This review is for model ZT2352T. I selected IS2000Z as it is the closest match. Ever see a 14-year-old mower review?
I bought this mower in 2003 for private use, my wife and I operated this mower to maintain a 5-acre lawn and also used it to maintain fence lines and 'condition' cut a 20-acre hay field every spring and fall. I also use this mower to chop cut hay before baling to make chicken coop bedding/litter.
As of April 2017, the Kohler Command 23 has 712 hours, and has been well maintained with oil changes exceeding recommended periodic oil and oil filter changes.
For mowing the hay field and chopping hay before baling, this mower easily outperforms my 25-horsepower diesel powered shaft driven mid-mower on my little John Deere 1025R. The Ferris is heavy duty. It has a rock solid fabricated deck with little shake and excellent float. The John Deere heavy stamped deck moves and shakes and has much less cutting torque than the Ferris mower.
Other than routine maintenance such as belts, bearings, blades, and oil changes, I have never been surprised with expensive repairs. After 13 years, the engine developed its first oil leak that required pulling the engine and replacing the lower main seal. WOW! Ferris may cost a little more up front but the quality of the tractor and mower pays for itself in the long run no matter what engine is provided on the zero turn tractor.
If it is quality you want, buy a Ferris! My Ferris built ZT2352T, originally sold by Simplicity, is finally being replaced with a new IS2100Z. The reason? Although the old mower still cuts like a new mower, 15 years ago the commercial mower did not have rear suspension. Now that I'm old and recently had spinal/ nerve surgery, I need the new all-wheel suspension for the smoother ride. If not for that I would continue using my old super fine. It runs and cuts as if it were new ZT2352T Ferris.
Oh yeah, word to the wise, I have found that the manufacture blades are of harder steel, much better metallurgy than aftermarket blades like Oregon blades. If you want a blade that holds an edge buy OEM blades. If you like sharpening blades as a hobby, buy aftermarket soft steel blades. That's my 2 cents worth!
