Exmark vs Ferris vs Toro Walk Behind

[Hedgemaster]

Well, I've set $5,000 as a maximum I'll pay. That's the price of the 36" Ferris hydro floating deck. If the Exmark is less, I'll consider it. Finding pricing is impossible, so I guess I'll have to see what they say tomorrow. I'm sorta bummed that Toro doesn't offer a hydro so I can compare apples to apples when pricing.

[Hedgemaster]

Lawn care business tips

Any other opinions out there? I'm headed out in about an hour. I'll probably be there for a while looking and listening to seminars/talking to factory reps. I'm currently leaning towards the Ferris or Exmark. The new(er) controls on the Ferris LOOK pretty user-friendly, but the Exmark design looks even better - "pistol grip" style as opposed to typical "wheelbarrow/bicycle grip" style. Of the two hydro floating decks: Ferris is electric start and has the crank height adjustment for the deck. Exmark is recoil (elec only on larger 20hp models) and has pin adjustments. I also don't have a price on the Exmark yet to compare the two.

[dpld]

Originally Posted by Hedgemaster

When you say "depends on the terrain you mow", what do you mean.
I hate asking what must seem to be the obvious to those more experienced, but I don't know what makes one better than the other.

It's hilly here. There's almost always a slope, or a gently rolling hill to mow somewhere on the property. Very few purely flat lawns.



I'm also still up in the air on what size to get. I know that with a 32" I can get through gates, but some may be problematic with a 36".
That said, at the moment, the only yards I cut with gates I have to use the 21" on anyway because they are simply too small to bother with a larger mower, so I'm leaning towards the 36".

they say the floating decks are less prone for scalping but i have yet to really see a difference.

why is changing the height such a concern? i usually cut all my lawns the same at 3 inches and in the heat i jump it up to 3 1/2 inches but for the most part i rarely ever got to screw with the height.

when i did homes for my first 17 years i always used a 36 inch walk behind in the hard to get to back yards and i never had a gate it could not make it through.
36" is the usual standard size opening and a 36" mower will fit through that and i have even got my 36 through slightly smaller openings by jockeying it through.

the exmark viking series is hyrdo and they do make that in a 36" and the whole lineup is a well built that will give you many years of reliable service and if you want to use a sulke the hydro is far better to handle it.

[Hedgemaster]

THANKS ^^^


I dunno... I DO change heights a few times currently with different lawns due to type of grass/terrain/client preference. I understand that "most people" set it and forget it, but like I said, if I'm shelling out this much loot for a new unit, I may as well look for the features I'd like. If buying used, I'd be less "picky", as you don't often get that many choices.

A sulky is a thought for the future as well, so that info is appreciated as well.


Just confirmed that I can take it to EITHER dealer for service, so that makes me happy.

[wandfsmall]

Originally Posted by Hedgemaster

THANKS ^^^


I dunno... I DO change heights a few times currently with different lawns due to type of grass/terrain/client preference. I understand that "most people" set it and forget it, but like I said, if I'm shelling out this much loot for a new unit, I may as well look for the features I'd like. If buying used, I'd be less "picky", as you don't often get that many choices.

A sulky is a thought for the future as well, so that info is appreciated as well.


Just confirmed that I can take it to EITHER dealer for service, so that makes me happy.

I have not commented on this as I do not know walkbehinds as well as some(they do not sell well around here, I only have 4 customers that use them) I would test drive a few and see what you like they should have demos available for you to test on the property.

As for the floating deck scalping more I do not see that, I have found that all mowers can scalp about the same, in fact most companies that say they do not scalp as much do it more such as pivoting front axles cause mowers to drop when you hit a hole in the yard scalping.

[Hedgemaster]

Done!

I'm the proud owner of a Ferris 36" ComfortControl DD!

And a hat.

And a shirt!



Post more when I get home...

[mark123]

Bring it up and we'll compare it to my Toro.

[Hedgemaster]

Originally Posted by mark123

Bring it up and we'll compare it to my Toro.

It's a nicer red for starters.

[mark123]

Mine is a year and a half old so I wouldn't call it exactly red anymore.

[Hedgemaster]

Thanks guys! I TRULY appreciate all of your help.

Even if you don't think what you posted was "helpful", I can assure you that it was to me. It helped me make a more informed decision in a hurried situation, allowing me to SAVE MONEY by getting it at today's "show pricing".


Here it is:

http://www.gopherforum.com/showthread.php?t=15943