Very nice review and a very nice machine. I just bought a used Fastrack Super Duty and it's a beast for my little acre. So far the only thing I know fore sure is that driving a zero turn takes some getting used to. It's fun, but mistakes can happen quickly if you're not used to steering one. We had a bulldozer when I was a kid so I'm not stranger to sticks, but that was decades ago, and steering around bushes, trees, and the random obstacle takes practice.

Good review John. Glad you are happy so far with the Hustler. Mowing on slopes with a zero turn is a bit tricky and you need the right tires for it. Have a good week! See ya!

I’m glad your mower has done well! I’ve bought a few pieces of equipment in my time that was less then satisfactory and that’s not a good feeling. I don’t think a zero turn would be a good fit for me here but I can definitely see advantages to them in the right place. Take care!

The only complaint I have with the Kawasaki FR series engines is that the air filter is small and gets dirty in under 10 hours. I bought a conversion kit that uses the high mounted FX canister air filter with pre filter. I’m very happy with it.

Im 14, starting a business, got 2 clients right now and a old lawn tractor my dad bought 9 years ago, sold it to our neighbor 5 years ago, then he gave it to me for free, changed battery, and it started. Changed oil, airfilter, and spark plug. runs much better. Soon i'll maybe have my dad change the ''strap'' or belt whatever that makes the knives run. Cuz it is so noisy and scrambly(deck is moving side to side and scrambling, WHATEVER. Also have a led light, horn, voltmeter, blitz light. but dont got that installed yet. the lawn tractor works and all but i'm going to buy a new one soon. idk if i should get used or new. i would of course like new, everyone would. and yeah i'll save money buying an used and all but i dont want something that got problems. also got a stihl km 131 + trimmer + edger + brush + blower(getting the cultivator soon). What new mower should i buy? im thinking imma buy one in like 4-5 months maybe less.

Quality review John! I love the hustler mowers I've had three of them now and all have been great! Hydraulics on them surpass everyone else's by a long shot. hence why they have it patented! Thanks for sharing!

Good review! Sounds like it's working well for you so far! If my property (the yard) had any more of a slope, I wouldn't buy a zero turn. The Big Dog (made by Excel Industries, who makes Hustler) Alpha MPX 60 that I use to cut grass is faster than a lawn tractor and cuts very well but it can slide a little around the hills and pond bank.

Nice and well done review.....looks like a good machine.....all the new machines don’t seem to have oil changes figured out.....CHEERS

I just bought the xd 54” 691cc. She’s great

Hey John, That is a nice machine. I know what you mean about the ride. Any time you are directly in front of the wheels like that, you are going to get a rough ride . Having caster wheels in the front probably doesn’t help either. On another note, I am taking the week off to cut my winters firewood. Spent the day in the woods today. The trees look spectacular. Timed this adventure perfectly. Although I will certainly not be a Logger John by any means, I will be a wood cutting maniac this week.

Great review, it looks like a good machine. We do not see that many zero turn machines over here. I have never seen a deck lift system like that before. Changing the oil looks to be a pain. I think I would try a longer hose and come out the back. At least you can see the dog poo, we have cat poo in our grass which you can't, see but you can sure smell it when you hit it with the blades 😲

Hi John. I'm not necessarily a zero turn guy but I like your raptor. It looks easy to work on which is why I don't do zero turns , they are generally hard to work on. I really like the back tires. I would definitely recommend getting a leaf blower to blow the grass off of the deck and other components. That's what I do with mine after every use. That oil drain is the only complaint I have with kawasaki. The plastic part that opens and closes the drain strips out and is hard to get at in a lot of tractors. If you can get an after market hose drain like the one on my CC GT 1554. That's the way to go. Over all I think it was a great purchase John

I have the raptor XL, it has shocks on the front. You can buy them at your Hustler dealer. It will help with the ride. I agree with you, it needs a fuel gauge. On your oil change. At the oil filter, I get a piece of tin foil and slide it right under the oil filer. There is a lip just under the filter, this will help with the mess.

I think you did the oil change close enough to the 20 hour mark. Glad the machine is working well for you, even if changing the oil was ... not as easy as it should have been. -Kris

Love your video, thank you. I hate this mower cause it's so rough on my neck. Why did they not make a cover for the motor?

how many hours till the blades need changing

Just bought the xd 60 today

What do you prefer the cub cadet or the hustler

I have the raptor x kawasaki fr651v 54 deck

Get the flex forks, thank me later

My brother bought one of those cub cadets with the steering wheel and it already broke. He paid $7,200 for that bastard. It’s still under warranty but it’s not perfected yet. Don’t buy one of those. The steering mechanism is too weak to handle much use.