Should I buy this used Ferris or Exmark ZeroTurn?

[Joyrider]

Hi,

I am not sure if the mower is a Ferris or Exmark - both quality brands. My dad has been looking around for us and found one at a dealer out his way. He said it was an Exmark but then said it was a Ferris he thought after thinking about it! It is a recent trade in from a local college as they replace their mowers on the regular. It is a 72" deck commercial grade and has 1200 hours on it. The dealer says they have gone all through it and fully serviced it. It is for $3k. Is 1200 hours …insane? Is 72" deck too big? We have 7 or so acres of lawn - not pasture. We are flattish but not college campus or country club flat. There are lumps and bumps - stupid vole trails! This seems like a great price buuuuut we have had our fair share of used mowers and my husband is sick of playing mechanic every summer! We just did the last mow of the season (with a 21" push mower - took 5 hours) as our former zero turn went kaput in August. Is this a good buy? Pros- Cons? Thanks!

[trubandloki]

I guess it is a question that can only be answered about that exact machine.

I can say that Mr. Trub bought a similar machine and loved that darn thing.
He never regretted that purchase until he had to replace it, and he had been spoiled by the huge deck and he could not find a new machine in his price range with that same huge deck.

I feel like even buying new you are going to be paying someone to fix things.

[FitToBeTied]

Will the 72" deck fit everywhere you need it to go? Also, those are heavy machines. If you have to turn in tight places they will leave a dig mark.

[cutter99]

The 72” deck would be great for mowing 7 acres of lawn for sure. Use your current mower in harder to get to spots.

The price seems reasonable enough and 1200 hours would not scare me, especially if they can show you records of service.

[luvmyhackney]

72” deck would be amazing for you to mow that size.

Just make sure it will let you get in any tight spaces. I had to go smaller as I had some tighter areas a 72” wouldn’t fit through.

That’s not terrible price but I’d ask for some sort of warranty for 60 days and make sure the mower blades have been sharpened.

[Joyrider]

Thanks all- nothing tight and we would still have the push mower if we did have a tight spot. Some garden beds but plenty of room around them. I misspoke about the 5 hours…it took 5 hours to just do the 4 acres around the house lol! My husband walked 12 miles doing it - took some breaks. Yowza! That 72" is looking better and better!

[clanter]

@luvmyhackney

That’s not terrible price but I’d ask for some sort of warranty for 60 days

since this purchase is at the beginning of winter rather than days I would prefer a specific number of machine hours (assuming the hours meter can not be bypassed or disconnected)

must say cutting seven acres with a 21 inch push mower in five hours must have been at a run, no gym membership required

oh I see the corrected time but still four acres in five hours would be quite an accomplishment

[luvmyhackney]

@clanter

since this purchase is at the beginning of winter rather than days I would prefer a specific number of machine hours (assuming the hours meter can not be bypassed or disconnected)

Yeah. Location is important. I’m still having to mow at least 1, if not 2 more times.

[clanter]

we usually have to mow year round here, winter is normally January third through January sixth or seventh them it is Spring gardening time (exclusion would be if there is some bigtime event such as a Super Bowl then there is sure to be a reoccurrence of winter)

OP said they had completed the year end mowing that is why I suggested an hours of use warranty rather than a number of days

[NaturallyHappy]

All I have to add is buy it! We bought a commercial JD zero turn a couple of years ago. That thing is da bomb!

[Bluey]

@Joyrider

Hi,

I am not sure if the mower is a Ferris or Exmark - both quality brands. My dad has been looking around for us and found one at a dealer out his way. He said it was an Exmark but then said it was a Ferris he thought after thinking about it! It is a recent trade in from a local college as they replace their mowers on the regular. It is a 72" deck commercial grade and has 1200 hours on it. The dealer says they have gone all through it and fully serviced it. It is for $3k. Is 1200 hours …insane? Is 72" deck too big? We have 7 or so acres of lawn - not pasture. We are flattish but not college campus or country club flat. There are lumps and bumps - stupid vole trails! This seems like a great price buuuuut we have had our fair share of used mowers and my husband is sick of playing mechanic every summer! We just did the last mow of the season (with a 21" push mower - took 5 hours) as our former zero turn went kaput in August. Is this a good buy? Pros- Cons? Thanks!

What kind of push mower was that, if not one with a motor, any pictures, please?

[frugalannie]

I don’t know Ferris, but we bought a commercial grade Exmark Lazer, 54" deck I think, 18 years ago to mow our lawns (and sometimes paddocks). We’re in New England, so I mow mid April to end of October, 6 hours a week. It’s still going strong. It has about 3400 hours on it (my estimate). Tires have had to be replaced, new blades every couple of years, and belts a couple of times but the thing is a beast. Our neighbors bought an Exmark, but not commercial, and the deck has cracked more than once.

If the price is right, I’d get it. You can always sell it if it doesn’t work out for you.

[ASB_Stars]

I have a Ferris. His name is Bueller, and he and I are bestest buds. I would buy that thing in a heartbeat. Of course, Bueller would be upset…I just love my Ferris!

[Joyrider]

I …bought it! It IS a Ferris. They are replacing the seat as it is “stuck” way far back for like a 6’6" tall person. So…it will have a nice new seat, free delivery, a fresh wash/clean and new blades with a spare pair of sharpened blades. Or vice versa (?) on the blades maybe and gas and oil too. Also, the salesman said if we have any trouble with it, they have a standard warranty of 90 days. GREAT advice Clanter about the warranty - I mentioned that we wouldn’t be mowing again this season and the guy said he would give us free pick up and delivery and repair through June 1 of next year. Pretty good I’d say. It is coming next Tuesday. It’s a beast.

[clanter]

@Joyrider

said he would give us free pick up and delivery and repair through June 1 of next year.

very good for them to have the confidence in the equipment they sell

[ASB_Stars]

Bueller will be so proud!

[cutter99]

Congratulations!!!