x-one mower

[Mad Mackie]

In the 70s I was a mech at a power equipment/boat dealer. I remember an Excel rep bringing a demo ZTR but I don't recall the year. But 1974 was their last year for power equipment and completely gone by 1975 and then just boats. If I recall, it was called an Excel and it was a strange machine to us being a Gravely, Bolens, Homelite, Pioneer, Lawnboy, McCulloch, and I don't remember what else. And yes, Homelite and McCulloch under the same roof, it would take an old power equipment mech to know what is meant by this!!! All this plus Boston Whaler, Grady White, Mako, SeaCraft, HiLiner, Johnson Outboards, OMC, Volvo and MerCruiser inboard/outboards, Perkins and Cat diesels, so the power equipment had to go!!! They even had a hovercraft line for a few years!!! I think that Excel/Hustler had the first with twin pumps and wheel motors.
Mad Mackie in CT:laughing::biggrin::smile:

 

[Shughes717]

In the 70s I was a mech at a power equipment/boat dealer. I remember an Excel rep bringing a demo ZTR but I don't recall the year. But 1974 was their last year for power equipment and completely gone by 1975 and then just boats. If I recall, it was called an Excel and it was a strange machine to us being a Gravely, Bolens, Homelite, Pioneer, Lawnboy, McCulloch, and I don't remember what else. And yes, Homelite and McCulloch under the same roof, it would take an old power equipment mech to know what is meant by this!!! All this plus Boston Whaler, Grady White, Mako, SeaCraft, HiLiner, Johnson Outboards, OMC, Volvo and MerCruiser inboard/outboards, Perkins and Cat diesels, so the power equipment had to go!!! They even had a hovercraft line for a few years!!! I think that Excel/Hustler had the first with twin pumps and wheel motors.
Mad Mackie in CT:laughing::biggrin::smile:

I don't know if they made the first one, but hustler sure makes a heck of a mower now. I love my snapper pro, but I would be just as happy with an x one.

 

[Carscw]

John Regier invented and built the first zero turn mower and cut his back yard with it in 1963. At midnight.
Ha named his mower WORKHORSE.

He quit the company he was working for because they would not back him.

He built 24 of these mowers and renamed them HUSTLER after a B-58 fighter bomber he saw in a magazine.


Excel Industries hired john and produced the 64 inch 12hp hustler.

So yes hustler sold the first commercial ztr.

 

[Carscw]

The motors used on the first workhorse came off of a hay machine.

Technically husqvarna is the fastest mower built that can cut grass.

Even though at 111 mph it does not cut grass very well.

 

[Carscw]

The fastest mower type thing is a honda.
Looks like a mower but no deck or any mower parts on it.

 

[Shughes717]

The motors used on the first workhorse came off of a hay machine.

Technically husqvarna is the fastest mower built that can cut grass.

Even though at 111 mph it does not cut grass very well.

Maybe someone should let dixie chopper know that so they will stop making the claim. Lol

 

[djdicetn]

John Regier invented and built the first zero turn mower and cut his back yard with it in 1963. At midnight.
Ha named his mower WORKHORSE.

He quit the company he was working for because they would not back him.

He built 24 of these mowers and renamed them HUSTLER after a B-58 fighter bomber he saw in a magazine.


Excel Industries hired john and produced the 64 inch 12hp hustler.

So yes hustler sold the first commercial ztr.

Thanks for those clarification details!!!!! A little more Googling(Zero-turn mower) revealed the history of Hesston Corp.(later became Excel Industries) and the details that you provided.

"We(Hustler) were the first company to offer mowers with zero-turn technology, says Paul Mullet, president of Excel Industries. "After Regier sold us the patent, he came to work for us and the rest is history. Excel Industries is the parent company of Hustler Turf Equipment, Inc., which manufacturers Hustler Turf and BigDog Mowers zero-turn mowers. In 1969, Grasshopper Mowers introduced the first commercially viable zero-turn mower, and in 1974, Dixon coined the term "zero-turn radius" with their entrance into the mower market"(these are quotes from Wikipedia).

This settles it and from henceforth I will refrain from giving Dixon credit for something they didn't do(they were actually the third ZTR producing company). My apologies to those users that I have questioned when they said Hustler invented the ZTR!!!!!

 

[Carscw]

Thanks for those clarification details!!!!! A little more Googling(Zero-turn mower) revealed the history of Hesston Corp.(later became Excel Industries) and the details that you provided. "We(Hustler) were the first company to offer mowers with zero-turn technology, says Paul Mullet, president of Excel Industries. "After Regier sold us the patent, he came to work for us and the rest is history. Excel Industries is the parent company of Hustler Turf Equipment, Inc., which manufacturers Hustler Turf and BigDog Mowers zero-turn mowers. In 1969, Grasshopper Mowers introduced the first commercially viable zero-turn mower, and in 1974, Dixon coined the term "zero-turn radius" with their entrance into the mower market"(these are quotes from Wikipedia). This settles it and from henceforth I will refrain from giving Dixon credit for something they didn't do(they were actually the third ZTR producing company). My apologies to those users that I have questioned when they said Hustler invented the ZTR!!!!!

Think about in 1963 a man built this in his backyard. Just to make mowing the yard easier for his wife.

 

[cruizerjoy]

WOW!!! From a hodge podge of parts to the new x one. ztrs have come along ways:laughing: thanks for the interesting history lesson. You guys are a wealth of info.

 

[dshoffman77]

Anyone have concerns about the RED version of the Hustler "Big Dog"? Both made by Excel.

I'm in need of a new mower, never owning a ZT and not the the profession of lawn maintenance, I'm getting lost in the "This is the best, or THAT is no good" comments.

I'd like to get a commercial quality mower for a 1acre lot, with the possibility of doing some yards to offset the cost of the mower.

THanks,

Dave