If I had the money I'd buy a Walker zero turn. Besides the cutting deck you can add attachments. In my neck of the woods landscapers use Walkers, Xmark and Scag. Toro is marking a mark around here too.

Thinking about the Ferris and the Grasshopper.

The Grasshopper has a feature with their front mounted mowers that they can lift under power for easy access to the deck and blades.

Having sharpened and changed blades for several decades, this might be a good feature.

How hard is it to get to and change blades on the mid-mounted decks for the Grasshopper and the Ferris?

quote:

Originally posted by Chris42:

...How hard is it to get to and change blades on the mid-mounted decks for the Grasshopper and the Ferris?

Easy on my Ferris Z2100, I just run mine up a set of car ramps and the spindle nuts are easy to reach. Oil and filter is easy to change. There are two hydro filters one for each side and in order to access them easily it's easier to just lift the rear up, set on jack stands, and remove the rear wheels. I think it calls for changing hydro filters at 100 hours, after that longer maybe every 200 hours or more.

the front deck Grasshoppers are great mowers as long as you have room for them. Take up a lot of room on a trailer but nothing is better for mowing grass and trimming under trees. Ride great, too. That flip deck is a great feature. They are kind of a niche mower and you might find a real deal on a good used one. New price for top of the line flip deck is $15k+. If it's me running the machine and I intended to use it on one property that I was staying at forever that would be my choice.

I change blades same as ridewv only I only use 1 ramp and an impact wrench to take off the blades. I sharpen with a 4" angle grinder with a flappy disc.

Grasshopper dealers are often smaller shops and they know the product. Woods brand is made by Grasshopper and usually have Kubota diesels so if you see one of them take a look.

I'm not the kind that worries about all the things that can go wrong but mowing around a lake or pond with a ztr demands complete concentration and caution. If you get too close to the edge the mower starts sliding. Once you're in the water the lap bars pin you in the seat and you drown. Saw this happen to one of the most successful businessmen in our area, Joe Huber aka JoJo. Was using a scag turf tiger and it slid into a small lake. Steering sticks held him in the seat and he drowned.

quote:

How hard is it to get to and change blades

Ferris makes an attachment for a modified trailer jack that allows you to lift the mower to access the blades.

I cheat because I have a lot of other equipment. Last time I changed mine I drove the front wheels onto the liftgate of one of my trucks and used the lift gate to raise it up as high as I wanted.

When I was at the dealer the other day to get an oil filter they had this guy on display. It shows the jack system:




My mower has their new oil guard system. It holds 5 quarts and doesn't involve anything special. Put the pan under the motor and turn the valve to release the oil through their plumbed port to empty. The filter sits at the top in the oil fill. Pop the lid, slide filter up and out, pour in new oil, slide in new filter, and replace the lid. Only takes a few minutes, doesn't require any tools, and you don't have to do anything else to the mower to access anything.

quote:

Originally posted by a1abdj:

quote:

How hard is it to get to and change blades

Ferris makes an attachment for a modified trailer jack that allows you to lift the mower to access the blades.

I just ordered a MoJack for my ZT. I decided there are better ways to leave this Earthly life than squished under a stupid lawn mower.

quote:

Originally posted by Captain Morgan:
If I had the money I'd buy a Walker zero turn. Besides the cutting deck you can add attachments. In my neck of the woods landscapers use Walkers, Xmark and Scag. Toro is marking a mark around here too.

I’m a Walker fan myself. Mine has a 48” deck with a 20hp Kohler engine. I’ve had it 11 years now. I’ve replaced the drive tires once, a set of blades and a fuel pump. The starter is beginning to act up but it does have over 2000 hrs on it.

If the need ever arises I’ll buy another.

quote:

Originally posted by a1abdj:

quote:

How hard is it to get to and change blades

Ferris makes an attachment for a modified trailer jack that allows you to lift the mower to access the blades.

I cheat because I have a lot of other equipment. Last time I changed mine I drove the front wheels onto the liftgate of one of my trucks and used the lift gate to raise it up as high as I wanted.

When I was at the dealer the other day to get an oil filter they had this guy on display. It shows the jack system:




My mower has their new oil guard system. It holds 5 quarts and doesn't involve anything special. Put the pan under the motor and turn the valve to release the oil through their plumbed port to empty. The filter sits at the top in the oil fill. Pop the lid, slide filter up and out, pour in new oil, slide in new filter, and replace the lid. Only takes a few minutes, doesn't require any tools, and you don't have to do anything else to the mower to access anything.

That was another plus for the Ferris. Holds 5 qts. of oil !! That is terrific for engine longevity. But to be clear that's only on certain Ferris models.

Following up on recent zero turn mowers -

a friend bought one of the Exmark mowers and I was surprised to find it did not have sprung control arms that return to neutral if you let go.

Is this common now?

I figured it would be a certain safety feature.

I've had 4 ZT mowers. First 2 were Bobcats. Excellent mowers! BUT when I was done mowing I was hurting. I mow 8 acres . Some smooth some rough. By the time I was ready for my next mower I had heard about the Ferris with suspension. Bought one. Big difference. Does a beautiful job and is much easier on this old body. Sold it and bought a Ferris IZ3200. This one has the 37 HP Briggs motor with the 5 qt. oil capacity. 5 QUARTS of oil!!. That motor will run forever.

quote:

Originally posted by Oz_Shadow:
Following up on recent zero turn mowers -

a friend bought one of the Exmark mowers and I was surprised to find it did not have sprung control arms that return to neutral if you let go.

Is this common now?

I figured it would be a certain safety feature.

If you get out of the seat without the arms in neutral, the engine will stop. You also can't started it without the arms in neutral. By neutral, I mean the flipped out and into the notch on each side.

I've had my eXmark for 8 years and not having the arms automatically go to neutral has never been an issue.

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:

quote:

Originally posted by Oz_Shadow:
Following up on recent zero turn mowers -

a friend bought one of the Exmark mowers and I was surprised to find it did not have sprung control arms that return to neutral if you let go.

Is this common now?

I figured it would be a certain safety feature.

If you get out of the seat without the arms in neutral, the engine will stop. You also can't started it without the arms in neutral. By neutral, I mean the flipped out and into the notch on each side.

I've had my eXmark for 8 years and not having the arms automatically go to neutral has never been an issue.

I’m used to the old Great Dane Surfers and Walker Mowers with springs in the controls. Just felt strange not having them.

quote:

Originally posted by Chris42:
Seeking the wisdom of the group -

Maybe in the market for a good, used zero turn mower. Current tractor has a 60” deck and would like that or maybe a bit bigger.

What brands do you recommend?

Besides durability and reliability I am interested in ease of service. I do much of my own service on my machines and want to continue. New, complex with lots of “features” is not what I want. If yours cost big bucks to maintain let me know so I can avoid it.

Current machine is a Gravely tractor and it turns 30 this year. It has never been in the shop but the mrs won’t drive it, says she will do a zero turn.

Gravely makes nice 60” and a 72”.

How much do you want to spend, how much do you cut on a consistent basis, how flat, how rough is it?

1s1k - I purchased a used Ferris 3100 with a 61” deck. About 600 hours on the machine. 32 hp Briggs and Stratton Vanguard engine.

Have had it long enough to mow a few times. Here are my observations compared to the Gravely -

Ferris is fast. Probably cut my mowing time in half for my 2+ acres. While the suspension is nice, the faster speed has shown me I have a rather rough yard.

Very easy height changes. One pin to pull and reset. Easily done from the seat. Gravely takes tools and some time.

Two fuel tanks. Something in excess of 10 gallons total fuel. Gravely holds 5 gallons.

Gravely is still in the barn, available as needed. Uses half the gas (18 hp Kohler) and twice the time. Completely reliable.

Gravely blades are twice as thick (1/4”) as the Ferris blades. Might be interchangeable.

Since I can afford both and have space for both I will probably keep them for a while. One is a back up for the other. Having had the Gravely for 30 years it is the simpler machine. Never had it to the shop. Did all the maintenance myself. The Ferris is a little more complex, but not much.

quote:

Originally posted by Chris42:

Ferris is fast.

Dealer advised me that the top mowing speed is supposed to be about 10 MPH. I need to confirm with my GPS phone app.

Forward speed is determined mostly by physics and safety. After a speed war a few years ago started getting out of hand ANSI set a recommended maximum blade tip speed guideline for mowers and most Mfg. choose to voluntarily follow it for liability reasons. That limits how fast you can move forward and still do an acceptable cutting job.

quote:

Originally posted by Chris42:
Two fuel tanks. Something in excess of 10 gallons total fuel.

Yep. Mine claims 11 Gal IIRC. My 28 Vanguard Runs 8 to 10 hours without refueling depending largely on conditions.

quote:

Originally posted by Chris42:
Gravely blades are twice as thick (1/4”) as the Ferris blades.

Hummm... my Ferris is2100z 28Hp 61" deck... bought new in 2015 came with full 1/4 inch thick blades. Perhaps yours have been changed out?

quote:

Originally posted by cparktd:

quote:

Originally posted by Krazeehorse:
I'm going to sell my Dixie Chopper and get a Ferris for the suspension. Not sure the suspension is good enough to keep your Guinness from going flat in about two passes but I know my back will appreciate it. I have a suspension seat on the chopper and it helped immensely but I want more.

Well, the Ferris suspension does work, especially on harder jolts and uneven, rough ground. You can watch the shocks working from the seat. BUT, it still ain’t no Cadillac. My yard is nearly 4 ac. and quite rough. Im thinking of adding the suspension seat in addition to the suspension.

After mowing a yard with a Ferris I decided it wasn't that big of a deal. I went with another chopper.

A buddy of mine was the a master mechanic at a local mower shop. He’s a mechanically gifted guy that can fix anything but would always curse when they built something poorly. When I asked him what he would recommend in a ZTR he stated hands down Gravely, Exmark, or a commercial Toro. Best built and easiest to service and find parts when needed.