I purchased the Hustler Raptor 60'. I have no complaints about the mower. I do have a couple of simple questions that I wanted Hustler customer service to address. For the life of me I can not find a telephone number to contact Hustler directly. I did make use of their on-line email option. My questions are:
1. Why the difference in oil change intervals between the Hustler Raptor manual and the enclosed Kawasaki engine manual? The Hustler manual calls for a change after the first 5 hours and then every 40 hours. The Kawasaki manual states to change the oil after the first 8 hours and then every 100 hours. I tend to think that Kawasaki knows their product better than Hustler does, but I'd like to know why there is the vast discrepancy and if following the engine manufacturers more liberal guidelines will in any way impact my warranty?
2. My only other question was to confirm that my dealer did indeed activate my warranty?
After reaching out to Hustler over three weeks ago in two separate emails, I have yet to receive so much as an acknowledgment. Poor form, Hustler.
Other OPE companies do the same. The folks who put the engine on their product is supposed to know through testing how much severe service the engine is getting in real world conditions. Kohler for example calls for 100 hour oil service and MTD calls for 50.
the dealer (if well established and knowledgeable) would have the best advice to give I think. I trust mine and do what the guy I always work with tells me to do. He has been working on Toro mowers since the early 90s. I think he knows them pretty well. When I bought my z master, it had 4 hours on it, he did the initial oil change free of charge for me even though he said it could go to about 10 hours. I'll do another one at 20 hours but I'd get the advice of the dealer too. They have direct lines to the manufacturers as I have witnessed.
#4
Carscw
Best way I have found. Is to go to their Facebook page. And leave a comment. Works every time.
#5
reynoldston
Hustler isn't alone. I find the manufactures want you to communicate through the dealer. This is the reason you can't find a phone number.
Hustler along with many mower manufacturers puts a lot of time and expertise into their operators manuals, unfortunately the majority of folk don't read them.
On Hustlers website there is a link to register the warranty for Raptor machines. There is a reason for the Raptor warranty registration link on their homepage.
As has been mentioned, communicating with your dealer is best and don't expect any company to spend time dealing with non critical phone calls.
Your selling dealer is the best place to communicate with regardless of the seriousness of the problem.
Almost every company has a link on their websites to "contact us".
You guys are dealing with an upscale machine. When you are down scale (Craftsman) and go to sears I have found there is no clue there. When you then try to bunker bust e.g., Briggs, good luck. But that's why this forum is useful.
