I recently acquired a used Hustler Sport 48" with a Honda GXV530, 17 HP engine. It runs well, but it also was used heavily as the previous owner used it commercially. It bogs down and lacks power, and if the grass is remotely tall or even slightly damp it really can't be used, or one must go over the area multiple times and leave the grass cut high. It also clumps substantially, and grass sticks to the underside of the deck badly.
We have clay soil, so always mowing on a very dry lawn is not realistic here in VT.
I have two questions, if anyone can offer advice: (1) can one recommend blades that will help with grass not sticking so much to the underside of the deck? (2) will switching to a thinner synthetic oil boost the power output at all? (My Hustler dealer recommends Kawasaki SAE-30 for this engine, so that is what I am using).
We have clay soil, so always mowing on a very dry lawn is not realistic here in VT.
I have two questions, if anyone can offer advice: (1) can one recommend blades that will help with grass not sticking so much to the underside of the deck? (2) will switching to a thinner synthetic oil boost the power output at all? (My Hustler dealer recommends Kawasaki SAE-30 for this engine, so that is what I am using).