Ferris' History
Uebler-Factory-updated-3 Quonset-Hut-w-Overlay-updated

1909

1909

Ferris Industries began as the Uebler Milking Machine Company.

1909

1986

With the emerging landscaping industry, the company shifted its focus to manufacturing commercial lawnmowers. The Ferris brand was born with the same commitment to strong, built-to-last machinery that characterized the company’s established heritage.

1986

1987

Ferris introduced and patented the first hydrostatic drive walk-behind mower. The company was awarded the prestigious Innovation Award from the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) for this breakthrough.

1987

1988

Ferris revolutionized the industry with the introduction of Independent Suspension (I.S.) – the first ever Independent Suspension System for the riding mower. I.S. Independent Suspension earned Ferris the distinguished OEMmie award for innovative engineering solutions.

1999

Ferris became a subsidiary of Simplicity Manufacturing, Inc. Throughout the next year, Simplicity demonstrated its commitment to the company by increasing its workforce, completing a factory expansion, and pouring resources into product development.

2000

2000

Ferris introduced a new family of zero-turn mowers from 48- to 72-inches. The largest model featured 4-wheel I.S. Independent Suspension, thereby confirming Ferris’ position in the industry as Commercial Mower Specialist™.

2002

Ferris achieved a new level of speed and performance with the introduction of the IS® 5000Z. This was the first diesel-powered mower in the Ferris line featuring a Caterpillar industrial-grade diesel engine. The increase in demand for products led the company to break ground once again for expansion.

2002

2004

Simplicity manufacturing, along with its subsidiaries, Ferris, Snapper, and Giant-Vac were purchased by Briggs & Stratton Power Products Group. To handle the continued success additional square footage was added to the Munnsville manufacturing facility.

2004

2005

The IS®1500Z, IS® 4500Z and HydroCut™ 36 were released. The incredible sales demand for these new models boosted production three times during the course of the year.

2005

2006

Two new models were introduced, the IS® 5100Z and the all new IS® 2000Z. Ferris’ continued commitment to reliability and innovation has defined the company as a leader in the commercial market.

2008

Ferris introduced the Rear Discharge mower deck with mulching system fitted as standard.

2009

Ferris introduced the IS® 2500Z diesel zero-turn. The industry witnessed the evolution of mowing with the innovative Ferris Evolution™ mower - a forward thinking compact zero-turn that places the operator in the most ideal ergonomic position for mowing. Briggs & Stratton have proudly opened a Centre of Excellence in Roermond in the Netherlands. This centre was built to service the training needs of their European, Middle East and African distributor network and their dealers for Yard and Power Products.

2012

Ferris introduced the FM35. This walk-behind fl ail mower is designed to combat the most demanding environments and is ideal for mowing rough and overgrown areas.

2012

2013

Ferris introduced the FW35 series commercial grade walk behind mower and the compact sized IS® 600Z and IS® 700Z zero-turn mowers.

2013

2015

Ferris introduced the compact sized FW25 series commercial grade walk behind mower.

2015

2016

After six successful years the IS® 2500Z is replaced by the improved IS® 2600Z. This zero turn complies with the latest EPA FINAL TIER 4 emission regulation. Ferris also introduced their first zero turn with Electronic Fuel Injection: the IS® 2100Z. A new mid-sized commercial mower series with independent front suspension and petrol engine with EFI technology.

2017

Introduction of the IS® 3200Z, a new full-sized commercial mower series with independent front suspension and petrol engine with EFI technology. Ferris also introduced the SRS™ Z1 series, a small platform stand-on mower.

2018

Ferris entered the pro-sumer market with the launch of the 400S. 

Introduction of TRIPLE Mowing Technology. Hosting multiple discharge methods in one deckshell.

Introduction of the Two-Belt deck drive system. By using 2 belts and fewer backside idler pulleys belt life and reliability increases significantly.

2018

Now

For more than a century, Ferris has focused on building durable, professional equipment designed to improve productivity, operator comfort and long-term reliability.

From pioneering hydrostatic walk-behind technology in the 1980s to introducing the industry’s first four-wheel independent suspension system, Ferris has consistently challenged conventional mower design. Today, that same engineering mindset continues to shape the company’s approach to commercial mowing, operator retention and sustainable grounds management.

1909

Ferris Industries began as the Uebler Milking Machine Company.

1986

With the emerging landscaping industry, the company shifted its focus to manufacturing commercial lawnmowers. The Ferris brand was born with the same commitment to strong, built-to-last machinery that characterized the company’s established heritage.

1987

Ferris introduced and patented the first hydrostatic drive walk-behind mower. The company was awarded the prestigious Innovation Award from the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) for this breakthrough.
uebler-milking-company-web
history-2

1998

Ferris revolutionised the industry with the introduction of its 4-wheel Independent Suspension (I.S.) system – the first of its kind on a riding mower. This innovation laid the foundation for Ferris’ suspension leadership, with the company now holding multiple patents related to suspension technology. I.S. Independent Suspension earned Ferris the distinguished OEMmie award for innovative engineering solutions.

1999

Ferris became a subsidiary of Simplicity Manufacturing, Inc. Throughout the next year, Simplicity demonstrated its commitment to the company by increasing its workforce, completing a factory expansion, and pouring resources into product development.

2000

Ferris introduced a new family of zero-turn mowers from 48- to 72-inches. The largest model featured 4-wheel I.S. Independent Suspension, thereby confirming Ferris’ position in the industry as Commercial Mower Specialist™.

2002

Ferris achieved a new level of speed and performance with the introduction of the IS0® 5000Z. This was the first diesel-powered mower in the Ferris line featuring a Caterpillar industrial-grade diesel engine. The increase in demand for products led the company to break ground once again for expansion.

2004

Briggs & Stratton Power Products Group acquired Simplicity Manufacturing and its subsidiaries, including Ferris, Snapper and Giant-Vac. This marked a new phase of growth, supported by expanded manufacturing capacity and continued investment in product development. 
is1500z

2005

Ferris expanded its commercial mower line-up with the introduction of the IS® 1500Z, the heavy-duty IS® 4500Z and the HydroCut™ 36 walk-behind mower. These models strengthened Ferris’ position across multiple professional mowing segments, combining commercial-grade durability with the company’s patented suspension technology and operator-focused design philosophy.

Demand for the new range exceeded expectations, resulting in production being increased three times throughout the year to keep pace with growing market demand.
is5100Z

2006

Ferris expanded its commercial zero-turn range with the introduction of the IS® 5100Z and the all-new IS® 2000Z. Both models reinforced the company’s focus on commercial durability, operator comfort and suspension innovation, further strengthening Ferris’ position in the professional mowing market.

2008

Ferris introduced the Rear Discharge mower deck with a mulching system fitted as standard, responding to the growing appreciation for mulching among professional contractors.

2009

Ferris introduced the IS® 2500Z diesel zero-turn mower. The company also launched the Ferris Evolution™ mower, a compact zero-turn designed with an advanced operator positioning concept to improve ergonomics.

Briggs & Stratton opened its Centre of Excellence in Roermond, the Netherlands, supporting training for distributors and dealers across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

2012

Ferris introduced the FM35, a walk-behind flail mower designed for demanding environments and overgrown terrain. 

2013

Ferris introduced the FW35 series commercial-grade walk behind mower and the compact sized IS® 600Z and IS® 700Z zero-turn mowers.

2015

Ferris introduced the compact sized FW25 series commercial-grade walk behind mower.
fm35-flail
history-z1

2016

After six successful years the IS® 2500Z is replaced by the improved IS® 2600Z. This zero turn complies with the latest EPA FINAL TIER 4 emission regulation. Ferris also introduced their first zero turn with Electronic Fuel Injection: the IS® 2100Z. A new mid-sized commercial mower series with independent front suspension and petrol engine with EFI technology.

2017

Introduction of the IS® 3200Z, a new full-sized commercial mower series with independent front suspension and petrol engine with EFI technology. Ferris also introduced the SRS™ Z1 series, a small platform stand-on mower.

2018

Ferris entered the pro-sumer market with the launch of the 400S. The company also introduced TRIPLE™ mowing technology, enabling multiple discharge options within a single deck, and a two-belt deck drive system designed to improve belt life and reliability.

2019

The ISX™ 800 replaced the IS® 700Z as the first model to feature the next-generation ForeFront™ independent front suspension system.

Ferris also relocated its manufacturing operations from Munnsville, NY to a new state-of-the-art facility in Sherrill, NY, significantly increasing production capacity and manufacturing efficiency.
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2020

Ferris introduced the FW15, a compact walk-behind mower with full commercial-grade features.

2021

After 18 years of service, the IS® 5100Z was succeeded by the IS® 6200, setting a new benchmark for commercial zero-turn performance.

Ferris also introduced the ISX™ 2200 and ISX™ 3300 series, replacing the IS® 2100Z and IS® 3200Z. These models featured the ForeFront™ suspension system, EFI engines with Oil Guard™, and TRIPLE™ mower decks.

In the same year, Ferris entered the debris management category in Europe with the FB1000 Hurricane™ stand-on blower. Combining zero-turn manoeuvrability with a foldable operator platform and the patented Dual Deflector Air Flow System™, it delivered high airflow performance in a compact format suited to confined and complex environments.

2022

Ferris expanded its European walk-behind range with the introduction of the FW45, succeeding the FW35. Designed for professional contractors, the FW45 features a 122 cm TRIPLE™ iCD deck, allowing operators to switch between side discharge, rear discharge and mulching within a single platform.

With improved service access, reinforced deck mounting and a low centre of gravity for hillside stability, the FW45 increased versatility and productivity across a wide range of mowing conditions.
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2023

Ferris introduced the FRC7, a remote-controlled hybrid slope mower engineered for safe operation on extreme terrain. Equipped with a tracked undercarriage, 48V hybrid e-drive system and a 115 cm bi-directional cutting deck, it can operate on slopes up to 55 degrees, improving operator safety and enabling consistent performance in hard-to-access areas.

In the same year, Ferris expanded its professional turf care offering with the Rover XC™ FS1200 ride-on spreader. Featuring a 90 kg hopper, corrosion-resistant construction and a compact footprint for access through standard gateways, it improves productivity and application consistency across sports facilities, commercial grounds and municipal environments.

2026

After several years of demonstrating its potential at trade shows across Europe, Ferris formally approved and recommended HVO100 renewable fuel as a lower-CO₂ alternative for use in its diesel-powered professional mower range.

To support customers in this transition, Ferris published a dedicated white paper and positioned itself as a knowledge partner in sustainable grounds management, helping contractors achieve up to 90% CO₂ reduction without compromising productivity, operational continuity or existing fleet investment.
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Multi-Patented Suspension Technology

This innovation reduces the effects of uneven terrain, virtually eliminating shock to the chassis and your body.

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ICDTM Cutting System

Exclusive, next-level mowing performance in a variety of conditions.

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Extended Oil Change Interval

Our first-of-its-kind Oil Guard System from Vanguard means you spend less on oil and can cut up to 500 hours before ever needing an oil change.

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Innovative Engine Technology

The EFI-ETC technology delivers improved starting and load performance with an easier maintenance experience.

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