Scag / Ferris / Exmark comparison

[clinesdale1]

I am setting up demos next week of the Scag Tiger Cub, Exmark LazerZ, and Ferris IS1500Z. This is for residential use. I have a terrific Gravely garden tractor, and have naturally gotten a taste of a well-built machine. This makes me want a zero turn mower that will also last a long time without complications.

There are dealers for each within 40 minutes of my house.

I am intrigued by the suspension system on the Ferris, but I had never heard of Ferris prior to this week. In Pittsburgh, Exmark has the highest marketshare. Scag has long been a favorite.

Can you offer any difinitive information about the Ferris's quality over the others? The Exmark dealer offers the best service (they also sell John Deere). I would get another Gravely, but they aren't competitively priced and I'm not convinced the quality is better than the Scag.

[RatherbeBassin']

I just purchased a Ferris. I am newby and can't give grades on it's cut compared to others... never used ztr before Ferris. Warranty alone is a strong selling point to me. Suspension is AWESOME. I mow a 3.5 acre farm that is open land but really rough. Only slow down when I hit the whoop section of the track! (Afraid I'll catch air!) I chose Ferris over Grasshopper. Price about the same for equal mowers, Grasshopper bit pricier. I do not have much else to choose from here. As others told me 'bout the Ferris, if you have a good dealer, the warranty is just unbeatable.

Only about 8 hours on PTO meter but dang what a machine! Neighbors stop by and go "Whhheeew, that is a nice machine..." then set on it while I get them a beer, we discuss the mower's looks and features, they kick around the suspension and give her one more "... nice machine" approval and we have another beer and go on to next toy in my packed garage and start the whole "Whheeewww, this is a nice machine" discussion on something else, more beer, you get the picture.

Figure if I never mow again it is fun to drink beer around w/your buddies! Go w/Ferris for the way it enhances beer drinking babble.

[Oleozz]

I have a Ferris IS 1500Z and it is built right, strong fabricated deck, good Hydro Gear pumps and wheel motors, and a smooth ride for a mower. I looked at quite a few different brands before I bought and Ferris came out on top.

[Starman]

I too have a Ferris 48" IS1500Z. Don't have much drive time on it though. Bought it based on manufacturer reputation & dealer location. Should be fine for residential work. Don't discount the other brands(Exmark, Scag, etc) mentioned on this site. All seem to be great commercial machines and possess quality pedigrees. Search the board for the brands that interest you. There's lot's of good info on this site.

[clinesdale1]

Thanks for all the input. I drove an Exmark LazerZ hp today. I noticed later in the brochure that it has a quick adjustment for tracking that requires no tools. Is this a new feature for '05 alone?

[heavyd]

Thanks for all the input. I drove an Exmark LazerZ hp today. I noticed later in the brochure that it has a quick adjustment for tracking that requires no tools. Is this a new feature for '05 alone?

No. Most all lazer z's have easy tracking. I have ridden alot of lazr z's and they all are great. They put a great kawasaki engine on them. It is best to go ahead and pay the money to get the one with the larger engine beacause you can ride at 10mph through thick grass no problem. They are a great mower and have a great warranty. I highly suggest them. GOOD LUCK!!!

[Silverback]

Ferris IS 1500z 2148

:p I just bought a Ferris IS 1500z. It's truly an awesome machine. I looked at all the rest (Exmark, Hustler, Scag, Toro, JD, Simplicity, Gravely, Kubota, Cub Cadet, Grass Hopper and of course the low end Craftsman & Husquvarna.
I didn't see the advantage of buying the Exmark (said to be the best, without suspension), I tested side by side comparison between Exmark, Ferris, Grass Hopper & Toro. In my opinion, Ferris gets it. I do wish I could have afforded the IS 3000z but that's ok, the 1500z is plenty of machine... :p

[clinesdale1]

What about the Gravely? I have a Gravely garden tractor and love it. Does their line of ZTRs compare to Exmark, Scag, and Ferris? Looks like it has a front suspension which would be nice (pivoting arms).

[Silverback]

I have not owned a Gravely, but only demo'd one with possible intension to buy. I was impressed by it's ability to cut 20" thick grass without hesitation but wasn't too impressed with the ride taking the suspension into consideration and the frame just didn't seem beefy enough.
I had read many reviews on Gravely among others I tested. Some had good reviews but more had ok or bad reviews. With this kind of money, I wasn't willing to take the chance on a unknown. I don't have anything personally against Gravely, I can't say what I don't know...

[clinesdale1]

Good to know. Thanks for the candid feedback. One of the key points for residential use, I thought, is that there are so many available attachments. That's one of the things that led me to buy a Gravely to begin with. The quality of the garden tractor is terrific. Of course, I can get heavy gauge steel and a Kohler motor on any of the above mentioned mowers.

[Jetzeus]

I know i am way late in replying to this thread but it may be useful for those searching for answers.

I have had a Ferris IS1500Z for three years on my acre and a half...it cut my mowing time in half compared to my standard riding lawnmower. Best machine I have ever used.

Pros: Ride is smooth! Suspension truly does help, but it took about a season for it to break in. It's fast and gives a very good cut.

Cons: Pricey, but still worth it. built like a tank.

[Georges Lawn & Mulch]

deleted comments. Didn't realize thread was 5 yers old.