Just received Hustler Raptor SD with a potential problem

Response from Hustler: (Your thoughts?)


Unfortunately, it sounds like there may be some confusion regarding the correct oil level in the expansion tank. The tanks are slightly overfilled from the factory due to an air bubble that forms in assembly. These transmissions don’t ship to us completely filled. Therefore, when we add oil to the expansion tank, an air bubble is created and needs “burped”. After the air is purged (burped), the oil should settle to the correct level (cold-full line). We recommend checking the oil level after the first mow, but it should read correctly.

Any subsequent Raptor SD will have the same starting oil level. The only other recommendation is reading the operators manual and registering the mower. You may register through the link below:

I apologize for the confusion.

Thanks,

Sounds to me like it's done at the Hustler facility, but then, .. they might put a warning tag on it to inform the dealer to check the level before releasing to the customer ..?? and is there a tag to say unit may need purging for proper operation ..?? Hmmmmm

That sounds kinda like BS to me, more like Hustler is just trying to "cover their *****" BS just thrown out there to satisfy the customer.

From whom exactly did that statement come from (I know Hustler) but was it from Hustler's customer service, an engineer, etc.?

Or was it just the response you received back from Hustler Corp. when you sent in a customer request inquiry through email?

The reason why I say it sounds like BS to me is because if that were the exact case on this matter, then when each and every Hustler mower is sold a "tag" identifying this specifically should be attached to inform the customer pointing that out.

And/or it should be stated in the Owners/User manual indicating that specifically.

Because it kind of conflicts and contradict's what is currently stated in the manual about the fluid in the reserve hydraulic expansion tank?

Nothing is stated in the Owners/User manual about "burping/purging" the hydraulic fluids system.

Alright the above got me thinking about all this and well I started to read more into my mowers "Hydraulic System" in my Owners/Manual (Raptor Flip Up) and at the very bottom of the section is the following:

IMPORTANT: Refer to the Raptor® Flip-Up General Service
Manual (P/N 121535) for complete hydraulic oil and filter
change procedures.


So I referenced the "Hydraulic System" in the General Service manual for my Raptor Flip Up (pages 4-6 thru 4-8) and only then does it state about the process of the "purging procedure" on the hydraulic fluid.

Though this process is only done after the initial hydraulic fluid change and any changes of it there after. The following is what is stated in the General Service manual:

Initial system oil and filter change must be after the first 75
hours of use or one (1) year whichever comes first. Thereafter,
replace filter and oil in each transmission every two (2)
years or 200 hours, whichever comes first.

With that being stated, I recall that after my first year with my mower, I sent it in to a Hustler Authorized Sales & Service for warranty work and was asked if the hydraulic fluid, oil, etc. had been changed and I told them no. Afterwards when they were finished I was told that they had serviced/changed the hydraulic fluid and filters on my mower, etc.

Mr. Mower said:

That sounds kinda like BS to me, more like Hustler is just trying to "cover their *****" BS just thrown out there to satisfy the customer.

From whom exactly did that statement come from (I know Hustler) but was it from Hustler's customer service, an engineer, etc.?

Or was it just the response you received back from Hustler Corp. when you sent in a customer request inquiry through email?

The reason why I say it sounds like BS to me is because if that were the exact case on this matter, then when each and every Hustler mower is sold a "tag" identifying this specifically should be attached to inform the customer pointing that out.

And/or it should be stated in the Owners/User manual indicating that specifically.

Because it kind of conflicts and contradict's what is currently stated in the manual about the fluid in the reserve hydraulic expansion tank?

Nothing is stated in the Owners/User manual about "burping/purging" the hydraulic fluids system.

Click to expand...

Maybe it's done that way because most people will go out and MOW with the damn thing and never--ever--read the manual.

It was a response from Hustler corp to my email inquiry through Hustler's website. Couldn't get through when calling Hustler without getting there voicemail. I received my response from someone from Hustler with the job title Business Operations Specialist.

cpurvis said:

Maybe it's done that way because most people will go out and MOW with the damn thing and never--ever--read the manual.

Click to expand...

:laughing:......yes very true.




Just to add to all this, the only mention of "Purging/Burping" the Hydraulic System Fluid is on the end of the Hydraulic System section of the General Service Manual (at least for my Raptor Flip Up).




It states the following in the very beginning:

IMPORTANT: Purging procedures must be followed after
changing the oil and filter. Refer to Purging Procedure section
for detailed information.

Purging procedure

Due to the effects air has on efficiency in hydrostatic drive
applications, it is critical that it is purged from the system.

Then follows up with:

Air creates inefficiency because its compression and
expansion rate is higher than that of the oil approved for use
in hydrostatic drive systems.
These purge procedures should be implemented any time a
hydrostatic system has been opened to facilitate maintenance
or the oil has been changed.
The resulting symptoms in hydrostatic systems may be:
1. Noisy operation.
2. Lack of power or drive after short term operation.
3. High operation temperature and excessive expansion
of oil.
Before starting, make sure the transaxle is at the proper oil
level. If it is not, fill to the specifications outlined in this manual.

But in all reality none of this is necessary on a Hustler mowers initial usage upon arrival and is not mentioned in the Owners User Manual.

The purge procedure explained in the general service manual seems to contradict what the Operations Specialist from Hustler told me to do if I have the same issue with my next Hustler SD. This is his exact quote:
"It will purge itself after the first mow. We do recommend checking after the mower cools, but it should settle near the full cold line."

After putting roughly 2 hours on the mower I've had to add two-thirds of what I took out. Hustler is not purging the hydros at the factory!

Funny how this is the exact opposite complaint of us original 1st year SD owners. Our overflow reservoirs were filled to the cold line and after the first mow they were empty. so we added oil back to the line. After the next mow they were empty again. I added about a pint of oil total to my mower before it had burped the air out of the hydros and fluid lines going to the reservoir. It seems Hustler addressed it by adding more oil to the reservoir so after the first heat cycle or two it would be at the right level.

This reminds me, I'm probably due for my 2nd trans fluid replacement.