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Your dreaming if you think local dealers do anything special!! I purchased my SD54 from a local dealer because of all the posts claiming you got better service. I did not plus I was lied to about the machine needing the upgraded brace between the Hydro's. Make SURE your machine has both of...

If you click on the "Seat Suspension" in my reply that is the link. . . .

I got a recommendation from this list to use Seat Warehouse. It was a bit expensive at $180 but the seat is pretty good so replacing the seat was way more expensive. Seat Suspension I was surprised at how much it smoothed the ride too. Very happy with the addition. . . .

Yes the upgraded braces fixed flexing problem. Are you going to add anything? Engine guard, heat shield. I just added a seat suspension and my ride improved quite a bit. About 185 hours on the machine. . . .

I have about 180 hours on my SD54 and added the braces after I had a plastic fender break. Do you have both of these braces installed? . . .

Your link for the 596-808 blades shows as NLA? Also the 596-704 is NLA. Now that last one looks like it might work? 596-344 is 18" and about $21 each. Has anybody run the Oregon 596-344 on a 54" Raptor SD? I can get these for around $11 each in quantities of 10 on EBay. . . .

That's interesting because I have never changed or had any belt problems with my Raptor. Over 180 hours running time so far. Are you aware of the upgraded cross brace? This is why your slinging belts. Has nothing to do with the belt. Do you these 2 braces installed on your mower? . . .

Yes I have posted this about 4 or 5 times as nobody reads and just starts new threads. You need 2 braces installed. Like in this picture. Everything else is just a symptom of the problem caused by the Hydro's not being tied together strong enough. Once you install these all your problems...

I have been running Oregon G5 Gator blades #596-808 and have 3 sets I rotate thru. Contacted Oregon and these are no longer made and they had no recommended replacements? Any suggestions? Blade says 18.5" long with a .630" center hole. Goes on my SD54 mower. . . .

Correct that's why Hustler came out with a modification kit to fix the discharge problems. I did it to mine and it is a big improvement! Here is the kit; Here is how I cut the cut the deck opening bigger; Here is the kit installed on my SD54; Kit part # 123352 Attached is the factory...

I have posted this several times before but it looks like we have some new people who have not read the entire thread? Anyone with a Raptor needs these 2 braces installed on their mower. . . .

You might want to look at your mower? Too many people making comments with no knowledge? Here is a picture of the control panel on my Raptor 54 SD. Note the blade engagement is at 1/2 throttle. . . .

Sorry my picture was not labeled. See if this makes more sense? . . .

Yes make sure you have both of these braces and that the lower one is the upgraded version. That will stop all the flexing which is causing your problems. I also had a broken fender from this but did not know these braces were the problem. . . .

If you are interested there are actually 2 braces you can add. I have both on my SD54 mower. Very rigid now! . . .

Yes I thought the whole letter thing as awkward and not useful. But here is a chart I got. I also put a white paint make on the letter I use so I can quickly put things back to normal. Sorry for the small size. Again poor forum software. . . .

If throwing belts check your brace between the Hydro's. Do you have this setup underneath? Also check the bolts to make sure they are tight and not broken. . . .

Be aware that breaking bolts where you found them is a symptom not the cause. The problem is your cross brace. Do you have the heavy duty brace like this? Also note there is a second brace. Without these upgraded braces you are placing excessive stress on the hydro's too. My first clue was...

Do you know about pulling the round lever to disengage the Hydro's? There is one for each side. They are so you can push the mower around. If one is pulled out but not the other you will only have one operating hydro. Let us know what you find? . . .

I have the SD54 but I think your 60 might use the same guard? Mine was #119597 about $80. I think it makes the mower look better too. Probably should have been stock but this is a bottom of the line Hustler mower. . . .

Be aware that the missing bolts are an indication of a bigger problem. Be SURE you install these 2 upgraded braces between the Hydro's. This is a known problem so inspect your mower now to see if it has the upgraded brace and I strongly recommend adding the additional upper brace too. Check...

Do you know about the 2nd brace? I upgraded the lower brace after mine broke and cracked my plastic fender. The 2nd one mounts up higher and provides additional bracing 165 hours so far. . . .

I got the factory kit and followed the install directions. Here is what it looks like installed. . . .

Yes here is the factory deck mod I was talking about without the added reinforcing bracket. You can see the holes drilled where it bolts to. They added a angle iron bracket but some people just cut it out and forget the added bracket.. The deck is very stout. The factory kit for my SD54" was...