[Travis798]

So I think I've decided to stick with my Z930M, or at least give it a try, although I do have back issues and I'm not sure if the comfort glide seat will be enough or if I need a full suspension seat, but I ran across this ad on facebook and if it's a good buy, I'd be willing to try it out because of the famed Ferris suspension I read so much about, even though it's going the other way on deck size I want.

If it's just kinda "meh" or RUN (It has a new 27 HP Kohler command pro according to the ad, which scares me a little", then I'll just forget about it. Anyway, here's the ad.

 

[Derwood]

Didn’t see the hours on the rest of the mower, or the year. That being said, I had the step up from that one a few years ago (3100). Almost fell asleep mowing several times, the ride was so good.

Sounds to me like that Deer is not scratching you where you itch. Feels like it’s always gonna be a problem.
All that being said, the Ferris won’t cut as nice as the Deer or Scag

 

[Travis798]

I just don't like to pass up great deals if this was one, but quickly realized it's not after poking around some more ads. I hadn't previously really looked at Ferris.

I actually came back to delete this post but didn't see the option.

I don't think anything but a turf tiger will scratch that itch, but I think even that would be short lived. I recently sold my 2015 4 wheeler with 28 hours and my 2018 boat with 26 hours and I'm probably just itching to spend money. It's a problem I'm constantly fighting!

If the Deere doesn't give me back pain I might just check the cost of switching it to a 60" deck and calling it a day. Or I might just leave it at 54", the only real way to see is to wait until the grass needs mowed and try it out. I'm just not real patient sometimes.

 

[Derwood]

Sorry but after reading that last post, I’m sure I cannot help you dude, lol!!

 

[Bluffman]

Yeah...no offense but you're kinda all over the place here. Anyway, changing the deck on the JD certainly can be done but I'd say it's not going to be practical cost wise. The other thing is productivity. A 60-61" deck should cut approximately .5 acre more per hour than a 52". This is of course a "ballpark" estimate but close. I've got a property 2.5 acres or so that takes us 2 hours to mow, but it's full of trees, obstacles, hills etc. We also have properties that are flat and open that we can cut 6 acres in that same 2 hours. Point is most mowers can go real fast but few of us can cut that fast in most ground conditions...it's just unrealistic. I crack up reading top mower speed specs...all that does is tell you how fast you can speed back to the trailer on pavement/roadways. So, say your 52" Deere can cut your 9 acres at 2.5 acres/hour...you're at 3.6 hrs of cut time. Bump your mower deck to a 61" and you gain about .5 acre an hour...you save .6 hours of seat time each time you cut. You need to determine what these numbers mean to you...if you're doing this as a business, cutting 5-6 days a week, I'd say there's a real consideration there. A smaller deck is usually better on uneven terrain as well. The other thing is, a Turf Tiger really isn't going to mow any faster than any other 60-61" machine in a normal scenario. It's a big powerful beast but in any "normal" scenario, especially a homeowner situation, it's way overkill IMO. There's lotsa hobbies/toys for you to spend that cash on...

 

[Travis798]

Yes I realize I'm all over the place. I think I'm just afraid that if I don't like the deere, mowers are going to be hard to find in a few weeks. I have plenty of obstacles to mow around, but with the exception of one yard that's hard to even get with my 48", everything is pretty open and flat, with the exception of drainage ditches in town. The vast majority I think could even be gotten with a 72", which is the deck size that started my new mower hunt and it just snowballed into my mindset now. They aren't the best, but I'll upload some drone pics that will give a rough idea of what I'm dealing with. Current mowing time with the 48" is about 6-7 hours with the 48". Just trying to figure out my best options. It may very well be the 54" deere I bought.

Edited to attach another view of in town.

 

[Bluffman]

So the Ferris seems priced ok but it's hard to really see the condition in the pics. Can't tell if the tires seem worn, some dings/rust etc. As I said, I love the Z930M so I will be biased when I state some drawbacks which are my opinions/experience. For me...the Ferris is a well built mower. Nobody...nobody wants to like Ferris more than I do. I'm 62 and in very good health but 62 is still pretty old for bashing around on mowers. I had been a solo, part time operator until I retired from my "real job" (in 2020) in the commmercial construction field for 40+ years. I'm now part of a 3 man "partnership" with 2 other "old guys" running full time...we plan to add 1-2 more in April. I've demoed Ferris machines twice...they are well built machines. Comfort wise, I have no doubt I could cruise around in a rock filled crater with a crystal goblet filled with Cabernet and not spill a drop...I might even doze off in the process (not from too much wine...they're just so easy on the body). The killer for me has been they just don't cut as well as Scag and Deere which has been my only real criticism of them. That, and my feeling that the Kohler Command (on this particular unit) is a step down from a Kawasaki 801V. Anyway...I've chimed in enough on this so good luck to you...you'll be fine with whatever you do.

 

[Derwood]

Well said, and agreed! Right down to the Cabernet!!!

 

[PedroMac]

Seems like to me that would have been a fantastic deal. Nowadays that's a $10,000 mower and it had a new engine at least.