Rated 2 out of
5
by
Brycen W from
Weak Hydro System
Ive had this mower for almost 2 years now. It has approximently 500 hours. Its performed flawlessly except for the hydro system. The bolts holding the hydros up have broken numerous times, the brackets holding the hydros have broken in half a couple of times as well and needed to be welded back together. You can always know when its broken under there because the drive belt will break and upon inspection you will see a broken bolt or bracket. Seems to me like the framing they have holding the hydros up just isnt sturdy enough. other then that its a great mower and cuts beautifully! was considering upgrading to an X-one but after the hydro issues im hesitant to go with the Hustler brand in the future.
Date published: 2018-08-27
Rated 5 out of
5
by
CanadianKen from
Great Machine!
Bought a 2016 RSD 54 with Engine Guard, Stripe Kit and high lift blades. Excellent Mower for larger Residential mowing. I have 2 acres, with some slopes, Large trees and gardens this machine offers great value, excellent performance and is built tough! 100 hours on it and no issues.
Date published: 2018-03-02
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Big Mitch from
Nice Mower
This is the first Zero Turn mower that I have purchased. Took a little while to get use to mowing around trees, etc....But practice makes perfect and have had no accidents. Cuts my mowing time in half compared to a regular riding mower. Great machine and no maintenance issues.
Date published: 2017-11-11
Rated 3 out of
5
by
Willie from
Slightly Disappointed
I have over 10 years of experience as a mechanic & mower on a golf course, so I have experience with multiple brands of mowing equipment. I picked the Raptor SD as a step from the average riding lawn mower. This is my personal mower, I mow a acre of property 40 times a year, this is the end of my second year.
Pros: engine power, mowing quality, ease of handling, strong frame, ease of height adjustment.
Cons: control handles need frequent readjustment to drive straight, paint quality, deck hard to clean, tires slip with minor resistance i.e. slightly wet, tall growth.
Lastly I also purchased the bagging system. Chute plugs easily, holding straps don't keep lower chute tight to the deck.
The connection of the 2 chute pieces drops if the ground is the least bit rough. The bag material isn't holding up very well for the amount of time I have had it.
Date published: 2017-11-20
Rated 3 out of
5
by
Jsteve from
Quality control issues
Bought in April 2016,within a month hydraulic reservoir was empty, but no sign of leaking on garage floor. I'm just glad I purchased it from warner sales in Rome ny because they came to the house and picked up the mower and left me a mower to use while repairing mine, you won't get that kind of service from Lowes.Problem was a loose hydraulic clamp that was discovered at the factory but NOT repaired . How can a company inspect a product and document it as defective and still ship it? within 2 months the crankshaft seal failed. Once again warners came through with great customer service. If I didn't get the service that Warners Sales provides this would probably be a 2 star review. Hustler co. For some reason thinks I bought this mower at Lowes. No way I would buy something like this from Lowes when they can't handle the service end of it.
Date published: 2017-11-11
Rated 4 out of
5
by
TriplD from
Mows well
This mower does a fine job of mowing. It would have earned an excellent rating had it not been for two issues. First, the mower deck clogs with grass clippings and needs to be cleaned after each and every use. Second, maintenance done on the mower is much more difficult than it needs to be. I have changed the hydraulic oil and changed the drive belt and both jobs were made complicated by the fact that you need to do many small jobs just to get to the job you are attempting. Some simple engineering could make maintenance a breeze but that is not the case.
Date published: 2017-11-10
Rated 3 out of
5
by
Big boy from
Quality problems
I purchased a Raptor 54” machine on Aug 2, 2018. I purchased it from Lowe’s and it was delivered in two days. I checked the oil, added gas , pulled up on the choke button and the rod came completely out. I had to manualy move the choke to start the engine.
I returned the mower, and was given a replacement. The first time I engaged the mower deck, the engine cut off. I tried again and smoke came from the deck. The problem was the drive belt was under the pully, and the belt was damaged. It appears the belt was never on the pully. The machine is made well but these quality problems exist.
I finally purchased a 60” Raptor that works great!
Date published: 2018-08-22
Rated 2 out of
5
by
Grandpa 83 from
Not Happy with mower
Blades furnished with machine did not eject grass very well and it would jam up, sometimes stalling the engine. Had to buy Hi-Lift blades to solve problem, should have been furnished with them to begin with. Not at all happy with control of mower, it "snakes" and is extremely difficult to keep straight. Must continually fight controls to keep it straight. Sent machine back to Dealer and they said it was "normal". I never had this problem with other brands that I previously owned. I'LL never own another Hustler.
Date published: 2017-11-10
Rated 2 out of
5
by
leondraw from
Won't own another one
My hustler sd 54 has had steering issues from day one and even after taking in to the dealer it's still not right. It's not even a year old and the paint is peeling off. The grass clippings constantly clog underneath and I have to stop and clean it out before I can keep mowing. Doing any kind of service work yourself is not an easy process at all. I was very happy with this mower AT FIRST simply because it was the first zero turn mower I have had so anything was an upgrade over what I had. However, over time it has shown its warts.
Date published: 2018-04-20
Rated 1 out of
5
by
texin from
Mine
I purchased mine about two years ago now. I like the speed of it. That's is a good thing that I must cut the lawn over and over to get all the uneven uncut grass I didn't get the first time. It has been sent in to have the issue's fixed. Which took a month one time then almost two month the second time. Will still not success fixing the issue. The repair shop wanted to fix other things and do maintenance. (With only less then 200 hours)
Date published: 2018-06-10
Rated 1 out of
5
by
ihatethismower from
Junk raptor sd 54
I brought a Raptor SD just over 3 years ago. It has never mowed well. Sometimes I have to drive over the same weed 3 times to get it to cut. The deck belt has broken twice. The deck paint is coming off and now 14 days after the warranty is up the rear end bracket breaks and the mower is sitting on the ground. It has less than 100 hours on it. I would never buy another. Check out the web plenty of issues with these mowers.
Date published: 2018-05-11
Rated 1 out of
5
by
Sch09 from
Poor Quality for hustler
I have noting but problems with the 54in Sd. It has less than 200 hours on it. In that time I have had the left steering handle completely break off, both safety sensors have failed. And the cross brace that holds the two hydros together has snapped twice. It has been to three different authorized dealers to calibrate the steering and to this day has never mowed straight. I will never recommend this mower to anybody.
Date published: 2018-05-23
Rated 4 out of
5
by
Zachary from
Good mower for the price!
I purchased the Hustler raptor SD 54in. I had a few small problems after I purchased it which were handled promptly by the dealer. Only regret I have is choosing the 54in over the 60in.
Date published: 2017-12-28
Rated 4 out of
5
by
brown7401 from
Raptor SD Long-Term Review
Had the raptor sd 54" for 3 years now and I give it 4 stars. It has decreased my cutting time significantly over the JD lawn tractor I used previously. My only complaint is the dealer-installed mulching system and the way it spews clippings out the front of the deck covering my legs in dust every time. The underside of the deck has to be pressure washed every month because of the buildup of caked on grass. I have also had to replace the left plastic fender twice for cracking near the attachment screws. Third fender is now cracked but mower is out of warranty.
Date published: 2018-06-19
Rated 1 out of
5
by
unhappy in godfrey from
poor performance
Just over a year of having it the left side bearing went out, the thing would not move. The gas gauge quit working. The service company had it for four months brought it back, first time I used it gas gauge still doesn't work although the gas tank had been replaced, still makes a loud noise, and now it is dead in a my yard as it will not startThink I was given a lemon.
Date published: 2018-04-22
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Lsomething from
Solid Machine
I have 2 Raptor SD 54's one for the house (1 acre) and 1 for the farm (8 acres) They were bought is 2015. The have held up extremely well.(Approx 400 hrs each) I added stripping kits and grass flappers. They leave a very nice stripe with this attachment. So much so that the neighbors are now paying my 2 HS age boys to cut, trim and blow their lawns. They now do 20 lawns in the development and turned it into a nice little business for them. The guys at Kuhn Turf are the best as well. They treat you like family. Their little neighborhood business has grown to the point will likely upgrade to the XOne this year.
Date published: 2018-04-07
Rated 4 out of
5
by
Daniel33 from
Good mower for the money
I bought the mower last summer in 2016 and price was a big selling point. Great for home use with a smooth lawn. With no suspension the ride is very rough if your going over any bumpy surfaces. The deck height adjuster pin will Also come out on bumpy surfaces causing you to scalp so I suggest getting a cotter pin to hold it in place. Overall am very pleased with the reliability and the mower overall.
Date published: 2017-11-13
Rated 3 out of
5
by
Proretired from
Warranty Not Good
I bought a Raptor SD 54" about 3 weeks ago. The only real problem I have with the mower is the steering. Hustler touts the precision steering as an attribute but to me it is too precise. Even though I am a veteran of ZTRs I find it difficult to mow along a fenceline and get close to the fence posts.
The big problem I have is after reading the 3 year 300 hour warranty, It does not cover some parts that are most likely to fail if defective. The warranty excludes bearings. There are bearings in the deck spindles, deck idler sheaves, front wheels and spindles, drive belt idlers as well as multiple bearings in the two transaxles. This is not to say this is not a good mower, it just doesn't seem like Hustler is very proud of their product. I have never purchased a product like this that the warranty did not cover the bearings.
Date published: 2018-06-07
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Dusten W from
Raptor xd 60"
We bought this mower this spring to cut down our mowing time. It used to take my wife and I 2 1/2 hours to mow with a 38" zero turn and a 48" tractor. With just the hustler I can get it done in an hour and twenty minutes myself! Needless to say I have sold the other mowers! Great mower and VERY WELL BUILT! We also have some side hills and we love the fact that you sit low on the mower. My wife feels very safe on the side hills with the hustler.
Date published: 2017-11-10
Rated 2 out of
5
by
Anonymous from
Good mower but many early hour issues
Purchased my 52” Raptor SD after using my parents a few times. Mows well, quick & powerful but I’ve had the following issues in 70hrs - multiple loose/lost fasteners, failed front wheel bearing, update to hydro support, & now must have the frame repaired b/c there was a weld placed in the wrong position and has cracked.
If it wasn’t for my dealer I’d probably persue a replacement mower.
Date published: 2017-11-10
Rated 4 out of
5
by
Anonymous from
Commercial grade mower at a residential price
Bought the Raptor SD 54” with the Kawasaki, very powerful engine and clean cut.
Pros:
-very affordable
-quality craftsmanship
-easy to operate
-Warranty
Cons:
-Had some trouble when cutting slightly damp or taller grass, as the grass exiting gap is not wide enough and as a result, grass continues to clog up.
-tires slip on slightly angled ditches, nothing too steep but it somewhat struggles to hold a grip.
-the lack of a gas meter: it’s hard to tell when low on fuel, wishing there was some type of meter on the machine.
Overall i am a very satisfied customer. I love the power of the Kawasaki along with the maneuverability of the SD, and considering it’s a residential mower, you couldn’t tell.
Date published: 2018-08-06
Rated 3 out of
5
by
Deb1955 from
Hate the automatic choke!
I've had this mower two years. The automatic choke has already went out. Had to take it an hour and a half away, one way to the place I purchased it. A week later I find out the authorized repair facility was less than five miles from my house. They did send a set of forks for the front end, as an apology for my trouble, that are supposedly to help the suspension, they don't.
Date published: 2017-11-10
Rated 3 out of
5
by
Mike from
Pretty good mower
It did well during it's first season, but my only major complaint is no traction in reverse. Minor complaint: I have to wiggle the left steering handle to get engine to start.
Date published: 2017-11-10
Rated 2 out of
5
by
D Thompson from
Deck Plugs
Disappointed in the deck. It plugs very easily if grass is damp or of any height. It took several trips to dealer and many calls to manufacturer to get it fixed to a usable state. A loaner was provided while it was being worked on. I have not seen this plugging problem on other models.
Date published: 2017-11-10
Rated 1 out of
5
by
Benji from
Very disappointed
Bought a new 60”hd spring of this year. First problem I noticed was the way it discharges grass. It is bad about discharge chute stopping up and it leaves clumps of grass everywhere while mowing. With about 45 hours on machine the LR drive bolt can out and broke belt. I went and purchased a new belt and installed it myself because of turn around time to get it repaired. Now it has a little over 50hrs and the cross brace under it has broke.
Date published: 2018-09-10
Rated 1 out of
5
by
NSTA from
Piece of junk
Have had this mower for 3 years belts won’t stay on have replaced belts constantly. Have finally junked it.
Date published: 2018-05-04
Rated 1 out of
5
by
Kevin R77 from
Junk
I bought this mower new, 2 years ago and after dropping a lot of money, which I never thought I would do for a mower, it’s nothing but junk. When I take it to my local dealer I have to hound them to get it back in a week at best. I have had more problems out of this mower than any other mower I have owned. This is my first and last Hustler. I write this as my mower just broke down again. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER HUSTLER!!! EVER!!!!
Date published: 2018-08-23
Rated 1 out of
5
by
92Dogs from
I either got a lemon or it is a bad mower
Almost done with cutting season and so far I have had 3+ bolts literally fall off while mowing, the deck lift pedal broke, the deck pin always falls out and my deck belt has slipped off.
My first month, a bolt on the left side arm simply fell off while mowing. The left wheel would not move and I realized it was because of the missing bolt. So, I got that replaced.
Within the next month the weld area on the foot pedal deck lift came apart and the deck dropped to the ground. Had to get the dealer to order a new one.
This weekend my drive belt kept coming off and realized a bolt that secures the rear axel area to the frame had fallen off creating a gap causing the fan to bump the belt. Fixed that myself.
It is hard to believe in my first cutting season all of these things have happened on a brand new mower. I want to like it but geez, there is no excuse for all of this happening.
Date published: 2018-08-27
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Tazmetals from
why did I wait?
Mowing my cabin acreage with a standard lawn tractor was taking 4 1/2 hrs every time plus the trimming, leaving me no time to relax. I researched all the major brands of zero turn mowers. None offered all the features and things I wanted like welded deck and commercial grade transmissions in the price range I was willing to pay EXCEPT Hustler so I bought the SDX.
WOW is all I can saw my mowing time is 1hr and 20 minuets now and mowing is actually fun again. The SDX is well built and performs like a dream and best of all made in America.
Date published: 2017-11-10
Rated 4 out of
5
by
ALloydiv from
nice mower
This is my second season with this raptor sd, only problem is the bar that goes across the discharge clogs up. have to put the shoot up so it doesn't clog
other than that love this thing! My old mower no one would use, the z turn no one wants to let me cut grass anymore. I have 60" deck and the kawasaki perfect for cutting 2 acers in about 1 1/4 hrs.
Date published: 2017-11-14
