About to take the plunge..

The budget says I can, The pre paid accounts say I can... the gut says I might be able to avoid an ulcer, and the wife says i might be able to avoid sex... I am approved and they are waiting my response to get the 36" Snapper Pro SW20. I compared this unit to the Ferris and the only difference is the Snapper is a pull start, the Ferris isn't. I am approved for both, but the snapper is $1000 cheaper and the only difference is the pull start vs. the electric start. I have the weekend to weigh it in my mind and get the wife to not avoid kissing me........but oh boy i'm nervous. Saying no will make me sad, saying yes will put me on edge until the 3rd month of the season. woowee...let the games begin.

[Hedgemaster]

Lawn care business tips

Heh. I didn't realize that Snapper was the same as Ferris. I don't know that electric start is worth $1,000, but I'm glad my Ferris has it. The Exmark that was more money didn't, so I figured it was a bonus to have it. One "plus" for electric start is ease of starting while IN my trailer. I have 3' sides on my trailer, so getting positioned just to start it to unload could prove to be a SLIGHT nuisance. You've seen my thread with my new Ferris. In looking at pics online, it appears identical in nearly every aspect. I did notice that the front of the deck doesn't have holes in it like mine. I assume they are there for mounting the mulch kit, but I don't know for sure. Also, my front casters hold air - not sure if that's different or not. What kind of prices are they throwing at you for both of the machines?

[Hedgemaster]

Another thing I'm seeing on the Snappers is that the deck looks "slanted" in some of the pics. Not all of them - maybe they changed deck design at some point?
I assume that the slanted deck is not a timed blade setup?

[wandfsmall]

Snapper and Ferris are owned by the same company BRIGGS AND STRATTON. They also own Murray and Simplicity. I would expect them to be very close if not the exact same thing.

Thanks for pointing that out Hedge.

I'm going in Monday to check them out again. The dealer has them set up across from each other and I didn't notice the holes or the slanted deck. It wasn't something that jumped out at me. It was more comparing specs than exact design.

I know you had to but kudos to you for making a snap decision. I'm glad I have time to mull this over. Even with the time I have i'm dizzy.

So if anyone knows the reasons for the holes or the slanted deck any info would be appreciated.

Gave me a price of $5140 on the Ferris and $4120 for the Snapper.

[Hedgemaster]

In case you don't recall, when I asked how much it would be if someone else bought the one in the showroom and they had to order one, he quoted me $5,299. (Ferris)

Are they going to offer any "Spring" or "Open House" specials? Can't hurt to ask.

Their open house was a few days ago, before when I went in.

Once I get the info in my head about each, I'm going to do the sales pitch.

I have never bought a commercial mower, but I have bought cars, and have never paid full price. So i'm going in with that mentality.

that's why I like this forum, sure I can change the oil on the walk behinds, sharpen and balance, change belts, I have electrical experience enough to follow a diagram and figure out why something might or might not be firing... that sort of thing, but heck, I don't know why they slant the deck, or which is better......now i have a couple extra questions to ask....

If anyone else has some input or suggestions, please chime in.

[Hedgemaster]

I THINK the decks that are "slanted" have blades that do not physically overlap - that's why they are offset. I could be wrong though, as I'm new to this sort of thing.

I don't even know that the deck on the one you looked at is "slanted" - I just noticed it in some of the Google images that came up - they may have been older models for all I know.

Heck, ask if they will throw in a mulch kit or give a good discount on a bagger or something if they won't budge on price. Can't hurt to ask.

I wish I could report on the cut, but I still have a few days to a week before that happens.

Originally Posted by Hedgemaster

I don't even know that the deck on the one you looked at is "slanted" - I just noticed it in some of the Google images that came up - they may have been older models for all I know.

Gotcha. I'm going in again Monday instead of later in the week when I make my decision. I want to look at it again. They're sitting right across from each other and nothing jumped out at me except the muffler venting on the trim side and the tires on the Snapper are bigger. I'm taking what Mark said about the exhaust into consideration, and I asked about the tires and they said the Ferris will have the larger tires soon. I could swear the "slant" wasn't there, I can't even recall the holes, even on the Ferris.

Again thanks for pointing that out. They could be exactly the same and that's why I didn't notice, but I want to check to make sure and ask the appropriate questions if they are different.

Originally Posted by Hedgemaster

Heck, ask if they will throw in a mulch kit or give a good discount on a bagger or something if they won't budge on price. Can't hurt to ask.

Oh yeah i'm going to. I have never paid full price for a car,tv, or my washer and dryer and I'm planning on walking out of there with more than a mower and a hat

[Hedgemaster]

Originally Posted by SaberLawnCare

Gotcha. I'm going in again Monday instead of later in the week when I make my decision. I want to look at it again. They're sitting right across from each other and nothing jumped out at me except the muffler venting on the trim side and the tires on the Snapper are bigger. I'm taking what Mark said about the exhaust into consideration, and I asked about the tires and they said the Ferris will have the larger tires soon. I could swear the "slant" wasn't there, I can't even recall the holes, even on the Ferris.

Again thanks for pointing that out. They could be exactly the same and that's why I didn't notice, but I want to check to make sure and ask the appropriate questions if they are different.


Oh yeah i'm going to. I have never paid full price for a car,tv, or my washer and dryer and I'm planning on walking out of there with more than a mower and a hat

As for the "holes", keep in mind that my "new" mower was manufactured in 2008 or 2009, so MY mower may differ from a newer build.

I think it's funny that they would stock "identical" mowers from different makers. You'd think they'd want to show a larger variety and not double up on the "same" unit. Makes for a much easier comparison though.

Check the engine date codes - maybe you'll find the same as I did.




By the way, I got a SHIRT too!