Buying advice for a new mower

[7394]

exotion -

Now that's a Good Dealer.. :thumbsup:

 

[ncage30]

i think i made my decision

As of now i think i'm going to get a toro timecutter ss5000 (kawasaki FR engine). I would prefer to buy from my local dealer so i will see what they can do for me in the spring. At first i wanted to get a hustler raptor but i'm just hearing to many reports of problems and apparently hustler isn't on the ball of correcting them because they have been issues for quite some time.

 

[Ric]

Re: i think i made my decision

As of now i think i'm going to get a toro timecutter ss5000 (kawasaki FR engine). I would prefer to buy from my local dealer so i will see what they can do for me in the spring. At first i wanted to get a hustler raptor but i'm just hearing to many reports of problems and apparently hustler isn't on the ball of correcting them because they have been issues for quite some time.

You would be better off with the Hustler Raptor, it's a better built mower.

 

[ncage30]

Re: i think i made my decision

You would be better off with the Hustler Raptor, it's a better built mower.

Wow i'm surprised you say though though by just visually looking at them in pics on the net they do seem better built. I've just seen quite a few complaints (even recently) about the belt mechanism falling apart ( sorry i'm not up on the specific parts) or burning grass. I haven't really heard of that many complaints about the timecutter series. I called my closest hustler dealer and they were about $300 more than lowes (and wouldn't price compete). They said they would deliver the mower if i bought it from them though and they said they will only service mowers that they sell. The second closest dealer is 45 minutes away but i haven't called them yet.

If i get a hustler i will definitely get an extended protection plan so if there are any issues then lowes/HD has to pick up the mower and deal with them.

 

[Ric]

Re: i think i made my decision

Wow i'm surprised you say though though by just visually looking at them in pics on the net they do seem better built. I've just seen quite a few complaints (even recently) about the belt mechanism falling apart ( sorry i'm not up on the specific parts) or burning grass. I haven't really heard of that many complaints about the timecutter series. I called my closest hustler dealer and they were about $300 more than lowes (and wouldn't price compete). They said they would deliver the mower if i bought it from them though and they said they will only service mowers that they sell. The second closest dealer is 45 minutes away but i haven't called them yet.

If i get a hustler i will definitely get an extended protection plan so if there are any issues then lowes/HD has to pick up the mower and deal with them.

The Hustler is better built and I didn't just look at pictures If you look at both mowers Motor wise, cutting heights, drives and how much gas they hold there equal but beyond that the toro has a stamped deck the hustler is a 11 ga fabricated, the frame on the hustler is larger it's a 3.25 x 1.5. the hustler's spindles are all sealed bearing the toro you have to grease. The front end is or are sealed bearings on the hustler and its wheels are commercial duty steel roller bearings and it has a three year warranty with no limit on hours and for the price it's definitely the better mower.
As far as the complaints you read online I wouldn't pay a lot of attention to those, the raptor came out and when it did it was just like a lot of other new mowers it had it's share of problems but don't kid yourself or listen to others because Hustler will back that mower..

Now don't get me wrong because if you look at my signature you'll see I'm a big believer in Toro and everything I mow with is red and I think there the best you can buy commercially which covers about 80% or better of there sales, but there residential stuff leaves a lot to be desired IMO.

 

[sjessen]

Re: i think i made my decision

Wow i'm surprised you say though though by just visually looking at them in pics on the net they do seem better built. I've just seen quite a few complaints (even recently) about the belt mechanism falling apart ( sorry i'm not up on the specific parts) or burning grass. I haven't really heard of that many complaints about the timecutter series. I called my closest hustler dealer and they were about $300 more than lowes (and wouldn't price compete). They said they would deliver the mower if i bought it from them though and they said they will only service mowers that they sell. The second closest dealer is 45 minutes away but i haven't called them yet.

If i get a hustler i will definitely get an extended protection plan so if there are any issues then lowes/HD has to pick up the mower and deal with them.

Was at the local Hustler dealer today. HIs recommendation would be to get the Hustler Super Duty if you can swing the extra $1000. Either way you go you get a 3 year warranty.

 

[ncage30]

Re: i think i made my decision

The Hustler is better built and I didn't just look at pictures If you look at both mowers Motor wise, cutting heights, drives and how much gas they hold there equal but beyond that the toro has a stamped deck the hustler is a 11 ga fabricated, the frame on the hustler is larger it's a 3.25 x 1.5. the hustler's spindles are all sealed bearing the toro you have to grease. The front end is or are sealed bearings on the hustler and its wheels are commercial duty steel roller bearings and it has a three year warranty with no limit on hours and for the price it's definitely the better mower.
As far as the complaints you read online I wouldn't pay a lot of attention to those, the raptor came out and when it did it was just like a lot of other new mowers it had it's share of problems but don't kid yourself or listen to others because Hustler will back that mower..

Now don't get me wrong because if you look at my signature you'll see I'm a big believer in Toro and everything I mow with is red and I think there the best you can buy commercially which covers about 80% or better of there sales, but there residential stuff leaves a lot to be desired IMO.

I appreciate the help. I called the hustler dealer that is about 45 minutes away. He actually was very helpful and explained how everything will be setup for me from the get go. He said with big box boys your own your own to set it up correctly. He said the MSRP at $2,999 but said he would be willing to come down. The only thing i didn't like was he told me that during the rental period there would be a $50 fee for pickup because hustler doesn't reimburse them for this (you would think if you bought it from them then they would eat it but nope).

The other hustler dealer wanted above msrp (3200)

 

[Ric]

Re: i think i made my decision

I appreciate the help. I called the hustler dealer that is about 45 minutes away. He actually was very helpful and explained how everything will be setup for me from the get go. He said with big box boys your own your own to set it up correctly. He said the MSRP at $2,999 but said he would be willing to come down. The only thing i didn't like was he told me that during the rental period there would be a $50 fee for pickup because hustler doesn't reimburse them for this (you would think if you bought it from them then they would eat it but nope).

The other hustler dealer wanted above msrp (3200)

What size deck and engine are you getting and what's this rental thing about?

 

[Shughes717]

Re: i think i made my decision

Wow i'm surprised you say though though by just visually looking at them in pics on the net they do seem better built. I've just seen quite a few complaints (even recently) about the belt mechanism falling apart ( sorry i'm not up on the specific parts) or burning grass. I haven't really heard of that many complaints about the timecutter series. I called my closest hustler dealer and they were about $300 more than lowes (and wouldn't price compete). They said they would deliver the mower if i bought it from them though and they said they will only service mowers that they sell. The second closest dealer is 45 minutes away but i haven't called them yet.

If i get a hustler i will definitely get an extended protection plan so if there are any issues then lowes/HD has to pick up the mower and deal with them.

I believe hustler provides a heat shield for the raptor to prevent burning the grass. That is an easy fix. That is the main complaint I have read. I believe the heat shield is on their newer model raptors. I have a neighbor who has a raptor 54". He really likes his.

 

[ncage30]

Re: i think i made my decision

What size deck and engine are you getting and what's this rental thing about?

52. I really don't need the 52 but for the price difference between the 52 & 42 why not get the 52. Sorry that was a typo. I meant during the warranty period (don't ask me how i mistyped it as rental )