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Three questions about Raptor SD's

#1

A

AJ961

Hi everyone. I'm new here and planning to purchase a Raptor SD soon since my current lawn mower is old and constantly has problems.

I'm cutting about 2.5 acres and trying to decide on the 54" or 60" Raptor SD's. Some of my yard is somewhat bumpy and I'm thinking the 60" will make up the difference of total cutting time for lack of speed in those areas.

Second question is how easy is it to perform maintenance? Is the deck belt easy to change? Will the floor (area where feet are placed) raise up? I didn't think about looking at that when I saw it at Lowe's. Is the oil and filter easily accessible?

Third question is are the steering handles adjustable? Can they be adjusted to raise and lower?

Really appreciate any answers and advice.

AJ


#2

Micah Haarhoff

Micah Haarhoff

I know the deck belts are fairly easy to change the oilfilter and air filter should be as well not sure about the handles though.


#3

Micah Haarhoff

Micah Haarhoff

as for the floor some do some dont


#4

T

turboawd

have you looked at huster's website? look under specs and this is what it shows for productivity.
not too much difference between 54 and 60
VrVUC2S.jpg1


maintenance is easy. the floor is bolted down. my deck belt came off once when i tried starting the blades with the deck burried in deep grass. i was able to easily put the belt back on without removing the floor plate.


the handles do adjust fore and aft, but i dont think they adjust up and down.

also, the 54 doesnt come with the engine guard, so ask your dealer to order if you want it. cost around 80.


#5

A

AJ961

Thanks for posting the specs Turbo. The 54" would work fine for my needs. Really appreciate the help everyone!

AJ


#6

Ric

Ric

AJ961 said:
Hi everyone. I'm new here and planning to purchase a Raptor SD soon since my current lawn mower is old and constantly has problems.

I'm cutting about 2.5 acres and trying to decide on the 54" or 60" Raptor SD's. Some of my yard is somewhat bumpy and I'm thinking the 60" will make up the difference of total cutting time for lack of speed in those areas.

Second question is how easy is it to perform maintenance? Is the deck belt easy to change? Will the floor (area where feet are placed) raise up? I didn't think about looking at that when I saw it at Lowe's. Is the oil and filter easily accessible?

Third question is are the steering handles adjustable? Can they be adjusted to raise and lower?

Really appreciate any answers and advice.

AJ
Click to expand...

The 54 would be your best option imo because it will have the best BTS and give you the best cut. Maintenance should be simple enough, the oil filter and oil change easy enough on the two Kawasaki engines that I run and the FR isn't any different that I know of.

The floor (area where feet are placed) doesn't raise or flip up like there commercial models do so easy access to changing the belts isn't there like the commercials. Changing the belts isn't that difficult anyway.

As far as the lap bars go there adjustable to be raised or lowered to suit your comfort range. Two bolts in each handle can be removed to adjust their height. The only fore and aft adjustment would be moving the seat forward or back to adjust your mowing position. The SD comes with the 2800 drives which are the top of the line residential offerings so they should never give you any problems and do everything you'll ever want for your 2.5 acres.

The guard does come standard on the 60" and it is available for the 48 and 54" As far as the engine guard goes and this is just my opinion but I wouldn't waste the money because it's just something else to get in the way and it's just added weight and serves no purpose other than looks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=P_LvO0hA_TY


#7

K

kraky

Just adding...the seat on the 60" is much nicer looking...more value in the bigger cut, nicer seat, free engine guard.?


#8

Ric

Ric

kraky said:
Just adding...the seat on the 60" is much nicer looking...more value in the bigger cut, nicer seat, free engine guard.?
Click to expand...

I don't see anymore value in the 60" over the 54". The productivity rate difference in a 6" larger deck or between the two machines is near nothing and besides that the engine guard isn't free when you consider the $500 price difference between the two machines.


#9

K

kraky

The op says he's got a rough lawn and sees some value in slowing down but getting more done w/the wider deck. The nicer seat plays into his comfort on the rough lawn too. $500 to get a nicer machine over 10 yrs of ownership comes to $50/yr. It doesn't matter whether we think its a good deal....its the op's money on the line.


#10

Ric

Ric

kraky said:
The op says he's got a rough lawn and sees some value in slowing down but getting more done w/the wider deck. The nicer seat plays into his comfort on the rough lawn too. $500 to get a nicer machine over 10 yrs of ownership comes to $50/yr. It doesn't matter whether we think its a good deal....its the op's money on the line.
Click to expand...


The machines are the same machine. The differences being the 60" runs a 24hp Kawasaki vs the 54" running a 23hp Kawasaki and both are the FR. The seats are the same except for the Fabric, the 48", 54" are Molded vinyl, adjust., susp. springs, and armrests The 60" is Premium bolstered, adjust., susp. springs, and armrests. Your right though It doesn't matter whether we think its a good deal and its the op's money on the line, I just figure why pay for something like a guard that serves no purpose.


#11

Carscw

Carscw

The lap bars are adjustable.
You can move them higher or lower.
And closer to you.

I would get the 60 inch. For the extra 6 inches and the seat. But would take the engine guard off. It just gets in the way.


#12

A

AJ961

Thanks everyone I really appreciate the help. If I may; Ric what's BTS?


Ric said:
The 54 would be your best option imo because it will have the best BTS and give you the best cut. Maintenance should be simple enough, the oil filter and oil change easy enough on the two Kawasaki engines that I run and the FR isn't any different that I know of.

The floor (area where feet are placed) doesn't raise or flip up like there commercial models do so easy access to changing the belts isn't there like the commercials. Changing the belts isn't that difficult anyway.

As far as the lap bars go there adjustable to be raised or lowered to suit your comfort range. Two bolts in each handle can be removed to adjust their height. The only fore and aft adjustment would be moving the seat forward or back to adjust your mowing position. The SD comes with the 2800 drives which are the top of the line residential offerings so they should never give you any problems and do everything you'll ever want for your 2.5 acres.

The guard does come standard on the 60" and it is available for the 48 and 54" As far as the engine guard goes and this is just my opinion but I wouldn't waste the money because it's just something else to get in the way and it's just added weight and serves no purpose other than looks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=P_LvO0hA_TY
Click to expand...


#13

A

AJ961

How long do the belts last. My current mower goes through 2 drive and deck belts a season.


#14

Micah Haarhoff

Micah Haarhoff

It depends on if you are you sing it residential or commercial use The deck belts on mine will go out once a week if im running them hard where as if you are using it to mow you own yard then it should last you a season or two


#15

Ric

Ric

AJ961 said:
Thanks everyone I really appreciate the help. If I may; Ric what's BTS?
Click to expand...

BTS=Blade tip speed. The higher the blade tip speed the better cut the mower will produce.


#16

Ric

Ric

AJ961 said:
How long do the belts last. My current mower goes through 2 drive and deck belts a season.
Click to expand...

If your going through 2 drive belts and a deck belt a season you have something wrong somewhere.


#17

A

AJ961

The mower is worn out. Last couple years she's required a lot of care. I really enjoy fixing things but it's gotten to be a real pain lately. I'm definitely going to purchase a Hustler soon.

Ric said:
If your going through 2 drive belts and a deck belt a season you have something wrong somewhere.
Click to expand...


#18

A

AJ961

Ric said:
BTS=Blade tip speed. The higher the blade tip speed the better cut the mower will produce.
Click to expand...

Thanks Ric


#19

H

hustle n flow

The seat alone on the 60" is $500, plus u get the extra 6" & guard.


#20

T

turboawd

Ric said:
The 54 would be your best option imo because it will have the best BTS and give you the best cut. Maintenance should be simple enough, the oil filter and oil change easy enough on the two Kawasaki engines that I run and the FR isn't any different that I know of.

The floor (area where feet are placed) doesn't raise or flip up like there commercial models do so easy access to changing the belts isn't there like the commercials. Changing the belts isn't that difficult anyway.

As far as the lap bars go there adjustable to be raised or lowered to suit your comfort range. Two bolts in each handle can be removed to adjust their height. The only fore and aft adjustment would be moving the seat forward or back to adjust your mowing position. The SD comes with the 2800 drives which are the top of the line residential offerings so they should never give you any problems and do everything you'll ever want for your 2.5 acres.

The guard does come standard on the 60" and it is available for the 48 and 54" As far as the engine guard goes and this is just my opinion but I wouldn't waste the money because it's just something else to get in the way and it's just added weight and serves no purpose other than looks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=P_LvO0hA_TY
Click to expand...



blade tip speed is actually faster on the 54, but not enough to make a difference.

1sk5Gmu.png


and the bars dont move up or down. just fore and aft.

IhyT1n2.jpg


and unless your yard is wide open, i'd probably go with the 54 which will be a bit more manueverable.


#21

Ric

Ric

turboawd said:
blade tip speed is actually faster on the 54, but not enough to make a difference.


and the bars dont move up or down. just fore and aft.



and unless your yard is wide open, i'd probably go with the 54 which will be a bit more manueverable.
Click to expand...




Seat Adjustment
The seat on the HustlerRaptorSD mower can be adjusted forward and rearward by pivoting the seat platform up and forward. Then,loosen the four cap screws on the underneath side of the seat platform. Position the seat where you have the best control of the machine and are the most comfortable and then tighten the cap screws.

Steering Control Lever Adjustment The steering control levers can be adjusted for operator comfort. By loosening the cap screws that attaches the upper control lever to the lower lever (Figure 4-13), the upper control lever can be pivoted to fit the operators personal preference. The steering control levers can also be adjusted up and down. Remove the cap screws and slide the upper control lever up or down and align the holes in it with the holes in lower lever. Re-install the cap screws and tighten.

The steering control levers should be adjusted so that they
align with each other when in the neutral position



​







#22

B

bertsmobile1

turboawd said:
blade tip speed is actually faster on the 54, but not enough to make a difference.

1sk5Gmu.png


and the bars dont move up or down. just fore and aft.

IhyT1n2.jpg


and unless your yard is wide open, i'd probably go with the 54 which will be a bit more manueverable.
Click to expand...

No the bard do not move up and down but them 4 holes and 2 bolts on the bottom of the bars are for the purpose of raising or lowering the bars.
You can see them clearly in the nice photo you posted.


#23

Ric

Ric

bertsmobile1 said:
No the bard do not move up and down but them 4 holes and 2 bolts on the bottom of the bars are for the purpose of raising or lowering the bars.
You can see them clearly in the nice photo you posted.
Click to expand...

The Bars on most all ZTR are adjustable up and down, like you said You can see that clearly in the nice photo he posted. The fore and aft movement or adjustment I think is there primarily for aligning the bars when your through with adjusting the mower set up to your preference or comfort. considering there is only like a half inch of adjustment from the center point of the pivot either way, at least that's what it shows in the manual.


#24

T

turboawd

bertsmobile1 said:
No the bard do not move up and down but them 4 holes and 2 bolts on the bottom of the bars are for the purpose of raising or lowering the bars.
You can see them clearly in the nice photo you posted.
Click to expand...

:tongue: i guess i'm blind. i was just looking for a slot. lol


#25

Micah Haarhoff

Micah Haarhoff

Hope you find what you are looking for


#26

K

kraky

Fwiw...im a big guy....6 ft 1"/ 280. I felt crowded on my SD 54 and was thinking of buying the lift kit for the bars. Instead I saw plenty of room beyond the seat adjusting slots and drilled 4 holes another inch back.
That made a nice difference lowering my legs a bit and giving me the room I needed.


#27

mhavanti

mhavanti

As an owner of the SD60, I can and will reccommend the 60 over the other models for the seat alone. It rides better than all the other models professional or residential. It has the widest tires, and I've not found the engine guard to be in the way at all. The guard is a great place to mount rear back up and taill lights as well as other possible attachments.

Not to mention the engine guard does protect the valve (rocker) covers, breather housing, etc.

Bang for the buck, SD60 is a Best Value purchase. If you have a rough terrain, it will still kick your butt. It will also save your butt.

The SD60 is cutting a bit more coverage than a commercial 54 across the street and we finish a couple of minutes before due to width, relative to ground speed I lose to them.

They like mine more than theirs and their pay off will never arrive at the buy-in they're sitting on. Purchasing a commercial mower isn't really a good purchase when you can buy three of these and have three operators for the buy-in on the commercial. Wear the SD60 out, throw it or give it away and you're still ahead.

Again, SD60 - Good Value.

The deck height apparatus isn't as sweet as Fastrack. It does work though.

Good luck with your choice.


#28

D

DK35vince

mhavanti said:
They like mine more than theirs and their pay off will never arrive at the buy-in they're sitting on. Purchasing a commercial mower isn't really a good purchase when you can buy three of these and have three operators for the buy-in on the commercial. Wear the SD60 out, throw it or give it away and you're still ahead.
Click to expand...
Wow, You sure have a higher opinion of a Raptor SD than I do.
My neighbor had one. I wasn't that impressed.


#29

Ric

Ric

DK35vince said:
Wow, You sure have a higher opinion of a Raptor SD than I do.
My neighbor had one. I wasn't that impressed.
Click to expand...

There a good mower for what they were designed for, the weekend warrior. I'd never run one commercially.


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