ferris 500???

rdubs20

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is 4k a good deal on a 2013 ferris 500 52 inch deck with 30 hours on it? Or should I just look at something new in that range? Like a gravely, scag,toro,snapper,hustler, or a husky. I only mow a little over 2 acres, but I want the best bang for my buck.
 

Shughes717

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is 4k a good deal on a 2013 ferris 500 52 inch deck with 30 hours on it? Or should I just look at something new in that range? Like a gravely, scag,toro,snapper,hustler, or a husky. I only mow a little over 2 acres, but I want the best bang for my buck.

Unless you are willing to spend more than $4k you won't get anything near the quality of the is500. What is your budget?
 

SeniorCitizen

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You might want to calculate the worth of warranty in the numbers.
 

rdubs20

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my budget is 4-5,000. What does a ferris is500 go for new? I am a little worried about no warranty as well.
 

Shughes717

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my budget is 4-5,000. What does a ferris is500 go for new? I am a little worried about no warranty as well.

The is500 isn't made anymore (the new version is the is600), but one new would cost around $5800. 30 hours is nothing on a machine like that one. You are only mowing 2 acres and that mower can get it done in an hour or so, so you won't put many hours a season on it. I wouldn't worry too much about not having a warranty. I have a 2012 snapper pro s150xt, which is the same as a ferris without the suspension (both companies owned by briggs & Stratton). I mow a little over 4 acres and never used my warranty. Commercial mowers like these are built very heavy. As long as they aren't abused they will last 20 years or more. Any mower you look at new with the drive train and heavy duty components that mower has will cost you $6k and up.
 

rdubs20

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Anyone know the difference between the 500 and the 600 ferris? Would it be worth the extra money?
 

Shughes717

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Anyone know the difference between the 500 and the 600 ferris? Would it be worth the extra money?

The main difference is engine options. The 52" is500 offers the 27 hp professional series B&S engine. The is600 offers the 25 hp b&s commercial turf, or the 18.5 hp fs series Kawi engine. The other main difference is the is500 has zt2800 hydros and the is600 has zt3400 hydros. If you were mowing commercialy I would say it would be worth the extra money, but you are only mowing a couple of acres. You won't put many hours a season on that mower. I would suggest offering $3500 for the is500 and see if the dealer will come down a little more. He may not come that low, but you may get it for $3800.
 

Shughes717

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The older is 500 mowers had separate pumps and wheel motors, but they were rated at the same speed as the newer ones with zt2800 hydros. Are you sure it's a 2013 model. I thought 2012 was the last year they were made. One way to tell is by the floor plate where your feet rest. If there is a knob at the top that can be unscrewed to remove the plate easily then it's a 2013. If there are bolts on each side that has to be removed before the plate will come off then it's a 2012 or older. Not that it matters much. That is a fair price for a mower of that quality with only 30 hours on it.
 

rdubs20

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I will have to look into that. It looks like its in really good shape. How is the 27 briggs motor? I really wanted a Kawasaki motor.
 

Shughes717

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I will have to look into that. It looks like its in really good shape. How is the 27 briggs motor? I really wanted a Kawasaki motor.

I am not really a fan of any briggs engine other than the vanguard, but I have read good reviews on the commercial turf. However, my best friend just purchased a 48" snapper pro s50x with the 27 hp briggss els and that mower has plenty of power. His had 87 hours on it when he purchased it. He mows his 1.5 acres in about 45 minutes. If you are looking at buying a ferris with a Kawi engine you are going to spend over $6k. If the mower you are looking at is in good shape it's worth what they are asking. Like I said, if I were in your shoes I would make an offer to see if I could get them to come down a little more. I mow 4.2 acres with a 48" snapper pro s150xt and it takes me about 2 hour and 15 minutes. You won't be putting a lot of hard hours on that mower, so I wouldn't be as concerned with the engine as I would if I were planning to use it commercially. If you put 2 hours a week on it for 5 months that's only 40 hours a year. Some landscapers put that many hours on a mower in a week. You won't get a new mower anywhere near that quality for that price.
 
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