Are Ferris Lawn Mowers Worth Buying? Here's What You Should Know Before Investing

The Ferris brand has a reputation for building high-quality, technically advanced lawn mowers. They are aimed at homeowners with large grassed areas to manage and commercial contractors. The smallest lawn mower in the Ferris range has a 32-inch cutting deck, so it's clear they are not intended for the average urban yard. This walk-behind model also has a 4-figure price tag — even entry-level Ferris lawn mowers are relatively expensive. If you have expansive lawns and are considering investing in a big zero-turn or riding mower, you'll find most (but not all) rivals are cheaper. Buying one of these machines requires deep pockets, so of course, potential buyers want to know whether Ferris lawn mowers are worth the investment.

Key factors in buying a premium-priced lawn mower include more than just its cutting capabilities but also its reliability and durability. Build quality obviously impacts purchase choice, with people tending to prefer American-made machinery (even when it costs more). Ferris lawn mowers have always been made in the US, with the current plant located in Sherrill, New York.

Ferris prides itself on its advanced engineering and high-performance lawn mowers, but manufacturer specs can't tell you what a machine is like in the real world. Alas, checking independent reviews and feedback on lawn care forums is a good idea. Respondents tend to be a mix of private owners with large acreage and lawn care professionals, which gives valuable information from different points of view.

Heavy-duty construction underpins durability. The framework of Ferris lawn mowers looks sturdier than most rivals, and the cutting deck has two layers of steel to reinforce stress points. Ferris is keen to point out their patented, automotive-like suspension system. They claim this not only tackles uneven terrain better than competitors but also reduces the impact on the machine, so it lasts longer and provides greater comfort for the user. One person said it was "like riding in a Cadillac." If you spend all day in the saddle, that could be a game changer.

The biggest mowers in the Ferris range, those with 60-inch and 72-inch decks, use the iCD+ cutting system. According to the website, this system includes a design feature to "optimize airflow and create a powerful vacuum for cleaner cuts and superior clipping dispersion." It's the kind of attention to detail you don't find with most competitors. The Vanguard engines on Ferris lawn mowers use an Oil Guard system that allows them to run for 500 hours between oil changes. For comparison, a well-known maker of riding and zero-turn lawn mowers, Club Cadet, recommends oil changes every 50 hours. As does John Deere.

It's hard to find critics of Ferris lawn mowers. Build quality is consistently highly rated, as is cut quality across varying ground conditions. And mowing speeds boast up to 10 mph. These are coveted features when buying a large, zero-turn lawn mower – and for commercial operators, they can also impact the bottom line.

Assessing value for money is difficult. Most zero-turn and riding lawn mower makers produce a 42-inch version, which gives a useful point for comparison. At the time of writing, those from John Deere, Toro, Troy-Bilt, Ego Power, and Cub Cadet all cost less than the Ferris model. Specifications vary, of course, and that's the key point. In such a competitive market, potential buyers need to balance the cost of a Ferris lawn mower with the performance they provide. Ferris says, "We make innovative, commercial-grade turf care products." Yet, other, less expensive models will satisfy the needs of many. The decision might well come down to how much grass you have to cut and how often.

There's one final point that won't affect professionals but might be a consideration for homeowners with a lot of land: whether to buy and maintain a large lawn mower at all. Over a number of years, the cost of a lawn maintenance program may eventually exceed the price of a Ferris. However, if you find mowing the lawn a chore, then paying someone else to do it is an attractive alternative.