The Ferris FW45 is a commercial walk behind mower designed with the operator in mind. This design helps to improve the efficiency and productivity of the operator. Some features that make this possible include an adjustable height deck, a tight turning radius, and ergonomic handles. These features work together to create a machine that is easy to operate and navigate in tight spaces.
The Ferris FW45 is a heavy-duty commercial push mower powered by a 28 hp* Vanguard® 810 EFI Engine with Oil Guard™. It features dual Hydro-Gear® ZT-3400 transaxles and external oil coolers, which help keep the engine running cool even under heavy use. The deck is made of fabricated 10-gauge steel for durability, has a 48″ cutting width, and a height adjustment range of 1.5 – 5″. It also has a hydrostatic transmission and dual Commercial Hydro-Gear® ZT-3400 transaxles.
FW35 VS FW45
The FW45 is a new and improved version of the previous FW35 mower. While the mower remained the same in many ways, there are a few key improvements that took this commercial walk behind mower to the next level.
Below are a few of the upgrades:
- Transaxles upgraded from ZT-3100 to ZT3400
- Gas tank guard
- Upgraded muffler
- heavier duty components
This may not look like much, and maybe it's not, but the biggest upgrade is the transaxles. These used to have some problems in the past, and the ZT-3400 transaxles should hold up much better.
Power
The Ferris FW45 comes with a choice of three engines – the Kawasaki FX651V, the Vanguard 810cc EFI with Oil Guard, or the Kawasaki FX730V. The FX651V is a 20.5 gross hp engine, while the Vanguard 810cc EFI with Oil Guard is a 28 gross hp engine. The FX730V is a 23.5 gross hp engine. All of these engines are very powerful and efficient. They compare very favorably to other mower engine options.
If I had to choose one, I would probably go with the Vanguard 810 engine. The addition of the oil guard system is a game changer for lawn care company owners.
Drivetrain
The FW45 comes standard with a hydrostatic transmission, providing smooth and easy operation. It also features a dual Hydro-Gear ZT-3400 transaxle system for enhanced performance in even the most demanding applications. These transaxles are cooled by external oil coolers, to help keep them running cool even under heavy use.
The external oil coolers are new to the mower and should help in prolonging the life of the transaxles. In my mind, this is a huge addition that may seem small.
Features
- It features a double transmission with commercial Hydro-Gear ZT-3400 transaxles with 7″ cooling fans and oil coolers.
- 500-hour oil change interval that can reduce maintenance time on Vanguard models
- External oil coolers can drop your transaxle's oil temperature
- Gas Tank Guard
- Easy-to-use controls
- Great engine options between Kawasaki and Vanguard
Cut Quality
Overall, the cut quality of the Ferris FW45 is very good. Not much has changed from the previous FW35, but there weren't many, if any, problems with cut quality.
Enhanced user features to improve the overall cut quality of the grass. Easy-to-use foot pedals help to improve control. Its durable design is useful for powering long days and cutting grass for commercial use.
Additionally, cut-height adjusters put users in the driver's seat when mowing the lawn. Greasable spindles help your lawnmower operate at its maximum efficiency, boosting productivity and reducing the time it takes to mow the lawn.
Deck Design
The deck design has remained the same as the previous model. It features a flat-nose designed deck that is constructed with 10-gauge steel. The spindles are still made with cast iron and remain very durable.
Overall, this deck is built to last and will last a long time while offering a very high cut quality.
Pros:
- The deck is made of fabricated 10-gauge steel for durability, ensuring it can withstand regular use without breaking down.
- It has a 48″ cutting width, which allows you to cover a large area in a single pass.
- The cutting height range of 1.5 – 5″ makes it suitable for both short and tall grass.
Cons:
- The steering could be easier
- Some users may prefer having a seated lawn mower rather than a push behind mower.
- At more than 800 pounds, it is a heavy machine.
- It is not beginner friendly as it has lots of advanced features
Durability
The durability of the FW45 appears to be the main focus of the new model. Most controls and specs remain the same. The improvement came in the durability department.
Honestly, it is the only thing that needs to be improved on this mower. It always cut great, handled great, and lasted a long time. The only real problem that arose fairly frequently was blown transaxles. The upgraded transaxles and added oil coolers should make this mower that much better.
Comfort
The FW45, in general, is a comfortable mower. Of course, like most walk behinds, there is a little learning curve. It will take a little time to get used to the cruise control and foot pedals. Once you're used to it, it's very easy to use.
Our Rating
| Performance: |  (4.0 / 5) |
| Cut Quality: |  (4.2 / 5) |
| Durability: | (4.0 / 5) |
| Comfort: | (4.0 / 5) |
| Price: |  (3.5 / 5) |
| Overall: |  (3.9 / 5) |
Price
The price of this mower starts at around $9,300 and goes up to around $10,400, depending on the model. Is that expensive for a commercial walk behind mower? Personally, yes, I think no. But regardless of what I think, this mower is very competitive in price compared to similar mowers in the industry.
Wrapping it up
There you have it. If you're in the market for a walk behind mower, the FW45 may be one to look at. It has been improved over the years and is a very solid mower.
What do you think?
What do you think of the Ferris FW45 mower? Let us know in the comments below.
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For more information on this mower, check out Ferris' website.
Images are from Ferris
