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New SD 60" Left in Driveway
#1
B
Bamacat
B
Bamacat
Hi, Bought a new Raptor SD60" Wed.night at local BBS after my nearest dealer told me he was no longer a Hustler dealer. Said he could not compete with the BBS. This bothered me because I had a good relationship and bought other things from him over the years. I waited too long to buy my first ZTR from him !
So I specified an after 12 delivery Fri. and was called at 10am by the BBS delivery guy. My mower was delivered! Got home and there it was with price tag still on it,no gas and low on hyd. system oil [20w50], forklift tracks all over, books and 1 key under seat.It gets better?key barely fits in slot,43.7 hours are showing on meter, but machine paint still is perfect. Ok.. machine sat at big store and somebody used screwdriver/pocket knife and maybe got switch turned to ON ?Starting is kinda iffy. Called BBS driver..did machine run alright. "Yeah,man! My Bossman had it going ,ran grrrreat! Problem? Uh, call 1-800 number on tag under the seat,Man!!
Well. sorry this is long. But Hustler Co. in Hesston ,Ks does indeed answer their phone and help is on the way from a BiG Dog dealer! in another town ..on Monday.. This may work out and its too wet to mow anyway.. Stay tuned.
So I specified an after 12 delivery Fri. and was called at 10am by the BBS delivery guy. My mower was delivered! Got home and there it was with price tag still on it,no gas and low on hyd. system oil [20w50], forklift tracks all over, books and 1 key under seat.It gets better?key barely fits in slot,43.7 hours are showing on meter, but machine paint still is perfect. Ok.. machine sat at big store and somebody used screwdriver/pocket knife and maybe got switch turned to ON ?Starting is kinda iffy. Called BBS driver..did machine run alright. "Yeah,man! My Bossman had it going ,ran grrrreat! Problem? Uh, call 1-800 number on tag under the seat,Man!!
Well. sorry this is long. But Hustler Co. in Hesston ,Ks does indeed answer their phone and help is on the way from a BiG Dog dealer! in another town ..on Monday.. This may work out and its too wet to mow anyway.. Stay tuned.
#2
T
turboawd
i wonder if leaving the key in the on position keeps the timer going. someone forgot key on? you could replace the timer with a zero hour one perhaps.
so you bought it from lowes?
the hydraulic resorvoir has a cold line on the side. its at the bottom. most of the resorvoir will be empty to allow the oil to expand.
did you run the machine?
as for starting, it will start without pulling the choke lever out, but will take longer cranking. what i do is pull choke out and hold it. crank engine, it starts, then i push choke back in.
T
turboawd
Hi, Bought a new Raptor SD60" Wed.night at local BBS after my nearest dealer told me he was no longer a Hustler dealer. Said he could not compete with the BBS. This bothered me because I had a good relationship and bought other things from him over the years. I waited too long to buy my first ZTR from him !
So I specified an after 12 delivery Fri. and was called at 10am by the BBS delivery guy. My mower was delivered! Got home and there it was with price tag still on it,no gas and low on hyd. system oil [20w50], forklift tracks all over, books and 1 key under seat.It gets better?key barely fits in slot,43.7 hours are showing on meter, but machine paint still is perfect. Ok.. machine sat at big store and somebody used screwdriver/pocket knife and maybe got switch turned to ON ?Starting is kinda iffy. Called BBS driver..did machine run alright. "Yeah,man! My Bossman had it going ,ran grrrreat! Problem? Uh, call 1-800 number on tag under the seat,Man!!
Well. sorry this is long. But Hustler Co. in Hesston ,Ks does indeed answer their phone and help is on the way from a BiG Dog dealer! in another town ..on Monday.. This may work out and its too wet to mow anyway.. Stay tuned.
i wonder if leaving the key in the on position keeps the timer going. someone forgot key on? you could replace the timer with a zero hour one perhaps.
so you bought it from lowes?
the hydraulic resorvoir has a cold line on the side. its at the bottom. most of the resorvoir will be empty to allow the oil to expand.
did you run the machine?
as for starting, it will start without pulling the choke lever out, but will take longer cranking. what i do is pull choke out and hold it. crank engine, it starts, then i push choke back in.
#3
G
gundog
The key left on will cause the hour meter to run on the newer Hustlers. Also the key not fitting as well as one would expect is normal. I just leave the key in mine and it is ready to go whenever needed. As for starting and everything else I say diito on the above. With that particular Kawasaki engine they start with just a bit of choke and better just it off immediately after starting. Very easy to apply to much choke. I would give it at least half throttle when starting at least that is my experience. Also if you look close you will see the cold fill line almost to the very bottom of the reservoir. When you check it when warm you will see it has risen significantly.
G
gundog
i wonder if leaving the key in the on position keeps the timer going. someone forgot key on? you could replace the timer with a zero hour one perhaps.
so you bought it from lowes?
the hydraulic resorvoir has a cold line on the side. its at the bottom. most of the resorvoir will be empty to allow the oil to expand.
did you run the machine?
as for starting, it will start without pulling the choke lever out, but will take longer cranking. what i do is pull choke out and hold it. crank engine, it starts, then i push choke back in.
The key left on will cause the hour meter to run on the newer Hustlers. Also the key not fitting as well as one would expect is normal. I just leave the key in mine and it is ready to go whenever needed. As for starting and everything else I say diito on the above. With that particular Kawasaki engine they start with just a bit of choke and better just it off immediately after starting. Very easy to apply to much choke. I would give it at least half throttle when starting at least that is my experience. Also if you look close you will see the cold fill line almost to the very bottom of the reservoir. When you check it when warm you will see it has risen significantly.
#4
Ric
If it were me I'd call your BBS and tell them to come get the mower and explain that you purchased a new mower and not a used with 43.7 hrs. The problem I would have accepting a mower like that and finding the problems you've found already, I would have to wonder what else down the road are going to happen. I'd also wonder if you were the first owner or maybe the second. If you haven't mowed with the mower look under the deck and check it and the condition of the blades and find out if they have been used or not.
Ric
Hi, Bought a new Raptor SD60" Wed.night at local BBS after my nearest dealer told me he was no longer a Hustler dealer. Said he could not compete with the BBS. This bothered me because I had a good relationship and bought other things from him over the years. I waited too long to buy my first ZTR from him !
So I specified an after 12 delivery Fri. and was called at 10am by the BBS delivery guy. My mower was delivered! Got home and there it was with price tag still on it,no gas and low on hyd. system oil [20w50], forklift tracks all over, books and 1 key under seat.It gets better?key barely fits in slot,43.7 hours are showing on meter, but machine paint still is perfect. Ok.. machine sat at big store and somebody used screwdriver/pocket knife and maybe got switch turned to ON ?Starting is kinda iffy. Called BBS driver..did machine run alright. "Yeah,man! My Bossman had it going ,ran grrrreat! Problem? Uh, call 1-800 number on tag under the seat,Man!!
Well. sorry this is long. But Hustler Co. in Hesston ,Ks does indeed answer their phone and help is on the way from a BiG Dog dealer! in another town ..on Monday.. This may work out and its too wet to mow anyway.. Stay tuned.
If it were me I'd call your BBS and tell them to come get the mower and explain that you purchased a new mower and not a used with 43.7 hrs. The problem I would have accepting a mower like that and finding the problems you've found already, I would have to wonder what else down the road are going to happen. I'd also wonder if you were the first owner or maybe the second. If you haven't mowed with the mower look under the deck and check it and the condition of the blades and find out if they have been used or not.
#5
P
possum
P
possum
I am with Ric. Call the store and tell them to return the mower. Go to the Big Dog dealer you spoke of and buy a mower from them. Or another dealer with a different brand.
#6
B
Bamacat
B
Bamacat
Thanks Guys for all replies.
Machine is brand new all over but hour meter reading. Not a mark on the blades or underside. Engine,etc has that smell you get from all new equipment . Similar to new car smell.
Maybe I'm taking a risk on poor or nonexistent dealer prep,but it was delivered to my place for under four thousand ($3989.04] . Veterans discount included . Thats why my farm equipment guy does not sell them any more I'm pretty sure.
I appreciate the advice on starting procedures.
I am going over the entire machine with my torque wrench and data from the on-line manuals before it cuts one blade of grass. I will report back my findings and on the BIG DOG dealer relationship .
[ Wow, the steering controls are butter smooth,quick and quiet, especially compared to the skid steers I've owned.]
Machine is brand new all over but hour meter reading. Not a mark on the blades or underside. Engine,etc has that smell you get from all new equipment . Similar to new car smell.
Maybe I'm taking a risk on poor or nonexistent dealer prep,but it was delivered to my place for under four thousand ($3989.04] . Veterans discount included . Thats why my farm equipment guy does not sell them any more I'm pretty sure.
I appreciate the advice on starting procedures.
I am going over the entire machine with my torque wrench and data from the on-line manuals before it cuts one blade of grass. I will report back my findings and on the BIG DOG dealer relationship .
[ Wow, the steering controls are butter smooth,quick and quiet, especially compared to the skid steers I've owned.]
#7
R
RaptorSDer
They really are great aren't they?! I would most certainly send it back or have them install a new hour meter. That shouldn't be your responsibility. It might not sound like a big deal but down the road when you're ready to sell it those extra 40+ hours will affect the resale value. Not by much but you shouldn't be financially responsible for a mistake on their end.
R
RaptorSDer
[ Wow, the steering controls are butter smooth,quick and quiet, especially compared to the skid steers I've owned.]
They really are great aren't they?! I would most certainly send it back or have them install a new hour meter. That shouldn't be your responsibility. It might not sound like a big deal but down the road when you're ready to sell it those extra 40+ hours will affect the resale value. Not by much but you shouldn't be financially responsible for a mistake on their end.
#8
Ric
The guy specified an after 12 delivery Fri. and they delivered the thing at 10 am when he isn't home, I wonder why. The whole thing sounds pretty hokey to me. That thing would definitely go back.
Ric
I am with Ric. Call the store and tell them to return the mower. Go to the Big Dog dealer you spoke of and buy a mower from them. Or another dealer with a different brand.
The guy specified an after 12 delivery Fri. and they delivered the thing at 10 am when he isn't home, I wonder why. The whole thing sounds pretty hokey to me. That thing would definitely go back.
#9
T
turboawd
well it obviously sounds like he bought from lowes, so i dont know what you guys expect out of them. lol
at least he saved money. and besides the key being left on, it doesnt seem like there is a need to jump the gun and return the mower.
T
turboawd
I am with Ric. Call the store and tell them to return the mower. Go to the Big Dog dealer you spoke of and buy a mower from them. Or another dealer with a different brand.
The guy specified an after 12 delivery Fri. and they delivered the thing at 10 am when he isn't home, I wonder why. The whole thing sounds pretty hokey to me. That thing would definitely go back.
well it obviously sounds like he bought from lowes, so i dont know what you guys expect out of them. lol
at least he saved money. and besides the key being left on, it doesnt seem like there is a need to jump the gun and return the mower.
#10
reynoldston
I have to agree here and it looks like he saved 1000 dollars on top of it all.
reynoldston
well it obviously sounds like he bought from lowes, so i dont know what you guys expect out of them. lol
at least he saved money. and besides the key being left on, it doesnt seem like there is a need to jump the gun and return the mower.
I have to agree here and it looks like he saved 1000 dollars on top of it all.
#11
G
gabowman
G
gabowman
I would ask for a replaced hour meter. By showing alot of hours already it'll hurt the owner should he ever want to upgrade or sell right out and buy something else down the road. Hustler should replace it free of charge since the mower is new.
#12
D
Doug44
I bought my SD from my local Hustler Dealer (less than 2 mile from my doorstep) for under $4K delivered including tax. It was also low on hydro oil I think this is very common and it will continue to need topped off for a few hours. Again my local Hustler dealer gave me a qt of hydro oil which is nothing but standard motor type oil. If I recall correctly I added about 1/2 qt in the hydro drives before they stopped sipping oil. IMHO I don't think there is a lot of dealer prep after uncratting these mowers. Outside of the hour meter I wouldn't be too concerned, you seem to have a good handle on things.
With only 35 hr on my unit I must say I am more than happy with our Hustler raptor SD. Great looking lawn cut for an 54" mower IMO. I mow @ 4" level above ground and have the nicest looking lawn in the area. You have made a good choice & buy enjoy
D
Doug44
Thanks Guys for all replies.
Machine is brand new all over but hour meter reading. Not a mark on the blades or underside. Engine,etc has that smell you get from all new equipment . Similar to new car smell.
Maybe I'm taking a risk on poor or nonexistent dealer prep,but it was delivered to my place for under four thousand ($3989.04] . Veterans discount included . Thats why my farm equipment guy does not sell them any more I'm pretty sure.
I appreciate the advice on starting procedures.
I am going over the entire machine with my torque wrench and data from the on-line manuals before it cuts one blade of grass. I will report back my findings and on the BIG DOG dealer relationship .
[ Wow, the steering controls are butter smooth,quick and quiet, especially compared to the skid steers I've owned.]
I bought my SD from my local Hustler Dealer (less than 2 mile from my doorstep) for under $4K delivered including tax. It was also low on hydro oil I think this is very common and it will continue to need topped off for a few hours. Again my local Hustler dealer gave me a qt of hydro oil which is nothing but standard motor type oil. If I recall correctly I added about 1/2 qt in the hydro drives before they stopped sipping oil. IMHO I don't think there is a lot of dealer prep after uncratting these mowers. Outside of the hour meter I wouldn't be too concerned, you seem to have a good handle on things.
With only 35 hr on my unit I must say I am more than happy with our Hustler raptor SD. Great looking lawn cut for an 54" mower IMO. I mow @ 4" level above ground and have the nicest looking lawn in the area. You have made a good choice & buy enjoy
#13
B
Bamacat
B
Bamacat
Well I am IMPRESSED!
After contacting Hustler customer service , Excel Corp. [1.800.530.5876] and talking with Julio and Dan in Hesston ,Ks. They got the ball rolling on getting my machine going. Top Choice Supply [205.436.2688] in Bessemer,Al.[50+miles away] contacted me and treated me very well .Even though they sell Big Dog mowers , they sent two well trained mechanics and changed out the hour meter , ignition switch [it appeared to be damaged] and solenoid [which was the main problem]. They checked the machine over and went over its operation and all controls with me. Then they tested this machine on my yard. Great service all around.NO Charge for anything!!
It gets better!
Another dealer about the same distance from me was also contacted by Hustler Customer Service. This was Rogers Auto & Truck [205.932.6787] in Fayette ,Al. They called and assured me they would be happy to provide service and parts and honor the warranty.
I received at least 4 calls all during this from Julio in Kansas, checking to make sure everything was being taken care of. That is CUSTOMER SERVICE.
After contacting Hustler customer service , Excel Corp. [1.800.530.5876] and talking with Julio and Dan in Hesston ,Ks. They got the ball rolling on getting my machine going. Top Choice Supply [205.436.2688] in Bessemer,Al.[50+miles away] contacted me and treated me very well .Even though they sell Big Dog mowers , they sent two well trained mechanics and changed out the hour meter , ignition switch [it appeared to be damaged] and solenoid [which was the main problem]. They checked the machine over and went over its operation and all controls with me. Then they tested this machine on my yard. Great service all around.NO Charge for anything!!
It gets better!
Another dealer about the same distance from me was also contacted by Hustler Customer Service. This was Rogers Auto & Truck [205.932.6787] in Fayette ,Al. They called and assured me they would be happy to provide service and parts and honor the warranty.
I received at least 4 calls all during this from Julio in Kansas, checking to make sure everything was being taken care of. That is CUSTOMER SERVICE.
#14
Homer1
Homer1
Most mowers are shipped low on Hydro fluid. Once the motors fill up completely after a few test rides, it can be filled to the correct amount. I run my overflow about 1/4 full to allow plenty of expansion of hot fluid. You don't want to top them off, ever.
As for your BBS experience. I nearly did the same thing, but then after calling a few Hustler dealers they made it a point to state "We do not service any Raptor series mowers," mainly because of the fact that they can't keep up sales with them. All their promotions and the 5% you get by using a card pretty much cuts your average dealers throat.
As for the hours, Yeah I would bitch about that pretty hard, at least get some cash back. It could have been a demo unit as well, that people got to test drive. Also, you may want to source a dealer that WILL work on your raptor. I had a hard time finding one around here that would, something that took Hustler off my buy list. I did have some that sold the Fastrack and serviced them as well, but as for the Raptor's, Lowes was my only option.
As for your BBS experience. I nearly did the same thing, but then after calling a few Hustler dealers they made it a point to state "We do not service any Raptor series mowers," mainly because of the fact that they can't keep up sales with them. All their promotions and the 5% you get by using a card pretty much cuts your average dealers throat.
As for the hours, Yeah I would bitch about that pretty hard, at least get some cash back. It could have been a demo unit as well, that people got to test drive. Also, you may want to source a dealer that WILL work on your raptor. I had a hard time finding one around here that would, something that took Hustler off my buy list. I did have some that sold the Fastrack and serviced them as well, but as for the Raptor's, Lowes was my only option.
#15
D
Doug44
So glad this has a happy ending ! I know if you are like most of us, we have to work too hard for our money not to be taken care of with a $4K purchase. Kept us informed in the future.
D
Doug44
Well I am IMPRESSED!
After contacting Hustler customer service , Excel Corp. [1.800.530.5876] and talking with Julio and Dan in Hesston ,Ks. They got the ball rolling on getting my machine going. Top Choice Supply [205.436.2688] in Bessemer,Al.[50+miles away] contacted me and treated me very well .Even though they sell Big Dog mowers , they sent two well trained mechanics and changed out the hour meter , ignition switch [it appeared to be damaged] and solenoid [which was the main problem]. They checked the machine over and went over its operation and all controls with me. Then they tested this machine on my yard. Great service all around.NO Charge for anything!!
It gets better!
Another dealer about the same distance from me was also contacted by Hustler Customer Service. This was Rogers Auto & Truck [205.932.6787] in Fayette ,Al. They called and assured me they would be happy to provide service and parts and honor the warranty.
I received at least 4 calls all during this from Julio in Kansas, checking to make sure everything was being taken care of. That is CUSTOMER SERVICE.
So glad this has a happy ending ! I know if you are like most of us, we have to work too hard for our money not to be taken care of with a $4K purchase. Kept us informed in the future.
#16
FieldCut48
FieldCut48
I came home the other day and found my Raptor SD's battery dead. My kids apparently played with it and left the key on. I now have a new mower that should be showing 10hrs or so but is showing 82hours instead. I will look into having the gauge changed.