Mini fastrack??

[tonym]

I have tried to post here , but nnone of my posts show up. I am considering getting a mini fastrack 16hp 42" , what is the big differance between a fastrck and a mini, is it the same hydros , etc....??

[mowerconsultant]

Your not having any problems posting.
This is posted @ the bottom of every page in the Hustler forum.
"All discussions are viewed by the administration before being released to the public. Your post may not be made viewable for up to 48 hours. Please allow the manufacturer representative enough time to respond to your question or comment once made viewable."
The main differences are deck size, 36 and 42 compared to 44 and 52, of course the Mini FasTrak is a smaller framed unit and has smaller engine options also.
The hydros are different between the 2 units, the Mini FasTrak has Hydro Gear EZT's and the FasTrak has IZT's, the difference is the rating on load capacity, the IZT's are heavier duty, and also have a replaceable filter.

Hope this helps.
Pj

[k-gull]

Don't forget the arm rests (which the mini does not have)! :)

[mowerconsultant]

Arm rests are a optional item on the Mini FasTrak, you can install them in less than 5 minutes.

Pj

[tonym]

Thanks for the replies. I have it narrowed down to the Mini fastrak 16hp 42" and the Fastrak 16/44 . Is there any reason for me to spend the extra $750 on the fastrack vs the mini, I prefer to stay at the minis price, i will be selling my walker and am sure I can get at least 4000 for it. The mini is narrower then the fastrak , so how is the overhang of the deck compared to the 44" deck of the fastrack for trimming. I would love to go with the 18hp 52" but it will be out of the budget.
I will check them out any day, my dealer is couple miles from me, very close.
DO both machines operate at same speeds and handle the same way?
Thanks again

[tonym]

Is the options the same on the mini fastrack as the fastrack?
For example, grass catching bagging, stripping kits, mulching kits?

[mowerconsultant]

Thanks for the replies. I have it narrowed down to the Mini fastrak 16hp 42" and the Fastrak 16/44 . Is there any reason for me to spend the extra $750 on the fastrack vs the mini, I prefer to stay at the minis price, i will be selling my walker and am sure I can get at least 4000 for it. The mini is narrower then the fastrak , so how is the overhang of the deck compared to the 44" deck of the fastrack for trimming. I would love to go with the 18hp 52" but it will be out of the budget.
I will check them out any day, my dealer is couple miles from me, very close.
DO both machines operate at same speeds and handle the same way?
Thanks again

There is no overhang on the 44" deck on the FasTrak.
Both machines operate at the same speed in forward (7 mph), in reverse the Mini FasTrak is 1.5 mph slower @ 3.5 mph, compared to 5 mph on the FasTrak.
They both handle the same way on flat ground, you will find the FasTrak to handle hills a bit better due to its wider frame.

Pj

[mowerconsultant]

Is the options the same on the mini fastrack as the fastrack?
For example, grass catching bagging, stripping kits, mulching kits?

Yes and no...
They both have rear catchers, on the FasTrak it is a blower unit, and on the Mini FasTrak it is not.
Both have mulching kits.
The Mini FasTrak does not currently have a striping kit available.

Pj

[tonym]

Thanks where can i read info about the mini fastrak bagging system?

[mowerconsultant]

There is some information and pics here > http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=92200

Pj

[tonym]

Ok , final questions, can the mini fastrak tow ? Would it be able to tow a lawn/leaf vac, like this one http://www.cyclonerake.com/ ?
Was the bagging system tested for sucking up leaves? Is there enough suction without a blower?

[ClipperZ]

I just went through the same decision process you are undergoing. I went through weeks of demos and research on several brands of Zs and WBs. I finally decided to buy the Mini Fastrak 16/42.

So, thinking happy yellow thoughts, I went to my dealer, credit card waving in my hand. Just before we were to do the deed, he asked me, "By the way, have you driven a Fastrak?" I had not--too much money, I thought; not a consideration.

Well, I drove a Fastrak, demoed it on my yard and I wound up buying a Fastrak 16/44. What a major, pleasant difference in the two machines.

They both cut like a dream and the Mini Fastrak bags better than anything I have ever used before. But...

The Fastrak is smoother to ride and drive; the hydros are stronger and much, much quieter than on the Mini; it is wider but shorter than the Mini so it is better on slopes, feels more nimble and there is less rear overhang. (With the rear bagger on the Mini Fastrak it stretches to 8-feet long! That's a lot of booty in a tight corner.)

The Fastrak comes with a more comfortable high-back seat with armrests, the spindles seem beefier and the 16 hp Honda engine has a good reservoir of power and torque for the 44" deck.

Two accessories for the Fastrak not available on the Mini are a seat spring kit and a striping kit. I added the mulch kit, hour meter and seat springs to mine.

With the rebate and some discussion with my dealer I bought the mower for $4299 plus accessories. More than I had planned to spend but I couldn't be more pleased.

Hope this helps,

Jim

[mowerconsultant]

Ok , final questions, can the mini fastrak tow ? Would it be able to tow a lawn/leaf vac, like this one http://www.cyclonerake.com/ ?
Was the bagging system tested for sucking up leaves? Is there enough suction without a blower?

Yes, the Mini FasTrak can tow, I am not sure what that cyclone rake weighs let alone when it is full of wet grass or leaves, so I can not possibly comment on whether it can tow that unit.
Yes, the catcher we sell for the FasTrak was tested in leaves and it works excellent.

[tonym]

Thanks again for the respoces, Thanks Clipper for that answer in the comparison, that helps alot.

[Travis Followell]

I'd say for the extra $750 you'd be better off going with the fastrac.

[Advance The Man]

Pj,

What makes one mower drive faster than the other? I've got a 20 hp and it goes like you said, 7 mph forward and 5 mph backwards. A commercial unit with a 20 hp may go 9 or 10 mph's. Is the transmission geared different? Or is it the hydros on my FasTrak wouldn't be able to handle the additional speed?

There is no overhang on the 44" deck on the FasTrak.
Both machines operate at the same speed in forward (7 mph), in reverse the Mini FasTrak is 1.5 mph slower @ 3.5 mph, compared to 5 mph on the FasTrak.
They both handle the same way on flat ground, you will find the FasTrak to handle hills a bit better due to its wider frame.

Pj

[mowerconsultant]

Pj,

What makes one mower drive faster than the other? I've got a 20 hp and it goes like you said, 7 mph forward and 5 mph backwards. A commercial unit with a 20 hp may go 9 or 10 mph's. Is the transmission geared different? Or is it the hydros on my FasTrak wouldn't be able to handle the additional speed?

The hydros make a huge difference, Units with higher ground speeds have larger pumps and wheel motors.
The drives in your FasTrak are a integrated type with gearing built into them, this can not be changed, you would need to change pulley size to speed up the unit, and that is not recommended by us or the mfg of the drive (Hydro-Gear)

Pj