Update Video! Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a New Lawn Mower!

I've got a Ferris and find it to be an excellent machine. My dealer also has an excellent relationship with Ferris. I had reached out to Ferris to find out when the next build was scheduled for the machine I wanted -- none were in inventory anywhere in the northeast except for a dealer demo a couple hundred miles away. Ferris indicated that they had a production run coming up soon... When I was in the dealership the manager told me that the Ferris rep told him there was a guy who really wanted that specific model... The dealer knew it was me and this communication chain enhanced my confidence in the brand. Four of those machines came in one morning and were sold before lunch the same day. Guys were waiting for them... My name was on one of them. It is interesting to note that the Ferris mowers are delivered in reusable steel crating instead of throw away wood and cardboard boxes... The zip lock bag with the manuals is exceptionally strong and reusable. The machine ships with extra nuts that replace the factory installed nuts that are removed for assembly of the controls, etc. They aren't messing around!

Heath you are a good man. Very understanding and honest. I hope you stay who you are as a good person. God bless.

I got to talk to a Scag engineer a few years ago. We got the first model year of the Tiger Cat II right when it was released. Ended up breaking hydro belts every 50 to 80 hours (we average 400hrs per year on each machine). Dealt with that for a year and a half. Dealer gave us 2 belts at a time so we always had one on hand free of charge. Scag finally figured out what was going on with the first batch of machines. The frame jig was slightly out of alignment. A scag engineer called me to talk about it in depth which was really cool. Scag sent a new frame to the dealer and a week later we had our machine back and never had another hydro belt issue. While the dealer had our machine they loaned us a Toro commercial 60" so we weren't without a machine to use. Love our dealer here in maryland, Rippeon equipment in gaithersburg and westminster. We are just a small company yet they still gave us a loaner. Had the same salesman for 30 years now (Matt). After over 40yrs in business, scag velocity + deck is by far the best deck we've ever cut with and we've used just about all of them. BTW our Ferris FZ60 has those same 3400 hydros with i guess around 800 hours on it now. Just serviced them this spring actually with amsoil hydro fluid and oe filters. You have been told lies about the hydros. Many commercial machines come with the integrated hydro gear units now days. Our Gravely 460's both had ZT-5400 which is the big daddy of the integrated trans axles. One benefit is no cross contamination when something fails. You just got unlucky honestly. Really really unlucky.

Spartan makes great zero turns. I spoke with someone from the company before purchasing and the Welcome kit that they sent me had direct telephone numbers in it. Very pleased after 2 years.

I worked at a landscaping company for 20 years running a mowing crew. We always used Scag equipment and it was absolutely the best in my opinion. There were rarely any issues. I have one now that I use on my property and it is a more resin version but it is still a tough well built unit

Glad to hear your situation is getting resolved. I purchased a Ferris. Really like it. Its a smaller commercial but perfect for me.

Appreciate the follow up video. Glad to know the owner is stepping up to make positive changes in their processes.

I had the opposite experience with a mower. I bought a Toro zero turn from Forrester Equipment in Woodstock VA. About an hour into the first mowing, the belt broke. I called Forrester, who sent a tech to my house to fix the belt. I was back to mowing in less than an hour. No charge. Forrester Equipment has a customer for life!

You put a lot into that video, thanks, it is well worth the watch, and that is something I appreciate about the comradery of the Firewood channels.

Heath I don't own a lawnmower (live in the desert so no grass) but what you said about documenting everything is spot on. All the issues I've had with my house fire has had me not only saving every text but I have a notebook with dates and times and who I spoke to written down, in this day and age you have to to keep your butt covered

I am glad you are getting your situation resolved. I have the commercial grade Husqvarna more. The good thing with is the dealer support we have here. They take care of there customers after they sell you the product..

Good information. I hope you make more videos about your Mower, situation and solution. Personally, so far I’ve had a very good interaction with my dealership when purchasing my Bad Boy Mower. I personally have not reached out to Bad Boy manufacturing, but I haven’t had to. So far I love my mower for what I am using it for. Good luck in purchasing your new zero Turn Mower.

Parts and service is another reason i like. Huster you call huster you can get a hold of someone .

As a past employee of a small engine dealer. When your getting ready to buy your next better mower make the dealer work for you. Meaning asking to demo a unit first. Feel it out see if it's for you. Their are many different brands and each one offers something different, but as I always tell customers. Do your research and write a list of what you want your mower or tractor to do for you.

A very good video, you covered this very well, in the past I've been burned because I didn't pay attention to warranties or went with verbal agreements and never documented anything. A person needs to document everything now.😊

I glad the original dealer reached out to you purchasing your mower for purchase price! Your doing a great job with these video, about you story!

WOW! Glad I got my John DeereZ325E ZTrak 54 inch cut from Lowes. Warranty didn't start until first day of delivery. After a few weeks had a steering issue. Lowes picked up the unit and ended up swapping out for a new mower within 2 weeks authorized by John Deere. Warranty (3 year) started over from new delivery date. Had found that John Deere 3 year warranty and Lowes 3 year warranty have a few different perks; in this case having the Lowes extra 3 year warranty was the key in really speeding up our process. Got a follow up not just from Lowes BUT John Deere rep as well and we live out in the country and move 3 1/2 acres. Thanks for your video.

Glad to hear your getting the support you deserve.

Great points! Always do your research and read/watch all the reviews on products, manufacturers, and dealers. I can definitely recommend a Ferris mower. I picked up my ISX 800 and, being an engineer, it is truly an engineer's machine. The design is exceedingly well done. Very controllable, awesome comfort (3 hours on bumpy ground and my chronic back never complained), bulletproof, and incredibly easy to clean and maintain. I was amazed how it never bogged down cutting 2 ft high May grass, including the adjacent clippings, leaving a 5-inch cut track that was almost perfect. I visited three dealers within an hour of me. I went with the one that didn't try to upsell me or wasn't very organized when getting me a simple quote, and the one with the most positive reviews. A small, family-owned business that responds immediately and takes time to explain how each OEM works, or not, with them.

You done alot of research over what happen to your mower and alot of people learned alot from this I say. Warranty does not always work the way we think it's going to like buying it in the off season,s which reduces months of it there like you said. Other things you mentioned. Lot of your time went into this situation but hopefully your next buy will have good reviews and better luck. All the best to you bud.