Gravely vs. Bad Boy vs. Snapper Pro vs. Ferris

13 years ago

I would like to hear any feedback on any of these ZTR brands that you own. I am kinda researching these machines to try and make a decision on which line I want to carry.

I am leaning towards Gravely as my main line. Second would be Snapper Pro OR Bad Boy. I think Ferris is tooo expensive for the average person to want to buy. Hustler came out with the Big Dog line too, but not real crazy about them. Don't know much of the World Products ZTR's or Encore line of ztr's either.

Thank you in advance for your response.

DD

Featured Answer

rdaystrom

13 years ago

Bad Boy is hard to beat for features and value. They are built tougher than other brands.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (14)

sergeant
13 years ago
Snapper Pro and Ferris are basicly the same machine just diffrent colors
Simplicity,Snapper PRO and Ferris are all part of the same company.
Simplicity Bought The founding company in 1998 which became Ferris. Then in 2004 Simplicity Bought Snapper and in 2006 Briggs & Stratton Bought Simplicity so they all fall under Briggs & Stratton Outdoor Power from those 3 brands
Related Discussions
Honda vs Snapper,Cub Cadet,Toro
Q
Comments (23)
Honda may have good engines, but the plastic decks on their more expensive consumer line would be a deal breaker for me. I would much rather buy an aluminum deck Toro or Lawnboy or a steel deck Snapper. I use to work for Honda as an internal auditor and audited Honda Power Equipments plant in Swepsonville, North Carolina. The plant management told me Honda made the switch from aluminum to plastic to cut costs. I got a Honda Harmony mower for my brother at a company discount. Even though he only uses this mower sparingly as a trim mower and is careful with his equipment, the deck cracked. To top it off Honda delivered this mower without an air filter element and my brother did not catch their mistake until he was doing preventative maintenance, approximately one year after taking delivery. A neighbor bought a plastic deck Honda Harmony a few years ago and did not like its maneuverability and lack of mulching power and gave it to his mother. He bought a much cheaper Troy Built and likes it much better. The Lawnboy Insight Platinum, the Toro Super Recycler, or the Snapper HI-VAC would be better choices than the plastic deck Honda mowers and the Toro and Lawnboy are significantly less expensive. I would choose the Toro if you primarily mulch and the Lawnboy or Snapper if you primarily bag.
...See More
Lawn Boy phased out?
Q
Comments (62)
Another year has passed and two cycle Lawn Boy mowers continue to increase in value and are sought after by many for restoration and use. To all the people who posted here 14 years ago how are your four strokes doing? Are they worth as much as a two cycle Lawn Boy? As I previously mentioned, one of the most important factors that brought the two cycle Lawn Boys strongly into the 21st century was the improvements made in two cycle oil. Today’s oils are nearly smokeless , produce soft carbon, and give excellent lubrication at a 50:1 mix ratio. Lawn Boy manuals printed in the 1970s said to check the ports every 50 hours of operation and warn about the danger of carbon particles breaking loose and scoring the piston. They also say to remove, clean and gap the spark plug every 25 hours. We have to assume these maintenance intervals were based on using Lawn Boy oil at a 32:1 ratio. At the time these manuals were written, Lawn Boy Engineers might have had a hard time believing that one day their mowers would go 300 plus hours on the same CJ-14 spark plug without removing it once, and only need port checking and cleaning at 100 hr. intervals with no worry of hard carbon scoring. They might have been even more surprised to learn this would be possible using a 50:1 mix ratio. Oil has changed so much since then that it could now be said that using the old Lawn Boy oil today would be the last thing you would want for your two cycle Lawn Boy.
...See More
New Tractor
Q
Comments (8)
Well, I'm back to were I started. Bought a craftsman "pro series" last night. My buddy got one with the 42" deck and 24hp Briggs ELS for $1800. I had wanted the snapper he pointed me to, but the model I wanted was just to much for what they wanted without enough benefit for me. I got the 46" model with the Kohler 25hp engine. They wanted $2000 for it, but a trip to Lowe's showed they were giving away free 10 cf carts with all JD and Husq. So Sears ended up selling me the 46" for $2037 including tax and a "free" 12 cf cart. (MSRP $2500 plus $150 for cart. With tax, a savings of $700 off retail ain't too shabby. Best I could get on the Snapper was $2600) Thats only $400 more than my last Poulan Pro from Sears and this is more than twice the tractor. Also, techically better than the snapper I could barely afford in many areas. (thicker, welded frame and better engine) If I get seven years on this one or sell for decent price in four or five I will be happy. Between mine and my buddy's, I will let you know how this model shakes out. One knock already: the Black with bright yellow highlights isn't doing anything for me. Plan for next tractor is 4WD and 3pt hitch in a few years. Thanks again for everyone's input. We both pick them up Saturday. Keep you posted.
...See More
What tomatoes are you planting this year?
Q
Comments (124)
This is the first year I've grown any from seed, and I overdid it. I'm about 20 miles from Augusta, GA, on the line between Zone 7a and 8b. Hot summers, often dry, Wanted to see which Heirloom types survive in this setting. From Seed Savers Exchange: Cherokee Purple Black Krim Black Cherry From Tomatofest: Mortgage Lifter (red) Arkansas Traveler Opalka Marianna's Peace Stump o' the World Winsall From Burpee: Brandy Boy And in a moment of weakness I bought several plants at a garden center: One each of Druzba, Reisentraube, Park's Whopper, Beefmaster, Rutgers, Marglobe, Celebrity, Super Sweet 100, Summer Set and Goliath hybrid. When I started the seedlings, I found that by far the most vigorous seedlings were the Black Krim, followed by Cherokee Purple and Arkansas Traveler. Don't know if that will translate into better plants, but they were definitely better as seedlings. All of them seem to be doing well in the ground, though.
...See More
mssurveyor
13 years ago
Those are all good mowers. It would be nice to know which models you are leaning toward. It would also be good to know what price range you need to be in. I've been watch them all. I'm a Bad Boy fan. Being I bought a Bad Boy Pup last year. Just got off of it an hour ago. Plan to be riding again tomorrow. I'd buy another Bad Boy. But I've been seeing some city mowers using Gravely's lately. They seem to be doing a nice job. I like looking at Ferris mowers. More like the 3100 series. Way out of my price range. There are a couple of others out there thou.

Bob Cat Mowrs,

http://www.bobcatturf.com/

and Everride Mowers,

http://everride.com/html/home/index.asp

get back with what you want in a mower, and what price range. We'll help you out!

ms
mssurveyor
13 years ago
Here a look at a Everride FURY!

This ain't your daddy's mower!

{{gwi:345196}}

Here is a link that might be useful: Everride FURY
deeredoctor
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you for all the replies so far.

Background on me. I am a experienced 25 year tech. 15 years was working for a JD Ag dealer workin lawn/garden products. SO I am a little bit biased towards the Green products. I spent various years working in the auto/heavy truck fields. I have also held a parttime commercial mowing business or two over the years, but used traditional tractors to do the job.

I opened my own lawn shop about 1 year ago. I have spent time with the Brigg's Rep talking Brigg's, Ferris and Snapper Pro. I was not interested in Snapper home type equipment.

I have also spent time with the Big Dog, Bad Boy, Gravely and Bob Cat Rep's.

I am really having some GREEN withdrawls to be honest...lol..

I have looked at nearly every brand out there. Most of the commercial crews I service equipment for are wanting to get away from the newer JD ZTR's, which I don't blame them, JD really goofed on the Z800 series.

I was just looking for real world experience, no hype etc.. just the honest truth how your machine has performed during your ownership.

Thanks,
DD
mssurveyor
13 years ago
Ok! I had a feeling about you deeredoctor. I've been getting GREAT reviews about the JD 925MOD on Lawnsites.com. All the commercial mowers are loving them.

Myself. I'm a Bad Boy type of guy. I love everything about my Bad Boy Pup. It's stout, mows a goog cut, the 30 hp Kohler is plenty strong enough to push the 52 inch deck. But most of all it's easy to work on when the time comes. I can get to every part with no troubles. My only regret is I didn't get a Bad Boy Lighting with a 31 hp KAWASAKI. Now that's a mower that's easy to repair, with a strong engine, and a GREAT CUT! You're a mower man. Get on and give the Lighting a look!
ewalk
13 years ago
Anyone have any experience with the Diesel Option on these Mowers ! Diesel Technology is the Future of Green on Internal Combution Engine . Bio-Diesel Power Baby !
deeredoctor
Original Author
13 years ago
I have been checking out propane, since my wifes family is in the propane business. Propane seems to be a very good option to the new alcohol fuels.

I have not spent any time researching bio-fuel engines. I know in the aviation world there are a few companies doing so. Esp in helicopters, they are trying to develop a diesel helicopter engine that is light. Turbine engines just burn too much fuel and the fuel is a very bad fire hazard to say the least. Diesel is cheap and everywhere world wide, not so with Avgas and Jet Fuel.
ewalk
13 years ago
Deer: Propane is not cheap but is cleaner and as efficient under the right circumstances. I just like the Green Bio Diesel Theme myself . Let us know what you find Dude !
gorper99
13 years ago
Dont forget #1-Scag.
gpaintjr
13 years ago
I have the Snapper Pro 150 w/21 hp Kawasaki 48" deck.
Personal use only. About 2 acres. 2 yr old w/ 70 hrs.
Love this thing. If I had it to do over I would go with the seat upgrade.
drummer_2010
13 years ago
Let me add one more mower to the group, how about the scat freedom line about 5990.00. I have a dealer near me. The problem I am having is the Bad Boy line looks so well built and priced well 4990.00 ZR 60in at tractor supply that it is hard to pass up. I am located im se ga and the soil is very sandy. I need a heavy deck. How about repair on the Bad Boy line does tractor supply service them?
Hugh Boykin
7 years ago
I have tryedout 6different brands and I like the bad boy mainly because it is so easy to service. I was able to pick my engine do not like orange but it still cuts well and the blades are impregnated with titanium. They use two separate oil supplies so as to cut repair cost on the hydrolics. I have a friend that cut comcialy he is ok with JD but likes the bad boy. If I ever buy another one it will be a bad boy.
HU-795507776
2 years ago
Ferris ( started out as a milk machinecompany for the farmers here in central new york) designed zero turn as we know it back in the 1980’s..they were ( maybe still are ) the best made..in the late 90’s simplicity bought them out,cheapened them up a bit to make money..around 2005 china bought them( briggs and stratton) which cheapened them up a whole lot..while they are still a good mower ..you can stand on an old 80’s version and a new 2012 version and say wow what a difference…but they still are the fastest and most comfortable to be on..of all the websites that do reviews on mowers, this one here at Houzz seems to be the only one that even looked at ferris….i wouldnt buy anything but a ferris…all around i think they cut the best…i think cub cadet cuts the worst..

Gravely vs. Bad Boy vs. Snapper Pro vs. Ferris

rdaystrom

Comments (14)

sergeant

Related Discussions

mssurveyor

mssurveyor

deeredoctor
Original Author

mssurveyor

ewalk

deeredoctor
Original Author

ewalk

gorper99

gpaintjr

drummer_2010

Hugh Boykin

HU-795507776

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Gravely vs. Bad Boy vs. Snapper Pro vs. Ferris

Comments (14)

Related Discussions

deeredoctorOriginal Author

deeredoctorOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

deeredoctor
Original Author

deeredoctor
Original Author