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Hello all,
This is my first post and need your help please.
I just purchased a Hustler Raptor SD 60" to mow around 2.5 acres around my house (first zero turn mower). Mostly flat but small area bit bumpy. I mowed twice already and very pleased with the performance except the deck adjusting pin just falls out after few bumps. It happened to me 3 times already (out of two times I mowed) and I did not realized that happened on the third time and scalped the lawn a little bit because the deck was on the lowest setting when the pin fell out. Very upset about it. I mowed the rest constantly watching the pin. I noticed that as I am mowing, the pin slowing spins and the locking lip is no longer keeping the pin locked in position. Anyone else had this problem? Am I going over the bumps too fast? Would the flex fork fix the problem by reducing the bumpy vibration and therefor keep the pin in the locked position?
Any suggestion would help. Thanks in advance!!
One more question, would the synthetic mobile 1 oil work for this?

If clevis pin has a hole on one end install a cotter key or pin if you will from local hardware store, take clevis pin with you to size up cotter key.

mechanic mark said:

If clevis pin has a hole on one end install a cotter key or pin if you will from local hardware store, take clevis pin with you to size up cotter key.

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I agree. That would be the perfect solution but unfortunately no hole.... Why do you think it's falling out to begin with? the Vibration alone?

I have this mower and this has never happened to me. The entire weight of the deck is resting on that pin.
The only thing I can think of...is if your deck is set on "A" (i.e. 1.5 inches) and you hit the bumps at top speed. Then you could be lifting the deck off the pin with the rollers hitting the ground. That kind of punishment could cause the pin to bounce around and back out. I can't even imagine how hard you would have to be on mower for that to happen. ?

I would try adjusting the deck up 1" (E or F) or more and see if the still happens.

One other solution is some good old fashion duck tape. ?

mechanic mark said:

If clevis pin has a hole on one end install a cotter key or pin if you will from local hardware store, take clevis pin with you to size up cotter key.

Click to expand...

That would make quick height adjustment even more awkward than it already is. You would have to dismount the mower to change deck height.


I would call Hustler and tell them to send me a pin that will stay in.


Edit: Just went and looked. It's more likely the pin is coming out when the deck is fully retracted, because there is nothing keeping the pin from bouncing around.

A simple work-around is a plain rubber band looped over both ends of the pin.

Have_Blue said:

That would make quick height adjustment even more awkward than it already is. You would have to dismount the mower to change deck height.


I would call Hustler and tell them to send me a pin that will stay in.


Edit: Just went and looked. It's more likely the pin is coming out when the deck is fully retracted, because there is nothing keeping the pin from bouncing around.

A simple work-around is a plain rubber band looped over both ends of the pin.

Click to expand...

Hmmmm.... I am mowing at letter G the entire time. I did not even attempted to change the deck height during the mowing. I wonder if I got a bad pin since you guys are pretty much saying that is impossible. I should contact the Hustler. Will keep you posted. Thanks for your replies guys!!

this happened to me all the time.
i ended up just putting a vice grip on the on the end of the pin.
i need to buy a new pin with a clip on the end.

or maybe you could try bending the pin more, so that the weight hanging down prevents it from turning, which is how it backs out.

turboawd said:

this happened to me all the time.
i ended up just putting a vice grip on the on the end of the pin.
i need to buy a new pin with a clip on the end.

or maybe you could try bending the pin more, so that the weight hanging down prevents it from turning, which is how it backs out.

Click to expand...

I guess I can try that but wonder if it will bend easy...

christopherdada said:

Hmmmm.... I am mowing at letter G the entire time. I did not even attempted to change the deck height during the mowing. I wonder if I got a bad pin since you guys are pretty much saying that is impossible. I should contact the Hustler. Will keep you posted. Thanks for your replies guys!!

Click to expand...

But you see what I mean about the retracted deck? If it's retracted, the pin is flopping loose, regardless of the hole it's in.

You can check at Tractor Supply, they have all sorts of pins, some have latches. A pin with a ball detent would be perfect, but a lucky find.

Have_Blue said:

But you see what I mean about the retracted deck? If it's retracted, the pin is flopping loose, regardless of the hole it's in.

You can check at Tractor Supply, they have all sorts of pins, some have latches. A pin with a ball detent would be perfect, but a lucky find.

Click to expand...

Yeah, I will look into that. Thanks!

Have_Blue said:

But you see what I mean about the retracted deck? If it's retracted, the pin is flopping loose, regardless of the hole it's in.

You can check at Tractor Supply, they have all sorts of pins, some have latches. A pin with a ball detent would be perfect, but a lucky find.

Click to expand...

not really, cause if the ball lines up with the groove, it will back out also.

oh, and on my machine, the pin still backs out even when the deck is not retracted. the bouncing around of the machine causes it to back out.

Get a good quality 3/16th drill bit (I like Irwin). Mark where to drill the hole and then use a hammer and nail to center punch it. Drill hole put cotter pin in and your done. 15 min fix once you get drill bit.

BlazNT said:

Get a good quality 3/16th drill bit (I like Irwin). Mark where to drill the hole and then use a hammer and nail to center punch it. Drill hole put cotter pin in and your done. 15 min fix once you get drill bit.

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That was my wife's idea. I contacted the hustler rep and he is sending me a new pin. If the new pin doesn't fix the issue, drilling and using a cotter pin will be my next move. Thanks.

christopherdada said:

That was my wife's idea. I contacted the hustler rep and he is sending me a new pin. If the new pin doesn't fix the issue, drilling and using a cotter pin will be my next move. Thanks.

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The same thing happened to me. The problem for me was that the pin was not inserted all the way thru the second hole. Make sure the pin passes thru the outside hole. Hope that helps

Dino62 said:

The same thing happened to me. The problem for me was that the pin was not inserted all the way thru the second hole. Make sure the pin passes thru the outside hole. Hope that helps

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i cut a lot of rough lots. the pin bounces around and comes out even when fully installed. it would back out constantly, and get lodged down at an angle after pulling back from the far hole.

i bought a new pin that has a cotter pin, from the local farm store. it seems the diameter is 3/8 inch

turboawd said:

i cut a lot of rough lots. the pin bounces around and comes out even when fully installed. it would back out constantly, and get lodged down at an angle after pulling back from the far hole.

i bought a new pin that has a cotter pin, from the local farm store. it seems the diameter is 3/8 inch

Click to expand...

Didn't think of that.
You bought a clevis pin and farm shops generally carry a large range as they always seem to bounce out of 3 pt linkages and you can never find them, till the next time you mow, usually with brand new blades :thumbdown:
If you go that way ge the longest one they have and slip a nut & bolt to limit the depth and give you a handle.

In drilling..put .pin in vise and just file a small flat where you can more easily prick punch. Try to center the punch tip at the center of the shank on the flat. If prick mark is off try "moving" is by punching again from an angle. Machinist trick with drill press only...with pin in vise balance small steel scale on shaft (horizontal). Come down gently with drill tip (not running) onto scale. If scale deflects off of horizontal move drill vise until this procedure does not deflect the scale off of horizontal. Lock down drill press vise. Should be center.

BlazNT said:

Get a good quality 3/16th drill bit (I like Irwin). Mark where to drill the hole and then use a hammer and nail to center punch it. Drill hole put cotter pin in and your done. 15 min fix once you get drill bit.

Click to expand...

Okay, this is the update. They sent me a new pin but looks just identical to the original so I didn't even bother to swap it. I went to Wal-mart and got a Bostitch Titanium drill bit size 1/8" and a #3 hitch pin (2.3 mm) I put the pin on a wooden block and held it down with a clamp. I used 1/32 size nail punch with a hammer to make a notch on the pin. Then I drilled a hole through with the drill bit. Very easy took like 30 sec. Bam!! made a hole! filed it around the each ends of the hole to smooth it out. I put it on the mower and then used the hitch pin to hold it in position. Worked great. Let's hope that the hitch pin doesn't break while mowing. lol Thank you all for your help guys. :thumbsup: Click on this link for pic.

That looks perfect.