re: Recommendations on a ZTR mower

I've got a 48" Hustler Sport with the 18hp Kawi, paid around 4200 for it out the door, as I recall. Like most ZTRs, it won't do too well on slopes/ditches, but overall I've been pleased with the Hustler and spent a good amount of time comparing brands while trying to keep within a budget. The Sport was the best option for me.

At 3k, I think the Raptor model that Lowes sells might be a good bet, but I really don't know what the differences are that make that unit sell at almost 1000 less. Never had much reason to compare since I had the Sport before they started making the Raptor. Now I think the Raptor has replaced the Sport, essentially. Regardless, something makes that mower substantially cheaper and sold at a price point the big boxes want. Just my .02...

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Regardless, something makes that mower substantially cheaper and sold at a price point the big boxes want. Just my .02...

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It's like any other product in that, as competition grows, items get cheaper over time. The technology and engineering behind the hydrostatic transmissions is no exception. That's the main thing that drives the price up on a ZTR. The transmissions in my FastTrack SDs are like $1600 each so that's $3200 worth or parts and the whole mower only cost me $6K new.

Also, the Raptor doesn't have the same foot control deck the Sport did. The Sports are actually closer to the FastTracks from 5-6 years ago so that's why they were more expensive. You can't really compare a sport from 3-4 years ago to a Raptor and wonder why it's cheaper when you take everything into account.

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Maybe where you live. I'm looking right now. NO Hustler Residential mower is under $3,400 at the biggest dealer in the city.

Commercial quality starts at $6,700

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Hustler Raptor
42" - $2799
52" - $2999

Hustler Raptor Limited
52" - $3399

Hustler Raptor SD
48" - $3899
54" - $3999
60" - $4499

Financing 0% for 48 Months Now Available!

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then why are mowers more and more expensive if that is the most important component?

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Because they have added a lot of unnecessary crap to a lot of them. Exmark and Ferris make mowers with shocks on them, Hustler has automatic tilt decks, they all have bigger engines for speed, etc and also inflation. But on the lower price points you can get a better mower now for your money vs 3-4 years ago due to other things, like the transmissions, getting cheaper and that price point has a lot more competition. The transmission that's in the Raptor has been out for a few years now and is cheaper now vs when it first came out FYI.

ZTRs don't get outrageously expensive until you get into the commercial lines.

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I suspect the unit is made with cheaper parts (as in, inferior quality vs the Sport that sold four years ago for 1200 more).

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The sport came with a Briggs engine IIRC? I would take the current Kohler over a Briggs any day so that's not a cheaper part. The Raptor also has the same transmissions as the sport FYI.

I did mention the deck system on the Raptor is not foot operated. That's one thing they did to cut cost and get it to the price point.

I got a Hustler Raptor SD 54" for 4k. They need to get the hour meters fixed. My kids left the key on and ran up the hours. Damn thing should only run if the lawnmower is running.

@stout

I have a possible line on a 6 or 7 year old exmark 48" with less than 150 hours for ~1500

Is that a good deal? Really good deal?

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High C

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where you located? BR?

i recommend the big dog. Same mower more features, hustler went to way of big box and big dog made for local mower shops. Red is better looking than hustler yellow too.

well i'm in covington and went to K&D in BR to buy mine, they carry big dog brand. Same parent co as hustler, same mower, more features. I've liked it.