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How many Hours on Your Raptor/SD??

#1

5

577jersey

Just wanted to see how many hours you Raptor owners are getting and how the machines are treating you either commercially or residentially?

Repairs,warranty,customer service,would love to hear your stories.

Also open to any mods that would better the mower.

Also would like to know how the 7000 series engines are holding up for you guys since it looks like Kawi is gone for the Raptor series for now?

I have 20 hours on my RSD so far,it has a kawi FR and the only thing I dont like about the mower is the discharge opening on deck is a bit restricted,the deck hangers and lift system look a little under kill,they do flex,and the exhaust scorches the grass if left running in one spot for 30 seconds or longer.

I plan on using this mower to cut a bunch of residential lawns and hope it holds up at least for a few years or at least 1000 hours of well maintained use.

Regards

Tommy :)


#2

5

577jersey

Hmmm,
I thought this thread would have taken off by now,,there is not much info on the longevity of the Raptor online,guess its to early.

I was told by my dealer a guy had used a RSD commercially very hard all season for 700 hours and never had many issues,he traded it in on a different mower at end of season and they sold it in good working order.

700 hours of hard commercial use is pretty good and sold me on the SD but I would like to hear more stories,I really enjoy this mower so far :)


#3

Ric

Ric

577jersey said:
Hmmm,
I thought this thread would have taken off by now,,there is not much info on the longevity of the Raptor online,guess its to early.

I was told by my dealer a guy had used a RSD commercially very hard all season for 700 hours and never had many issues,he traded it in on a different mower at end of season and they sold it in good working order.

700 hours of hard commercial use is pretty good and sold me on the SD but I would like to hear more stories,I really enjoy this mower so far :)
Click to expand...

Your asking for info about the Longevity of the Raptor and it really hasn't been around that long to have a lot of information on the issue. It's not like the mower has been around for twenty years. As far as being told what you were told dealing with the 700 hour issue?? That's a bunch of hours for one season in New Jersey (mowing season is not that long) and you have to consider who told you that, I mean the guy is a salesman and would most likely tell you anything to sell a mower.
As it stands at the moment Hustler from what I read here on the forum is having issues with the RSD and there engines so I'd be careful.
Read the thread below.


http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/showt...w-Hustler-is-Junk-biggest-mistake-I-ever-made


#4

5

577jersey

Yeah I have read that already,
I dont see them being junk at all,,I mean the 2800 drives are decent,,and the engine being an FR series on mine is good so far.

The deck is 10 ga. I believe,its not as thick as my Bobcat but I dont see a problem with it..the deck idler is a little shady but we shall see.
Also the hydro idler looks a little cheesey.Pulleys are decent.Spindles are good solid quality,I hear the greasless they use on the SD will last 1000+ hours no problem.We shall see.

The frame is huge in the front,solid,very little flex throughout the frame,castors and castor brackets are huge,solid,tires and wheels are great quality.

The only thing I am concerned about is the deck hanging system,the brackets that the deck hangers attach too look a little on the weak side and flex over rough terrain for the bigger 54 and 60 decks,if you take it easy over rough terrain should be fine,,other than that its all the same stuff.

3 year 300 cant really go wrong...

BTW-Ive seen guys put close to 1000 hours a season on here in NJ..its not that hard if you run 8 hours a day,5 days a week for even 6 mos(we cut from april till november here,it slows way down after October,thats still 8 mos the machines are up and running),,that would be around 960 AVG.
Most of the time its the guys who have the huge condo developments that never stop mowing.All depends on the weather really.700 hours is alot for one season but I can see how you would think its smoke...and why would a big dawg buy an SD for a huge account like that unless he was just trying it out for the year??

Tom :)


#5

Ric

Ric

577jersey said:
Yeah I have read that already,
I dont see them being junk at all,,I mean the 2800 drives are decent,,and the engine being an FR series on mine is good so far.

The deck is 10 ga. I believe,its not as thick as my Bobcat but I dont see a problem with it..the deck idler is a little shady but we shall see.
Also the hydro idler looks a little cheesey.Pulleys are decent.Spindles are good solid quality,I hear the greasless they use on the SD will last 1000+ hours no problem.We shall see.

The frame is huge in the front,solid,very little flex throughout the frame,castors and castor brackets are huge,solid,tires and wheels are great quality.

The only thing I am concerned about is the deck hanging system,the brackets that the deck hangers attach too look a little on the weak side and flex over rough terrain for the bigger 54 and 60 decks,if you take it easy over rough terrain should be fine,,other than that its all the same stuff.

3 year 300 cant really go wrong...

BTW-Ive seen guys put close to 1000 hours a season on here in NJ..its not that hard if you run 8 hours a day,5 days a week for even 6 mos(we cut from april till november here,it slows way down after October,thats still 8 mos the machines are up and running),,that would be around 960 AVG.
Most of the time its the guys who have the huge condo developments that never stop mowing.All depends on the weather really.700 hours is alot for one season but I can see how you would think its smoke...and why would a big dawg buy an SD for a huge account like that unless he was just trying it out for the year??

Tom :)
Click to expand...

Hey don't get me wrong, I think Hustler makes one of the best mowers on the Market, Hustler has never made junk of any kind. To put close to 1000 hours a season on mower is not hard if your running 5 or 6 days a week, been there done that and it's not fun. I just don't buy what the salesmen said or told you. The RSD with the Kawasaki engine was a good mower and a well built mower no doubt, it's just ashamed that Hustle went to that Kohler 7000 cause it just isn't as good an engine as the Kawasaki.


#6

BlazNT

BlazNT

Ric said:
Hey don't get me wrong, I think Hustler makes one of the best mowers on the Market, Hustler has never made junk of any kind. To put close to 1000 hours a season on mower is not hard if your running 5 or 6 days a week, been there done that and it's not fun. I just don't buy what the salesmen said or told you. The RSD with the Kawasaki engine was a good mower and a well built mower no doubt, it's just ashamed that Hustle went to that Kohler 7000 cause it just isn't as good an engine as the Kawasaki.
Click to expand...

What I was going to say was the sales man will say anything to sale a mower so I would bet it was more like 500 hours in a season.:laughing:


#7

K

kraky

Raptor SD has been out since at least 2014..... there certainly have to be some people out there commercial Mowing that have some hours racked up.


#8

Ric

Ric

kraky said:
Raptor SD has been out since at least 2014..... there certainly have to be some people out there commercial Mowing that have some hours racked up.
Click to expand...

I for one wouldn't run a residential mower for commercial work again, (been there done that) and it really doesn't work well. To many thing against it. I never seen an RSD used commercially. It's a mower designed with the homeowner in mind. 10 to 12 hrs a month not a day that's why they made the thing, that and to compete in the homeowner market with other manufacturers. If your doing commercial work the Fastrak SD is the least expensive and the starting point for Hustler.


#9

RhettWS

RhettWS

Tom,

My RSD with Kaw has about 18 hours on it. Overall I am pleased considering my yard is not too big. Runs well, no issues to speak of. Glad I got the Kaw motor. I'm not married to one brand of engine or another but I do not like automatic anything. The new Kohlers have the automatic choke. I've heard of a few having issues with it. Why would you need an automatic choke. Crap, can't people just adjust with the cable pull??

I did modify my deck by removing the chute and putting some lexan in its place. Works great and makes the unit narrower overall. Grass sprays out very evenly with no clumping unless the grass is really wet. I posted about my mod a month or more back.

I've been thinking about taking a torch to the deck to make the opening bigger because it does tend to catch a bit of grass in the corner although it is only a problem with the grass is really wet.

Did put some slime in my caster wheels this weekend. Had a pinhole in one tire due to thorns. Slime should keep me going for a couple of years I suspect.

Overall, I like it and the price was good for me. ........... Rhett


#10

K

kraky

Ric... not trying to be a smart aleck but just because you wouldn't run a raptor SD in a commercial situation doesn't mean somebody else might not. Not everybody starting off a lawn service can afford a $9,000 commercial unit. If they bought a commercial unit for $9,000 and ran it for a year it would be worth about $6,000.
someone can buy a raptor sd for $4,000 and run it for 2 years and it would probably still be worth 1500 to 2000. Years ago when I worked at a John Deere dealership we sold a small Countryside Cemetery a tin can Sabre for $1,600 because they had no budget. It actually lasted them about 3 to 4 years and at 1,000 hours finally spit the hydro because it was getting pretty hot going forward and backward around all the gravestones ...everything else about it was still pretty sound. They were actually pretty thrilled with the service they got for the price..... and by that time they had a little more in their budget for a better unit which they bought from us.
One day I even stumbled across a YouTube video where a commercial operator was running a regular Raptor with a 42 inch deck and mulch kit for specialty mowing in small yards.....it happens!


#11

L454S

L454S

2 years and 56 hours, lot at home is about an acre. Love it.


#12

Carscw

Carscw

A lot of guys around here run the SD
I do not like them because of the deck. But glad to see that they are done with the over priced junk Kawasaki engine.
The kohler has a more usable power curve.


#13

G

Good 1 Brian

Got my Raptor SD in March now have 9 hours on I never enjoyed cutting grass so much hopefully will get many of good years on it I know one member on this forum has nothing good to say about them but I feel the dealer is the biggest problem

I got mind from a family dealer that been around for 50 years if I have any issues I'm sure they will support me on getting things corrected but hopefully I won't have any if I do they will pick it up and return it at no cost if it's warranty work
Picking the right dealer is just as important as picking the right mower

My son-in-law is looking at a Scag Liberty mower that in the same line as the Raptor also with the Kohler 7000 Series Pro in his case the dealer is closer to him


#14

5

577jersey

Glad to see all the replies!!
I will put this RSD to the test this Summer thats for sure,,I wont beat it up but I will put a couple hundred hours on it Im sure of that :)

Keep the posts coming,,I really enjoy debating about engines and mowers,the do's and donts also..

Like I said I am really taking it easy on this mower because i can see its not built like my Bobcat.

Tom


#15

Ric

Ric

kraky said:
Ric... not trying to be a smart aleck but just because you wouldn't run a raptor SD in a commercial situation doesn't mean somebody else might not. Not everybody starting off a lawn service can afford a $9,000 commercial unit. If they bought a commercial unit for $9,000 and ran it for a year it would be worth about $6,000.
someone can buy a raptor sd for $4,000 and run it for 2 years and it would probably still be worth 1500 to 2000. Years ago when I worked at a John Deere dealership we sold a small Countryside Cemetery a tin can Sabre for $1,600 because they had no budget. It actually lasted them about 3 to 4 years and at 1,000 hours finally spit the hydro because it was getting pretty hot going forward and backward around all the gravestones ...everything else about it was still pretty sound. They were actually pretty thrilled with the service they got for the price..... and by that time they had a little more in their budget for a better unit which they bought from us.
One day I even stumbled across a YouTube video where a commercial operator was running a regular Raptor with a 42 inch deck and mulch kit for specialty mowing in small yards.....it happens!
Click to expand...

You don't have to pay 9K for a commercial mower to start a lawn-care business. There are good commercial rigs that you can get cheaper. You can get a Fastrak SD 48 with a Kawasaki 23 and 3400 drives for under 6k and you can get it for cheaper if you have cash or if you finance you can generally get a better price and with the 48 months @ 0 interest why not finance.
If you stay away from the big name brands and look at some of the other brands like Husqvarna, Cub Cadet and others you can buy cheaper entry level commercial rigs for less money. Like I said been there done that... I started with residential mowers and I can tell you it isn't worth it, nine times out of ten you end up spending more money in the long run in repairs than what the mower is worth.


#16

5

577jersey

Well I hope to use this RSD for at least two or so years,,then sell it and get another,I got the zero for 48 and it will be payed off this July I hope,I put $2600 down,,maybe Ill go for the Fast Track next like you mentioned brother,,sounds like a great machine,I do have quite a few lawns and got the SD so I could sit down for a while,,I have a bad hip and bouncing around on a velke is rough on it.

Tom :)


#17

K

kraky

Boy if you can get a fast-track SD for under 6 grand you're doing really good. I just paid $5899 for a fast-track / 54 and thought that was a fair deal but I've only got one dealer close by. I was never a fan of Husqvarna mowers.... Seems like as soon as somebody puts a 3400 Hydo in their unit they start calling them commercial. What's the difference between the fs and fr Kawasaki engines besides a little better air cleaner?


#18

5

577jersey

kraky said:
Boy if you can get a fast-track SD for under 6 grand you're doing really good. I just paid $5899 for a fast-track / 54 and thought that was a fair deal but I've only got one dealer close by. I was never a fan of Husqvarna mowers.... Seems like as soon as somebody puts a 3400 Hydo in their unit they start calling them commercial. What's the difference between the fs and fr Kawasaki engines besides a little better air cleaner?
Click to expand...
So my FR is pretty much the same guts as an FS,,thats good to know,,I do have a pre filter on the way,,maybe Ill have that guy who makes stickers make me up an FS sticker..lol


#19

5

577jersey

Carscw said:
A lot of guys around here run the SD
I do not like them because of the deck. But glad to see that they are done with the over priced junk Kawasaki engine.
The kohler has a more usable power curve.
Click to expand...
Yeah I agree,the deck needs to meet up with my 4-1/2" angle grinder,,tired of blowing wind rows out with my blower when Im done cutting:rolleyes:
Its not a bad deck but the discharge opening is horrible!!!! I have to wait 300 hours to cut it!!!! lol


#20

K

kraky

I didn't mean to imply that fs and fr engines are identical except for air cleaners I was asking if they are....


#21

5

577jersey

kraky said:
I didn't mean to imply that fs and fr engines are identical except for air cleaners I was asking if they are....
Click to expand...
I think I read somewhere on here that they where the same except for a couple slight alterations like the air cleaner and one other thing,,the insides are pretty much the same with cast iron sleeve from what i read...who knows,only time will tell for me :)

UPDATE..
From Kawi web site looks like the only difference is the air filter to me..

FR Series Professional-grade power gets personal
Overhead V-valve
90° V-twin design
High performance pressurized lubrication
Electronic spark ignition
Automatic compression release
Single stage air filter
Cast-iron cylinder liners
************
FS Series Rock solid foundation for turf work
Overhead V-valve
90° V-twin design
High performance lubrication system
Electronic spark ignition
Automatic compression release
Dual element air filter
Cast-iron cylinder liners


#22

M

Mad Mackie

One needs to get into the parts manuals to see the differences between FR and FS engines.
FS and FX share many of the same parts except for what is needed to accommodate the two stage air filter.
Note that Kawasaki provides new short blocks for FS and FX engines, but not FR engines which are different.
The prices for repower Kawasaki engines don't differ much between FR, FS and FX. Were I to repower a machine that is originally FR powered, I would use an FS or FX engines and I have done this for several customers in past years.
Some folk expect $8,000 performance from a $4,000 machine, it doesn't work that way, it is all about the money!!!
Some times a lower level machine is produced that has outstanding performance, but not very often, and as time passes, the odds of this happening diminish.
A quote from and old friend who had been in the business, but has passed away, "you have to pay for what you get and sometimes you get what you paid for!"


#23

5

577jersey

Only time will tell.........I know my SD is built alot cheaper than the higher end models.Im going to try to take it easy on her and see how long she will last.
Hey,,if I make it past the 300 hour mark I may just sell it and get another even though I would like to keep it and try to get 1000 hours out of it.

You figure two or three years,,$60-$80K...whats a $4000 mower especially if you sell it for close to 2K after 2 years.

Thats the way I look at push mowers too..$300-$400 a year or two,but you can cut a thousand $25 lawns with that mower then just throw it away.
Especially the TB360 mower,I know guys who beat the heck outta them everyday all day doing 50 lawns a week.
Thats gonna be my next RWD mower after this Husky HU700H finally takes a dive into the deep with its fake Honda propaganda motor.
Honda outta be ashamed of that motor,well I guess the Honda sticker is keeping them sippin drinks with umbrellas in them on some beach somewhere:rolleyes:

Tom


#24

Ric

Ric

577jersey said:
Only time will tell.........I know my SD is built alot cheaper than the higher end models.Im going to try to take it easy on her and see how long she will last.
Hey,,if I make it past the 300 hour mark I may just sell it and get another even though I would like to keep it and try to get 1000 hours out of it.

You figure two or three years,,$60-$80K...whats a $4000 mower especially if you sell it for close to 2K after 2 years.

Thats the way I look at push mowers too..$300-$400 a year or two,but you can cut a thousand $25 lawns with that mower then just throw it away.
Especially the TB360 mower,I know guys who beat the heck outta them everyday all day doing 50 lawns a week.
Thats gonna be my next RWD mower after this Husky HU700H finally takes a dive into the deep with its fake Honda propaganda motor.
Honda outta be ashamed of that motor,well I guess the Honda sticker is keeping them sippin drinks with umbrellas in them on some beach somewhere:rolleyes:

Tom
Click to expand...

I have a question.... :confused2: You keep talking about this 300 hr mark, what is that??? and the two or three years,,$60-$80K thing??


#25

Carscw

Carscw

Ric said:
I have a question.... :confused2: You keep talking about this 300 hr mark, what is that??? and the two or three years,,$60-$80K thing??
Click to expand...

He is saying he can buy a $4000 mower use it for 2 years. And make $60.000 to $80.000 and still sell the mower for $2.000.
What I don't get is the 300 hours in 2 years. That's two months worth of hours.


#26

Ric

Ric

Carscw said:
He is saying he can buy a $4000 mower use it for 2 years. And make $60.000 to $80.000 and still sell the mower for $2.000.
What I don't get is the 300 hours in 2 years. That's two months worth of hours.
Click to expand...

If that is what he is talking about :rolleyes: he is living in a dream world.


#27

5

577jersey

I dont make that kind of $$ but I have had the mower for 15 days and put 22 hours on it,,made enough to pay it off and then some,,the RSD is not the only mower I use,,I have other machines,its only used on my big lawns.

Its very easy to make $40k cutting grass a year around here,,you can do it with a push mower if you wanted to,,there is a guy who works out of a van that does 90 lawns a week with two push mowers.

If your accounts are priced right you wont put as many hours on as you think to make the cash.

Dream world huh.....whatever,if you reread my post you will see i didn’t say 300 hours in 3 years..in the paragraph prior i said if I make it past the 300 hour mark I may sell it,,please don’t put words in my mouth.

BTW-300 hours is when the warranty ends that or 3 years..I bet I only put 150 hours on this mower this year maybe 200 if it doesnt dry out in july/august.

Tom :)


#28

Ric

Ric

577jersey said:
I dont make that kind of $$ but I have had the mower for 15 days and put 22 hours on it,,made enough to pay it off and then some,,the RSD is not the only mower I use,,I have other machines,its only used on my big lawns.

Its very easy to make $40k cutting grass a year around here,,you can do it with a push mower if you wanted to,,there is a guy who works out of a van that does 90 lawns a week with two push mowers.

If your accounts are priced right you wont put as many hours on as you think to make the cash.

Dream world huh.....whatever,if you reread my post you will see i didn’t say 300 hours in 3 years..in the paragraph prior i said if I make it past the 300 hour mark I may sell it,,please don’t put words in my mouth.

BTW-300 hours is when the warranty ends that or 3 years..I bet I only put 150 hours on this mower this year maybe 200 if it doesnt dry out in july/august.

Tom :)
Click to expand...

Actually you voided the warranty so your three years 300 hrs means nothing if you used the mower any place except your lawn.

* Normal residential purpose means use of

product on same lot as your home.
Use at more than
one location is considered commercial use, and then
the commercial use warranty would apply.


#29

BlazNT

BlazNT

Mowing 13 yards a day 7 days a week. Not enough hours in a day.


#30

K

kraky

I get a kick out of all the warranty police on the Forum LOL!
I guess I just screwed myself out of my warranty on my Fast Track I just went over and mowed my sister's lawn cause she's out of town. Guess I blew my raptor SD warranty Last Summer mowing my neighbor's lawn while he was doing cancer treatment.....dang.... shoulda checked here first!


#31

Ric

Ric

kraky said:
I get a kick out of all the warranty police on the Forum LOL!
I guess I just screwed myself out of my warranty on my Fast Track I just went over and mowed my sister's lawn cause she's out of town. Guess I blew my raptor SD warranty Last Summer mowing my neighbor's lawn while he was doing cancer treatment.....dang.... shoulda checked here first!
Click to expand...

I guess when they say limited they mean limited. That little piece I posted came right from the raptor limited warranty. They say it's a three year 300hr warranty but in reality it's a two year parts and labor and the third year you pay for any labor and there not responsible for the engine from day one. You'll have to go to the engine manufacturer and you know what there going to do. The thing is it's not just Hustler it's all of them.


#32

BlazNT

BlazNT

And over $182.00 an hour for you SD. I would love to make that kind of money.:smile:


#33

5

577jersey

UPDATE..
I just read my warranty and nowhere does it say that i would have to pay for labor after 2 years,and it also does not state anything about commercial use.
It however did state it would not be covered if used as a rental.

i am going to call the dealer one of these days and see what they say,,but the 3 year 300 looks to be on ALL materials and workmanship for 37 mos and shall be at the expense of Hustler,,other than engine and normal wear and tear parts like tires,belts,blades or idiot moves.


#34

5

577jersey

BlazNT said:
And over $182.00 an hour for you SD. I would love to make that kind of money.:smile:
Click to expand...
The dewd does the 90 lawns with two push mowers and a helper,,they are all small $25-35 lots and all within 7 mile radius,,very efficient route bro.
Some of them are every 10 days or so but you get the picture.
Thats one great thing about Jersey,you can have a very efficient route,,all mine are within a 7 mile radius as well,,with 90% of them in a 2 mile radius.

You can drop your gate once and blow out 5 lawns in 3 hours if you hustle...very little fuel and travel cost and the mower is not getting beat up on the trailer all day.


#35

5

577jersey

Alright,well Im gonna check out for a while,,its been a pleasure on the forum for a few days but I just did not feel very welcome by a couple of people here,,soooo,Im gonna go back to lurk mode...lol

Take care ya all have a great season and God Bless!!!!

Tommy :)


#36

B

BigRed150

No sd but 54" with Kohler 700. Bought sept last yr and have 52 hrs now. Had the auto choke adjust and it runs like a champ now. Deck hangers are a little on the week side as I have tweeked them and deck cuts a smig uneven. Other than that love the mower.

Ryan


#37

G

Good 1 Brian

577jersey said:
Alright,well Im gonna check out for a while,,its been a pleasure on the forum for a few days but I just did not feel very welcome by a couple of people here,,soooo,Im gonna go back to lurk mode...lol

Take care ya all have a great season and God Bless!!!!

Tommy :)
Click to expand...

Keep posting that what keep all forums interesting and active not everyone is going to have the same opinion that's what keep this forums and other active


#38

Carscw

Carscw

Making 40k a year with a sd or a timecutter is easy. But if that's all I made I would find a new job.
The guys that only use push mowers here. Make big money. There are subdivisions that only allow push mowers. 20 minutes per yard for $75.00
I know a guy that parks his truck at 7:00am and gets back in it at 8:00pm five days a week. Runs a 3 man crew


#39

Ric

Ric

577jersey said:
UPDATE..
I just read my warranty and nowhere does it say that i would have to pay for labor after 2 years,and it also does not state anything about commercial use.
It however did state it would not be covered if used as a rental.

i am going to call the dealer one of these days and see what they say,,but the 3 year 300 looks to be on ALL materials and workmanship for 37 mos and shall be at the expense of Hustler,,other than engine and normal wear and tear parts like tires,belts,blades or idiot moves.
Click to expand...

Here is the PDF Hustler Warranty for the Raptor and it's the same as the SD.

http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/pdfImages/b8/b8ece433-205f-43fd-8499-61c1e1312df6.pdf


#40

5

577jersey

No,it is not the same warranty as the SD,,my warranty paper is totally different,,Home Chepo must have just posted the raptor paper and not the SD.


#41

5

577jersey

Here is snap of my paper..could not find the SD PDF online.

33wukqe.jpg


#42

Ric

Ric

Where's the rest, the warranty consist of at least two pages that's not even the whole first page.


#43

Carscw

Carscw

Who really cares. They do not know that you cut any yard but your own. It's not like they have a warranty guy that follows you.


#44

5

577jersey

Ric said:
Where's the rest, the warranty consist of at least two pages that's not even the whole first page.
Click to expand...
I just took a picture of it to show you it saysRaptor SD on it,,the one you posted said Raptor and talks about residential use on the first page.

I can post the whole thing if you like but there is no reason too,,its two different warranties without any questions asked.


#45

5

577jersey

Here is the first full page,,completely different from the one you posted from Home Depot.
If I have time Ill post the rest,,busy with mower maint. now.

Tom

DSCF2509_zpssvxycrhi.jpg


#46

5

577jersey

DSCF2510_zpsvbrvo0hz.jpg


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