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In very excited to have my new raptor SD 54. I have only done one cut so far... 1.25 acres. Had a blast. But after a very fully tank of fuel, there is now only about 1/2 inch that I can see in the fuel window.

Is that considered efficient? The yard didn't really need cut. So it wasn't over worked in any way.

Efficiency is measured by your ability to make the job faster. Can you do better? How? Will it affect the quality of the job? That's what makes it efficient

exotion said:

Efficiency is measured by your ability to make the job faster. Can you do better? How? Will it affect the quality of the job? That's what makes it efficient

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M my question was specifically regarding fuel efficiency. Do you think it is normal to go through almost the entire tank in 1 hour and 25 minutes?

I researched this mower quite a bit prior to purchasing. Most, if not all reviews, tout the fuel efficiency.

Keep in mind that the fuel tank sits a ways lower than the gauge window. Lift the seat and see how much is left.

I have had the same thoughts but my technique is probably very inefficient.I have almost lost it a couple of times trying to get around trees,until I get my chops I'm giving trees a wide birth.This is my first experience with a Z mower,I'm intimidated a little about the power/speed this machine can muster.

I agree, the fender cutout to see the fuel tank is about worthless. lift the seat.

JPR said:

M my question was specifically regarding fuel efficiency. Do you think it is normal to go through almost the entire tank in 1 hour and 25 minutes?

I researched this mower quite a bit prior to purchasing. Most, if not all reviews, tout the fuel efficiency.

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What engine do you have???? For comparison, I have a 22hp Kawasaki FX691V on my 52" Gravely Pro-Turn 100XDZ and I average 5 hours of mowing per 4.5 gallon tank which is a little over an hour per gallon. I consider that fairly decent "mileage" but have never really tracked my lawn mower gas consumption with any of the other mowers I have owned. On that note.....an entire tank(how many gallons does the tank hold) in 1.5 hours does seem like really bad performance:0(

djdicetn said:

What engine do you have???? For comparison, I have a 22hp Kawasaki FX691V on my 52" Gravely Pro-Turn 100XDZ and I average 5 hours of mowing per 4.5 gallon tank which is a little over an hour per gallon. I consider that fairly decent "mileage" but have never really tracked my lawn mower gas consumption with any of the other mowers I have owned. On that note.....an entire tank(how many gallons does the tank hold) in 1.5 hours does seem like really bad performance:0(

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Sorry djdicetn, it appears I missed your response. Here are the answers to your questions...

Kawasaki, 24HP, FR691V and 3 gallon tank.

The consumption on my RSD54 seems to be right at about 1gph.

Kremeneon said:

The consumption on my RSD54 seems to be right at about 1gph.

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Sounds good Kremeneon. Someone pointed out that the tank goes a little further down than the window shows. I believe I am gettting about the same as yours when all things are considered.

Have you noticed any issues with tire lines, or cut lines? I lowered the deck a tad, and noticed some pretty deep "tracks".

JPR said:

Sounds good Kremeneon. Someone pointed out that the tank goes a little further down than the window shows. I believe I am gettting about the same as yours when all things are considered.

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My observation is when I hit the bottom of the window, then lift the seat, the level is right at about 50% of tank height. The tanks are kinda bulbous at the ends and contoured along the bottom so I wouldn't equate that exactly with fill percent, but there is plenty of fuel left visually.

JPR said:

Have you noticed any issues with tire lines, or cut lines? I lowered the deck a tad, and noticed some pretty deep "tracks".

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Looks to me like you have some soft grass that takes a set easily, or soft loam. I don't get tire marks that 'strong'. You might also check your deck for left/right level.

JPR said:

Sorry djdicetn, it appears I missed your response. Here are the answers to your questions...

Kawasaki, 24HP, FR691V and 3 gallon tank.

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Sooooo, has the fuel economy improved any?? It seems with that Kawa you should get twice as much cutting off of one tank(closer to 3 hours). If not, you may want to have your dealer take a look at it!!

JPR said:

In very excited to have my new raptor SD 54. I have only done one cut so far... 1.25 acres. Had a blast. But after a very fully tank of fuel, there is now only about 1/2 inch that I can see in the fuel window.

Is that considered efficient? The yard didn't really need cut. So it wasn't over worked in any way.

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P.S.

I notice in your original post you are basing the fuel consumption on what you see in the "fuel window"(I really HATE those...had one on my old Craftsman lawn tractor and it was "impossible" to tell how much gas was actually in the tank:0(

What you should do is fill it lippin full, have another gas can with another 3-5 gals of gas ready, write down the hours from the meter and then mow until you "run out of gas". Fill it back up and subtract the original meter reading from the current hours on the meter and see exactly how many hours/minutes the tank of gas yielded. I'll bet it will be very close to 3 hours.....and then do like I did on my old Craftsman and just fill it up each time you mow(I hate running out of gas in the middle of mowing my yard, because I can't tell how much is in the tank:0)

djdicetn said:

.....and then do like I did on my old Craftsman and just fill it up each time you mow(I hate running out of gas in the middle of mowing my yard, because I can't tell how much is in the tank:0)

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I'd love to have a little pint or two reserve tank-in-a-tank, like motorcycles do.

If you think about it,3 hours on a mower is a good stopping point....time for a beer and get the "honey do" list.