In case you've spent any kind of time researching zero-turns lately, you've possibly run across the ferris 400 and wondered if it's actually worth the hype. Most people who shift from a conventional lawn tractor to some zero-turn are searching for two points: speed and also a better-looking cut. But if you've got a lawn that isn't precisely a bowling green—maybe it's got some bumps, ruts, or that one irritating hill—the conversation generally shifts toward ease and comfort. That's where this particular machine enters the particular picture.
I've seen a great deal of people get the biggest, baddest commercial mower these people can find, just to realize it's a nightmare in order to store or too heavy for their grass. The ferris 400 (specifically the 400S model) rests for the reason that "Goldilocks" zone. It's compact enough to match through many standard gates, yet it's built with a level associated with toughness that a person just don't discover in the mowers sitting out ahead of the big-box home enhancement stores.
That suspension everyone talks about
Let's be honest, the main reason anyone even discusses a Ferris is the suspension. Most zero-turns are basically rigorous boxes on wheels. If you hit the bump at 8 miles per hour, your back is the shock absorber. It's not fun, and it's why a lot of people end up dreading the weekly mow.
The ferris 400 uses their patented adjustable coil-over shock. If you look at the front plus back of the particular machine, it appears a lot more like a little ATV than a lawnmower. This isn't simply some marketing gimmick to make the price higher. It actually changes the particular way you mow. Since the mower isn't bouncing and jarring every time you strike a dip, the deck stays more level. A level deck means a more even cut, and it also means it is possible to maintain a decent velocity without feeling such as you're being bucked off a bronco.
I've spoken to guys that have switched to the particular ferris 400 just because they were tired of feeling sore the next morning. If you've got an acre or two associated with slightly uneven ground, that suspension is usually worth its excess weight in gold.
Power and engine options
You'll usually find these machines driven by a Briggs & Stratton Commercial Series engine. Today, I know there's always a large debate between Briggs, Kawasaki, and Kohler fans. Some people won't touch anything with out a K-engine, however the Commercial Series Briggs engines are really pretty solid. They're designed specifically regarding the dusty, high-heat environment of mowing.
The ferris 400 usually packs around 23 horsepower, which, for a 44-inch or even 48-inch deck, is enough of grunt. You aren't going to bog down simply because the grass got a little long over a rainy weekend. It's got a decent gasoline capacity too—about 5. 5 gallons—which methods you aren't continuously stopping to top off.
One thing I really like is how accessible every thing is. If you need to modify the oil or even check the surroundings filter, you don't need to be a contortionist. Ferris appears to understand that the people buying these mowers are often the ones carrying out the basic maintenance themselves.
The deck: 44-inch vs. 48-inch
The particular ferris 400 usually is available in 2 main flavors whenever it comes in order to the cutting breadth: the 44-inch and the 48-inch. This is a big deal intended for people with fenced-in yards. A great deal of standard back garden gates are forty eight inches wide. In the event that you buy the 48-inch deck, you might find yourself literally an inches too wide to get into your own back garden as soon as you factor in the discharge chute.
The 44-inch deck around the ferris 400 is definitely a bit of a rare parrot in the industry, but it's extremely useful. It's thin enough to get around tight flower mattresses and gates, yet it still seems like a "real" mower. The terrace itself is created, not stamped. If you aren't familiar with the difference, a stamped deck is made from an individual sheet of steel pressed into a shape. A fake deck, like the a single on the ferris 400 , is produced of heavy-duty metal plates welded jointly. It's thicker, it's heavier, also it may take a strike from a hidden rock and roll or perhaps a stump without having folding like the piece of tin foil.
Just how it handles at work
Driving the particular ferris 400 feels intuitive. When you've never used a zero-turn just before, there is a bit of the learning curve—you'll probably do a couple of accidental "donuts" within your grass and tear up a patch of turf—but you'll get the hang of this in about 20 minutes.
The controls are usually responsive without being "twitchy. " Some of the cheaper residential zero-turns possess steering levers that will feel like they're connected with silicone bands. On this particular machine, it feels mechanised and precise. You can trim around trees with a lots of confidence.
The top velocity is about 8 with. While that may not seem like the race car, compared to a regular riding mower that will goes 4 or 5 mph, you're essentially cutting your mowing time within half. When you combine that rate with the proven fact that you don't have to slow down for every little bundle (thanks again, suspension), the efficiency is usually pretty impressive.
Build quality and long-term value
Is the ferris 400 a "forever" mower? Well, nothing lasts forever if you don't get care of this, but this is usually definitely a 10-to-15-year machine for the common homeowner. The frame is made of heavy-wall steel tubes, as well as the components simply feel beefier compared to what you'd discover at a big store chain.
One of the delicate things I enjoy is the chair. It's a mid-back seat with armrests, and it's really comfortable. It might seem like a little detail, but whenever you're sitting on it to have a hr and a half every Saturday, you begin to care about the padding.
Also, the resale value on Ferris machines tends to stay fairly high. People know the brand title and they also know regarding the suspension. In the event that you decide to upgrade to a larger model in five years, you're most likely going to get a good chunk of your money back.
Is definitely there a catch?
Obviously, no machine is perfect. The ferris 400 is heavier compared to a basic home mower. If a person have very soft, swampy soil, you'll want to be careful after the heavy rain mainly because those rear auto tires can leave the mark if you aren't mindful showing how a person turn.
Price may be the additional factor. You're definitely paying reduced for that suspension as well as the fabricated deck. You will discover zero-turns with the same deck dimension to get a couple thousand dollars less, yet they won't possess the same build quality or the trip comfort. You possess to ask yourself if your back plus your time are usually worth the extra investment. For the lot of people, the answer is an unquestionable yes.
Which is this mower for?
We wouldn't recommend the ferris 400 for someone with a tiny 1/4 acre lot without obstacles; it's just overkill. But in case you're looking right after one to 3 acres, especially when that land is definitely a bit rough or has the lot of landscape designs to weave around, it's an ideal fit.
It's also excellent for the person who desires commercial-grade features with no having a substantial machine that takes up half the particular garage. It's the "prosumer" mower in the truest sense—it bridges the space between homeowner convenience and professional-grade sturdiness.
In the particular end, the ferris 400 appears out because it targets the owner experience. It's not just about how fast the blades rewrite or how broad the deck is definitely; it's about producing sure you don't hate the procedure of mowing your own lawn. If you're tired of the particular bumps and the particular cheap feel associated with entry-level mowers, this is definitely one you should go test drive at a regional dealer. Just be warned: as soon as you feel that suspension function, it's really difficult to return to the mower that doesn't have it.