8 Common Issues With The Ferris IS700Z
Keeping your lawn neat and tidy can be really tiresome without the right machine backing you up. Sure, you can go with a manual, old-school lawnmower if you like taking things slow.
But if you want to get through the chore quickly and with the least bit of hassle possible, a zero-turn riding mower would be the better choice. And when it comes to zero-turn riding mowers, you really can’t go wrong with the Ferris IS700Z.
It’s a top-tier riding mower by Ferris Lawnmowers that comes with an innovative suspension system ensuring you have a relaxing time mowing your lawn regardless of the grass length.
But like any mower out there, the Ferris IS700Z can show various issues when you don’t take care of it. Since lawnmowers are somewhat finicky, they require a lot of attention. And when you don’t give it to them, they start developing problems in different components.
Needless to say, regular servicing and maintenance should become second nature to you if you want your Ferris IS700Z lawnmower to serve you well for a long time. But then again, not everyone can afford to spare the time, and if your mower is acting up because of it, you need to know how to fix it.
In this article, I will talk about the common issues that you might notice in your Ferris IS700Z lawnmower due to poor maintenance and help you figure out what you should do to get it up and running again. So, let’s hop in.
8 Common Issues With The Ferris IS700Z And How To Fix Them?
The Ferris IS700Z, at its best, is a fantastic lawnmower. However, once issues start popping up, it can accelerate pretty quickly. Before you know it, a simple problem can brand out and lead to component failures if you don’t tackle it early.
Whenever you see a problem, it’s best to deal with it right away. Let me give you a quick rundown of some of the common problems in the Ferris IS700Z and help guide you through the troubleshooting process.
1. Engine Problems
Engine issues can present themselves in many ways. For now, to make things simpler, I will address the occasional failure to start or stuttering when running in this section. Now, if you notice that the engine in your lawnmower is struggling to perform, this usually indicates an issue with the fuel or the carburetor.
The first thing to check is the condition of the fuel. If the fuel is stale, you need to drain the tank and refill it with fresh fuel of the correct weight. Also, check and clean the carburetor. A dirty carburetor and filters can put a lot of stress on the engine, causing it to underperform.
2. Brakes Failing
Faulty brakes can be a frustrating issue to deal with. When you are operating the mower, after hitting the parking brake, if the mower moves six feet at top speed, then that indicates an issue with the brake system.
So, get off the mower, turn off the engine, and take a look under the hood. You need to check the entire brake system and look for loose or worn-out parts inside. Any loose connections need to be tightened, and damaged components need to be replaced.
In addition, you should check for wearing of the brake pads. Just take a metal scale and measure the thickness of the pad. If the thickness of the pad is under 6.4 mm, then you need to replace the entire brake assembly.
3. Black Smoke Coming From The Exhaust
Black smoke emission from the exhaust of your lawnmower is never a good sign. This indicates a problem with the carburetor. If I am being specific, this is a sign that the air filters in your mower are blocked and causing the engine to suffocate.
While the fix is pretty simple, it’s important that you deal with it immediately. Continuing to use your mower in this condition can lead to engine overheating and eventual failure.
To clean the air filter, you can use a soft bristle toothbrush and a mixture of soap and water. If the filters look damaged beyond cleaning, then it’s best to replace them.
4. Mower Won’t Move Forward
If you suddenly see that your lawnmower refuses to move forward, this means the transmission drive belt in your Ferris IS700Z is most likely damaged. The job of the transmission belt is to transfer power to different parts of the mower, such as the wheels. And when it goes bad, the wheel loses its ability to move forward.
You can prevent this issue altogether by regularly checking your drive belt and cleaning any dirt or debris that gets caught up there. However, once it’s damaged, you have no other option but to replace it. Make sure you are getting a belt that is compatible with your mower when buying a new one.
5. White Smoke Coming From The Exhaust
While black smoke coming from the mower indicates a problem with the air filter, white smoke is a whole other matter. If you notice white smoke, then this probably means the ratio of the gas and oil mixture is off. This is a pretty serious problem and can mess up your mower’s fuel efficiency.
Unfortunately, you need to drain the tank and refill it with the correct ratio of gas and oil. In the case of Ferris IS700Z, the correct gas to oil ratio would be 30:1 or 50:1. But just to be safe, make sure you consult the user manual beforehand.
6. Difficulty Steering
If you suddenly notice the steering handle in your Ferris IS700Z is not responding or is too stiff, this means the steering box needs a checkup. It can of course be simply blocked by small pieces of stone or rubble. So, removing the blockage might fix the problem.
Sometimes this can also happen because of uneven tire pressure, so make sure you check that also. You should also look for any worn out shafts or damaged bushings in the steering box. If all else fails, you might need to replace the entire box.
7. Weird Cranking Sound From The Engine
While unusual sounds from the engine might seem like the problem is related to the engine itself, this is actually caused because of old oil. You should always replace the oil in your mower in its due time. Old oil can become muddy and paste-like, which can cause this sort of sound to come out of the engine.
So, the fix is simple – just clean out the old oil and pour a fresh batch. For future reference, you should replace oil every 25 to 30 hours of operation. If you use the old oil for more than 50 hours of operation, it will cause this weird cranking noise in the engine.
8. Uneven Cutting
The Ferris IS700Z prides itself in its superior cutting performance. And if it suddenly starts cutting poorly, then that means the blades are dull or need adjustment. Simply resharpening the blade usually restores the cutting quality, but if the blades are damaged or chipped, then you need to replace them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Over the years, many people have asked me whether buying a new Ferris IS700Z is a good idea. They had a lot of doubts, and after reading this article, I am pretty sure you are having some second thoughts too.
But to be honest, it’s a fantastic mower and well deserving of your money. So let me address some of the common questions I have faced to put your mind at ease about getting this lawnmower.
What Type Of Engine Does The Ferris IS700Z Come With?
The Ferris IS700Z features a 23HP Kawasaki engine. It has a Hydro-Gear ZT-3400 transmission system and a top speed of 10 MPH forward and 5 MPH reverse.
Is The Ferris IS700Z Suitable For A Large Lawn?
Yes, the Ferris IS700Z is perfectly capable of handling a heavy-duty mowing job at a large estate. Thanks to its 52-inch wide cutting deck, you should be able to mow through large fields in little to no time.
Final Thoughts
Truth be told, there’s nothing really wrong with the Ferris IS700Z. All of the issues that I discussed only ever come up if you neglect your maintenance duties. This would be true for just about any mowers in the market. If you don’t service your lawnmower, it will show a lot of issues.
Personally, I take my lawnmower to a servicing station every six months to get things checked properly by a professional. And in the meantime, I take a couple of hours each month to give my mower a complete tune-up myself.
So far, this has worked wonders for me, and I didn’t have to deal with any major issues with my mower. I hope my article on the Ferris IS700Z problems could help you figure out the issue with your mower and set things right. Good luck!
