Mini or Super Mini?

[cybervision]

Hello, I am replacing my 60” Bunton walk-behind. After a lot of research I am ready to purchase a Mini Z 24/52 Honda. I am not sure if I should move up to the SuperMini or not. The price difference is very small. I have only been able to demo the mini and can't locate a Super Mini for Demo. My concern is if there is a difference in the fine control of the SuperMini when trimming. It would seem to me that with such a large increase in speed that the slower speed will be affected. For instance if you move the lever 1" on each machine will the Super be much faster. I am a homeowner with about 1-1/2 acre to cut and a lot of trimming. Also, I am planning on plowing snow with this unit and have heard of complaints about some Honda engines having cold weather problems. If this is the case I should get the Kawasaki. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Ed

[mowerconsultant]

For the price difference, I would go Super Mini if its minimal $'s, you just get so much more for your money.
You will be fine on the controls while trimming, they are very smooth and not jerky like other higher ground speed units.
As to the Honda vs Kawasaki..... both are great engines and both are going to act similar in cold weather.
Are you going to be storing the unit inside in the winter? you really should have a problem if you do, both units will need to be started a few minuted before you go to work in the cold weather.

Pj

[ZX12R]

"For the price difference, I would go Super Mini if its minimal $'s, you just get so much more for your money"


Wouls you mind posting on the "more for your money part"? I am trying to make a decision between a Hustler or an Ezmark. :hammerhead:

[blackandgold]

I love the Honda engines. But the 25 kaw has more torque and the 24 honda seems to foul plugs in cold weather and be harder starting. If it was my $, I would buy the 25 Kaw Super Mini Z.

[mowerconsultant]

"For the price difference, I would go Super Mini if its minimal $'s, you just get so much more for your money"


Wouls you mind posting on the "more for your money part"? I am trying to make a decision between a Hustler or an Ezmark. :hammerhead:

Larger pumps and wheel motors.
Hydro coolers with electric fan.
Suspension seat is standard.
13 mph = More productivity
Better warranty.
Patented parking brake, built into control levers.
Lifetime frame warranty
lifetime leading edge of deck warranty
3 year spindle warranty
2 years PARTS AND LABOR warranty

[cybervision]

I love the Honda engines. But the 25 kaw has more torque and the 24 honda seems to foul plugs in cold weather and be harder starting. If it was my $, I would buy the 25 Kaw Super Mini Z.
I just got off the phone with my dealer ordering the Super Mini with the 25hp Kaw and then your post came in. He was telling me the same thing. He has several of his long time customers (using other Brands) saying their newer 24 hondas have less power than when thay had the same machines with smaller Kaw's. And I love Honda engines. I have a 11hp Honda snowblower that easily throws snow 50 or more feet and runs great. Thanks, I can't wait to get the mower.

[blackandgold]

Ezmark doesn't make anything close to the Super Mini Z

[mowerconsultant]

I just got off the phone with my dealer ordering the Super Mini with the 25hp Kaw and then your post came in. He was telling me the same thing. He has several of his long time customers (using other Brands) saying their newer 24 hondas have less power than when thay had the same machines with smaller Kaw's. And I love Honda engines. I have a 11hp Honda snowblower that easily throws snow 50 or more feet and runs great. Thanks, I can't wait to get the mower.


Sweet!!
Welcome to the family!!!
Your gonna love your new ride.

Pj

[cybervision]

No so fast on getting in the Family. When I spoke to 3 of the local Hustler dealers they all said they could get the machine in 2 days from the distributor. Now that I ordered the unit it seems there are none to be had. Apparently nobody uses Super Mini Z around here so they don't bring any in. Most use the 19/52 Mini or Fastrac in the smaller sizes. I don't know where I stand yet. Besides wanting the new machine I want to get my 60" Bunton walkhind up for sale now. :confused:

[mowerconsultant]

No so fast on getting in the Family. When I spoke to 3 of the local Hustler dealers they all said they could get the machine in 2 days from the distributor. Now that I ordered the unit it seems there are none to be had. Apparently nobody uses Super Mini Z around here so they don't bring any in. Most use the 19/52 Mini or Fastrac in the smaller sizes. I don't know where I stand yet. Besides wanting the new machine I want to get my 60" Bunton walkhind up for sale now. :confused:

E-mail me your information and your dealer information and I will see what I can get done.

Pj

[cybervision]

Thanks for the offer. I will wait a few days though. I think the salesman and his other contacts were away. One was at the hustler Plant. Maybe the 19hp Kaw will be fine. The Super Mini may be overkill I am only cutting about 1 acre of grass on my own house. Our lawn does not grow very thick either. We live at the very top of a step hill and the only ground up here is rocks and clay. It is a constant struggle to keep the grass going. I would like to here from some people with the 19/52 Mini. Thank you, Ed

[cybervision]

Sorry, I have 1-1/2 acres to cut.

[mowerconsultant]

Ok.
Even a 19/52 will be plenty for you, your not really cutting to much grass.
There are many members here is the 19/52 Mini Z and I am sure they will post up.

Pj

[cybervision]

Hi Pj, My machine was delivered Saturday. It is Awesome. I am glad I went with the Super Mini. The Power is great. Also the suspension seat works well. I now have to work out using both Quik Chute and a Grass Gobbler. I spoke to York Sheet Metal about their Director. They say it will work with a catcher and Quik Chute says theirs won't. The Director is only made for Exmark so I will have to modify it. Anyway without your help I would not have the machine yet. I had a call from the distributor with several hours of you e-mailling them. You get thing done.
Thanks Again, Ed

[mowerconsultant]

I am not sure on the OCDC and a catcher since we don't offer them as accessories.
No problem on the help, that is what I am here for.
Enjoy your machine and welcome to the family!!

Pj

[cybervision]

Hi Pj,
When I was going through the information I received with the mower I noticed a blue envelope addressed to Hustler and I thought it might be for a registration form but there are no forms. All I have is the Owner's manual from both Hustler and Kawasaki and the Kawasaki warranty. Is there any other information I should have received? If so can any missing info be mailed or downloaded? Also, I was reading the other post about Super-Oil and extended warranties. What is this about or is it only for the FT?
Thank you, Ed

[mowerconsultant]

Your not missing anything, the blue envelope is for dealers that mail in the warranty registration, 99% of our dealers register the mowers online, so you have nothing to worry about, your not missing anything.
You need to buy and use Super Oil when you take delivery of the mower, it needs to be used from the initial break in oil change for the duration of the 4 years.
Talk to your dealer about the Super Oil, they will take care of you, it is for consumer and commercial products.

Pj

[cybervision]

I am very disappointed with the cutting performance with this machine. I just came in from mowing and the grass is very heavy as normal in the spring. I have re-cut several times and still can't get rid of the clippings. Even in the lighter areas the clippings are much too heavy. Also, when turning there are strips that are not cut, even on smaller turns. I have ordered a set of Gator blades and hoping they will be enough of an improvement. I have been using them on my Bunton for the past 4 years. I even have the teeth sharpened. I rarely had areas that needed a second pass and if they did the clippings would disappear. I will be calling the dealer tomorrow to let him know where I stand. I am in need of a miracle. Thank you, Ed

[mowerconsultant]

Ed,
Make sure you talk to your dealer and make sure you / they check belt tension and deck level and pitch also.
The dealer can take care of all of this also.
With the stock Fusion blades it should cut like a dream.
Let me know either here or via email how it cuts after these are checked.

Pj

[cybervision]

The deck was way out. There was a 3/4" inch difference from left front to right rear. Not only that when the pin was set for 3-1/4" the lowest point on the deck was 1-3/4" from the ground. I have a flat garage floor and moved it around to different spots to verify. I think the deck is now correct but I ran our of time to double check. The other problem is the right front adjuster would not move without loosening the bolt the chain is attached to. I will investigate this later. So not only was I cutting much lower than I thought I was using a tilted deck. I have a question, when the deck is in transport should the 2 bars on the back top be up against the frame? Thank you for your help, Ed

[mowerconsultant]

The deck was way out. There was a 3/4" inch difference from left front to right rear. Not only that when the pin was set for 3-1/4" the lowest point on the deck was 1-3/4" from the ground. I have a flat garage floor and moved it around to different spots to verify. I think the deck is now correct but I ran our of time to double check. The other problem is the right front adjuster would not move without loosening the bolt the chain is attached to. I will investigate this later. So not only was I cutting much lower than I thought I was using a tilted deck. I have a question, when the deck is in transport should the 2 bars on the back top be up against the frame? Thank you for your help, Ed

Your dealer needs to adjust the deck height also, it sounds like it is way out.
When the deck is up all the way the pusher bars will be real close or touching the frame, again the dealer needs to adjust this, it is under warranty let us take care of you.

Pj

[cybervision]

The deck is now leveled and cut is at least flat. I still sometimes get a small strip of uncut grass between the blades when making right turns. I cut the lawn last night under the best of conditions and I still had to go over areas of to get rid of the clippings. I was planning on trying the gators next but I think that will decrease the forward speed. Compared to the finished cut of my 60" Bunton the Hustler does not compare. The dispersion from these smaller decks are not very good. I was afraid the smaller and shorter deck would not work that well but I was told by 2 dealers this would outperform my Bunton. I am so disappointed I just want to return it and look for something else. Mowing should not be this difficult. If I had the chance to demo this on my lawn I would have never purchased it. And to think they tried to sell me the Fastrac which is even smaller. Disappointed in PA. , Ed