Hustler Raptor SD Discharge Trouble

[NorthernTown]

Well, I hauled it down to the dealer yesterday and they checked it out. They found the engine was running 200 RPM's slower than it should, which doesn't sound like much, but I guess when you transfer those to the blades, it could make a difference. They also put on the high lift blades. I tried it when I got home and WOW!!!! What a difference. It's a whole new machine. The grass was flying out of there like a dam*!!!! I even mowed some grass and weeds that were between 1-2 feet tall and it never plugged once. I did clean the deck out when I was done, but it wasn't too bad, and besides, after mowing that stuff, I would expect to have to clean the deck out. I also bought a set of the high lift blades for the 48" SD that we purchased at the same time. We were also having the same trouble with that one. The blades seem to have helped, but I'm also going to take that one down there and have them check the engine speed. So looks like for the time, I'll be keeping the Raptor SD's. Maybe in the next year or two I'll upgrade to the Fastrak. Thanks for all the suggestions!!!

 

[kraky]

So.... am I right in thinking that you're running two brand-new sds on your property?
Wow!
When you look at the airfoil around the standard blade and the airfoil on the high lift or G5 Gators you just plain old everyday know there's going to be a change. I watched my neighbor mow his lawn today with the SD I sold him a couple weeks back with Gator blades on it... it was 8 in the morning with heavy dew and he got a beautiful job.... grass and mist flying out 8 ft.
I'm not saying the raptor SD deck is a top-notch design.... but with a little thinking and adapting it can do just fine even in tough conditions. Now start saving for that fastrak....lol!

 

[garretts lawn care]

I have a hustler raptor 48 in cut and a fastrac 54 in cut both clog up bad so I guess I'm going to try the gator blades other than that they are great mowers plus I sprayed vegetable oil under deck and that helped a little

 

[NorthernTown]

So.... am I right in thinking that you're running two brand-new sds on your property?
Wow!
When you look at the airfoil around the standard blade and the airfoil on the high lift or G5 Gators you just plain old everyday know there's going to be a change. I watched my neighbor mow his lawn today with the SD I sold him a couple weeks back with Gator blades on it... it was 8 in the morning with heavy dew and he got a beautiful job.... grass and mist flying out 8 ft.
I'm not saying the raptor SD deck is a top-notch design.... but with a little thinking and adapting it can do just fine even in tough conditions. Now start saving for that fastrak....lol!

Yeah, I kept the Raptor SD's. I'm going to take the 48" down and have them check the RPM's on that as I think the engine may need to be sped up a bit on that one also. I'm thinking I'll run these for a couple of years and then trade at least one of them for a Fastrak, and see what kind of job those will do.

 

[Mad Mackie]

Having been a mech, parts manager when I was recovering from injuries from having been a mech and service manager at various times in my 72 years, I have arrived at some conclusions.
Here are some of them:
There is no such machine that suites every ones needs.
There is no such engine that every one is happy with.
The lower priced machine owners have the most complaints about their machines regardless of the brand.
Machine manufacturers continuously change their machine specs attempting to maintain maximum profitability.
There is no such thing as a mower blade that satisfies all mowing conditions.
Stamped decks generally have better airflow than fabricated decks.
Fabricated decks are much easier to clean than stamped decks.
Machine operators seldom read their machine operators manuals.
Synthetic engine oil is synthetic engine oil, get it!!!!
Fossil engine oil is fossil engine oil, get it!!!!!!
Synthetic engine oil is not recommended in many situations, read the operators manual and follow the recommendations.
Fossil engine oil is not recommended in many situations, read the operators manual and follow the recommendations.
There is no such V belt that works in every situation.
Gasoline with ethanol is problematic but most of us have to live with it, use a higher octane along with additives that do their intended job.
When any machine is operated beyond it's intended design expectations, expect problems.
Zero turn mowers are dust producers by virtue of their design.
Purchase a machine with your operating conditions in mind.
Read the maintenance portion of your operators manual and do the maintenance.
Don't spend $4,000 on a machine and demand $10,000 worth of performance from it.
A side note, every machine that I own has been modified in some way to improve it's performance. Cars, trucks, shop equipment, power equipment, trailers, the list goes on with one exception and that is my Hustler X-ONE/Kawasaki FX730V/rear discharge. This machine is a working beast as it is!!!!
I even modified the ice cube maker in my refrigerator to make it perform better!!!!
I'm done for now, smile, now it wasn't as painful as you thought it would be!!! HaHa!!!!
Mad Mackie in CT:laughing::biggrin::smile:

 

[NorthernTown]

Don't spend $4,000 on a machine and demand $10,000 worth of performance from it.

Mad Mackie in CT:laughing::biggrin::smile:

I can't say that I was expecting $10,000 worth of performance out of it, but I was expecting more performance than what I was getting with my Cub Cadet that I paid $2800 for 11 years ago. :wink:

 

[RhettWS]

Northern Town,

Glad to hear the problem was found and all is now well with your mower. Nice to hear a success story instead of an absolute cluster.

Mackie was spot on with his comments. Hard to say what each individual will expect between a 4k mower and a 10 K mower. For me it is a matter of more or less happy or hacked off. It is all a matter of degree. So far I'm happy with my mower. If I had spent 10K to mow my modest yard, I would probably be very happy with the mower, but sad I parted with a butt load of loot.

Rhett

 

[RhettWS]

Well, I also bought a set of the high lift blades for the 48" SD that we purchased at the same time. We were also having the same trouble with that one. The blades seem to have helped, but I'm also going to take that one down there and have them check the engine speed.

NorthernT, did you ever find anything out about your 48" unit concerning the RPMs?? Just curious.

 

[Have_Blue]

I'm done for now, smile, now it wasn't as painful as you thought it would be!!! HaHa!!!!
Mad Mackie in CT:laughing::biggrin::smile:

Mower wisdom for the ages Mackie. I read the whole thing, and totally agree! Well done!

 

[NorthernTown]

NorthernT, did you ever find anything out about your 48" unit concerning the RPMs?? Just curious.

Sorry, I haven't checked in in awhile. Yes, the 48" was also a few hundred RPM slower than what it should have been. They turned it up and we've been grass cutting fools ever since!!! They've really done pretty good but I believe I'm due for either a blade sharpening or replacement. I would like to try the Gator Blades, but the Hustler high lift blades made a world of difference.

Randy