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2017 Hustler Raptor SD or 2018?

#1

J

jchas41

Hey guys, was looking for some advice. I have about an 1 - 1.5 acres of mostly flat land in Upstate NY. I have been searching for a nice zero turn that will last me a good, long while. Liked the Scag Liberty Z but the dealer is 45 minutes away which I'm concerned with in the event of service - price was 4k flat for the 48" 18hp Kawasaki model. Continued looking and found a local dealer, 15 min drive, with the Raptor SD's which look great. He has offered the 2017 edition with the 25hp Kohler engine for $3599 (has a rebate) or I can wait a month and get the 2018 edition with the Kawasaki motor for $3899. Any recommendations? I have emailed him looking for any further changes beyond the engines between the models, not sure if there will be any. Thanks!!


#2

D

Darryl G

Not intimately familiar with the Raptors but I thought I read that they redesigned the deck opening and removed the lower brace that some complain restricts it and contributes to clumping. Or was that the previous year? Not sure it even applies to the SD. Personally I'd rather have a Kawasaki. I've had good luck with all 3 of mine. Just something about how they run, respond and even sound. Big plus to having a nearby dealer in my opinion too. I switched dealers/brands for that reason. Convenient parts and service is important for a machine you'll be depending on.


#3

J

jchas41

Darryl G said:
Not intimately familiar with the Raptors but I thought I read that they redesigned the deck opening and removed the lower brace that some complain restricts it and contributes to clumping. Or was that the previous year? Not sure it even applies to the SD. Personally I'd rather have a Kawasaki. I've had good luck with all 3 of mine. Just something about how they run, respond and even sound. Big plus to having a nearby dealer in my opinion too. I switched dealers/brands for that reason. Convenient parts and service is important for a machine you'll be depending on.
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Yeah, most folks seem to recommend the Kawasaki. Just am struggling with decision because its another $300 and I'm only using this to mow my lawn once a week. With that said, if there are other useful changes with the newer model than that may sway things. I spoke to the dealer today, he admitted he wasn't totally sure as he doesn't have any yet but believes they are basically the same minus the Kawasaki engine. For what its worth, he also prefers the Kawasaki's.


#4

BlazNT

BlazNT

jchas41 said:
Hey guys, was looking for some advice. I have about an 1 - 1.5 acres of mostly flat land in Upstate NY. I have been searching for a nice zero turn that will last me a good, long while. Liked the Scag Liberty Z but the dealer is 45 minutes away which I'm concerned with in the event of service - price was 4k flat for the 48" 18hp Kawasaki model. Continued looking and found a local dealer, 15 min drive, with the Raptor SD's which look great. He has offered the 2017 edition with the 25hp Kohler engine for $3599 (has a rebate) or I can wait a month and get the 2018 edition with the Kawasaki motor for $3899. Any recommendations? I have emailed him looking for any further changes beyond the engines between the models, not sure if there will be any. Thanks!!
Click to expand...

This is only about price as I would not purchase a Raptor at all. 2017 model for $3599 is way too high when you can get the newer mower with a Kawasaki engine for only $300 more. There is no discount on the 2017 as it is cheaper just because of the Kohler. Once again I would not even buy the Raptor but money wise they are taking advantage of an unknowing customers at that price for the 2017.


#5

C

Code54

I personally prefer the Kawasaki motors - good running and never had any problems out of them.
Good luck


#6

J

jchas41

BlazNT said:
This is only about price as I would not purchase a Raptor at all. 2017 model for $3599 is way too high when you can get the newer mower with a Kawasaki engine for only $300 more. There is no discount on the 2017 as it is cheaper just because of the Kohler. Once again I would not even buy the Raptor but money wise they are taking advantage of an unknowing customers at that price for the 2017.
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Really?? The $3800 seems pretty consistent among dealers from what I’ve seen. What am
I missing? Is there different models I should be looking at for this price range?


#7

BlazNT

BlazNT

Any mower with a Kawasaki engine normally cost $300 or more than the same mower with Kohler. If this is not true in the Raptor line then they are putting really cheap Kawasaki engines in them. If there is not a difference in price between the same model with a Kawasaki in it I would avoid the Kawasaki engine. This is all about the money. I am one that buys the best value when I decided what I want to purchase. Kawasaki is supposed to be a better engine and it cost more for that engineering. If they are able to get Kawasaki for the same price as a Kohler then they are moving way down on the quality scale.


#8

J

jchas41

BlazNT said:
Any mower with a Kawasaki engine normally cost $300 or more than the same mower with Kohler. If this is not true in the Raptor line then they are putting really cheap Kawasaki engines in them. If there is not a difference in price between the same model with a Kawasaki in it I would avoid the Kawasaki engine. This is all about the money. I am one that buys the best value when I decided what I want to purchase. Kawasaki is supposed to be a better engine and it cost more for that engineering. If they are able to get Kawasaki for the same price as a Kohler then they are moving way down on the quality scale.
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Do you have any recommendations in the 4k price range that I should consider?


#9

J

jchas41

I ended up buying the 2018 Raptor SD with the Kawasaki engine for $3699 + tax. Seems like a great machine, can't wait to use it if the spring ever arrives in the Northeast.


#10

D

Darryl G

Congratulations! It would be great if you could come back and tell us about your likes and dislikes after you get some seat time on it.


#11

J

jchas41

Sure!

Was gonna ask about suspension recommendations as well. Can probably swing either a suspension seat kit or the flex forks this year - any opinions on which one first? I test drove it around the yard and the bumpy sections were a little rough on the body lol. Thanks.


#12

BlazNT

BlazNT

Seat. The forks do some but not as much as the seat.


#13

J

jchas41

BlazNT said:
Seat. The forks do some but not as much as the seat.
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Is this the one to get, or is there another one recommended for the Raptor SD?

https://www.amazon.com/SUSPENSION-E...6X9CBQ5V/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_sims?ie=UTF8


#14

BlazNT

BlazNT

Either what you got or move up to air ride. https://ztrpuffer.com/shop/.


#15

C

clubairth

If you get the seat suspension consider paying a bit more and get one the slides back and forth?

Ebay has them both ways. About $210 for one that slides.

Or just take a look at seat-warehouse.com? They have it all.
.
.
.


#16

R

RaptorGuy

BlazNT said:
This is only about price as I would not purchase a Raptor at all. 2017 model for $3599 is way too high when you can get the newer mower with a Kawasaki engine for only $300 more. There is no discount on the 2017 as it is cheaper just because of the Kohler. Once again I would not even buy the Raptor but money wise they are taking advantage of an unknowing customers at that price for the 2017.
Click to expand...

Curious to know why you would not buy a Raptor?


#17

BlazNT

BlazNT

RaptorGuy said:
Curious to know why you would not buy a Raptor?
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If you want to talk about it in more detail PM me. I will not talk about it in the public forum.


#18

mhavanti

mhavanti

Jchas,

Here is the link to the Raptor Seat Warehouse kit: http://seat-warehouse.com/product/s...hustler-raptor-and-sport-zero-turn-mowers-xx/

You can use any of them and add a half inch spacer below the other kits and they work just fine. Only difference between the others and the Raptor is the addition of the adjustable seat track and a seat switch harness extension.

If you don't need the additional 40 dollar adjustable seat track. Add four half inch solid spacers with 5/16" holes thru them and mow on!

Max


#19

J

jchas41

mhavanti said:
Jchas,

Here is the link to the Raptor Seat Warehouse kit: http://seat-warehouse.com/product/s...hustler-raptor-and-sport-zero-turn-mowers-xx/

You can use any of them and add a half inch spacer below the other kits and they work just fine. Only difference between the others and the Raptor is the addition of the adjustable seat track and a seat switch harness extension.

If you don't need the additional 40 dollar adjustable seat track. Add four half inch solid spacers with 5/16" holes thru them and mow on!

Max
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Thanks Max! Honestly, so far that is my only complaint with my Raptor SD. The ride is definitely a little jarring without much in the way of suspension. The suspension seat is going to be a purchase in the very near future. Otherwise, very happy with the maneuverability and the cut quality I have gotten. I have just over 5 hours of ride time on and will be doing the first oil change this week before the next cut. Hopefully after adding the suspension seat I will be much happier with the shock absorption.


#20

mhavanti

mhavanti

jchas,

You'll definitely appreciate the suspension seat. I really have enjoyed the flex forks I installed this past week. The combination is a must have as soon as you can swing it. I'm thinking sub-frame for the engine and hydros in the future for my Raptor SD. Then we'll have the ticket!


I put up a video on my installation on youtube.


I think the title is something like: Hustler Raptor SD Flex Forks Preparation and Installation Part 1 and Part 2.


Take a look and let me know what you think.

Max


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