Please point in correct direction for ZTR or stand-behind mower

[katit]

Funny video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3ixg_yhEiA

They show Raptor vs Tractor on a hill that's little bit bigger than what I have. I admit I do much better than guy on black tractor, but kudos to ZTR

 

[Carscw]

Funny video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3ixg_yhEiA They show Raptor vs Tractor on a hill that's little bit bigger than what I have. I admit I do much better than guy on black tractor, but kudos to ZTR

Are you kidding me?
A riding mower would have no problem on that hill.

But the ztr did good

 

[DSepe]

Are you kidding me? A riding mower would have no problem on that hill. But the ztr did good

*Disclaimer Hill was sprayed with water before the riding mower to produce morning dew like conditions* lol Also how he said "Rap-tore" in his accent made me smile for some reason.

 

[katit]

OP here.

Yesterday my JD was sold and today I took delivery on Hustler Raptor SD 54
It's not 2k, but oh well...

Today I was playing with it, cut is great from what I can tell.
I guess components is good on this machine, but overall there is little things that I don't like.
First is seat springs. Why do they have to rub on a frame and make this squeaking noise when I sit?
Second - steering handles. I adjusted them all way out and they equal when in park position. However, when I push them forward or reverse they like 1 inch apart. Also, when I go full speed - mower turns slightly, not going in a straight line.

 

[Shughes717]

Hustlers are very good mowers. You will really like the cut quality of the rsd. There should be some sort of adjustable set screws to make your mower go in a straight line. Mine pulled slightly to the right when I got it.

 

[katit]

I found where springs rub on a frame and on a seat. Most improvement came from putting electric tape between spring side and frame. Now I need to come up with long-lasting solution. If springs were 1/4 further - this wouldn't be a problem.

 

[katit]

I have about 13 hours on Raptor SD 54 and wanted to post a short review. All I can say is why I didn't get ZTR sooner. I had lawn tractor and it's night and day..

I had issue at beginning: http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/hustler-forum/28396-need-vent-about-new-raptor-sd.html

Now I installed mulch kit, heat shield and engine guard.

If you read my original post - I was impressed with how pro's handle my neighbours yards. Now my yard looks better! And I already saved tons of time. With mulch kit Raptor does excellent job. At first I had to scrape deck couple times after trying to cut wet or in a morning. Or when grass was growing fast. I was kind of hoping it will take care of leafs and it exceeded my expectations. Everybody blowing or collecting leafs this days, I used to do this too, it was taking me maybe 15hr of work every season with big backpack blower. Now it mulches so well that I have perfect lawn, rarely I need to do 2 passes. Leafs clipped to about 1/4 inch size and barely visible, you have to look for it to see. If I understand it right - it is good for the grass too. But final verdict on leafs will be in a spring when grass starts growing back.

I was worrying about hill - no problem. I feel very comfortable turning on a hill, going sideways, etc. It handles it very well.

Negative thing comparing to lawn tractor - ZTR uses much more gas.

I guess any decent ZTR would do this, but so far I'm really happy.

 

[Shughes717]

I have about 13 hours on Raptor SD 54 and wanted to post a short review. All I can say is why I didn't get ZTR sooner. I had lawn tractor and it's night and day..

I had issue at beginning: http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/hustler-forum/28396-need-vent-about-new-raptor-sd.html

Now I installed mulch kit, heat shield and engine guard.

If you read my original post - I was impressed with how pro's handle my neighbours yards. Now my yard looks better! And I already saved tons of time. With mulch kit Raptor does excellent job. At first I had to scrape deck couple times after trying to cut wet or in a morning. Or when grass was growing fast. I was kind of hoping it will take care of leafs and it exceeded my expectations. Everybody blowing or collecting leafs this days, I used to do this too, it was taking me maybe 15hr of work every season with big backpack blower. Now it mulches so well that I have perfect lawn, rarely I need to do 2 passes. Leafs clipped to about 1/4 inch size and barely visible, you have to look for it to see. If I understand it right - it is good for the grass too. But final verdict on leafs will be in a spring when grass starts growing back.

I was worrying about hill - no problem. I feel very comfortable turning on a hill, going sideways, etc. It handles it very well.

Negative thing comparing to lawn tractor - ZTR uses much more gas.

I guess any decent ZTR would do this, but so far I'm really happy.

How much fuel is your mower using? Mine uses about .75 gallons an acre. That seems to be about average for most ztr mowers.

 

[katit]

How much fuel is your mower using? Mine uses about .75 gallons an acre. That seems to be about average for most ztr mowers.

This sounds about right. Or maybe little more, hard to tell. I have .75 acre and it takes about gallon, but again, I didn't measure. It just feels like it uses more. With tractor I was getting gas maybe twice a season (5gal canister). Now I got gas 3 times already.