Uncut strip of grass, need advice please.

[grump99]

Hello,

I have an '07 Hustler Super Z, 30 hp 66 inch XR-7 deck. Lately with all the wet weather we have been having, I am getting an uncut strip of grass between the left and center blades. I am also getting a lot of clogging underneath the deck. I have to stop every half hour or so to clean out all the wet grass.

I verified the deck is level. Engine is running at proper rpm. Blades are sharp. Belt tension and condition seems good. I have tried multiple cutting heights and still get an un-cut strip of grass.

Is there something else I should try? I live in Pennsylvania and I have no idea what type of grass I am cutting other than it is thick and wet.

Is there an upgrade available for my deck? My serial number is 07042222. Part number listed for the mower is 928051A. If an update is available, what is the best (quickest) way to get a kit? I am comfortable installing myself.


Any help is greatly appreciated!:)

Thank you.

Tony

[mowerconsultant]

Please e-mail me your information along with your dealers information, phone #'s etc...
We will get this taken care of for you.

Pj

[titanup04]

Please post an update when you have one so we all may learn from your experience.

[MJB]

I have all the upgrades and this a problem that this deck has period in certain grasses. I have to double cut everything. Also watch out that 30hp Kohler doesn't burn the grass when stopped on the lawn. I have the exact same mower only a 2006. Pay attention to the bottom of the muffler where it hooks on to the header this tends to break and it's hard to see until it becomes a big problem.

[Tockit]

Hello,

I have an '07 Hustler Super Z, 30 hp 66 inch XR-7 deck. Lately with all the wet weather we have been having, I am getting an uncut strip of grass between the left and center blades. I am also getting a lot of clogging underneath the deck. I have to stop every half hour or so to clean out all the wet grass.

I verified the deck is level. Engine is running at proper rpm. Blades are sharp. Belt tension and condition seems good. I have tried multiple cutting heights and still get an un-cut strip of grass.

Is there something else I should try? I live in Pennsylvania and I have no idea what type of grass I am cutting other than it is thick and wet.

Is there an upgrade available for my deck? My serial number is 07042222. Part number listed for the mower is 928051A. If an update is available, what is the best (quickest) way to get a kit?
I was having this problem and PJ got me in touch with my regional Hustler rep, who worked with me through my dealer and put and air lift kit on my deck that gives you more suction when mowing (free of charge).

What its doing is blowing some of the grass down in that section under your deck, and not allowing it to get cut.

The kit is a strip that bolts along inside the front edge of the deck and sticks down about a 1/2 inch lower, and it also has a piece that goes in front of the area between the middle and left blade, making that gap smaller.

I am really please with the results. My Super Z doesn't streak at all since installing this kit.

I'm told mowing lower, if possible, helps with this problem as well.

[grump99]

Thanks for the input everyone.

I was put in contact with the regional Hustler service representative. He asked the usual questions, do you sharpen your blades?, is your deck pitch correct? etc. I answered all these questions to his satisfaction.

He told me about the "lift kit" and that it costs about $100. He said that he didn't think it would help very much in my situation.

I don't really mow grass. I mow a 6 acre field that is mainly clover and weeds. I was told that clover is really tough to mow and is probably responsible for a lot of the buildup I have been getting. After mowing 2 hours, I have enough buildup to easily fill a 5-gallon bucket.

The Hustler rep. was also from Pennsylvania and he said that a lot of people are having trouble this season. I was told I should try to mow when conditions are as dry as possible.

I am dissapointed that such an expensive machine would require double-cutting when I mow once a week. I don't really feel like spending $100 when I'm not sure if it will help.

So basically, I ended up where I started out. I will try different deck heights and wait for the dryest possible times to mow. Hopefully things will dry up here soon.

Thanks.

Tony

[jbo90423]

would like to know more about the air lift kit? Never heard of such a thing. Can you point me in a direction to read about them?

[Chris "Greenville"]

I have the Mini z 52" 19 hp kaw. I have been having the same issue with a strip beeing left. I'm cutting with only half the deck and the other half is overcutting the left over strip. Overall I think the tractor is awesome, just this is really getting annoiing having to overlap the cutting. Mine is an 08' model. Thanks for any suggestions. Chris Greenville, Indiana.

[gene gls]

Thanks for the input everyone.

I was put in contact with the regional Hustler service representative. He asked the usual questions, do you sharpen your blades?, is your deck pitch correct? etc. I answered all these questions to his satisfaction.

He told me about the "lift kit" and that it costs about $100. He said that he didn't think it would help very much in my situation.

I don't really mow grass. I mow a 6 acre field that is mainly clover and weeds. I was told that clover is really tough to mow and is probably responsible for a lot of the buildup I have been getting. After mowing 2 hours, I have enough buildup to easily fill a 5-gallon bucket.

The Hustler rep. was also from Pennsylvania and he said that a lot of people are having trouble this season. I was told I should try to mow when conditions are as dry as possible.

I am dissapointed that such an expensive machine would require double-cutting when I mow once a week. I don't really feel like spending $100 when I'm not sure if it will help.

So basically, I ended up where I started out. I will try different deck heights and wait for the dryest possible times to mow. Hopefully things will dry up here soon.

Thanks.

Tony

Clover has a lot of moisture even when conditions are dry and will cause buildup.

[DAR57]

Same problem but I corrected it with hi lifts and making sure the end of the blades were straight not rounded after sharpening.

[bowhunter135]

Same problem but I corrected it with hi lifts and making sure the end of the blades were straight not rounded after sharpening.

This is best advice. We've had this problem for years in northern pa and when the blades are brand new, there's not a strip to been seen. After a couple times of sharpening and the edges get rounded, the strip in the lawn gets more visible. Wish the blades would overlap just alittle more

[Chris "Greenville"]

Just a follow-up... I was at the shop today and posed the same question to them. He wasn't sure either but, they relived the pressurwe on the deck belt... and placed all the blade in alignment (- - -). Took it out today and worked great. Stange that such a small change whould make that much difference but it worked... Back in Business! Awesome machine. Thanks, Chris Harkness

I would still like to know if the "air lift" kit is available for the Mini Z and what the kit may cost.

[grump99]

Thanks for the input guys!

I will have to try a set of high-lift blades. I will also try aligning the blades to see if that helps.

[mowerconsultant]

I would still like to know if the "air lift" kit is available for the Mini Z and what the kit may cost.

There isn't a air lift kit for the Mini Z's, they are only available for the full framed Z and Super Z.

Pj