After 2 mowings with the Raptor SD and reading some of the posts on here I decided to upgrade. I wanted something that would hold up to doing my personal property and paid properties as I strart my own lawn business. The cut the Raptor put down was nice but it did leave a lot of clumps. Also it seemed that the clutch or something was rattling. The left steering damper got "loose" and while doing the 8 hr oil change found the left steering damper had come off at the lap bar. I also didn't like the brown spots it left on the lawn when I had to stop to pick something up, and when I Facebooked Hustler they responded with the advise that ther is an accessory heat shield and gave me the part#. When I pressed about how all the Lowes units had one for $1000 less I got no answer back which was surprised by that. It was a nice machine, fun, much faster that my tractor was but just didn't think it would hold up against the lawns I do.
The Fastrak SD is about 230lbs heavier. I would have liked to stay with a 54" deck but was not available as a 2014. The upgrade got me better hydros, ROPS system, the FX commercial Kawi engine, rear engine guard, side discharge deck so that I can get a quick close discharge for flower beds etc (raptor is partial top discharge and was told no quick close chute cover), much more fuel tank-dual tanks, rear anti flip over wheels, fuel guages, a better and adjustable seat although not as nice as the 2015, a chain hung deck which is much better than the new design, spring assisted deck lift is much easier to raise and lower if I ever let the wife on it??, sideways engine for easier maintenance, and those are the high points.
Moved mine and two of my customers yards with it yesterday and it striped beautifully out of the box with no kit. No visible clippings left and dispersed the clippings from the Raptor. Was much more stable on my and my customers hills and I have a few spots that are 45 degrees. Handling was smoother but not huge difference. Overall it is a huge improvement for me and I'm loving it. I'll post pics once I can get an app to resize them.
More to come as I get it broken in.
Rick
The Fastrak SD is about 230lbs heavier. I would have liked to stay with a 54" deck but was not available as a 2014. The upgrade got me better hydros, ROPS system, the FX commercial Kawi engine, rear engine guard, side discharge deck so that I can get a quick close discharge for flower beds etc (raptor is partial top discharge and was told no quick close chute cover), much more fuel tank-dual tanks, rear anti flip over wheels, fuel guages, a better and adjustable seat although not as nice as the 2015, a chain hung deck which is much better than the new design, spring assisted deck lift is much easier to raise and lower if I ever let the wife on it??, sideways engine for easier maintenance, and those are the high points.
Moved mine and two of my customers yards with it yesterday and it striped beautifully out of the box with no kit. No visible clippings left and dispersed the clippings from the Raptor. Was much more stable on my and my customers hills and I have a few spots that are 45 degrees. Handling was smoother but not huge difference. Overall it is a huge improvement for me and I'm loving it. I'll post pics once I can get an app to resize them.
More to come as I get it broken in.
Rick
