Export thread

http://zeroturn..raptor-with-flip-up-deck/

Push button fully automated flip up deck coming in early 2015! Easy Cleaning! :thumbsup:

Nice.

I wonder if this will be on all of the 2015 models like the Fastrak, Fastrak Sd, etc.

How I interpret the video is that it will be a separate model.

Kremeneon said:

How I interpret the video is that it will be a separate model.

Click to expand...

Yes that seems so....

I got pretty excited by this, so called the local dealer. He contacted the factory and they told him it was based off the Raptor SD, would start production the first part of Feb., sales would begin a few months later, and cost would be about $800 to $1000 over the Raptor SD (I believe he said SD for the cost part). That would make it about $5000, I guess.

The reason this excited me is -- no crawling around under the deck to get to the blades (I'm not a youngster anymore)! Price is scary though.

LeakyGasket said:

I got pretty excited by this, so called the local dealer. He contacted the factory and they told him it was based off the Raptor SD, would start production the first part of Feb., sales would begin a few months later, and cost would be about $800 to $1000 over the Raptor SD (I believe he said SD for the cost part). That would make it about $5000, I guess.

The reason this excited me is -- no crawling around under the deck to get to the blades (I'm not a youngster anymore)! Price is scary though.

Click to expand...

Wow $5,000 for a Raptor...... That's getting into the price range of a Fastrak SD.

Great idea, is this the only brand that has this feature ? I saw something a while back that a Z did this (IIRC ?)

I would love having it on mine..

I would love for all the commercial mower manufacturers to have this feature on their equipment. I know if I were looking at a zero turn and had the option between this style and the standard, I would go for this flip up design.

LoCo86 said:

I would love for all the commercial mower manufacturers to have this feature on their equipment. I know if I were looking at a zero turn and had the option between this style and the standard, I would go for this flip up design.

Click to expand...

Depending on your mowing conditions I would say that the Hustler Raptor SD could potentially work for lighter duty commercial mowing. I am sure that Hustler will soon over this option on it's commercial mowers.

Gosh, you can buy a hydraulic mower lift for ~$200 and it can be use for other lifting as well...

SS

Found out today a 54" costs $5295. It's coming in March, and one is mine. It's probably my last mower because, I am, uh, very mature.

No more crawling around on my back. Also, I'm hoping there are no first year growing pains.

Well, dang. Just found out they will not start producing this unit until August instead of Feb. The dealer said they might be able to get one of the demonstrators that they display at the garden shows. I am hesitant to do this since the unit will be almost used. He said the hold up may be due to lack of enough transmissions.

I was wondering if any of you would hesitate to purchase the demonstrator if you really wanted a flip up deck mower?

LeakyGasket said:

Well, dang. Just found out they will not start producing this unit until August instead of Feb. The dealer said they might be able to get one of the demonstrators that they display at the garden shows. I am hesitant to do this since the unit will be almost used. He said the hold up may be due to lack of enough transmissions.

I was wondering if any of you would hesitate to purchase the demonstrator if you really wanted a flip up deck mower?

Click to expand...

I wouldn't hesitate to purchase the demonstrator, as long as it has the full warranty Hustler would stand behind it. At least you know the demo works or they wouldn't have the thing at the garden shows.

Some input and thoughts on what's been said here...

Production is now slated for August, reason given being overwhelming pre-orders, as was the issue with the RSD. And as with the RSD a whole new production line is being built for this model. Tranny shortage would delay regular RSDs too, and there's no sign of that.

Country Clipper is the brand that has flip up decks. They are manual and I don't hear much good about them.

I would not expect to see this on commercial models. It's got a specific audience, IMO. Leaky Gasket is one of them. It's for the older fella with a decent sized lawn who takes care of his property and his equipment really well. But maybe they aren't too spry, no offence LG! It's a retired guy mower. Easy to clean, and electric deck lift means no stomping on a pedal.

$5k+... Yeah, price is climbing. But the normal RSD is still very well priced and featured versus the competition...then you added a crap ton of pricey tech. Really, it's a fair enough marker. And for the intended market it's worth it- a hydro lift is fine for younger folks, but not so much retirees who will see the value in saved aches and pains versus dollars.

Note that th castors are 9" instead of the RSDs usual 11". IMO that also makes it a 'smoothe lawn' mower. But that fits the intended audience, so all is good.

Grass Hopper makes a commercial rated front mount mower. I had considered one for my cemetery association in 2012, but bought a Hustler X-ONE 60" rear discharge machine. The Grass Hopper dealer never did show up for the demo, and they were closer to us than the Hustler dealer. But at $13,700 a copy in 2012, probably more now, makes the Hustler front mount very attractive although not a commercial machine.
Our Hustler X-ONE/60" rear discharge deck/Kawasaki FX730V has been a great machine and we have a MoJack Pro lift that works great and it all fits in the shed. We have five acres of unused cemetery area that a local farmer was supposed to mow for hay, he didn't show in 2014 so the Hustler had to mow this area and did it with ease with the grass being 18"-24" high, slow but steady!!!
Mad Mackie in CT with 3' of snow!!!:laughing::biggrin::smile:

Forgot to mention, for storage you can flp p the deck, pull the hydro releases and push it against a wall.

I'll have to check them out when they arrive, I could put one and my Scag in my trailer. Interesting!!!
Just watched the video again, I gotta have one!!!!
Mad Mackie in CT:laughing::biggrin::smile:

Further info: Even the demonstrators aren't available for local shows (KC), or maybe anywhere. Looks like August at the earliest. Question is, can I wait with money burning a hole in my pocket?

The grass will grow lots before August!!! And it they deliver in August, the machines will be rare to not available at best!!
It depends on what machine you already have and how long you can deal with it before August or later!
I wouldn't count on dealers stocking this machine until spring 2016. When a new product is announced, there almost always is a hangup, engine shortage or whatever!!! I still would like to own one however, I may have a birthday or two beforehand!!!:licking:
Just my thoughts!!!
Mad Mackie in CT:laughing::biggrin::smile:

Agreed. From what I was told by Hustler yesterday, initial demand is huge. I'd say it will be gold dust until next spring.

Yes, there is alot of interest. I am interested to see the 1-2 year reviews to see how the belts and hydraulics hold up.