Seems an expensive upgrade considering last year's SD had the Kawasaki engine and was $3800. The engine guard is $80. The open deck is worth something, just not sure that much! I bought my SD last year and love it.
I would say this......
I would pay $200 any day for the Kawasaki engine.
The engine guard is worth $80
The seat is worth 50 to $100.
The deck is easily worth 100 to $200.
If you own this thing for 10 years it's going to cost you $40 a year.
If you got the dough..... you wouldn't be smart not to spend it.
Buy something nice you'll soon forget the price!
I hear you. I originally had the Raptor in the budget, but expanded to the SD once I saw it next to the Raport. Now the jump to SDX is probably not in the wallet.
I hear many say the Kawasaki is worth more. What is so much better about it? I will say it looks easier to change the oil & filter on the Kawasaki.
Is that Kohler 7000 a dog?
I couldn't tell a difference in the seats from SD to SDX, so it wouldn't be something I'd pay for.
The engine guard has to come off for the bagger.
But, that open deck is the one thing that would be worth based on most accounts. That relatively small deck opening and bar across the bottom just seem out of place on this mower.
Decisions, decisions.
I need to set a deadline to pull the trigger before I start looking at Fastrak's
Everyone seems to think the Kawasaki is a better motor. I have no complaints with it, but am not sure it is better than a Briggs or Kohler. My Craftsman tractor has a Briggs with over 500 hours on it. Doing my first repair on it by replacing the vacuum tube on the fuel pump for $4. The Briggs is much easier to change the oil - drain hose swings down so you can put a bucket next to the tractor to catch the oil. The RaptorSD was no where near as easy to change the oil, getting the bucket under the drain was a pain, even with the piece of hose they provide.
I would have loved to go up to a Fastrak, but the budget could not swing it!
