When you've got to walk the landscape, there's no better way than with a Ferris walk-behind mower. The FW Series is engineered for commercial landscapers tackling narrow gateways, slopes, and complex areas that demand foot-on-the-ground control. With intuitive steering and superb deck visibility, these mowers deliver a consistent cut while letting you work confidently close to obstacles, like playgrounds and cemeteries, where a ride-on machine simply cannot go.
Across the FW range, speed adjustment requires minimal effort. The FW15 features a single-hand hydrostatic control that can be configured for either right- or left-hand operation, adapting to the user rather than the other way round. Moving up the range, the FW25 introduces cruise control and independent steering levers; its two transaxles carry the steering load, meaning steering and manoeuvring require significantly less physical effort. For tackling slopes, the FW45 includes a thumb-controlled speed override which accelerates the lower wheel to prevent tyre scrubbing and maintain your line, all supported by a wider frame stance for better stability underfoot.
Sightline
Working directly behind the deck rather than from a seat means you have an unobstructed view of the cut and what is underfoot. This is especially useful when navigating tight corners and getting close to obstacles (like headstones, play equipment, and flower beds) where you simply cannot get the same view with a ride-on mower.
Durability
With trusted Honda, Kawasaki, and Vanguard engines, these machines are built to last. The FW25 and FW45 utilise Hydro-Gear® ZT-3100® transaxles for reliable drive performance, protected on the FW25 by heavy-duty steel guards. Stepping up to the FW45 gets you the heavily reinforced, multi-layer steel Ferris iCD™ deck, complete with shielded bearings and a cyclonic air filter to keep the machine running cleaner for longer. Every model comes with a 3-year engine warranty and a 2-year unlimited-hours warranty on the rest of the mower.
Access
At 81 cm wide, the FW15 easily clears standard access gates, making it ideal for inner-city parks and small graveyards. Stepping up to the 91 cm FW25 gets you a wider cut while still fitting comfortably through most side gates and in the back of a standard van. The 122 cm FW45 trades some of that tight access for maximum mowing coverage, so it is always worth measuring your usual entryways before committing to a deck width.
Fleet-fit
Built for the realities of commercial work, all three models feature standard tie-down points and are compact enough to load straight into a van. Dropping the need for a trailer makes life significantly easier when navigating dead-end streets, tight parking spaces, or jobs requiring constant loading and unloading. Crucially, every machine in the range sits within legal H.A.V.S. vibration limits, so they're cleared for sustained all-day use without adding to operator fatigue. Whether it is the primary mower on a compact site or a support unit alongside larger zero-turn and stand-on mowers on bigger projects, the FW Series is a highly versatile addition to any commercial fleet.
Choosing the right model
Start with the gate. Always factor in the pinch points on your regular contracts. The 81 cm FW15 is designed to easily clear tight residential gates and restricted enclosures. The 91 cm FW25 offers a wider cut but still fits most standard side gates—though it is worth evaluating your tightest typical jobs before assuming it will fit. The 122 cm FW45 requires wide, open access routes; it delivers maximum coverage, but trades away the ability to slip through a narrow side passage.
Next, consider the terrain. The FW15 excels on flat, level ground where tight manoeuvrability is your main priority. The FW25 is the true all-rounder—medium-sized properties and light inclines are exactly what it is built to tackle day in, day out. For steeper or more uneven sites, the FW45’s low centre of gravity, wide wheelbase, and independent hydro drives keep it firmly planted where a lighter machine might struggle.
Finally, match the discharge to the job. The FW15 is side discharge only, fitted with a flexible rubber chute. The FW25 offers a choice at purchase: either a 91 cm rear discharge deck (with mulching blades fitted as standard) or a side discharge setup. The FW45 features a TRIPLE deck that lets you switch between side discharge, rear discharge, and mulching on the same machine, with all components included at purchase. It is the obvious choice if your contracts require maximum versatility.
Test it!
A specification sheet can't tell you how a mower feels crossing the terrain. A demonstration lets you judge response, visibility, control and cutting width under conditions that actually match your working day.
A walk-behind mower is a commercial-grade mower the operator guides on foot rather than rides. Compared with a stand-on or zero-turn mower, it trades top speed for tighter control and a smaller footprint; useful anywhere access is restricted, like gated gardens, playgrounds or cemetery plots. Ferris's FW Series covers this from 81 cm up to 122 cm deck widths, all running hydrostatic drive.
Most professional walk-behinds run somewhere between 6 and 11 km/h, depending on the drive system and deck size. Within the FW Series, the single-transaxle FW15 tops out at 6.4 km/h, while the dual-transaxle FW25 and FW45 reach 9.6 km/h and 11 km/h respectively.
Yes, provided the drive system is built for it. Hydrostatic drive gives smoother, more controllable traction on inclines than gear-driven systems. On the FW45, a low centre of gravity, wide wheelbase and independent hydro drives to each wheel add stability on steep terrain. Crucially, the thumb-controlled speed override lets you send a little extra power to the lower wheel. This doesn't just reduce tyre scrubbing; it stops the mower from dragging downhill, helping you hold a straight line across the slope without fighting the machine.
Walk-behinds are generally more compact and manoeuvre more easily through narrow access points and around obstacles. Stand-on and zero-turn mowers cover larger, more open areas faster but need more room to work in and transport. A walk-behind is generally the better fit wherever gate width, fencing or tight corners rule out a bigger machine.
It primarily comes down to size, drive systems, and how much control you need. The 81 cm FW15 uses a straightforward single-hand control and a single transaxle, making it perfect for tight, gated access. The FW25 and FW45 step things up with dual Hydro-Gear ZT-3100 transaxles for independent steering. The 91 cm FW25 acts as your daily all-rounder for typical commercial mowing, while the 122 cm FW45 brings in a versatile TRIPLE deck and an advanced thumb-controlled speed override to tackle the toughest terrain and largest sites.
For commercial use, hydrostatic drive is the clear winner. Instead of being locked into the fixed speeds of a gear-driven system, hydrostatic delivers fluid, on-the-fly speed control, including in reverse. This seamless adjustment makes a noticeable difference when you are navigating uneven ground or trimming close to obstacles. Because it is so essential for professional work, every model in the FW Series features hydrostatic drive as standard.
Yes, that's one of the category's practical advantages over ride-on machines. The compact frame of a walk-behind will generally fit straight into a van. All three FW Series models include tie-down points as standard, which matters if you're loading and unloading several times a day.
Yes. Managing Hand-Arm Vibration (H.A.V.S.) is a constant priority for commercial fleets, which is why every Ferris FW Series model is built to stay strictly within legal limits. This keeps your fleet fully compliant and ensures the machines are safe and comfortable for operators to use all day long.
FW15: side discharge only. Optional Mulch Kit. FW25: rear discharge with mulching blades fitted as standard, or side discharge, chosen at purchase. FW45: side discharge, rear discharge and mulching, all-in-one configurable Triple ™ deck
* All power levels are provided by the manufacturer.
