Can't beat the ride of a Ferris, but this new suspension system looks like it has a lot more wear points than even before, and more things to go wrong or get bent by accidentally running the 4 link bars into something, not to mention the shock towers seems awfully tall now, which would make tucking in under shrubs and bushes a bit tougher maybe. Just based on the cut, I'd opt for the JD, especially with their new seat system, but if having the ultimate ride quality is more important to you than the cut in any condition, get the Ferris.

 

I thought you might chime in. I've been leaning toward green all along mainly because of the cut. The Briggs oil guard intrigued me a bit though so I thought I'd throw it out there for opinions. But, as I had said and you agreed, the cut quality matters the most. The unit I would get has the top of the line seat so I'm sure I'd be fine. This 60 year old body though some days cries for relief so the Ferris definitely excels in that dept. Thanks again for you thoughts.

 

I wish JD would offer the Vanguard engines, especially with the oil guard system. I would take one in a heartbeat. The new set JD has is pretty nice and with the iso mounts included, the ride is vastly improved. I do like the JD parts system and the fact they can get it to you overnight if needed. Still, I do like the Ferris mowers. I just wish they change the deck slightly as far as the baffling goes. Then it would not be a question for me other than lack of Ferris dealers near me.

 

I would also add- I like my JD A model a LOT better than the current versions, but I can't add on the new seat system, at least not without a lot of hassle and expense which is something JD does that burns my butt.

I'll have to decide next go around whether to stay green or try something else- like the TT II I have always wanted.

 

All I'm going to say is if I was going to get a sit down mower (which I wouldn't, I'd get another stand on) I'd go with Deere. Support, cut quality, features. I'm a Wright stand on guy though, might should check those out!

 

I get the stand on vs sit down debate but riding is the only way I’ll go these days. I’m a solo and I ain’t 25 anymore! I mainly do larger, rural props which are considerably rough at times. The other thing is I use a tow behind Trac Vac pro for cleanups and fall leaves. I’m set up for a zero turn only and that system works very well for me. I always appreciate the feedback tho. Thanks.

 

I have both the ferris and john deere zero turns. They both cut excellent. The ferris is the ultimate with ride and oil guard with vanguard is top notch. John deere has excellent cut quality wet or dry but ride is much rougher . Once you compare the ride day in and day out you would pick ferris. I can run wide open with ferris on bumps. I do like john deere service. They get me in and out quickly with all the parts on hand.

 

You are cutting stiff southern grasses though. There's a big difference between them and what we cut up here, and in how a deck handles this stuff in the wet or extreme dry conditions.

 

I was wondering that as well...I have relatives in the Miami area and when I visit, I’m amazed how different their grass is from what I deal with here in Minnesota. I do appreciate anyone’s opinion tho, near or far! The little voice in my head keeps reminding me that usually, I’m cutting on the “wet” side of the equation. Late summer of course we dry out some but our irrigated yards stay on the wet side all the way till late fall. Last year, we had record rains all the way through Labor Day...it never dried out. Areas that aren’t watered regularly that normally brown out were green till dormancy.

 

I run off of the philosophy that the less there is to break, the better. Thats why I picked the Turfmaster over the Timemaster even though my dealer told me to go with the Timemaster and why I went with the Z915E over a 925M with the EFI. I do wish that I spent a bit more and gone Z930M, but it wasn't life or death for me. Bought it fall of 18 as a senior in HS and it has been good for me since then

 

Seems like its deere if wanting to cut in the wet the best, Ferris for the better ride.
Check out the thread "ferris enthusiasts anyone?" for a bunch of recent comments on Ferris.

Good luck

 

Close your eyes. Pick one. Never look back.

Either unit will serve you well.

 

If ride is important to you the Ferris is amazing. This will be my 3rd season with an IS2100Z after using another brand of front deck for 20+ years. Having said that both JD and Ferris will serve you well.

 

Thanks all for your input. I have until the end of the month to think this through but most likely I’ll opt for the Deere. If I could get the Vanguard with Oil Guard on the Deere, that would be an easier choice. Now the question is Tweels or not? It never ends!!!!

 

Unless you have a common chance for flats, get the std tires and replace them with AT101's. You can thank me later.

 

I see a lot of feedback on those and to be clear, my interest in Tweels is strictly for hill holding ability. Flats are not my problem...can’t honestly remember the last time I had one. Are the AT 101s good for “all around” conditions? Hills/rutting are my biggest problem

 

They are far better for traction than either std tires or tweels with std tire tread mounted to the rim. They work great on hills in any direction, and do not scuff near as bad as turf tread designs on flat ground. I would not want a Z without them in the future. There is a big thread on them here from a year or two back. Take a look through it and see what jumps out at you.

 

Here's one of the threads-

https://www.lawnsite.com/threads/at-101s-still-saving-the-day.488472/

another-

https://www.lawnsite.com/threads/more-aggressive-tires.481052/

and another-

https://www.lawnsite.com/threads/tweels-in-mud.483575/

 

Hey thanks... I’ll give these links a look. Appreciate the info as always.

 

I have tweels on my ferris. Front and back tweels. I also have regular tires on my other ferris. So I can tell you tweels will hold a hill or big slope. Other wheels will not. Tweels give a better ride . Spend the money and get them

 

If you've not had AT 101's for any length of time, you simply can't say other wheels will not hold as well, at least not with any authority. The bar tread on them simply work extremely well to prevent sliding or skidding. Tweels may be different that std tires in their footprint, but they still have turf tread on them.

 

It's not the tread. A tweel will contour the ground more for easy hillside stability

 

Yes the At 101 might hold a hill the best but its probably to aggressive for normal turf. My customers might get scared of that tire when seeing it on the lawn. My customer already said something about my huge tweels. She thought it would hurt her turf because it a huge wide and tall tire.

 

You'd really be surprised at how much better they do on turf as far as not tearing grass when compared to TM's etc. Plus, they are more rounded at the edges so scuffing etc is also minimized. They look like they'd do just the opposite of what they do in actual use. I've had people look skeptically at my tires too....until they see them in use, especially on wet turf where they far surpass turf tread tires for not spinning, sliding, skipping or dragging under a downhill stop.

 

I had a 930m and it burned oil. I had the black stripe seat and that is amazing with the comfort glide option. If you got that plus Flex forks I imagine your old back would appreciate it. I loved the 7 iron cut quality.

That being said i have an isx800 and it beats the deere in comfort all day long.

The icd is very good deck and it processes the clippings more than the 7 iron. It's hard to explain but the 7 iron leaves a very good and consistent cut.

For me and my southern grasses I prefer the icd and its processing ability over the throwing ability of the 7 iron.

If you get the black stripe seat and use the comfort glide option (I didn't know it was there for probably 80 hours >.<) it easily doubles shock absorption aspect.

If you could demo both I would be surprised you didnt choose the ferris after you ride in one.

 

.Thanks SMC. Curious which blades you run on that ICD? I assume “processes clippings” mean it mulches them up better? My Scag Velocity plus I feel is similar in design to the 7-iron. The Scag in my experience cuts the grass blades and disperses them without really chopping them up. Might be the blades I run which are std high lift Scag blades. I know the Ferris is definitely the more comfortable unit and I’m of the thought the Vanguard/oil guard system is a plus. My dilemma is conflicting opinions on how well that deck works here in the northern zones for cut quality.

 

The ICD deck has a smaller exit opening and different baffling. The clippings stay in longer and get chopped up finer. The 7 iron or Velocity decks throw them out bigger and faster.

7 iron cuts better in the wet because the clipping exit faster and have less opportunity to clog.
Some would argue that when dry, the ICD actually delivers a better cut due in part to finer clippings.