hustler raptor sd 54 modifications

[turboawd]

here's a few of the things i've done to my raptor.
2015 model with around 90 hours

1. cut the deck opening bigger. got rid of the angled part. also removed belt guards so grass dont build up underneath. notice the oregon gator blades, they work the best in my opinion for taller or wet grass.

2. replace these pins with the newer design that has the clips. newer raptors come with this. have knocked my deck off a couple times hitting stumps. this should stop that.

3. drilled pin for a cotter pin. kept bouncing out.

4. engine guard. looks way better.

anything else you guys have done?

 

[jaredfink]

I have not done anything to my sd 60 yet. Last year when I read that you cut your deck I thought you were nuts. But it looks like it really helps. Overall I am very happy with my machine but my lawn is really littered with buckhorn plantain this year. I understand that even commercial mowers have trouble cutting this because they bend down when you drive over it and they do not want to suck back up. I am going to try gator g5's this week. Any other suggestions? Do you think cutting the deck helps airflow or just gets rid of a place for grass to get caught. I think a bigger discharge really can't hurt. Thanks for your posts.

 

[Carscw]

I have not done anything to my sd 60 yet. Last year when I read that you cut your deck I thought you were nuts. But it looks like it really helps. Overall I am very happy with my machine but my lawn is really littered with buckhorn plantain this year. I understand that even commercial mowers have trouble cutting this because they bend down when you drive over it and they do not want to suck back up. I am going to try gator g5's this week. Any other suggestions? Do you think cutting the deck helps airflow or just gets rid of a place for grass to get caught. I think a bigger discharge really can't hurt. Thanks for your posts.

Healing the deck will help with cutting the weeds that bend over.
Set the front of the deck a 1/4 to a 1/2 inch higher then the back.

 

[kraky]

One plus on the raptor SD... it is so simple to change deck adjustments. On the other hand it apparently can be knocked off when you hit stumps....yikes. ....turbo.... you definitely do not baby your Raptor! Lol.

 

[jaredfink]

Thanks for the reply. I put the g5's on today. I mowed a couple passes and it did not leave 1 stalk uncut. I couldn't mow the real bad part of my yard because I did not want to wake a sleeping baby. As far as the rake of the deck I'm going to try to order a gauge and check it. I have read on here the some run the front of the deck higher like you said but everywhere else people say they run with their deck tipped down about a 1/4 in the front. I might try both. Going to play with things 1 change at a time so I can see each change.

 

[BlazNT]

Thanks for the reply. I put the g5's on today. I mowed a couple passes and it did not leave 1 stalk uncut. I couldn't mow the real bad part of my yard because I did not want to wake a sleeping baby. As far as the rake of the deck I'm going to try to order a gauge and check it. I have read on here the some run the front of the deck higher like you said but everywhere else people say they run with their deck tipped down about a 1/4 in the front. I might try both. Going to play with things 1 change at a time so I can see each change.

Very good idea. K.I.S.S.

 

[kraky]

You don't need any fancy gauges... all you need is a flat surface. The owners manual will show you where to measure on your deck and all you do is measured from the bottom of the deck to your flat surface.
I'm pretty sure that's a 3/8 inch fine thread bolt on the hanger. If it is it's 24 threads per inch. So once you have it level all you have to do is 6 full turns up or 6 full turns down to bring it up or drop it a quarter of an inch. My dealer sells a lot of these... when there are cutting complaints he also believes in raising the deck a quarter of an inch.... but like I said once it's level it's very easy to change upper down just count your turns.

 

[jaredfink]

Thanks kraky. Always have heard to check at the blade tips not the deck. But the deck would at least be a start.

 

[Carscw]

The mower company tells you to set the deck lower in the front. Because it takes less power to cut the grass. The dealer tells you to because he does what the book says.
For the best looking cut you heal the deck. It takes a little more power to cut the grass but you will not notice it. Less grass will stick to the deck. Does a better job striping. You can mow faster without missing anything.

 

[jaredfink]

Thanks carscw. I'll give it a try soon. Didn't mean to hijack the thread but appreciate the input.