New 2014 Raptor SD 54' - I still have time to back out...

[JohnCardin]

I just purchased a new Raptor SD 54' from the dealer today and it will be delivered sometime next week. I found this forum tonight and noticed several negative comments about the mower, the way it cuts and clutch issues. Are the issues fixed or should I move on to another mower? Looking for some honest feedback... Thanks!

It's been over a year on the recall, So unless you are getting some really old stock (that wasn't already fixed on the lot) you should be ok. I would not worry about clutch issues.

As for the the way it cuts, the only "complaint" I have is that now that I put on my mulcher kit, my *extremely happy* Georgia fescue does bind up in the deck to where i need to reach under and clean it out after a mow. I didn't have this "issue" last year with the discharge setup however didn't actually have the mower this early in the season and it's been really wet this year. I don't have enough experience with other mowers so I can't say that this is a Hustler issue or a wet grass/mulching issue. It takes less than 2 minutes to clean it out so I'm not too bothered with it. The time savings of the mower still makes it worth it.

I've got a little over 30 hours on mine and while it's not a perfect mower (I don't know if there is such a thing), it really is a nice mower. To echo the others, this forum is going to be mostly filled with the complaints higher as a percentage of input on the subject.

If I were to do it again at this price point, I still think that I would pick the hustler.

 

[PVHIII]

I can't speak for the the SD model but I bought the standard Raptor when it first came out and had ALOT of problems with it...took it back a month or so later and dealer refunded me my $$$ and I bought the Fastrak SD and never looked back...this thing is 3 times better than the Raptor..I absolutely love my HUSTLER!!!