Hours on Mower

[Ibanez540r]

I had a thread recently getting opinions on various used commercial grade zero turn mowers for a new 2.5 acre property. Just came across another mower that I'm trying to determine the useful life on.

2007 Ferris IS1000 w/ 23HP Kawasaki Motor - 1200 hours

Other then the hours being higher then I was looking, it's a really great deal even at the hour level compared to others I have found. If it still has plenty of life for residential use I think it is worth it compared to something with say 600 hours for $1500 more.

1200 hours on a Kaw?

 

[jshillin]

Is it liquid cooled? If so, they see 3,000 on Garden Tractors pretty easily. My 20HP water cooled Kawasaki has 800 hours on it and runs great. I'm in the process of changing the sump gasket because of an oil leak, but it runs excellent.

 

[kiser312]

You keep asking about motors in this post and your other post. Its important to know what kawi motor you are looking at. Each brand of motor has different lines of motors. I.e Kohler has "Courage" line and a "Command" line of engines. Either way i have seen low end Briggs motors go for thousands of hours with normal maintenance. I have seen Kohle commands go for over 3,000 hours before they were traded in. Also try not to buy something that was used by a commercial landscaper.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

1200hrs since 07 is only 120 / year --I would not expect that it's been in commercial use.
I have a Ferris IS 1500 I bought at least 5 years ago, so I would guess that's the same little Kawasaki air cooled engine. Everything I have heard of them is they are pretty good. The only issue I have heard about consistently from my dealer / other small engine guys is that using gasoline with ethanol added will eat seals - main shaft seal leaks are common from this issue.

 

[gdocktor3]

The motors usually last longer than hydro pumps, pto's, starters, etc. I've always heard the Kawis are good for 1500 hrs before having issues. I'd be more concerned with the rest of the machine. The motor runs at a certain rpm most of the time, but the hydros are constantly opening, closing and pushing fluid and tend to have issues before the motor does. Overall I think you'll be fine for a good few years though if it's been well cared for.

 

[Ibanez540r]

Is it liquid cooled? If so, they see 3,000 on Garden Tractors pretty easily. My 20HP water cooled Kawasaki has 800 hours on it and runs great. I'm in the process of changing the sump gasket because of an oil leak, but it runs excellent.

Air

You keep asking about motors in this post and your other post. Its important to know what kawi motor you are looking at. Each brand of motor has different lines of motors. I.e Kohler has "Courage" line and a "Command" line of engines. Either way i have seen low end Briggs motors go for thousands of hours with normal maintenance. I have seen Kohle commands go for over 3,000 hours before they were traded in. Also try not to buy something that was used by a commercial landscaper.

I hear you. I'm not positive on the Kaw on this Ferris since the label is not obvious or seen in the photos and it's an hour away. I do know the Gravely ZT HD 52 that I'm also considering now that the guy finally got back to me, has the FR730V 24hp. It only has 86 hours for an asking price $900 over the Ferris.

I know the Ferris has the better 3400 or 3600 transaxles compared to the 3100 on the Gravely and the Ferris is full commercial grade, but a lot more hours for cheaper. Not sure what the best choice would be at this point.

1200hrs since 07 is only 120 / year --I would not expect that it's been in commercial use.
I have a Ferris IS 1500 I bought at least 5 years ago, so I would guess that's the same little Kawasaki air cooled engine. Everything I have heard of them is they are pretty good. The only issue I have heard about consistently from my dealer / other small engine guys is that using gasoline with ethanol added will eat seals - main shaft seal leaks are common from this issue.

I'm told the Ferris was used commercially, but did the same math you did which seems fairly light. The Gravely mentioned above with 86 hours was residential use.

 

[American Locomotive]

1200 hours is nothing for a liquid cooled engine, but it's a bit much for a light-commercial air cooled engine that's been worked hard.

I'd check it carefully for signs of burning oil when revving it (not just holding it at "rabbit", and also see if you can setup to drive it around and mow some grass to make sure it has good power.

 

[Ohmthis]

Most commercial mowers are built super tough. I have a Great Dane that I bought from a dealer as a trade in. Since buying it 5 years ago (my yard is 5+ acres) I've replaced one spindle bearing set, front tires, blades, belts and one coil. My wife ran it out of oil when the main seal popped out (main seal leaks are common, I've replaced several on these types of mowers) and I rebuilt the engine. My belief is run a good synthetic oil, change it regularly, clean out the fins regularly, check/change hydro filters when needed with the oil and it will run a very long time with moderate use. Usually electrical components go before mechanical ones (as long as the proper maintenance is performed). Starters, coils, cdi boxes, stators, and switches. Definitely test run each one. Even though one may seem like a great deal, it may be uncomfortable to ride and drive.

 

[kiser312]

If I were buying a mower i would not buy one with a trans axle. The Scag Tiger Cat you refrenced in your other post has wheel motors, larger hydro capacity(keeps down the heat). Not because I own one but honestly is the best option you have listed. You are looking at upper end home owner models with the Gravley and Ferris models you referenced . The Scag is a lower to mid end commercial unit.

Air



I hear you. I'm not positive on the Kaw on this Ferris since the label is not obvious or seen in the photos and it's an hour away. I do know the Gravely ZT HD 52 that I'm also considering now that the guy finally got back to me, has the FR730V 24hp. It only has 86 hours for an asking price $900 over the Ferris.

I know the Ferris has the better 3400 or 3600 transaxles compared to the 3100 on the Gravely and the Ferris is full commercial grade, but a lot more hours for cheaper. Not sure what the best choice would be at this point.



I'm told the Ferris was used commercially, but did the same math you did which seems fairly light. The Gravely mentioned above with 86 hours was residential use.

 

[Showkey]

Those Ferris ZT have a sweet suspension setup .............

 

[cajunfirehawk]

A ferris like this? mine has 500 hrs runs like a top, Kawi engine YMMV

 

[Firebrick43]

I bought a used ferris for my mother. I really don't care for it particularly. The suspension is not that great of ride. The rear suspension makes maintence (on engine and electrical system) a pain in the ****. It also doesn't cut evenly in turns to the left even though the deck has been leveled and all linkages checked for wear. I think it has to do with the suspension but can't find any flaws.

My exmarks kawasaki motor has about 2000 hours. It is pull start 18hp and still starts easily on the second pull. When you check the oil pay attention to the color of the dip stick. The stick should be white. If brown it's been overheated. As they get hours on then the top seal leaks and coats the cylinders and dirt and grass coats and plugs up the fins. It's fairly easy to pull the cover, flywheel, and top seal. Replace the dipstick to. If you catch it no big deal but constant overheating leads to engine damage especially vavle seat, vale seals, and broken cables that take out the rest of the engine.

I would recommend pulling the shroud yearly and blowing out the cylinders and checking for over winter mouse nest.

 

[Mhyde52]

If I were buying a mower i would not buy one with a trans axle. The Scag Tiger Cat you refrenced in your other post has wheel motors, larger hydro capacity(keeps down the heat). Not because I own one but honestly is the best option you have listed. You are looking at upper end home owner models with the Gravley and Ferris models you referenced . The Scag is a lower to mid end commercial unit.

^^^ This ^^^

 

[Mhyde52]

Or if you are looking at used commercial quality machines, I would find the ones with a unitized, all metal pump/motor/reservoir that are not a geared transaxle.

Exception being the ZD or ZG Kubota models.

 

[firebox40dash5]

I'd start wondering about bang for your buck buying a 1200 hour machine for several acres. It could make it to 2k+, it could go pop in the next 50. OTOH, if it really is cheap even for the hours, and you know how to work on it, you could do some fixing up, and end up with an engine in better shape than one with 500 hours. I did the head gaskets and seals on my Kohler last year at 1100 hours... not going to say it's better than new as there's other stuff that can go wrong, but the head gaskets are all but guaranteed to go eventually (especially this model apparently) so replaced HG > original HG at least.

As far as model... I'd look more commercial as well. I've seen used prices all over the damn place, like one guy asking $6k firm and another asking $3.5k, for the same machine with similar hours and appearance. Could be regional difference, hidden issues, or whatever else, but I've seen decent pro ZTRs with right around 1000 hours go for $3500-4500.