I believe I have the inside track on mowing a large property next year. Wide open areas with some bumpy spots. If I land this contract, I'm considering adding two Ferris 3100 72" ztr's to my company. I've read several threads on here about the Ferris 3100 zero turn. Everything sounds great - full suspension, velocity plus style deck, happy owners.
Here's the point of this thread (you knew I'd get there eventually) - Are they a solid machine capable of commercial work?
Example 1 - A guy I know owns a 72" 3100. He used to rave about it - called it the greatest mower ever, said he'll never own another brand, etc. He now has over 900 hours on it and curses it regularly. Says the suspension wears out quickly and always needs repair. Also, has had several smaller problems as the machine has aged. He's a heavy guy - maybe 270 - so I just chalked it up to him being too big for the mower and that putting too much stress on the suspension.
Example 2 - This past friday, I was at a gas station filling my pick up when a mowing crew pulled in next to me. The trailer carried a 60" Dixie Chopper and a 60" Hustler super Z. I love hearing opinions on equipment so I started a conversation with the guy about his mowers. He said that both the Dixie Chopper and Hustler were fine mowers and liked them both very much. When I asked him which mower he felt was better, he said he liked the Hustler better. He felt it was better built, held hills better, and cut just as well as the Chopper. When I mentioned that I was considering buying two Ferris 72" 3100's, he and his helper looked at each other and grinned - almost giggling. I said, "You don't care for Ferris?" And he said, "I used to own that exact machine. Those things are junk. I'll never own another one. I was happy to get rid of the one I had." I asked what engine it had and he said it had the Vanguard but that the engine was never a problem. He then proceeded to tell me the suspension bushings needed to be replaced at 300 hours. Later, they had to be replaced again and this time it wasn't under warranty and the cost of replacement came out of his pocket. He also said that because of the suspension screwing up, the machine never seemed to cut right. He said the machine also had countless hydraulic problems. He sold it with less than a thousand hours on the meter.
Needless to say, I'm now thinking I might want to stay clear of Ferris after hearing two horror stories.
What do you guys make of this? Any similar experiences? Neither he nor his helper were big guys. Maybe the 72" deck is too heavy for the frame?
Here's the point of this thread (you knew I'd get there eventually) - Are they a solid machine capable of commercial work?
Example 1 - A guy I know owns a 72" 3100. He used to rave about it - called it the greatest mower ever, said he'll never own another brand, etc. He now has over 900 hours on it and curses it regularly. Says the suspension wears out quickly and always needs repair. Also, has had several smaller problems as the machine has aged. He's a heavy guy - maybe 270 - so I just chalked it up to him being too big for the mower and that putting too much stress on the suspension.
Example 2 - This past friday, I was at a gas station filling my pick up when a mowing crew pulled in next to me. The trailer carried a 60" Dixie Chopper and a 60" Hustler super Z. I love hearing opinions on equipment so I started a conversation with the guy about his mowers. He said that both the Dixie Chopper and Hustler were fine mowers and liked them both very much. When I asked him which mower he felt was better, he said he liked the Hustler better. He felt it was better built, held hills better, and cut just as well as the Chopper. When I mentioned that I was considering buying two Ferris 72" 3100's, he and his helper looked at each other and grinned - almost giggling. I said, "You don't care for Ferris?" And he said, "I used to own that exact machine. Those things are junk. I'll never own another one. I was happy to get rid of the one I had." I asked what engine it had and he said it had the Vanguard but that the engine was never a problem. He then proceeded to tell me the suspension bushings needed to be replaced at 300 hours. Later, they had to be replaced again and this time it wasn't under warranty and the cost of replacement came out of his pocket. He also said that because of the suspension screwing up, the machine never seemed to cut right. He said the machine also had countless hydraulic problems. He sold it with less than a thousand hours on the meter.
Needless to say, I'm now thinking I might want to stay clear of Ferris after hearing two horror stories.
What do you guys make of this? Any similar experiences? Neither he nor his helper were big guys. Maybe the 72" deck is too heavy for the frame?