Product Profile: Equipment Choice Key To Early Success

Loffler’s search for a zero-turn radius mower took about seven months. He looked at all the major brands, visited manufacturer web sites and reviewed and compared mower specifications. Then one day a local dealer introduced him to the Ferris ProCut Z.

According to Loffler, he could see that the Ferris Z would be a stable machine because it had a low center of gravity. Loffler also liked the foot-operated deck lift.

Interestingly, Loffler did not buy the ProCut Z for the independent suspension system. Said Loffler: "I thought IS was gimmicky at first." But Loffler is also a seasoned mountain biker and remembers the days when shocks on bikes were also considered a fad. He was willing to believe that a full independent suspension system could make a difference on a mower.

"I think suspension helps maneuver in more extreme situations," he said. "With suspension, all four wheels remain on the ground, especially around or through a ditch where a more rigid mower would have problems."

For Loffler, extreme landscapes are fairly common. Many of the front yards he mows are sod – smooth and easy – but once he gets to the back yard, it’s pure Ozark Hills – rough and rocky.

"Suspension takes the beating away from the machine, and the operator," Loffler declared. "That means a smoother, softer, faster ride."

The author is director of marketing at Ferris Industries, Munnsville, N.Y.