Ideas for Hustler

[PaulJ]

PJ


In another thread you said that the new xr-7 deck wasn't going to be available on the standard or super walks. Why not? If the new deck is soo much better then put it on the high end Super WB line.

I think HUstler really missed the boat in NOt promoting the SWB line and getting them out to the dealers. I had to practicly BEG to get mine.

I am looking forward someday to seeing a trim-star that I hear so much about but I doubt it will be around here. Hustler has something so great with the h-bar controls and they aren't letting it be known.

I have some other great ideas and concepts for your engineers to work on. Just ask.:)

[mowerconsultant]

Paul,
As the high end hydro walk behind market has declined in recent years (due to smaller and less expensive ZTR's) we have had the unfortunate decline in sales of these (high end hydro walk behinds) units, thus the end result being we have decided not to produce these units anymore.
The expense (to produce) and low volume sales of these models, has forced us to make this decision.

The following units will no longer be produced.......

925677 HWB15KAW37A
925669 HWB15KAW48A
925651 HWB17KAW48A
925644 HWB17KAW54A
926238 HWB17KAWES48A
926246 HWB17KAWES54A
926129 HWB23KAWES48A
926137 HWB25KAWES54A

There is a fair amount of inventory of these at the factory, distributors and dealers, with a couple models having limited #'s of availability.
We will continue to service and provide parts for many, many years to come on these units.
Parts availability will not be a issue, as we provide parts for units we built 30 plus years ago still.
The TrimStar series (gear drive and hydro) of walk behind mowers are the future of walk behinds in our product line up.

[PaulJ]

I sorry if I sound rude eb-ut that is one of the biggest and dumbest thing I have ever heard. Your Super WB is the absolute best WB ever built and noone knows it. Hustler should be demoing these to everyone they can. NO other company even comes close for control, stability and POWER. Why should a WB be cheaper built than a rider?? A well built WB is MORE versital and A better machine for someone who can only have one main mower.
Or has Hustler forgot about the little guy?
I can understand if The standard frame with the same hp as the trim-stars seems like redundancy but IMOH A 48" deck needs at least 20hp to make be good commercial mower.
Also the super WB have almost the same deck as the XR7 already. I widened the discharge slightly and put airflow baffles (from the shortcut parts book) on mine and It sure looks close to the pics of the "new" deck.
Without the Super WB line there is going to be A huge hole in the marketplace. Just like Giving up on the shortcut.
Tell the brass to PLEASE reconsider this .

[mowerconsultant]

Trust me....
The "brass" reads this board on a daily basis...

[grassbandit]

I sorry if I sound rude eb-ut that is one of the biggest and dumbest thing I have ever heard. Your Super WB is the absolute best WB ever built and noone knows it. Hustler should be demoing these to everyone they can. NO other company even comes close for control, stability and POWER. Why should a WB be cheaper built than a rider?? A well built WB is MORE versital and A better machine for someone who can only have one main mower.
Or has Hustler forgot about the little guy?
I can understand if The standard frame with the same hp as the trim-stars seems like redundancy but IMOH A 48" deck needs at least 20hp to make be good commercial mower.
Also the super WB have almost the same deck as the XR7 already. I widened the discharge slightly and put airflow baffles (from the shortcut parts book) on mine and It sure looks close to the pics of the "new" deck.
Without the Super WB line there is going to be A huge hole in the marketplace. Just like Giving up on the shortcut.
Tell the brass to PLEASE reconsider this .

I second that

[David Grass]

WOW, You have the best walk behind and are going to discontinue it? My wife uses the 54 and loves it. I was hoping you would even put out a 60 super soon with new deck. The ONLY 2 walkbehinds I would ever use are, the Toro BELT DRIVE, and Huster H bar. Keep making parts because we might buy used ones up, in the future.

[mowerconsultant]

WOW, You have the best walk behind and are going to discontinue it?
The next generation of Hustler walk behinds, The TrimStar's are not being discontinued and are selling very well.
2nd generation H-Bar steering, XR-7 decks, and less expensive also.
Check them out.
http://www.hustlerturfequipment.com/products/hydro_walkbehind.html
Pj

[PaulJ]

The next generation of Hustler walk behinds, The TrimStar's are not being discontinued and are selling very well.
2nd generation H-Bar steering, XR-7 decks, and less expensive also.
Check them out.
http://www.hustlerturfequipment.com/products/hydro_walkbehind.html
Pj


And smaller engines and smaller tires and smaller air filter and smaller frame, etc... All reasons I bought the super walkbehind.

[PaulJ]

The super WB are the best WB in the wourld I haven't see a trimstar yet. and probably won't because your dealers don't know a good thing when they see it.


Is it true that the trimstar uses a transaxel like the fasttrack? Which is a lower end machine?

[mowerconsultant]

The TrimStar hydro walk behinds use Hydro Gear IZT transmissions (2 of them).
These have the same rotation group as the BDP-10 pumps.
We have used these hydros in the FasTrak for almost 5 years now, they are great hydros and have worked very good.
We tested for a long time with them in walk behinds and have had no problems or concerns.
They are perfect for the applications we use them in.

Pj

[PaulJ]

But do they have the ground speed and sulky pulling ability of the super WB? Or the wide stance and large tires? YOUr saying they use the same set up as your LOW end ZTR. I like a WB that is built like a HIGH end ZTR and has the power to keep up.

I am not trying to knock the trimstar. I think it is a great idea for someone who wants a smaller WB or can have different mowers for different situations.
I just think It's a bad idea to give up on the Super WB that can do anything a similar size Z can do and more.

[syzer]

I am going to have to say I am disappointed. I was at the dealer today, and just left my other dealer looking at the ferris WB 52" DD. The only other wb I could remember with anything near the squaty stance of the Ferris was the t bar hustler at my new dealer.

I went today to pick my new Hustler super z up and was asking him about the super walk behind. I told him I wanted to look at picking up the 54/25 for a new complex we picked up with some serious hills. He told me he had the one on his floor sold, and like 4 more coming which were sold so I couldn't even get one if I wanted. I found that very hard to believe and a bit discouraging that hustler would stop producing the ONLY other wide wheel based WB on the market aside from the Ferris...I hate red =P.

[syzer]

BTW I agree with others. Hustler should be really showing this Super WB off. From the looks of it I was always turned off. However when I searched out the local hustler dealer to get the new rider I seen for the first time the super WB.

I took it out in the field and was very impressed with the ease of use and over all feel of the machine. The only thing I don't really like is how long the baby is.

Had I not gone to this dealer for the super z I would have still had the same feeling about it.

[PaulJ]

back to the top

[Big Hoss]

Purchased a SWB 25/54 last year and other than one minor problem it performed flawlessly. I am currently in Iraq and will purchase another come Sept. as I will have a backup . I even got to using it on the flattest of lawns as I enjoyed cutting with it more . Old pete was right when he moans about management not paying attention to customers wants and wishes . Is Hustler headed the way of the yugo ? By the way I put ovcer 400 hours on my SWB last year . Just my .02

[mowerconsultant]

YOUr saying they use the same set up as your LOW end ZTR.

There is nothing low end about the ZTR we use them in, the FasTrak.
These hydros work excellent for the applications we use them in.

[mowerconsultant]

Old pete was right when he moans about management not paying attention to customers wants and wishes . Is Hustler headed the way of the yugo ?

There is not a company that listens to its customers more than we do, we would not be experiencing the growth we have in the last 5 years if we didn't listen to customers.
Yugo??? I have no idea where you get that from??? we build a great product and we have no intentions of changing that.

[PaulJ]

I remember that when the fast track first came out it was hustler called it their homeowner model. I know that scince it has held up so well under commercial conditions that they have scince dropped that and offer a better commercial warrenty on it than the first coupple of years. but It does not have the same features and comercial details of the bigger Z's.

I think that the hydro set up on the Super WB works very well for it's applicatoin as well. I wouldn't mind the different trans if the machine still had all the other features of the Super WB. including frame size, tires, air filter and engine size.

There is nothing low end about the ZTR we use them in, the FasTrak.
These hydros work excellent for the applications we use them in.

[PaulJ]

Any other new ideas out there?

[BESTLAWNCARE]

went to dealer tried the h bar great. right away i wanted a super walk discontinued. if people used these theyed change in a heart beat. very disappointed not available.

[TriCountyLawn]

Hydro Walkbehind user here, We love our hydro wb's, I would be all over a
60" Super WB, However I dont feel real great about 2 of my newest mowers are already dicontinued. I will say I saw this coming for the hydro wb.

Im not real worried about getting parts if needed but I am wondering about blades. Does the xr-7 deck use different blades?

[PaulJ]

Ask or beg your dealer to find you one. Pj said they had a bunch in there warehouses. Or maybe at some of the distributors around the country.
pj, help this guy find a superWB !!

[mowerconsultant]

Hydro Walkbehind user here, We love our hydro wb's, I would be all over a
60" Super WB, However I dont feel real great about 2 of my newest mowers are already dicontinued. I will say I saw this coming for the hydro wb.

Im not real worried about getting parts if needed but I am wondering about blades. Does the xr-7 deck use different blades?

You don't have to worry about getting parts, that will not be a problem.
And you wont have to worry about getting blades either.
The XR-7 does use different blades.

[mowerconsultant]

Ask or beg your dealer to find you one. Pj said they had a bunch in there warehouses. Or maybe at some of the distributors around the country.
pj, help this guy find a superWB !!

25/54 Super Walk behinds are sold out of distributors (there may be some at dealers still), there are a handful of 23/48 units out there still.

Pj

[PaulJ]

:confused: :confused: :nono: :nono: :nono: :hammerhead: :hammerhead: :cry: :cry: :cry: :dizzy: :dizzy: :dizzy: :mad: :mad: :mad: :angry: :angry: :angry: :angry: :eek: :blob2: :blob2: :blob2: :blob2: :realmad: :realmad: :realmad: :realmad: :gunsfirin :gunsfirin :gunsfirin :gunsfirin :realmad: :realmad: :realmad:

That's how I feal about that!!!!

You get the idea there is still a demand for these yet pj??

25/54 Super Walk behinds are sold out of distributors (there may be some at dealers still), there are a handful of 23/48 units out there still.

Pj

[mowerconsultant]

You get the idea there is still a demand for these yet pj??
You have talked to Paul about this via a e-mail, you know what our position is on this, they are not going to be built again, I am sorry, there just isn't enough volume of them to justify it.
I know what you are saying also.....

Pj

[PaulJ]

Is the h-bar the only similarity between the trimsta and the super?

Are all the other great features of the super gone for good?
the larger tires front and rear
the heavy duty air filters.
enough HP to run with the riders.
wide stance.
more blade overlap than other brands.
dual exhaust
longer for a smother ride
wide tires also for a smoother ride.
electric blade clutch
deep deck
electric start standard

The h-bar wasn't the only reason I bout the hustler super.
It was all the little details together in one great machine.

I had pretty much decided that if or when I get another machine it was going to be a 54" super and I was going to try to find a sut down sulky that huslter USED TO MAKE. and have a out front rider and WB in one.
Now what.


I feel like some one just quit making my favorite beer or softdrink.
or candy bar
I feel like the speed-limit was just dropped to 30 on the highway.
I feel like I did when I wrecked my first and favorite car.
I feel like I have lost a friend

My 48" super is back in the shop with carb problems agian. I hope it was just somehting simple this time. The kawasaki is a good engine but the carbs are so sensitive. I had problems the first year (that my dealer took good care of ) but it seems to have come back.

What engine options are on the trimstars?
how about a honda like the fast track
or Robin engine. I've heard only good things about them.

How about offering the h-bar controls as an option on the super Z?
Drive with yor hands instead of your whole arms.

[PaulJ]

I noticed on the hustlers BRAND NEW wevsite that the hydro and super Walkbehinds are still listed right alside the trimstar. What does that mean?

[mowerconsultant]

I noticed on the hustlers BRAND NEW wevsite that the hydro and super Walkbehinds are still listed right alside the trimstar. What does that mean?

It means they are still available at the dealership level.
There is still some stock of some models at dealers and distributors.
Once the distributor and dealer stock is gone, they are done.
TrimStar hydro and belt drive models are here for good and selling like crazy.

Pj

[PaulJ]

If your going to build a larger WB based on the trimstar frame just remember the details that make the super great.
I am not against a super Trimstar.
but be sure to include:
the larger tires front and rear
the heavy duty air filters.
enough HP to run with the riders.
wide stance.
more blade overlap than other brands.
dual exhaust
longer for a smother ride
wide tires also for a smoother ride.
electric blade clutch
deep deck with more blade overlap
Fast ground speed
electric start standard
And remember the 48" needs these features as well and a 36" would even benefit from them.

I see a line up of supers like this.
36" 17hp
48" 21hp
54" 24hp
60" 26hp
offer honda or Robin engines as an option.
the 20x10-8 tires on the ones they will fit
and bring back the sitdownsulky and offer a discount if they are bought as a package.

[brucec32]

Funny, I also would only use the Toro T bar belt drive or a Hustler wb, because of the steering ease.

As long as the Trimstar line is capable I can understand not continuing sales of the bigger more expensive line of wb's. Big powerful wb's are becoming a niche' product, especially if the cost approaches that of a low end ztr.

Some suggestions though before I'd buy.

1. Consider a 42-44" deck on it. 36" is a little too small for wide areas and 48" is too big for gates, which is a big use of wb's out there. I would assume that guys who mow a lot of flatter, wide open areas the 48" would excel at would prefer a ZTR anyway. I also can't see them settling for the slightly too-low ground speed of the Trimstar on wide areas.

2. On the bigger deck, you need to have anti-scalp wheels on the corners for those of us who mow warm season turf low (1.5"-2"). We can't use a mower that gouges and scrapes on the uneven turf out there. They lay sod in some pretty strange situations. If I have to go to a 21" to cut it well the bigger mower's no use to me. In fact, the Toro 44" I use is such a butcher on rolling terrain and low cut turf that it is never used on Bermudagrass. One reason I'm looking for a replacement for it.

I plan on testing a trimstar at the end of the season, after they have some time for feedback to roll in. But since there are about half a dozen gates I handle that the 48" can't get through, I'm not sure I can actually buy one. I can't see myself mowing some wider areas with a 36" deck mower.

[PaulJ]

Another idea for the hustler R & D people. Build a ca sulky. (which is the only kind that can be used with a hydro and utilize the hydro WB full potential) and built it using the flex forks for a smoother ride. Nothing else like it out there.

Your welcome

[PaulJ]

I know you are tired of me posting on this so I will go back to just cuttin' grass. No sence bringing out any of the stuff form my bs in Mech ag or the almost 20 years in the green industry. I guees I'll just get back on my one mower an shut up now.

Tell Ken thanks for the hat and stuff. I still think the H-bar is the best way to drive any mower.

[lampeslawnservice]

I have a couple ideas for Hustler. How about some how integrating a speedometer into the wheel motors. This would help me train people that you can't mow as fast as you can drive. Also a storage bin, glove box perhaps, made from plexiglass so you can see whats in there and when your cell phone is ringing.

[gene gls]

Ideas for Hustler Z's:

Two speed hydros,high-low range, for hills and flats.

Adjustable slide for the deck to shift it to the left side for better trim cutting.

[John Gamba]

I sorry if I sound rude eb-ut that is one of the biggest and dumbest thing I have ever heard. Your Super WB is the absolute best WB ever built and noone knows it. Hustler should be demoing these to everyone they can. NO other company even comes close for control, stability and POWER. Why should a WB be cheaper built than a rider?? A well built WB is MORE versital and A better machine for someone who can only have one main mower.
Or has Hustler forgot about the little guy?
I can understand if The standard frame with the same hp as the trim-stars seems like redundancy but IMOH A 48" deck needs at least 20hp to make be good commercial mower.
Also the super WB have almost the same deck as the XR7 already. I widened the discharge slightly and put airflow baffles (from the shortcut parts book) on mine and It sure looks close to the pics of the "new" deck.
Without the Super WB line there is going to be A huge hole in the marketplace. Just like Giving up on the shortcut.
Tell the brass to PLEASE reconsider this .


Paul I agree:clapping: Its time for them to put the 60" and the 66" on the super walk behind. What will hustler and other mower company's do when the end user finds out that there riders(big and small) are rutting, turf taring and are very slow in turns.

To me on smaller , medium lawns the walk rules because it turns faster with less damage to the turf.

John

[PaulJ]

John

When I hit the powerball then we can build our own mowers. take the best Ideas in the industry and the input from lawnsite members and build what works best. I don't understand why there isn't more shared licensing of ideas and technology in the mower industry like in the auto industry.

[John Gamba]

John

When I hit the powerball then we can build our own mowers. take the best Ideas in the industry and the input from lawnsite members and build what works best. I don't understand why there isn't more shared licensing of ideas and technology in the mower industry like in the auto industry.


I agree:) If they can see some of the rutting and turf compaction that i have seen here, they will build the ultimate walk now and not later.

I think it could be built and demoed to see what reaction it gets. We had the perfect weather this spring and early summer. My walk behind didnt rut or damage the turf in anyway.

The rider that i was using did more harm then good , i finally told the dealer to take it away and i have not looked back since.

Hustler!! Try and put the 60" xr7 deck on a walk so others can try it and give you feed back.
A 60" walk is a great back up mower to the 60" rider, it can also be great on the smaller lawns that you need to change your direction so you dont damage the turf.

Try it:hammerhead: What do you have to lose.

John

[HenryB]

I'd like to run all Hustler's but along with my 60 inch Z's I run a few 60 inch WB's (Exmark) because Hustler does not offer a 60 in WB. It's really easy to put a 60 in deck on their existing WB's.

[John Gamba]

I'd like to run all Hustler's but along with my 60 inch Z's I run a few 60 inch WB's (Exmark) because Hustler does not offer a 60 in WB. It's really easy to put a 60 in deck on their existing WB's.



Only time will tell:)