Thank you Mr. Mower for posting this thread. I have a Raptor Flip Up 54 inch which was delivered about one year or so ago. I am having all kinds of minor annoyances with it including the fuel gauge problem. Also one side of the parking brake switches does not work (I put a rubber stick on foot as a temp fix so I can start the thing ) and day before yesterday the battery crapped out. It had a date sticker of November 2015 on it which is a long time considering the unit was delivered spring of 2017.
I emailed them and got the safety bullshit. I don't want to pay $150 to have them look at under warranty (transportation charges) and I also don't want a black fuel tank because if the gauge is not working then you won't be able to see how much gas is in the tank. Have you tried to buy a new sensor from Kelch. I am going to look into whether I can get that Hall effect device since that is the only component on there. My gauge goes to empty when I unplug the sensor and then full when plugged in regardless of fuel level.
I was VERY non plussed with the response from Hustler/Excel
Hey, I can definitely understand your frustration with those issues. But as for the battery, well that can always be replaced with a new one, really no big deal with that. That's one quick and easy fix.
Also, thanks for posting the data sheet, though I already had one of those stored in file on my laptop.
As for the fuel gauge problem, well after you have read all the post in this thread, looks like you already know what needs to be done to fix that. Yes you are correct Kelch will not sell any parts directly to the consumer. They will only sell straight to the manufacturer (this case Hustler/Excell Corp.). How do I know this?...believe me I had already tried myself, that's how I know for a fact.
Looks like you have two options for fixing the fuel gauge problem. 1.) Since your mower is still under warranty (that is "if" it still is and it should be?) you can bite the cost of transportation $ and just pay it and have it sent to an Authorized Hustler Sales & Service center and have them fix the problems?...or 2.) See "if" the Hustler authorized sales & service can just order the parts for you and then you can install them yourself? Again since your mower is under warranty, Hustler Corp. can provide the parts necessary, free of charge but you provide the labor by doing it yourself?
I've studied the Service Owners Manual on the Raptor Flip Up (I also have the 54" model deck) and have talked to several Hustler technicians, etc. about how the job gets done and really there is not a lot too it, repairing and fixing the fuel gauge problem. Same thing with the Parking Switches.
The only thing about option #2 is that Hustler Corp may not want to provide you with the parts since Hustler Corp. see's this as a big safety issue (involving fuel, etc.) so they will not ship parts to you directly. You will have to get parts through the authorized sales & service place. Then again, even the Hustler sales & service place may not want to do this either since they will be left out on getting compensated for not doing the work?.....also too there's always the fact that a Hustler sales & service tech did not perform the repair and if you have problems they may not honor the warranty since you did the task yourself and Hustler will more than likely state that, that voids the warranty?
It's your call on how to proceed?
But again, since your mower is still under warranty, I would still just pay for the transportation of your mower and simply have Hustler repair, replace, etc. and fix the problems that you are having with the fuel gauge and the parking brake switches?
That's just me though.
Good Luck with whatever decision you decide to go with.
(( Now you CAN'T look at te fuel level. And there is a dog leg in the filler so you can't look in there )