28 Efi On 60 Inch Super Z Bogging

[DESTEFANO3782]

I Just Bought This Mower Brand New Last Week And Noticed That When You Are On Even Slight Inclines Trying To Climb The Engine Really Boggs Down. Is This Normal?

[mowerconsultant]

Bogs down as in feels like its running out of fuel?

[TLS]

I found that hills and speed affect the RPM's of this mower WAY more than cutting heavy grass does.

[DESTEFANO3782]

its like the rpms are falling becasue its working to hard and im loosing blade speed. i have to slow down and let the rpms pick up again.

[mowerconsultant]

With the larger pumps you need to slow down a bit when working on slopes, they require a little more hp.
Slow down and let the RPM's stay higher and you will be fine.
If you feel that it is excessive, then have your dealer take a look at the mower, they can check the RPM's and make sure it is to spec.

Pj

[tacoma200]

With the larger pumps you need to slow down a bit when working on slopes, they require a little more hp.
Slow down and let the RPM's stay higher and you will be fine.
If you feel that it is excessive, then have your dealer take a look at the mower, they can check the RPM's and make sure it is to spec.

Pj
After test driving I can tell you that this is true. Big pumps and motors take alot of hp going up hills. After testing my Lazer which has a top speed of 10 mph and getting on a Hustler the Hustler felt like a little rocket when shooting across the parking lot. When the blades are engaged though it was like taking off in second gear in an auto. Takes a while to get up to speed without bogging it down. So going up hill would be a strain more so on a mower that would run 15 mph than one that will run 10. So it's a bit of a trade off faster speed overall but a little less lugging power on steep area's. This is assuming you have the same engine. Just slow down on grades. We all do unless you have 35 hp or something and your still will probably loose some speed.

[lazer9284]

you are spining 21cc pumps .....that takes a lot of power in itself, cut side to side instead, and not load up the deck with grass.
you cannot cut good and go up hill with that thing too.

[puppypaws]

I Just Bought This Mower Brand New Last Week And Noticed That When You Are On Even Slight Inclines Trying To Climb The Engine Really Boggs Down. Is This Normal?I believe you have another problem when you are talking about slight inclines that motor should not be bogging any because I know you are not throwing it to full speed, change tanks and see if it has the same problem. I had a friend with the 28 efi going down hill and turning to the right it would lose fuel so he changed tanks and it stopped so that told him it was a fuel pick up problem and not the engine.

[TLS]

Yeah,

I'm not too happy with the fuel pickup design. The hoses seem to want to reside in the rear well of the tank. That isn't the lowest point in the tank. I still see fuel in the sight gauge in the front, yet I run out. Look in tank and see pickup tube in the rear.

I grabbed the tube and lowered it into the front section, but somehow, it really likes the rear, as the next time I got low, it ran out again and it was back in the rear.

Why not just have a bottom pickup on the lowest portion of the tank like a Lazer?

Good thing is, I've been getting real good at switching tanks w/o needing to prime!

[DESTEFANO3782]

its not the fuel, but i agree the hoses do go to the back. this is new england so we have alot of slopes. the check engine light also comes on when im mowing slopes as well. its really starting to urk me because 1 have a 23 kawi on a wright stander and its been doin these same hills for 3 years and doesnt even flinch??????????????????????

[TLS]

Oil light or check engine light?

You are checking the dipstick correctly...right?

[MJB]

I just demoed the 26 hp l/c Kawasaki and the 66" deck and had the same problem on hills. Some of my hills are very steep and I had to almost stop to keep the engine rpm up, then this creates a problem of getting traction and bogging the engine down to get up the hill. Otherwise this machine is great. Also I am mulching with the mulch kit which uses more hp too.

[puppypaws]

I just demoed the 26 hp l/c Kawasaki and the 66" deck and had the same problem on hills. Some of my hills are very steep and I had to almost stop to keep the engine rpm up, then this creates a problem of getting traction and bogging the engine down to get up the hill. Otherwise this machine is great. Also I am mulching with the mulch kit which uses more hp too.You just don't have enough engine in a lot of situations if you cannot keep the rpm's up you lose what the mower is designed to do. I have the 28 efi and it feels like 30+ hp beside the 27's I have owned, nobody will be able to see how well these XR-7 decks perform unless they have enough engine to pull the big pumps and keep the blade speed up so it can cut and disperse the grass like it was designed for. When you run one with enough power it is like a totally different machine and I personally would buy a 35 efi tomorrow if they offered one because I never seen what I thought was to much power, the more power the easier the operation.

[gene gls]

You will ruin the pumps and/or wheel motors on a Super Z trying to climb steep areas. I know from experance, been there done that. I had mine changed over to the ATZ pumps and wheel motors. Its like night and day. Every one thinks they need speed but most seldom can ever use it. Hustler needs to design a 2 speed wheel motor just like a hi-lo range in a truck transmission.

[MJB]

gene gls I like your hi low idea after running this machine. Even on long gradual climbs is pulls the engine down considerably. How did you lose pumps from climbing hills? I have been mowing these hills for 10 + yrs and have not lost a pump yet. I used Exmark and Walker and Grasshopper all over 3000 hrs and are slowing way down now but I expected that after 3000 hrs.
Which machines gave you the pump problems ?

Puppypaws I will be trying a Lastec 61" mulching mower tommorrow with the 28 Kohler EFI and I will take it thru the same hills and compare power etc. The Lastec does not have the high speed pumps but they are fast enough at 10 or 11 mph. I've got to find someone in my small town qualified to work on the EFI before I buy one.

[puppypaws]

gene gls I like your hi low idea after running this machine. Even on long gradual climbs is pulls the engine down considerably. How did you lose pumps from climbing hills? I have been mowing these hills for 10 + yrs and have not lost a pump yet. I used Exmark and Walker and Grasshopper all over 3000 hrs and are slowing way down now but I expected that after 3000 hrs.
Which machines gave you the pump problems ?

Puppypaws I will be trying a Lastec 61" mulching mower tommorrow with the 28 Kohler EFI and I will take it thru the same hills and compare power etc. The Lastec does not have the high speed pumps but they are fast enough at 10 or 11 mph. I've got to find someone in my small town qualified to work on the EFI before I buy one.Let us know what you think good or bad in comparison. The Kohler rep told me himself the 28 efi would feel as strong as the 30 if not stronger because of the fuel injection and no throttle lag and probably would save 30% on fuel because the 30 hp Kohler liked gas.

[gene gls]

gene gls I like your hi low idea after running this machine. Even on long gradual climbs is pulls the engine down considerably. How did you lose pumps from climbing hills? I have been mowing these hills for 10 + yrs and have not lost a pump yet. I used Exmark and Walker and Grasshopper all over 3000 hrs and are slowing way down now but I expected that after 3000 hrs.
Which machines gave you the pump problems ?

Puppypaws I will be trying a Lastec 61" mulching mower tommorrow with the 28 Kohler EFI and I will take it thru the same hills and compare power etc. The Lastec does not have the high speed pumps but they are fast enough at 10 or 11 mph. I've got to find someone in my small town qualified to work on the EFI before I buy one.

MJB,
I lost 3 wheel motors in 2.5 years on my Hustler Super Z 60"........I blame it on the hills due to the strain on the machine. I just replaced my engin at 1680 hours. Now I have a new machine with all the parts that have been replaced.....I would also like to hear about your demo on the Lastec.....

[thegoswicks1105]

i have had my super z 28 efi for about a year now and keep having the same problem. the problem is that it acts like its running out of gas, puts alot of black smoke out of the muffler and will sometimes die. it only does this when the blades are on. if i kill the mower or the blades when this is happening sometimes it wont crank back up or re-engage, sometimes it will but the idle is way too low to even move, and sometimes it is fine. the dealer says that it is a loose battery connection but that hasnt solved it for the third time. personally, i dont see how a loose connection could cause all that. all this started at about a 100 hours, its up to 400 now and has been doing it off and on since. i was just wondering if you might know what is going on since I nor my dealer can figure it out. thanks

[MJB]

MJB,
I lost 3 wheel motors in 2.5 years on my Hustler Super Z 60"........I blame it on the hills due to the strain on the machine. I just replaced my engin at 1680 hours. Now I have a new machine with all the parts that have been replaced.....I would also like to hear about your demo on the Lastec.....
Thanks Gene for the headsup on possible wheel motor problems with hills. I notice it would surge going up a hill at the start and wondered how long they might last in the conditions. Which engine do you have air or liquid cooled ? I will let you know about the Lastec hopefully it will arrive tommorrow.

[mowerconsultant]

i was just wondering if you might know what is going on since I nor my dealer can figure it out. thanks

E-mail me and I will get our customer service guys involved here and get this fixed for you.

[gene gls]

i have had my super z 28 efi for about a year now and keep having the same problem. the problem is that it acts like its running out of gas, puts alot of black smoke out of the muffler and will sometimes die. it only does this when the blades are on. if i kill the mower or the blades when this is happening sometimes it wont crank back up or re-engage, sometimes it will but the idle is way too low to even move, and sometimes it is fine. the dealer says that it is a loose battery connection but that hasnt solved it for the third time. personally, i dont see how a loose connection could cause all that. all this started at about a 100 hours, its up to 400 now and has been doing it off and on since. i was just wondering if you might know what is going on since I nor my dealer can figure it out. thanks

Sorry, I can't help you. I have the 25 Kawi. It could very well be a bad wire connection. Mine died the other day. Thought it was the fuel pump but it ended up being a cellinoid on the carb.

[gene gls]

Thanks Gene for the headsup on possible wheel motor problems with hills. I notice it would surge going up a hill at the start and wondered how long they might last in the conditions. Which engine do you have air or liquid cooled ? I will let you know about the Lastec hopefully it will arrive tommorrow.

I have the 25 Kawi air cooled.

[MJB]

MJB,
I lost 3 wheel motors in 2.5 years on my Hustler Super Z 60"........I blame it on the hills due to the strain on the machine. I just replaced my engin at 1680 hours. Now I have a new machine with all the parts that have been replaced.....I would also like to hear about your demo on the Lastec.....
Gene I just ordered a Hustler 66" xr7 30kohler. The Lastec was delivered but the dealer up here is Toro and they screwed everything up. The mower looks cool but it would not cut worth a darn set up to rear discharge. I asked for a mulching kit it was 1/2 installed. I waited 2 weeks for the 3 plates to make it mulch they forgot to send them. So I have this nice Lastec machine for 2 weeks and only mowed a couple of lawns with that setup.

I don't blame Lastec at all for what happened I blame this Toro dealer that took on Lastec they are known for this. I had to call Lastec to get anything done and they always responded right away. But this Toro rep was very confused it seemed.
The Lastec works great in articulating with the undulating surface. Really cool. This mower does not have the offset trim side like I'm getting with the Hustler Super Z.
The striper is a rubber flap that works well. But I could not cut grass cleanly with this setup. I would tell anyone who has a dealer for Lastec in their area to check it out. I might look at them again in 3 yrs to run with my Hustler.

[CutApproved]

I just don't get it.. All you here all day on here is how Hustler will back you up. Your designing COMMERCIAL EQUIPMENT,, why in the world would you loose RPM on ANY of your machines,, that to me is a design flaw. You have to predict that when you sell these machines that some customers are going to have to climb hills,, speed is great but lets not use this speed only when cutting flat surfaces or GOING DOWNHILL. The bigger pumps is what always attracted me to Hustler but I'm still waiting to purchase a Hustler,, either the Super Mini 52" or SuperZ 54",, there are some lawns that it would be too difficult and time consuming to cut sideways.

PJ,, why why why would the design team put a machine out there like the Super Z 60" with a 25hp, 26 or 27hp and have it bog on you or especially loose RPM's. I have an Exmark and the only thing I loose on a hill is spead,, rpms never goes down.
A Exmark 52", 23hp Kaw compared to a Super Z 60 with a 27hp engine should perform the same... RIGHT?

I'm still looking but dam I'm glad I didn't jump into this.. Also having to buy a 28EFI or 30 whatever it is, to me is an expense that just doesn't cut it.

I still think Hustler has great equipment ,,, BUT you gotta admit that no machine should be loosing so much rpm's that you have to slow down.

Feed back

[gene gls]

Gene I just ordered a Hustler 66" xr7 30kohler. The Lastec was delivered but the dealer up here is Toro and they screwed everything up. The mower looks cool but it would not cut worth a darn set up to rear discharge. I asked for a mulching kit it was 1/2 installed. I waited 2 weeks for the 3 plates to make it mulch they forgot to send them. So I have this nice Lastec machine for 2 weeks and only mowed a couple of lawns with that setup.

I don't blame Lastec at all for what happened I blame this Toro dealer that took on Lastec they are known for this. I had to call Lastec to get anything done and they always responded right away. But this Toro rep was very confused it seemed.
The Lastec works great in articulating with the undulating surface. Really cool. This mower does not have the offset trim side like I'm getting with the Hustler Super Z.
The striper is a rubber flap that works well. But I could not cut grass cleanly with this setup. I would tell anyone who has a dealer for Lastec in their area to check it out. I might look at them again in 3 yrs to run with my Hustler.


Thanks MJB, Its important to have a good dealer. My Lastec dealer is 2 hours away. I'm interested....

[mowerconsultant]

There is nothing wrong with the design, if it looses RPM's (as all mowers will do) you are going to fast for the conditions.
I can get on ANY BRAND of mower and bog the engine down, it doesn't matter what hp or drive system is in the mower, I CAN bog it or even stall it, its a matter of what your cutting, how tall, how wet and how fast you drive through it.

[CutApproved]

PJ,

I stand CORRECTED. I did my own test last night (w/ Exmark)

Everyone needs to also understand why a SuperZ with a 60" deck (or any mower) would "bog down"

1st to stand behind Hustler. Yes they have bigger hydros which needs more power,
Q: How fast are you going when your Hustler bogs down,, maybe 8-10mph
But yet your stiff arming your controls and have the "pedal to the metal"

I can probally guess you are,, well if thats the case your asking the machine to do 15mph (yeah thats right) Make sure you keep this in mind when your complaining that the machine doesn't have enought power.

Now I'm on a rampage,,, PJ again your right!!

You can't expect a machine with this size to rip through 6-8" of grass going full speed,, and all the while ON A DAM HILL.

Come on people,, lets rethink what were complaining about when we get bored.

Bigger Hydros, large deck, big hill.. It wasn't design to tackle this hill at 15mph like it says the top speed is.
The only time you should be doing 15mph is when your done cutting blades are off and you running to get back to your trailer to get to you next lawn.

OR if you cutting a parking lot or golf course that doesn't have any bumps..

I love it when guys are full throttle full speed and are bouncing all over the place and wonder,,,Hmmm WHATS WRONG WITH THIS MACHINE ITS NOT CUTTING PROPERLY.

The 27HP motor and 28EFI is plenty of power for these machines in MOST normal cutting conditions. If you don't think so go buy a bobcat,scag or exmark and hit the same hill,, you'll be surprised that you only gonna be traveling at about 8mph's

Whewww,, I'm done venting.. tks for listening.

[MJB]

PJ,

I stand CORRECTED. I did my own test last night (w/ Exmark)

Everyone needs to also understand why a SuperZ with a 60" deck (or any mower) would "bog down"

1st to stand behind Hustler. Yes they have bigger hydros which needs more power,
Q: How fast are you going when your Hustler bogs down,, maybe 8-10mph
But yet your stiff arming your controls and have the "pedal to the metal"

I can probally guess you are,, well if thats the case your asking the machine to do 15mph (yeah thats right) Make sure you keep this in mind when your complaining that the machine doesn't have enought power.

Now I'm on a rampage,,, PJ again your right!!

You can't expect a machine with this size to rip through 6-8" of grass going full speed,, and all the while ON A DAM HILL.

Come on people,, lets rethink what were complaining about when we get bored.

Bigger Hydros, large deck, big hill.. It wasn't design to tackle this hill at 15mph like it says the top speed is.
The only time you should be doing 15mph is when your done cutting blades are off and you running to get back to your trailer to get to you next lawn.

OR if you cutting a parking lot or golf course that doesn't have any bumps..

I love it when guys are full throttle full speed and are bouncing all over the place and wonder,,,Hmmm WHATS WRONG WITH THIS MACHINE ITS NOT CUTTING PROPERLY.

The 27HP motor and 28EFI is plenty of power for these machines in MOST normal cutting conditions. If you don't think so go buy a bobcat,scag or exmark and hit the same hill,, you'll be surprised that you only gonna be traveling at about 8mph's

Whewww,, I'm done venting.. tks for listening.

I will know tommorrow how well the 30 does on hills. But the 26 LC did bog down more than my Exmark by far,. My Exmark will go 2 times as fast up a steep hill as the Hustler I demoed. The Super Z 66" would start at about 6mph at the bottom and top the hill doing about 1- 2 mph. I would back off the controls that much . I never make the 1st pass over 5 or 6mph. I'm not saying this is a big problem just an adjustment to how I usually mow with my Grasshopper or Exmark.

[tacoma200]

PJ,

I stand CORRECTED. I did my own test last night (w/ Exmark)

Everyone needs to also understand why a SuperZ with a 60" deck (or any mower) would "bog down"

1st to stand behind Hustler. Yes they have bigger hydros which needs more power,
Q: How fast are you going when your Hustler bogs down,, maybe 8-10mph
But yet your stiff arming your controls and have the "pedal to the metal"

I can probally guess you are,, well if thats the case your asking the machine to do 15mph (yeah thats right) Make sure you keep this in mind when your complaining that the machine doesn't have enought power.

Now I'm on a rampage,,, PJ again your right!!

You can't expect a machine with this size to rip through 6-8" of grass going full speed,, and all the while ON A DAM HILL.

Come on people,, lets rethink what were complaining about when we get bored.

Bigger Hydros, large deck, big hill.. It wasn't design to tackle this hill at 15mph like it says the top speed is.
The only time you should be doing 15mph is when your done cutting blades are off and you running to get back to your trailer to get to you next lawn.

OR if you cutting a parking lot or golf course that doesn't have any bumps..

I love it when guys are full throttle full speed and are bouncing all over the place and wonder,,,Hmmm WHATS WRONG WITH THIS MACHINE ITS NOT CUTTING PROPERLY.

The 27HP motor and 28EFI is plenty of power for these machines in MOST normal cutting conditions. If you don't think so go buy a bobcat,scag or exmark and hit the same hill,, you'll be surprised that you only gonna be traveling at about 8mph's

Whewww,, I'm done venting.. tks for listening.
I agree, normal mowing speeds no problems with the 27/60 combo on hills. You don't have to push the handles as far forward to achieve the speed of most other mowers.

[DESTEFANO3782]

my 60/28efi is so screwed up it only has 60 hrs and the oil light and engine light keep coming on and forget the hills it looses power just trying to do a zero turn and my dealer says they dont know why. i paid top dollar for this machine a month ago and if i dont get a new one that works right i might be out of business soon. thanks hustler

[mowerconsultant]

DESTEFANO3782,
I have contacted our regional representatives again, we will get this taken care of.

Pj

[puppypaws]

my 60/28efi is so screwed up it only has 60 hrs and the oil light and engine light keep coming on and forget the hills it looses power just trying to do a zero turn and my dealer says they dont know why. i paid top dollar for this machine a month ago and if i dont get a new one that works right i might be out of business soon. thanks hustlerYour dealer needs to let you use a good mower so you can continue to make a living and keep your customers satisfied, you have an excellent engine which has a problem that is not your responsibility. Your dealer, Hustler and Kohler should come together and make sure your mower is in perfect condition before they bring it back to you no matter how long it takes as long as you have something comparable to operate. I know Hustler and Kohler will do their part as long as your dealer gets on the stick and makes things happen. I am very sorry this happened to you it kind of puts a bad taste in your mouth but your dealer, Hustler and Kohler can make this a whole lot easier to swallow. GOOD LUCK!

[MJB]

I mowed friday for the first time with my Super Z. The hills were a problem I don't know why people out here design 30% slopes into so many lawns but they do. Anyway I have been mowing these for 10 plus yrs. My Exmark is old but still pulls the hills very well. The problem I am running into might be the Kohler starts to cut out on steep slopes over certain degrees because I start at the bottom and creep up the slope near the top it will sputter and I stop briefly then push ahead. Possibly I need the carb update also , should know real soon on that.

[D and H Seasonal Services]

my 60/28efi is so screwed up it only has 60 hrs and the oil light and engine light keep coming on and forget the hills it looses power just trying to do a zero turn and my dealer says they dont know why. i paid top dollar for this machine a month ago and if i dont get a new one that works right i might be out of business soon. thanks hustler


I have the 28efi/66 and had nothing but problems from day one. From the first lawn I cut with it, the deck gets coated with grass on the under side. It is continuously bogging down.and even cut out on me once. It only has 38 hours on it. I call my sales rep and I get; there is not a deck in the world that will not have grass stick to it. I say - so much for the all mighty XR-7 deck. I am not impressed at all. I would love to sell it right back to the dealer I purchased it from. I have spent alot of money on this machine and it now sits with a for sale sign on it. If Hustler backs their machines, they should be willing to buy them back from a unsatisfied customer at a fair price !!!

[DESTEFANO3782]

The Mower Sticks To Slopes Like Glue But Runs Like Garbage On Them. Mower Consultant I Am Sick Of Them Trying To Fix The Problems The Mower Runs Worse And Worse Everytime. I Really Need Somebody To Contact Me So I Can Get To The Bottom Of This

[DESTEFANO3782]

I Need Hustler To Help Me Here

[DESTEFANO3782]

Any One Else Haveing This Problem

[CutApproved]

Thats interesting you brought up the CARB,, maybe thats the problem,, not Kohler or Hustler.. Bad carb or underpowered carb would cause problems.

Good pick up.

[TLS]

I think the problem is C.A.R.B. !

Emissions....it's all about emissions.