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Started By
Message
Hustler Raptor SD guys, need some help..
Posted on 7/5/21 at 6:39 pm
Posted on 7/5/21 at 6:39 pm
After 3 years of trouble free mowing with my Raptor SD, I recently began having issues where the hydro belt kept getting thrown. After some troubleshooting I found that the front brackets were snapped off just above the bend where they attached to the top of the hydrostats.
Further inspection showed the main axle brackets were also bending so I ordered the new upgrade kit from Hustler that replaces everything with the upgraded brackets.
Got it all installed, everything is to spec, however when I crank the mower with a new belt on it, it gets thrown instantly. I'm not even moving the sticks and it happens.
Fans are not bent upwards and I can't figure out what the heck is going on. I've installed and reinstalled the belt on this thing many times so I know how to route it, etc. That does not appear to be the problem. Tensioner pulley spins like it should, I've tried using my factory spring and a new spring, etc but it jumps off as soon as I crank it.
Any ideas? I have not mowed my yard in dang near 3 weeks now because I've been waiting on parts. Now that I finally have it back together, I can't get out from under the carport now.
Further inspection showed the main axle brackets were also bending so I ordered the new upgrade kit from Hustler that replaces everything with the upgraded brackets.
Got it all installed, everything is to spec, however when I crank the mower with a new belt on it, it gets thrown instantly. I'm not even moving the sticks and it happens.
Fans are not bent upwards and I can't figure out what the heck is going on. I've installed and reinstalled the belt on this thing many times so I know how to route it, etc. That does not appear to be the problem. Tensioner pulley spins like it should, I've tried using my factory spring and a new spring, etc but it jumps off as soon as I crank it.
Any ideas? I have not mowed my yard in dang near 3 weeks now because I've been waiting on parts. Now that I finally have it back together, I can't get out from under the carport now.
This post was edited on 7/5/21 at 6:41 pm
4
Posted on 7/5/21 at 8:17 pm to BayouBengal51
There almost has to be an alignment problem, right? Or could it possibly be the belt isn't tensioned enough. Is there any way to safely watch what happens when it is started, maybe with someone's help?
Posted on 7/5/21 at 8:51 pm to BiggerBear
I've got a buddy coming over tomorrow and I'm going to ask him to watch the belt when I crank it up. I put the belt back up and moved the hydros by hand late this evening and it looks like it is tracking correctly. After doing that I was actually able to drive it around the yard. Made a couple of turns, on the way back to the house....off it pops.
I've got it back on jackstands now. Going to look at it further tomorrow. The only thing I can think of is the tensioner is not working properly. When I hook up the spring to it, everything looks good and tight with just the right amount of movement that it is supposed to have.
Of course, this all happens after the the 3 year warranty expired 2 months ago.
I've got it back on jackstands now. Going to look at it further tomorrow. The only thing I can think of is the tensioner is not working properly. When I hook up the spring to it, everything looks good and tight with just the right amount of movement that it is supposed to have.
Of course, this all happens after the the 3 year warranty expired 2 months ago.
This post was edited on 7/5/21 at 8:52 pm
Posted on 7/5/21 at 9:03 pm to BayouBengal51
Well after posting on a Hustler FB group, someone recommended that I change the fans out. Evidently there is a known issue that even though they look fine, the fan blades are torquing up when the hydros fully spin up and it is probably hitting the belt.
Going to go by our local Sutherland's and see if they have the kit. Hustler says they are the authorized dealer in the area so I hopefully I can run my issue by them to see what they say.
All I know is I'm ready to mow grass. Took forever to get the kit and the new belt. I don't want to go another week an half waiting for another parts kit.
Going to go by our local Sutherland's and see if they have the kit. Hustler says they are the authorized dealer in the area so I hopefully I can run my issue by them to see what they say.
All I know is I'm ready to mow grass. Took forever to get the kit and the new belt. I don't want to go another week an half waiting for another parts kit.
Posted on 7/5/21 at 9:03 pm to BayouBengal51
I had a similar problems when I first bought mine. The factor put a pulley on upside down and I guess it was growing the alignment off. Something to look at
Posted on 7/5/21 at 9:14 pm to Pahnew
I think the pulleys are on correctly, it may be after the prior belt jumped off so many times from the broken brackets that the fans are just tweaked and the issue only shows up under load. I'll find out soon enough. Going to pull the pulleys off tomorrow and see if fans are level. If not, it's 14 bucks for a set of two new fans. I'll be a certified Hustler Tech about time I get done getting this thing back in yard.
Posted on 7/6/21 at 5:59 am to BayouBengal51
Following this. My dad is having similar issues with his Hustler Z. I don't know much about his issue, except for 'thrown belts' so could be something normal (tension, belt) or odd (broken clips). He's supposed to have a mechanic look at it this week.
Posted on 7/6/21 at 2:30 pm to BayouBengal51
quote:
however when I crank the mower with a new belt on it, it gets thrown instantly.
quote:
I've got a buddy coming over tomorrow and I'm going to ask him to watch the belt when I crank it up.
Posted on 7/6/21 at 11:40 pm to whiskey over ice
Why not just set up your phone and video it?
Seems much safer.
Seems much safer.
Posted on 7/7/21 at 2:51 pm to BayouBengal51
Sometimes the bolts rattle out of the hydrostatic transmissions. 1/2" bolt located directly below the transmission on both the left and right side. This happened to me, one side had no bolts causing misalignment. Easy fix if this is your problem.
Posted on 7/10/21 at 5:49 pm to Vacherie
*Update*
Finally got some free time to work on it again and it appears that my tensioner pulley arm was too loose. I found a parts manual online that specified it needed to be tightened to 17 foot lbs.
It was obviously not that tight. Tightened it to that spec, cranked the mower and I just got back from almost popping wheelies in the yard with the mower and the belt never slung off. So I've gone from slinging the belt off just by cranking the mower to it staying on while driving the piss out of the mower.
Evidently, all that time with the front brackets broke and running the mower, it caused the tensioner arm to loosen up. So after everything was back on straight with new brackets, the tensioner arm was hanging in a slight angle causing the belt to get slung.
So if you have to replace your brackets on your Hustler Raptor, have verified that all bolts are in, make sure you check the torque on the tensioner arm.
Finally got some free time to work on it again and it appears that my tensioner pulley arm was too loose. I found a parts manual online that specified it needed to be tightened to 17 foot lbs.
It was obviously not that tight. Tightened it to that spec, cranked the mower and I just got back from almost popping wheelies in the yard with the mower and the belt never slung off. So I've gone from slinging the belt off just by cranking the mower to it staying on while driving the piss out of the mower.
Evidently, all that time with the front brackets broke and running the mower, it caused the tensioner arm to loosen up. So after everything was back on straight with new brackets, the tensioner arm was hanging in a slight angle causing the belt to get slung.
So if you have to replace your brackets on your Hustler Raptor, have verified that all bolts are in, make sure you check the torque on the tensioner arm.
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