Hustler Raptor 42 inch. Should i get kohler 7000 22hp or Kawasaki FR600 18 Hp?

bh1971

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  • / Hustler Raptor 42 inch. Should i get kohler 7000 22hp or Kawasaki FR600 18 Hp?
Im considering the 42 inch Hustler Raptor, small 3/8 acre flat yard. They come with the Kohler 7000 Hd w/smart choke 22Hp, or the Kawasaki FR600 18 Hp. If taken care of are they both decant engines? Is one more preferred over the other? Will the Kawasaki 18 Hp be equivalent to the Kohler 22Hp?
 

cruzenmike

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  • / Hustler Raptor 42 inch. Should i get kohler 7000 22hp or Kawasaki FR600 18 Hp?
Im considering the 42 inch Hustler Raptor, small 3/8 acre flat yard. They come with the Kohler 7000 Hd w/smart choke 22Hp, or the Kawasaki FR600 18 Hp. If taken care of are they both decant engines? Is one more preferred over the other? Will the Kawasaki 18 Hp be equivalent to the Kohler 22Hp?

What about the John Deere S240 or Z335E? Or have you moved on?
 

bh1971

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  • / Hustler Raptor 42 inch. Should i get kohler 7000 22hp or Kawasaki FR600 18 Hp?
What about the John Deere S240 or Z335E? Or have you moved on?

Yep, i have moved on. Went to JD dealer Friday afternoon. First thing i found out with my knee problems a lawn tractor wont work. Wasnt comfortable to much bend in knee.Tried the JD zero turn, it was ok, dealer said they also sell Hustler and he suggested the Raptor 42 inch over JD Z335 or Z345. He said he owns the 48 inch Raptor. He showed me how lightweight the JD were built compared to Hustler. So thats why ive moved on I cant get the S240 or X330, and JD dealer suggested Hustler over JD. So now im down to which one of the engines should i get Kohler 7000, or Kawasaki FR600. Also the Hustler Raptor and the JD Z345 are about same price.
 

cruzenmike

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  • / Hustler Raptor 42 inch. Should i get kohler 7000 22hp or Kawasaki FR600 18 Hp?
When you step into the world of zero turns you will find that there are more than a dozen options in each deck size and ranging from somewhat inexpensive consumer models to all out commercial models.

I am partial to the Toro models; I owned an SS4225 when it still had the Kohler 22hp engine. I also had mine equipped with the Recycler Kit, Anti-vibration Mat and Armrest Kit. I lived on a small 1/4 acre lot and the mower did a very nice job of leaving a nice cut with little to no visible clippings with the mulch kit installed. The Kohler engine was quite powerful but loud. Outside of the Toro I have only owned an Exmark ZTR which has a Briggs engine. My only experience with a Kawasaki was an FR730V 24hp on a Husqvarna rider and that engine was actually quieter than the Kohler and of course had more power and torque. The FR600 should be very similar to the 730 that is had and will be fuel efficient, quiet and smooth running. The Raptor has a nicely built deck but are prone to clogging. This may be the only "issue" considering what you are paying for. Mowing only in ideal conditions would hopefully address this issue. Otherwise, if you like the mower and it is in your budget, I say you should go for it.
 
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