex in pennington with miles of sidewalks to do. Let me know.
Richie, email me if you get a chance, chreha@hotmail.com. We can discuss what you have in mind, currently i do mostly snowblowing ONLY after snow stops in large storms since customers want it nice aftter its finally over. Im sure i can work something out to help out when its still snowing or say if theres a foot comming if i can be available when its "almost" done snowing or after my customers driveways are done thats fine. I know the "store" fronts need cleaning asap but if you do the sidewalks on your own now, your welcome to just give me a call, my girlfriend is a manager for a couple small stores on 31 so i may be there anyway doing their sidewalks this winter. Thanks
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