Bought a new Hustler Walkbehind...with a twist!

[JLC]

Just wanted to share my most recent purchase with the Lawnsite members. Please read the whole post though because the purchase is not near as cool as the way it was acquired. Friday I bought a Hustler Hydro Walkbehind. It is a 17 horse with a 54 inch cut. I've only put a few hours on the machine, but I already really like it. The quality of cut is great and it has plenty of power to drag me on a Pro-slide. I also really like the controls, very simple to run.

Even better yet is how I became the owner of the machine. I have been excited about about the Hustler product line and really liked their products at the Expo this year, but due to the lack of a local dealer I'd pretty much conceded the fact that I would have to buy another Scag. I'd posted a thread about whether to buy a 17 or 21 horse Scag and I believe Crazygator replied back to check out Hustler. I responded that I really like their products and would be using them now but my closest dealer was terrible, no models in stock, not getting any, no parts inventory, no downtime policy, etc. At the end of my post I joked that maybe Hustler would sell to me direct. Here is where things get neat! The next day I got a private message from Paul Mullet, President of Excel Hustler, saying that they were trying to build their dealer network in Iowa and in fact at the end of the week they would be traveling north to meet with a prospective distributor and passing within a half hour of me on I35. He said that he would have a 72" Super Z and a 17 horse 54" Hydro Walkbehind on their trailer. He said that he would like to see me running Hustler products and would sell the walkbehind to me direct until they get a local dealer set up. We negotiated a price and a date was set to try the mower. Friday came and Paul and his son Adam, who I met at the Expo, pulled into my "testing lawn" with the two mowers. As you've already been told I liked the Walkbehind enough to buy it. It would run the nasty hills on the testing lawn without breaking a sweat which is one of the main reasons I was looking at a walkbehind. I also got some great seat time, about 30 to 45 minutes, in the Super Z and was VERY impressed with it. I expected the 25 horse to be marginal for the 72" deck. Wrong. It was more than adequate to cut some decent length grass going up a grade. The top end was pretty awesome as well. The slope handling was awesome too. I had it on a good sidehill and there was not even a hint of being out of control. I was still planted good enough to be able to maneuver the machine. I will most likely be looking to purchase one of these machines as well. I was most impressed though with Paul and Adams willingness to come out of their way to my town and wait while I tested the machines to get me the mower I really wanted. It is truly testiment to the fact that they believe in their products and want to make guys like me happy Hustler owners. I will say that if their products are anywhere near as good as their willingness to serve their customers I will be more than happy. It makes quite a statement about their company as well. I know this post is lengthy, but I felt that this could not go without recognition. There are too many companies who could care less who owns their equipment, but clearly Excel Hustler has displayed to me that they think differently and that simply needs to be acknowledged. If anyone has any questions about how any of the two mowers that I used performed, I would be glad to go into greater detail, but I will leave it at this for now.

Ben Johnson
Johnson Lawn Care

[KirbysLawn]

Great post and thanks for the info!

It's nice to hear that they did so much for you to try out their machine! I have a friend who has always used Great Danes, I've mentioned him before, he has started converting to Hustler and is very happy. He was happy with Great Dane, but with the merger with JD and the uncertainty of it's future v/s the service and quality of Hustler he choose them and is very happy.

I will also consider them in the future due to their activity in this forum and their interaction with customers as shown above.

[Esby]

I am very impressed with that testimonial. If only Exmark would drop down and give that kind of customer service. I'm not saying they're customer service is even close to poor, but that is on a much more personal level that you just dont expect from a large industrial company. I wish you the best of luck with your Hustler, and let us know how it preforms down the road. I am always looking at new equipment and am never afraid to try something new. Congradulations on your steller purchase.

[vipermanz]

Cool!!!!!!!, I think i will go with hustler when i get full commercial

[65hoss]

Very impressive. :)

There are a few manufacturers that believe in quality and service.

[dhicks]

That's what I've been talking about for over a year. The Hustler is a great machine. I have nothing but the utmost respect for Excelhustler Corp. Mr. Paul, his staff and my Hustler dealer.

It don't get any better than this.

[Vandora Lawn & Landscape]

Bravo hustler. Way to go above and beyond the call of duty.

[lawrence stone]

Originally posted by JLC
Friday I bought a Hustler Hydro Walkbehind. It is a 17 horse with a 54 inch cut. I've only put a few hours on the machine, but I already really like it. The quality of cut is great and it has plenty of power to drag me on a Pro-slide.



Could you post a pic of how you mounted the proslide to the machine?

I recall from pics of the Hustler that the area where a sulky would mount is on an angle.

[JLC]

The slider bolts to the holes already drilled by the factory. I will post a photo hopefully tonight showing how it looks.

[Eric ELM]

Great post Ben. Once Hustler gets more dealers set up, I feel you will see their products on lawns all over the USA.

[AltaLawnCare]

Info like this is what LS is for.

I agree with Eric, Hustler is gonna be a very heavy hitter.

[mowerconsultant]

Hey Ben,
Great to hear !!!!
As I told you when we first made contact before Expo, That we would make sure you are happy.
I am glad you worked out the deal with Paul.
Now all you need is that Super Z.................
You will be more than pleased with your purchase..

Later
Pj

[roscioli]

Land pride is made by Hustler, right? If it is, can someone answer me these questions?: I went to check out Z's the other day, looked at landpride and exmark 60". The landpride had the 23hp Kawi, and the Exmark had a 25 Kohler. THe dealer is discounting the Landpride to $6500, it has the foot controlled deck height deal, which I dont know if that is standard or what, and it seemed like a real solid machine. I like the Kawi name. My gut says go eXmark, but I dont like the Kohler name. Anyway, the Landpride hydro system whined, is this normal? THe landpride has no hour meter like the exmark did, and smaller tires. Is it a good deal at $6500, and is the Hydro whine a normal thing for all ZTR's? (I have never owned one before). Thanks.

oh yeah, and if the Landpride IS made by Hustler, your testimony says a whole heck of a lot about the company, definately elevating it to the status that eXmark has in my mind anyway. But, who would I be dealing with if I ever had a problem with the Landpride, LP, or Hustler?

[mowerconsultant]

The Landpride is made by Hustler.
The hour meter is down by the engine, on the right side if your sitting on the machine.
Smaller tires ???
Was this Landpride a 52" unit ?
The 52" unit does have smaller rear tires than the 60" unit
If it was a 60" it has 24 X 12 tires in the rear and the front is a 13 X 6.50
The foot operated deck lift is standard on the Landpride and the Hustler.
As far as a Hydro whine is concerned......
Was the unit at full throttle ?

Later
Pj

[crazygator]

I'm glad you got the Hustler and the Mullet's were so helpful. I am still having problems with our dealer, so it may force me another direction until they fix the dealer here in Nashville. I still want the hustler walkbehind but our dealer support is terrible. I wish you many hours on your proslide/Hustler combo.

[roscioli]

Thanks mowerconsultant. You know, i may have been imagining the smaller tires, and it definately was NOT at full throttle, didnt even think about that. So, my other question was who would I deal with if there was a problem? Is the hour meter standard, because I looked, and while I very well may have just passed over it, I didnt see one. Thanks!

[mowerconsultant]

You would deal with Landpride if you bought it from a Landpride dealer
Same goes for a Hustler unit.
The Landpride has a meter on it.
Here is the link to the online parts and owners manuals for the Landpride unit, open em up you will find it on page 27 or 29 in the owners manual, it also shows where it is located.
You will need adobe to view the manuals.
http://www.landpride.com/lp/manuals/zt_manuals.html

Later
Pj

[danlawnser]

I really like my Great Dane but like Kirby I think I may look at the hustler z over the chariot only with the deere merger. Hey mowerconsultant is it easy to run double blades on the hustlers?

[mowerconsultant]

Originally posted by danlawnser
Hey mowerconsultant is it easy to run double blades on the hustlers?
Sure is....... just need to put a longer bolt in when putting doubles on.

[crazygator]

danlawnser,
Yes you can run doubles. But why, if you don't need to?
I talked to the owner Paul Mullet, and he didnt say not to or that doubles are trouble for his Hustlers, just that they feel you do not have to run doubles because the cut and mulching capabilities are that good without!

[SLS]

I demoed a Landpride 60" at a local John Deere dealer back in the spring. I immediately preferred it over the M665 Z-TRAK. Especially in the deck area.

I thought it was a very nice mower for the money ($6000). It appeared to be well constructed and designed, had plenty of power, and was smooth to operate.

If I had known it was made by Hustler I may have gotten it but the dealer was not very helpful (wanted to sell me a Deere, of course) and I wrongly assumed it was a new brand manufacturer (with no track record) and therefore I was timid about making the investment. I wound up getting a Lazer instead...and totally happy with it BTW.

I did see the hour meter down beside the engine...if memory serves me correctly. I think the Landpride and the Hustler deserve consideration. :)

[Allyn]

Hey crazygator. do you think that Hustler on the Z model, will ever put the sticks in the middle (between the legs) like the Toto Z? It is nice, but I drove snow cat for 10 years I got use to it. But one hand drives both wheels.

Allyn:blob2:

[hustlers]

yes, there service is great

I bought a shortcut bac-vac when it first came out and there
were problems with the front wheel size knocking over
grass and missed being cut. It took a while but
they sent me a whole new deck frame for free and a
54 in. sd for $200 a $1250 deck to get me buy before
we fixed the mulching deck. I am super happy with
the machine now and also own a walker
I felt these 2 companies are outstanding amd
will definitely keep giving them my money because
they worked for it and deserved it.

Also- I want to hear more about the super Z and how
smooth it runs and cuts

[crazygator]

Originally posted by Allyn
Hey crazygator. do you think that Hustler on the Z model, will ever put the sticks in the middle (between the legs) like the Toto Z?
Allyn:blob2:
I can only imagine that if Mr. Paul Mullet gets enough request from user's wanting a machine with the center drive handles then they very well will build it. Excel Hustler is a rare company. They not only build great machines, but the people behind it work hard for us, the user. They want our thoughts and idea's so they can continue to provide the ultimate in customer service and satisfaction. With that in mind, look at the web site and send in your request for the center handles, and you never know what may happen.

http://www.excelhustler.com

[Eric ELM]

Crazygator, you speak highly of Hustler. I didn't even know you had one of their machines. Which one did you get and how do you like it? Does it stripe the grass down there nice and how many hours do you have on it? Can you post any pictures of your lawns mowed with it?

The one I mowed with seemed nice and looked like it was built good.

You mentioned you don't need double blades on this mower. Most mowers will mow fine with single blades, but they just cut better with doubles in my opinion.

I guess this is enough questions for now. Let us know the answers to all my questions. ;)

[crazygator]

Eric,
I do not have a Hustler yet. As you should know we are having trouble with the dealer here (just ask mowerconsultant), and therefore am still waiting on a walkbehind. I have demo'd the walkbehinds and it not only cuts well (with single's) it can stripe with the best of them. When I get it I will make sure you get a picture asap. Dhicks has posted some pictures of his Hustlers job, so you can get an idea of the quality. As far as doubles, yes they do cut better, because of more blade surface, but you can still cut and stripe with a single blade too.
I have done an extensive search into Hustler. I have a background in machinery sales, so I have talked with many friends who have sold equipment to Excel/Hustler to find out more as to how they are to deal with. Also I talked with all the guys at the Expo to see what their attitude was, knowledge level and general helpfulness. On a scale of 1-10 they were perfect 10! I also have been studying Hustler because I am interested in setting up a dealership with them here. No, I am no expert! But I have a good bit of information about the company, workforce, manufacturing, and machines built. I feel they are 1 of, if not the best built mower on the market. You may feel different, but isnt that what makes us who we are??? I hope this covers everything for you!

[danlawnser]

hey thanks for the help. I am still thinking of the hustler z but the chariot is still a nice rig. It is going to be a hard decision.

[mowerconsultant]

Originally posted by danlawnser
hey thanks for the help. I am still thinking of the hustler z but the chariot is still a nice rig. It is going to be a hard decision.
Go and demo the Hustler Z, you will not find a smoother operating control system, in my opinion.

Later
Pj

[JLC]

Still loving the Hustler. The quality of cut is just great! I'll second mowerconsultant on the Hustler Z controls. They are very smooth compared to my Scag. Check out the Hustler before you buy.

Still trying to get a pic of the Proslide on the machine for those who are waiting. Don't have my own digital camera.

[danlawnser]

my dealer sells both hustler and Great Dane. dane. I will make sure to demo them both before I buy. Another thing is I really want to wait until about Christmas time when I can get a little better prices. hey mowerconsultant how heavy is the z with the 52 inch cut. I haven't seen any specs dealing with weight. thanks

[mowerconsultant]

The 52" Hustler Z with standard seat weight is 1170 lbs
Lots of heavy steel in that bad boy !!!:blob4:

[David Gretzmier]

right on the money about Hustler bending over backwards for the company. The company folks seem genuine and willling to help. quite a stark contrast to the reception we got from the grasshopper factory folks at the expo. they have labelled us as a "Chronic Complainer". we run grasshopper because, and you have to have, dealer support. we have one hustler walkbehind and our dealer didn't have an AIR FILTER. we are scared what would happen if it was a pump or wheelmoter. the factory folks seem willing to air ship to us directly any parts we need next day, so we may give it a go on the super z. Good luck with your mower!!! Dave g

[crazygator]

David,
You need to contact mowerconsultant. I am sure he would be glad to help you get in touch with the area rep for Arkansas. Then you can get the support you need and eliminate the problem dealer. We too have a problem dealer, but thanks to mowerconsultant I am on the way to my Hustler walk behind. And I know if I have a need for parts or service I can get it handled one way or the other. The guys at the factory will help us and are willing. Give them a try and I'm sure you will be more than pleased that you did. If your going to get a mower, why not get the best? IMHO!