Looking at my first ZT for 4-5 acres in Tampa

[Shughes717]

You are never wrong if that's the mower you want and can get it cheaper there. If you only have a mild slope to mow without any major obstacles and you like the feel of the hustler then it should service you well. Some of us on here went with commercial mowers because our lawns were a little too demanding for a residential mower (myself included). As long as you properly maintain your mower you should get several years of quality use out of it. I have no experience with the raptor but the commercial hustlers are quality machines. Many professional landscapers use them around here. The only issue that I see that you may have is fuel capacity. I believe the raptor only has a 3 gallon fuel tank (I may be wrong). I mow over 4 acres and I will use 3.5 to 4 gallons of fuel. It's no big deal as long as you don't mind stopping to refuel, but that would bug me.

 

[Kainedogg]

Thanks Shughes. I went with the Hustler SD 60" and 48 months interest free. It took me 3.5 hours to cut 4 acres. You don't appreciate the size of your property until you go out there and cut it line by line. My acreage is reasonably flat, and rectangular in shape. I almost think I could have gotten away with a 72" ZT since the average gate on my property is 96" wide. I can say that the SD cut rather well at full tilt, so despite the slower blade speed it did everything it was supposed to. With 1 acre left and going full throttle 90% of the time I did have to pull in for a refuel and Gatorade break...much appreciated. Hussie (as I affectionately call her) has 3.6 hrs on her now and after I cut again I will drain the oil and change the filter (I went ahead and bought everything while at the dealer) I was told after the break in, it might get a little faster because of the improved ring sealing. I am ok with that. Anyone throw a tuned exhaust or shot of nitrous for those tough grades...lol :laughing:

 

[djdicetn]

Thanks Shughes. I went with the Hustler SD 60" and 48 months interest free. It took me 3.5 hours to cut 4 acres. You don't appreciate the size of your property until you go out there and cut it line by line. My acreage is reasonably flat, and rectangular in shape. I almost think I could have gotten away with a 72" ZT since the average gate on my property is 96" wide. I can say that the SD cut rather well at full tilt, so despite the slower blade speed it did everything it was supposed to. With 1 acre left and going full throttle 90% of the time I did have to pull in for a refuel and Gatorade break...much appreciated. Hussie (as I affectionately call her) has 3.6 hrs on her now and after I cut again I will drain the oil and change the filter (I went ahead and bought everything while at the dealer) I was told after the break in, it might get a little faster because of the improved ring sealing. I am ok with that. Anyone throw a tuned exhaust or shot of nitrous for those tough grades...lol :laughing:

FYI...if you read your User Manual you will find that it is ALWAYS recommended to cut with the engine at 100% throttle. Trying to "save gas" by mowing with it at 90% throttle might cause some regrets down the line:0(

 

[Kainedogg]

My apologies for not clarifying on the 90% I meant the handles all the way forward as far as top speed, the throttle handle itself was always maxed out on the hare. :thumbsup:

 

[djdicetn]

My apologies for not clarifying on the 90% I meant the handles all the way forward as far as top speed, the throttle handle itself was always maxed out on the hare. :thumbsup:

Gotcha...a little more practice and you'll have that 4 acres down closer to 2 hours if you don't have a lot of obstacles to cut around(even without maxing out a ZTR you'll cut around 1.5 acres/hour).

 

[Kainedogg]

I hope so. I do know, now that I am an evening cutter. Much cooler and it is relaxing after a long day at work to jump on and ride around...

 

[djdicetn]

I hope so. I do know, now that I am an evening cutter. Much cooler and it is relaxing after a long day at work to jump on and ride around...

I hear ya....more relaxing than cutting in the heat of the day. If you find yourself getting started a little late and mowing after dark....check out my post where I added some halogen auto driving lights to my Gravely. Sure helps if I'm needing to mow late!! On my second season with them and they're holding up great. I've always contended that since cheap riding lawn tractors all come with "headlights".....for what we pay for these ZTR's lights oughta be standard equipment too:0)

Link below:

http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/build-yourself/18564-ztr-light-kit.html

 

[Kainedogg]

I agree and will definitely be looking into mounting headlights on Hussie.

 

[Shughes717]

I hope so. I do know, now that I am an evening cutter. Much cooler and it is relaxing after a long day at work to jump on and ride around...

I mow in the evening as well. Got it timed to where I'm done just before it gets too dark. Got on my mower yesterday at 6:09 pm and parked at 8:29 pm. Fastest I have mowed my 4.2 acres to date. Got some low branches to trim and some t post to pull up and I hope to get to two hours or less myself. I too am looking into getting lights.