I've been considering a Raptor SD 54" but I'm starting to be a little hesitant after reading about so many problems. I basically have it narrowed down to the Raptor SD or a John Deere z525e. So, for those of you that have quite a bit of use out of one, what's your overall impression of it? Any input would be much appreciated.
I would wager a very strong bet that the deere will really out cut the raptor SD.
If I was you I would do a test ride on both units. I think they would both be pretty nice units and I would take the deere over the Raptor...UNLESS... the deere was coming from a box store and the Raptor from a decent dealer. A very good Raptor dealer would swing me towards the Raptor SD.
Deere used to offer a 30-day money back guarantee on their riders if that is still out there that would have advantage in the deeres favor also.
Just curious what model "professional" Deere your buddy has. Even the homeowner deeres have pretty fast ground speed. I think the 535 Deere is rated over 8 MPH which beats even my hustler fastrak.
#7
mhavanti
It is a 9 something. He complains about it supposed to run 10 MPH cutting and it won't run over 7 to 7.5 which is what my RSD60 is supposed to run. It will do a bit over 8 before. His is a 54", and we mow about the same amount of lawn. Mine is a bit more. He doesn't have as many ins and outs as I.
I can finish mine, blow it off, wash it off and back it back into the bay before he gets finished. I've never offered to look it over to see if we can find the problem with it. The John Deere Tractor dealer told him it is doing everything it is supposed to do.
He was happy until I cut his lawn a couple of times and told him how lazy that thing is compared to my yellow machine. Guess I should have kept my mouth shut.
He has said it has never run any faster than it does and I believe he got it somewhere around '10. I'll have to ask him. It may be newer. He keeps it very well maintained, clean and looking new.
Go to the JD section and do a search for the Z range
Go to the Hustler section and do a search for Raptor SD
Now considering that people usually only post here when they are having problems, that should give you an idea about how satisfied the owners of each mower are and which one presents its owners with the most grief.
It is your money so I will not even try to tell you how to spend it.
Your decision.
'IF" You happen to buy the deere let us know what you think of that new accel deep deck. I've spent some time over at the deere forum and most of the stuff they're asking questions about mechanically is not very new models. I'd Most likely be running a deere myself except for two things.....the 54" deck really hard to get onto my60 inch trailer.......and.....our good local dealer was bought out by a big dealer who ran the dealership into the ground and then left town!
#10
RhettWS
I would focus on the dealer. I bought my raptor SD, I like it, and have had no problems. Having said that I bought it from a reputable dealer very close to where I live. He sells Hustler, Gravely, Grasshopper, and Ferris, as well as Mahindra tractors. I was not hung up on one brand or another and that goes the same way for the engine makes. Focus on service after the sale. If the dealers are equivalent, then focus on the other minutia.
That is my 2 cents and I'm sticking to it. :tongue:
Not to distract you all from the original question, but the nicest rider I've ever been on was The 61" Great Dane stander. That thing was so smooth, relatively quiet and so precise with the controls. She sounded like twin turbos were going at it. Absolutely loved it! Making me wish that Ariens didn't drop that line of product after they purchased GD. :confused3:
Yes and the Chariots were excellent mowers that you just can not kill I have a lot of them on my books.
But they were also 2 to 3 times the price of their nearest competitors down here and two teams using two $ 10,000 mowers are going to make a lot more money than 1 team on a $ 20,000 machine.
It is like the Ford & Rolls thing.
Most of us could afford to buy a Roller knowing that it will run for 30+ years and comes with a lifetime warranty for the original purchaser and in the long run that would work out cheaper than buying a new Ford every 3 years.
However most will opt for the new Ford every 3 years
I just purchased a Raptor SD 54 from a local dealer. I absolutely love it and for the what I paid, I don't think there is a better deal out there. I paid $3599 for mine and they delivered it to my house. I have only put a couple of hours on it, but I could not be happier so far....fingers crossed
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Most of us could afford to buy a Roller knowing that it will run for 30+ years and comes with a lifetime warranty for the original purchaser and in the long run that would work out cheaper than buying a new Ford every 3 years.
You're probably correct, but who wants a Rolls. If you took the money you spent on the Rolls and put it into just about any car and took care of it, it would probably last just as long and you might even have money left over. I know you have ancient mowers around your place that probably didn't cost squat but you still have them around because you take care of them. Can't go camping or pull my boat with a Rolls. I guess I could but it would look too weird. :biggrin:
