Raptor SD cut quality - any recommendations?

[PVHIII]

I need to read up on the Fastrak models - I believe there used to be a base model and an SD, not sure of the differences between them, and I know there have been changes for 2015. I'm also not sure which of them he was planning to let me demo. I do know that the one he pointed to when he and I were speaking had the FR691V on it, which is the same as my Raptor SD.

The FR series engines are on the standard Fastrak....FS series is on the SD edition and yes they still build those and now (on the new models) in order to get the FX (commercial) series you have to step up to the SDX model which is a new model introduced in 2015...I have a 2013 FTSD...they came with FX series engines on them back then...some changes to the new mods are a deeper deck (which is good) bigger tires....the SD edition. now comes with ZT 3400 transmissions instead of the ZT3100 which I have on my FTSD both are commercial grade...mine also has a chain hung deck which is very important to the point where I feel it can't be over stated...all new FT models have bracket hung decks...in order to get a chain hung deck now you must step up to the X-one series... there are some other minor differences but I feel these are the important...the standard FT would probably suit your mowing needs just fine...however I have a history of going bigger than I need...if it were me I'd go for the SDX or at minimum the SD model.

 

[PVHIII]

I seriously doubt you will see a lot of difference between the two mowers. About the only difference is the fastrak has a 5" deck vs the raptors 4.5'. Engine wise there both the Kawasaki 691, ones an FR and the other an FS which will Probably outlast the FR but seeing that there both running the 18.900 BTS / FPM the cutting and discharge shouldn't be that great of a difference.
When you talk about Lawn company's and seeing what they do, have you ever talked to one of the guys to get there opinion on what to do or maybe what there running and why? If the deck you are using with a G5 or 6 Gator blade is leaving clumps, you have more grass under the deck than that particular make of deck can handle, you may want to consider another brand of mower. What other type of mowers does your dealer handle?

Ric we don't disagree very often however I feel like he's gonna notice a huge difference in these two mowers....I can ALMOST say I know he will but only time will tell...this will be interesting... Can't wait for him to get that demo!

 

[mooch91]

Why arent you mowing at full throttle?

Me? I am. Lever all the way forward.

 

[akcooper9]

Me? I am. Lever all the way forward.

Ok, this is why I asked (see below) Either way it should be all the way forward.

I'm back to running the Gator blades and I made an arbitrary increase in engine speed tonight. Not sure if it's 3600 rpm or above (lever is about 1/8" from the end of its travel in the cam), but there's not much more room to increase speed beyond where I have it.

 

[flightco]

Your not gonna want to return that Fast Trak... It may be just one step up from that RSD but it's be 3 times the mower of that RSD...I can promise you that.....REALLY lookin forward to your review on the Fast Trak...Enjoy!

PV,

I just went to the Hustler Website and did a comparison; These are almost exactly the same mower, here are some specs and I will highlight the exceptions

Engine - same
Drive System - SD 2800; FT 3100 and .5 mph faster I don't believe this will affect the cut but I could be wrong.
Deck, 1/2 inch deeper, honest question; can a half inch make that much difference?
Blade - same
Blade Tip Speed; FT 18910, SD 18900 (I would guess the 10fpm difference is within the margin of error)
Spindle - same
Deck construction FT 10ga, SD 11 ga -this tells me the FT is more HD but again do not know if the cut would be affected
Frame is made with a little stronger steel on FT
Tires FT 22 x 11 - 10 SD 20 x 12 - 10
weight FT 860 SD 650

There are other differences that should not affect the cut such as gas tank, etc.

I have made some assumptions here and could be wrong. I can see that the FT may last longer but do not see how it will cut any better unless it is the .5 in deck height. .5 doesn't sound like much but it is greater than 10% increase.

Interested in why you think it will cut better.

 

[flightco]

The FR series engines are on the standard Fastrak....FS series is on the SD edition and yes they still build those and now (on the new models) in order to get the FX (commercial) series you have to step up to the SDX model which is a new model introduced in 2015...I have a 2013 FTSD...they came with FX series engines on them back then...some changes to the new mods are a deeper deck (which is good) bigger tires....the SD edition. now comes with ZT 3400 transmissions instead of the ZT3100 which I have on my FTSD both are commercial grade...mine also has a chain hung deck which is very important to the point where I feel it can't be over stated...all new FT models have bracket hung decks...in order to get a chain hung deck now you must step up to the X-one series... there are some other minor differences but I feel these are the important...the standard FT would probably suit your mowing needs just fine...however I have a history of going bigger than I need...if it were me I'd go for the SDX or at minimum the SD model.

I should have read this before I responded to your other post.

Question on the FR vs FS or FX; I thought I read someplace that the only difference is access to filters and things of that nature, is there something different in the build that would make them last longer?

Sounds like if he doesn't like the Raptor SD he really needs to go at least to the Fastrack SD

 

[Ric]

I should have read this before I responded to your other post.

Question on the FR vs FS or FX; I thought I read someplace that the only difference is access to filters and things of that nature, is there something different in the build that would make them last longer?

Sounds like if he doesn't like the Raptor SD he really needs to go at least to the Fastrack SD

One of the differences between the engines is the air filtration system. The FR is only a single stage. The FS is a dual element and you need to service the foam element every 25 hrs and the paper element every 50hrs/ replace at 200hrs. The fx Has the Dual stage canister air filter, it has a Primary and a Safety inside the the primary and the service interval is 250hrs and replacement is every 500hrs. The Fx has a metal engine cover and a heavy duty shift-type starter. The Thing is if your a homeowner and using the mower for your personal use the Raptor sd with the FR and 2800 drives are all you would need, a commercial drive is really a waste of money for a homeowner.

 

[mooch91]

Ok, this is why I asked (see below) Either way it should be all the way forward.

Thanks, the lever I referred to previously was the adjustment lever on the engine to allow for adjustment of high engine speed (held in place by the clamp on the throttle cable). I did recently adjust the speed higher thinking maybe it was running lower than 3600 rpm when the throttle was full open. I don't have a tach, so I made a somewhat arbitrary adjustment.

 

[PVHIII]

PV,

I just went to the Hustler Website and did a comparison; These are almost exactly the same mower, here are some specs and I will highlight the exceptions

Engine - same
Drive System - SD 2800; FT 3100 and .5 mph faster I don't believe this will affect the cut but I could be wrong.
Deck, 1/2 inch deeper, honest question; can a half inch make that much difference?
Blade - same
Blade Tip Speed; FT 18910, SD 18900 (I would guess the 10fpm difference is within the margin of error)
Spindle - same
Deck construction FT 10ga, SD 11 ga -this tells me the FT is more HD but again do not know if the cut would be affected
Frame is made with a little stronger steel on FT
Tires FT 22 x 11 - 10 SD 20 x 12 - 10
weight FT 860 SD 650

There are other differences that should not affect the cut such as gas tank, etc.

I have made some assumptions here and could be wrong. I can see that the FT may last longer but do not see how it will cut any better unless it is the .5 in deck height. .5 doesn't sound like much but it is greater than 10% increase.

Interested in why you think it will cut better.

That half inch will make more of a difference than you think and that deck is a completely different design...that half sure makes it look bigger...they are not even close to being the same mower..lol
..... you shall see for yourself

 

[mooch91]

That half inch will make more of a difference than you think and I don't think the deck is designed the same either...that half sure makes it look bigger...they are not even close to being the same mower..lol
..... you shall see for yourself

When I looked at the deck quickly last weekend, the FT definitely looked a bit deeper. The side discharge was big compared to the RSD with that curved, open-top discharge with the bar across the bottom, and underneath looked more "open".