I just ordered a new IS3200 Ferris with the 37 hp Vanguard and Oil Guard System. Well done video. It covered all the steps clearly. Thanks so much!!! Oil changes and maintenance will be a lot easier in my new machine.
I have been unable to find the other modification videos on the Ferris, to which you alluded. Am I simply missing them or are they not uploaded? I just purchased a 2019 version for farm mowing, and I’d like to see anything you’ve noticed as an issue and your fixes. I’m always desirous of learning through other people’s experiences.
Where did you find the info on the initial oil change of 50 hrs. I called Ferris today and they said there was no initial oil change. I wasn't agreeing with him when he told me to change it at 500 like the manual says.
I really thought I read this on the Briggs/Vanguard site. However I can't find it. Nor can I find it in my engine manual. I am so sorry for any confusion. I will keep looking but it looks like you're safe just to change it every 500 hours from the start.
50 hrs seems reasonable to me that's why I asked. 500 seems a little excessive for an initial change. Maybe you read about the vanguard without the oil guard. Let me know if you find it. I just bought another mower that has a kawasaki on it. Nowhere does it say what the initial oil change is on it either. I called ferris on that one too and they told me 10 hrs.
I was told at the dealership to change it after the first 50 hours then go 500 after that. But I agree - I cannot find anything in writing that says that. So I would suggest doing each change at 500 hours even the first change out.....
@@mowerdog a dealer told me 250 interval is what they do, even on 500 oilguards... food for thought. could get it tested for $15 with shipping, but CAT lab caterpillar heavy equip dealers sell an envelope/bottle etc.
I'm considering buying this machine for the 2020 mowing season. I'm interested in the issues you had. Also is the fuel economy good with this big block engine? Thank you.
That is how Briggs says change it BUT you know there is still 1 qt of OLD Nasty oil in that motor dont you?? Best way is to do all you did BUT remove plug on bottom side of block and drain another pint out then put your new oil into tank [plug back in] no filter yet Then remove plug wires and remove one oil line from engine to top oil filter and crank over --this will pump new oil into system and another pint of old oil out --pump into a cup till clean new oil comes out--Now put another qt oil in button up and NOW you have a COMPLETE Oil change with ALL new oil, Other way is like changing oil in your pickup and putting one qt of old nasty oil back into your engine--SAME THING,,Takes 6qts this way but least I know it all clean oil,,,
Sadly, no. I sold my acreage and moved to town. I sold it and bought a smaller mower. The biggest thing that helped was raise the engine rpm to 3900 rpm's. This way while under load it runs at 3600rpm. Briggs has a high rpm kit that makes it run at 4500RPM's for boat motors. So running it at 3900 high idle will be fine.
mowerdog Great Thanks! I had been wondering on this. I don’t think I’ll make 500hrs on oil changes. I’m at 230hrs and it’s dark. Not black but not new. I’m going to go ahead and change it for safety.
Hey I am looking to purchase the IS 2100 with suspension seat. I blew my lowest disc 3 years ago and I hear the suspension plus the suspension seat makes it the smoothest riding mower on the market. Do you recommend Ferris?
I’m torn between this Ferris and the Scag Tuff Tiger 2 with the same 37hp efi Vanguard engine. Unfortunately, Scag doesn’t sell theirs with the oil guard system. That seems to be exclusive to Ferris. So, you mention in the video some “hacks” you had to do to make it run and cut better. I don’t see any new videos from you mentioning that. Please let me know what problems you were having and what you did.
I found that my blades were not spinning at the maximum feet per minute per law. I had to raise my engine rpm to 3900 to fix that. Now I'm searching for ultra high lift blades. The Ferris cut out of the box isn't top notch and leaves some individual grass not completely cut. Raising the rpm did fix most issues. If the quality of cut is the most important go with the Scag. If you want a super smooth ride and a pretty darn good cut go with the Ferris. I'm particular about cut quality however I sacrifice that for the ride quality. Hope this helps. .
Thanks for that info! I’m only mowing 3 acres of smooth ground so i think I’d have to pick cut quality over ride quality. Have you personally seen the Scag TT2 cut grass? I just watched your tree stump burning barrel video. You have some good stuff! Subbed!
@@stallen Thanks for the subscription Steve! I have not personally seen Turf Tiger's quality of cut but have heard they are among the best. I really think the Ferris's quality of cut is from a shallow deck. My 20 year old Gravely 260Z had a better cut and that deck was deep. Another mower to look at that I didn't is the Spartan. They seem to know that deck depth is key to cut quality. Plus they have some nice features and priced right. I personally would look at the Spartan if I did it over again. Check them out. spartanmowers.com/?=adhome3&gclid=Cj0KCQiAk-7jBRD9ARIsAEy8mh5BYD2vIc_O1Jw4ehyNJq2YEoW2xa3zcwKs_2Hdo5IMKkL1NafZXR8aAn2DEALw_wcB
Great job.
Thanks Mark
I liked like this video. It helped me a lot. Could you also do a video about changing the hydro fluid on a ferris 3200. Thanks
I will when it's time to change it out.
Wonderful video man!! Super helpful! I have a 2100z and this video was spot on for that too!
Great!!
I just ordered a new IS3200 Ferris with the 37 hp Vanguard and Oil Guard System. Well done video. It covered all the steps clearly. Thanks so much!!! Oil changes and maintenance will be a lot easier in my new machine.
This is true. Just to keep you informed - my electric fuel pump died at 61 hours. I hope it's a fluke............
I've been waiting for someone to do a video on this . I have the same mower and I'm about due. Thanks for sharing, just subbed up👍
Thanks for watching and subbing!!
Service interval is 500 hours and you change it every 50 hours?
No. This was the initial oil change.
I have been unable to find the other modification videos on the Ferris, to which you alluded. Am I simply missing them or are they not uploaded? I just purchased a 2019 version for farm mowing, and I’d like to see anything you’ve noticed as an issue and your fixes. I’m always desirous of learning through other people’s experiences.
I have not made those videos yet. If you want to email me I'll explain them to you. mowerdog@gmail.com
Great video. Thanks. Was wondering what the other modifications you did on your 3200z to fix it’s little problems you’ve found ? Thanks
I'm going to add that video in about a month. I didn't like the video I made so I'm going to re shoot the footage.
Where did you find the info on the initial oil change of 50 hrs. I called Ferris today and they said there was no initial oil change. I wasn't agreeing with him when he told me to change it at 500 like the manual says.
I really thought I read this on the Briggs/Vanguard site. However I can't find it. Nor can I find it in my engine manual. I am so sorry for any confusion. I will keep looking but it looks like you're safe just to change it every 500 hours from the start.
50 hrs seems reasonable to me that's why I asked. 500 seems a little excessive for an initial change. Maybe you read about the vanguard without the oil guard. Let me know if you find it. I just bought another mower that has a kawasaki on it. Nowhere does it say what the initial oil change is on it either. I called ferris on that one too and they told me 10 hrs.
I was told at the dealership to change it after the first 50 hours then go 500 after that. But I agree - I cannot find anything in writing that says that. So I would suggest doing each change at 500 hours even the first change out.....
My dealer said same thing...no initial oil change at 50 hrs, go the full 500.
@@mowerdog a dealer told me 250 interval is what they do, even on 500 oilguards... food for thought. could get it tested for $15 with shipping, but CAT lab caterpillar heavy equip dealers sell an envelope/bottle etc.
I'm considering buying this machine for the 2020 mowing season. I'm interested in the issues you had. Also is the fuel economy good with this big block engine? Thank you.
Email me. Mowerdog@gmail.com
I like mobil 1 15w50.....just put it in my riding mower.
Good stuff
That is how Briggs says change it BUT you know there is still 1 qt of OLD Nasty oil in that motor dont you?? Best way is to do all you did BUT remove plug on bottom side of block and drain another pint out then put your new oil into tank [plug back in] no filter yet Then remove plug wires and remove one oil line from engine to top oil filter and crank over --this will pump new oil into system and another pint of old oil out --pump into a cup till clean new oil comes out--Now put another qt oil in button up and NOW you have a COMPLETE Oil change with ALL new oil,
Other way is like changing oil in your pickup and putting one qt of old nasty oil back into your engine--SAME THING,,Takes 6qts this way but least I know it all clean oil,,,
Thank you for the tip! Makes sense to me.....
Any update on the mod video?
Sadly, no. I sold my acreage and moved to town. I sold it and bought a smaller mower. The biggest thing that helped was raise the engine rpm to 3900 rpm's. This way while under load it runs at 3600rpm. Briggs has a high rpm kit that makes it run at 4500RPM's for boat motors. So running it at 3900 high idle will be fine.
I have two of these. They are close to needing a oil change.
Do you need to drain the crank case?
Nothing more to drain other that what I show in the video.
mowerdog Great Thanks! I had been wondering on this.
I don’t think I’ll make 500hrs on oil changes.
I’m at 230hrs and it’s dark. Not black but not new.
I’m going to go ahead and change it for safety.
No need to it’s a dry sump engine
Hey I am looking to purchase the IS 2100 with suspension seat. I blew my lowest disc 3 years ago and I hear the suspension plus the suspension seat makes it the smoothest riding mower on the market. Do you recommend Ferris?
You bet. I have a bulging L5 disc and the ride on mine is close to a cars ride over the lawn. The suspension seat would be even better. Go for it!
They say standers are better for people with back problems.
Not really sure. I have a bad back too and if I'm going to mow I'll be sitting! LOL....
The first thing you should do is wash that dirty mower
You're right!
I’m torn between this Ferris and the Scag Tuff Tiger 2 with the same 37hp efi Vanguard engine. Unfortunately, Scag doesn’t sell theirs with the oil guard system. That seems to be exclusive to Ferris. So, you mention in the video some “hacks” you had to do to make it run and cut better. I don’t see any new videos from you mentioning that. Please let me know what problems you were having and what you did.
I found that my blades were not spinning at the maximum feet per minute per law. I had to raise my engine rpm to 3900 to fix that. Now I'm searching for ultra high lift blades. The Ferris cut out of the box isn't top notch and leaves some individual grass not completely cut. Raising the rpm did fix most issues. If the quality of cut is the most important go with the Scag. If you want a super smooth ride and a pretty darn good cut go with the Ferris. I'm particular about cut quality however I sacrifice that for the ride quality. Hope this helps. .
Thanks for that info! I’m only mowing 3 acres of smooth ground so i think I’d have to pick cut quality over ride quality. Have you personally seen the Scag TT2 cut grass? I just watched your tree stump burning barrel video. You have some good stuff! Subbed!
@@stallen Thanks for the subscription Steve! I have not personally seen Turf Tiger's quality of cut but have heard they are among the best. I really think the Ferris's quality of cut is from a shallow deck. My 20 year old Gravely 260Z had a better cut and that deck was deep. Another mower to look at that I didn't is the Spartan. They seem to know that deck depth is key to cut quality. Plus they have some nice features and priced right. I personally would look at the Spartan if I did it over again. Check them out. spartanmowers.com/?=adhome3&gclid=Cj0KCQiAk-7jBRD9ARIsAEy8mh5BYD2vIc_O1Jw4ehyNJq2YEoW2xa3zcwKs_2Hdo5IMKkL1NafZXR8aAn2DEALw_wcB
I have also looked that the Spartan mowers. They look well built and thousands less than Ferris.