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NEW Fastrak owner :thumbsup:

#1

T

Tom59

After so much deliberation and dealer searches and ZTR driving. I tried Kubota Kommander, Scag Freedon Z, Gravely Pro Turn , Exmark Pioneer , all had things I liked and didn't like most had Kawasaki engines. They all kind of eliminated themselves for little things. I wanted a kawi engine , that was a first priority.
I looked at the Hustler yesterday and liked it the best for a couple reasons mostly it has a 22hp kawi engine , 3100 series trannies, 18600 BTS , very nice ergonomics , dealer isn't new and is very knowledgable , nice shop , not far away. (all important)

Scag had two things that bugged me no welded bar on the deck rim and the smaller engine (2nd choice) -plastic belt covers.
Gravely the guy ran me around on getting the 48" deck and then raised the price 300.00 to get one. (my first original choice)
Kubota had Kohler and B&S engines that worried me longterm and the deck isn't a free floater. (nicest looking) -plastic covers- recalls
Exmark , lower end engine , lesser trannys, nicest deck by far, very comfy too. -plastic covers. (best price) Next model up very pricey.

I found some dealers hate Briggs - all love the Vanguard- or they hate Kohler. Nobody , not one said a bad word about Kawi's. Even the Kubota dealer.

I'm sure plastic pulley covers means nothing but it bugged me. I picked my wifes least favorite color. I'm sure anyone of them would be more than enough but yellow won out. I'll post pics when its here.


#2

RatRacer

RatRacer

Congrats Tom.
I enjoyed my test ride of a Fastrack too, but got stuck on a tangent to revisit before the dealer peaved me.
Function and form get the job done, not aesthetics, so paint the bedroom Hustler yellow to change her opinion. 8^)


#3

T

Tom59

RatRacer said:
Congrats Tom.
I enjoyed my test ride of a Fastrack too, but got stuck on a tangent to revisit before the dealer peaved me.
Function and form get the job done, not aesthetics, so paint the bedroom Hustler yellow to change her opinion. 8^)
Click to expand...

Yeah , dealers lose customers way faster than the machine does. I can say that to be VERY true. Gravely/Exmark I went to the dealer twice they told me one price the first time , the second time they tried to sell me a tractor too big for my needs then raised the price to get the one I wanted. No dice.

I don't think the Hustler is the BEST machine , just the best one for me.

Yellow ain't going on any walls. whew.....Viagra blue.


#4

RatRacer

RatRacer

Tom59 said:
Yellow ain't going on any walls. whew.....Viagra blue.
Click to expand...

Then go get a Dixon Ultra 52...:laughing:
You'll be happy on both points then. :thumbsup:


#5

wildwood cutter

wildwood cutter

I just purchased my Fastrak Super Duty and love it. Everyone wants a good mower for a decent price that's a workhorse. After a lot of research on ZTR I decided on the Fastrak Super Duty '48.

You know Hustler is awesome when the provide you with a 4yr 800 hr residential or 2yr 600 hr commercial. The stand behind there name and it performed above my expectations. They were right when they said Commercial ZTR comes home to residential.

Fastrak Super Duty is an absolute "BEAST".


#6

T

Tom59

wildwood cutter said:
I just purchased my Fastrak Super Duty and love it. Everyone wants a good mower for a decent price that's a workhorse. After a lot of research on ZTR I decided on the Fastrak Super Duty '48.

You know Hustler is awesome when the provide you with a 4yr 800 hr residential or 2yr 600 hr commercial. The stand behind there name and it performed above my expectations. They were right when they said Commercial ZTR comes home to residential.

Fastrak Super Duty is an absolute "BEAST".
Click to expand...

yeah it is.....I test drove it , very comfy too. Congrats !!


#7

T

Tom59

RatRacer said:
Then go get a Dixon Ultra 52...:laughing:
You'll be happy on both points then. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Never seen one round these here parts (dixon)....we have red, yellow, more red, green, orange, more orange , red again, but no blue. I have a friend that paints cars he might take to this thing this winter. :smile:


#8

T

Tom59

Anyone ask about the extended warranty now being offered, such as cost?


#9

djdicetn

djdicetn

Tom59 said:
After so much deliberation and dealer searches and ZTR driving. I tried Kubota Kommander, Scag Freedon Z, Gravely Pro Turn , Exmark Pioneer , all had things I liked and didn't like most had Kawasaki engines. They all kind of eliminated themselves for little things. I wanted a kawi engine , that was a first priority.
I looked at the Hustler yesterday and liked it the best for a couple reasons mostly it has a 22hp kawi engine , 3100 series trannies, 18600 BTS , very nice ergonomics , dealer isn't new and is very knowledgable , nice shop , not far away. (all important)

Scag had two things that bugged me no welded bar on the deck rim and the smaller engine (2nd choice) -plastic belt covers.
Gravely the guy ran me around on getting the 48" deck and then raised the price 300.00 to get one. (my first original choice)
Kubota had Kohler and B&S engines that worried me longterm and the deck isn't a free floater. (nicest looking) -plastic covers- recalls
Exmark , lower end engine , lesser trannys, nicest deck by far, very comfy too. -plastic covers. (best price) Next model up very pricey.

I found some dealers hate Briggs - all love the Vanguard- or they hate Kohler. Nobody , not one said a bad word about Kawi's. Even the Kubota dealer.

I'm sure plastic pulley covers means nothing but it bugged me. I picked my wifes least favorite color. I'm sure anyone of them would be more than enough but yellow won out. I'll post pics when its here.
Click to expand...
I got some advice early on from a reliable source that told me "if they have plastic pulley covers, pass them by". I tend to agree that if it is a high quality ZTR like purported, why cheapen it with a plastic pulley cover? You made a good choice with the Hustler!!!!!!


#10

wildwood cutter

wildwood cutter

A solid riding lawn mower should have all the bells and whistles. You would think a plastic pulley cover would not be a big deal, but it is because it keeps all the dirt out allowing free movement of the deck belts. It makes a lot of sense.

I had a 100 series John Deere with plastic pulleys and although it was a good mower it, the plastic pulleys even was overcome by the deck belts. It caused belt jumping and a lot of grass built up putting strain on engine which even broke down.

I bought and JD alone on the name and did not do my research but after researching a second time, the Hustler product is the best. It may be other good lawn mower brands, but the Hustler provides a excellent line of products and backs it up wit a solid warranty plan. You can't beat that.

I love my new Fastrak Super Duty.


#11

T

Tom59

I'm looking forward to playing with it! I know they use plastic to save weight and in some instances it makes perfect sense but not on a machine that vibrates alot.
My rops will be foldable in a week or so too. That one is simple some boxed tubing and a couple pins a little welding and paint bingo. I have a power coater really close by a mile or so and ROPS tend to rust so maybe a nice powdercoated ROPS.

I almost grabbed the Super Duty but honestly the fastrak is slight overkill. My wife kinda saw me going bigger and better with every stop at a dealer. :laughing: She saw dollar $igns......I saw bigger and better. Weird eh ? !


#12

djdicetn

djdicetn

Tom59 said:
I'm looking forward to playing with it! I know they use plastic to save weight and in some instances it makes perfect sense but not on a machine that vibrates alot.
My rops will be foldable in a week or so too. That one is simple some boxed tubing and a couple pins a little welding and paint bingo. I have a power coater really close by a mile or so and ROPS tend to rust so maybe a nice powdercoated ROPS.

I almost grabbed the Super Duty but honestly the fastrak is slight overkill. My wife kinda saw me going bigger and better with every stop at a dealer. :laughing: She saw dollar $igns......I saw bigger and better. Weird eh ? !
Click to expand...

Soooo...you are modifying the solid ROPS to make it foldable or swapping it out for a foldable one??????:confused:


#13

T

Tom59

djdicetn said:
Soooo...you are modifying the solid ROPS to make it foldable or swapping it out for a foldable one??????:confused:
Click to expand...

Swapping one out costs 250.00. I can make it fold for about 25.00. A few bucks to powdercoat it. Just two pins some box steel and a few minutes to weld it in place. I did a friend of mines nobody knows whether it came that way or not. He has his powder coated too.

I actually don't have to do it now. I had an out building w/ a door that was fairly low , I took some time out and made a huge door opening for my new machine.
Just a matter of sliding the box steel over the ROPS weld it on and make a cut out for the rops to fold into. Two pins to hold it up .... I still might make it foldable though.

Will see if time permits. I have a lot going on right now. I still haven't heard back from the dealer , hopefully tomorrow he said tues-wed- but I told him no hurry. Maybe he took that to mean whenever.....I'll call tomorrow. :tongue:


#14

T

Tom59

Finally got it , finally got some seat time. I'll shoot some pics after the rain stops. What a blast to mow again absolutely love it. Feels like a carnival ride. VERY happy with the whole package and it shaved about 20min off my normal time. I'm sure it will be more like 30min once I'm smooth on it.
The kawi is quiet has more than enough power I mowed at half throttle. I messed around at 2/3 throttle did the big field its very smooth and fast. Remember I'm coming from a Regent Lawn Tractor -nice little bugger- but its no ZTR.
I believed I made the right choice , now I'm sure of it. I love how they install the engine sideways for oil changes. 48" deck cuts really nice no scalps , no digs .... actually looking forward to next cut. Before I dredded it.





On another note: I used to mow when I was 17-18yrs old a huge park here 35 acres. I could never remember what the name of the machine was. I found out a couple days ago. This was back in 77-78' I mowed for two years and did park upkeep. Model 360 HUSTLER!! 4 cylinder FORD engine iirc. Huge deck and FAST. I heard they were about 20k back then. Today it would be 40k ......w/inflation.
This particular one had a headset and radio on it or tape deck? Hustler been hustlin for a long while now.


#15

T

Tom59



#16

T

Tom59



#17

B

bigblock

Nice looking machine! I've had mine for about seven years now and it has been a good mower. I think you made an excellent choice!


#18

T

Tom59

bigblock said:
Nice looking machine! I've had mine for about seven years now and it has been a good mower. I think you made an excellent choice!
Click to expand...

Yeah , after some hard looking this one made the most sense. Great reputation , excellent warranty, Kawasaki engines and I see more and more around here on lawn service trailers.

Seven years should be just broken in.......:wink:

......and thanks.


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