I bought the XL 54 inch this year and mow almost an acre and a half. Before that I had an old tractor style mower and this Hustler blows the tractor off the ground. Cut my mowing to less than half the time. The Kawasaki is a good engine. A friend of mine has a mower with a Kawasaki and mows a 20 acre cemetery and has had no problems so it holds up well. The gas tank isn't an issue for me but I can see where some may want a fuel gauge. No biggie for me. I top it off before I start mowing and it does the full yard and some extra that I do on a single tank. Best purchase in mowers I've made in years. But I did run it in the ditch learning to drive it. LOL.
I mow 3 and a half acres for a customer I have with my 42 inch hustler it takes around 4 hrs but it gets the job done . How do you find the flap when down ? I find the grass gets a bit clumpy when wet so I'm thinking of having flap up more . One thing I wish they had was a flap clip to hold it open .
i have last year's Raptor SD model...they made a lot of great changes...those tires, the new height adjustment setup, seat that can drain, flip up foot deck...but for the life of me, I don't understand why they got rid of the window where you can see the fuel level! I've had my SD for one year, put 140 hours on it, one nylon lock nut has had to be tightened up a couple times...otherwise just oil and blade changes. I do wish the paint on the deck was higher quality, but the yards I mow are pretty rough, uneven, small rocks, sandy ect.
I bought a Raptor XL 53 cut 23 - HP Kaw - Engine, They will deliver Tuesday. I have a 3 Quater Acre Flat yard to mow, i hope its a good one its a 2022 model.
It's a nice looking mower. That's the disadvantage of the big bite tire specially when you buy a small size to get through a small gate. One more I really don't like is the one piece frame. Just in case the front end bent by accident you have to buy a whole frame.
8/10/21, @Backyard B., You, like me got a 'homeowner' grade machine (just right 4my own yard); I got a Gravely ztx42." The '42' is the blade cut width, the machine is actually 54.2" W x 77.5" L. It wouldn't fit on my 4'x6' (48"x72") trailer, I had to get it delivered. It wouldn't have paid me to get a more expensive 'commercial' grade as it wouldn't have done me any more good. ....Oh yeah: my Gravely has 3 blades; 3's better b/c they're configured in such a way that you don't get a gap on the ground. Even though the rotors are smaller (42") they give you more discharge pressure.
Great relaxed and informative 👌 review. You demonstrated far more than my dealer at time of purchase two days ago.
Lol @ the hand held panning shots! This is exactly what I want in a UA-cam video! Somewhere between professional and just for fun😎
I bought the XL 54 inch this year and mow almost an acre and a half. Before that I had an old tractor style mower and this Hustler blows the tractor off the ground. Cut my mowing to less than half the time. The Kawasaki is a good engine. A friend of mine has a mower with a Kawasaki and mows a 20 acre cemetery and has had no problems so it holds up well. The gas tank isn't an issue for me but I can see where some may want a fuel gauge. No biggie for me. I top it off before I start mowing and it does the full yard and some extra that I do on a single tank. Best purchase in mowers I've made in years. But I did run it in the ditch learning to drive it. LOL.
I bought this same one a few weeks ago. I only have half an acre. Likeing so far. No complaints.
I mow 3 and a half acres for a customer I have with my 42 inch hustler it takes around 4 hrs but it gets the job done . How do you find the flap when down ? I find the grass gets a bit clumpy when wet so I'm thinking of having flap up more . One thing I wish they had was a flap clip to hold it open .
How has it held up after 2 years
i have last year's Raptor SD model...they made a lot of great changes...those tires, the new height adjustment setup, seat that can drain, flip up foot deck...but for the life of me, I don't understand why they got rid of the window where you can see the fuel level! I've had my SD for one year, put 140 hours on it, one nylon lock nut has had to be tightened up a couple times...otherwise just oil and blade changes. I do wish the paint on the deck was higher quality, but the yards I mow are pretty rough, uneven, small rocks, sandy ect.
If you've had to tighten that nylon nut more than once, you should replace it. The nylon is worn out.
I just purchased a 2021 Raptor XL 42" last week. I agree, it needs a fuel gauge.
how much did you pay?
I bought a Raptor XL 53 cut 23 - HP Kaw - Engine, They will deliver Tuesday. I have a 3 Quater Acre Flat yard to mow, i hope its a good one its a 2022 model.
How do I start zero turn mower ?
It's a nice looking mower.
That's the disadvantage of the big bite tire specially when you buy a small size to get through a small gate.
One more I really don't like is the one piece frame. Just in case the front end bent by accident you have to buy a whole frame.
Looks pretty good. I would take out that deck bolt and leave it out. Toro has a toolless deck plate.
All you gotta do is change the bolt for a stud, close the deck plate and put a wing nut on it, there you go, tool less deck plate.
can you put a bagger on this
And the hour meter is self powered. If you unplug it it still stays on
8/10/21, @Backyard B., You, like me got a 'homeowner' grade machine (just right 4my own yard); I got a Gravely ztx42." The '42' is the blade cut width, the machine is actually 54.2" W x 77.5" L. It wouldn't fit on my 4'x6' (48"x72") trailer, I had to get it delivered. It wouldn't have paid me to get a more expensive 'commercial' grade as it wouldn't have done me any more good. ....Oh yeah: my Gravely has 3 blades; 3's better b/c they're configured in such a way that you don't get a gap on the ground. Even though the rotors are smaller (42") they give you more discharge pressure.
do you want to sell it
First oil change recomended at 5 hours then every 40 hours
I have 60in deck. This mower worst I have ever had.