Hustler with 72" deck

[bjw]

Hey guys, any of you actually have any real seat time with a new Hustler z or super z with the 72" deck. I like everything about the mower except a little worried about the power level of a 25hp Kaw. on the 72" (actually 69" cut) deck. I cut bahia grass here in Florida, and during the summer it can get pretty thick in just a few days with all the rain. All open space cutting, so if the 72" will hold up and not bog down, it is what I want. Have been told by Hustler that the unit is not underpowered and I really want to believe them. However, some experiencd users insight would be appreciated. I know other companies offer higher powered units, but not Hustler at this point.
Thanks guys for any info...

[MacLawnCo]

I cant tell you whether or not the 25 has enought to push the 72, but there was one at the barbeque, i believe with the 24 honda. Im sure someone ran it alittle.

As far as more powerfull engines, Hustler is going to have a 27 L/C Kaw next year, and i have a hunch that there will be bigger and better options too. They have hinted at a 26 EFI koh too. I think they will rock next year.

[Equipguy]

Your thinking is correct about the size of the deck relative to the current engines hp. I saw first hand a demo with the Hustler 72", ExMark 72 and Scagg 72 done for the City of Orlando. It was in an uncut lot the city was upgrading to a park. I will say the Hustler 23/60 did fine but the Hustler with the 72 just didn't compare with the ExMark or Scagg. It needs more hp. By the way, the City ended up buying Scagg mowers.

[sdwally]

We are running the Scag Saber Tooth Tiger with 31hp turbo diesel engines. They to don't hardly slow down in heavy grass even with mulching kits added. When demoed the units the 31hp gas engines bogged down on hill sides with moderately heavy grass. Some units with smaller engines even stalled the motor.
If you are not mulching 25hp might be ok. If you are going to add mulching kits on a 72 deck, the horsepower is too low.
We currently have 3 Scags that mow at a cemetery(about 150 acres) and are in the process of buying 2 more for use else where.

[captdevo]

i ran the 72" at the barbq, it was sweet, i put it in some heavy stuff and never had a problem......

and it came in2nd in the drag race....

BladeRunner 32hp Diesel 72" 1st

Hustler Super Z 72" 2nd......

and the "world's fastest lawn mower" Dixie Chopper w/ 30hp generac 60" 3rd.......

i wouldn't hesitate putting the hustler super z 72" at the top of my shopping list!

[Farmboy]

Do you guys think that dixie chopper needs to change there slogan about being the worlds fastest lawnmower? Especially if hustler and bladerunner outran the dixie.

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by bjw
Hey guys, any of you actually have any real seat time with a new Hustler z or super z with the 72" deck. I like everything about the mower except a little worried about the power level of a 25hp Kaw. on the 72" (actually 69" cut) deck. I cut bahia grass here in Florida, and during the summer it can get pretty thick in just a few days with all the rain. All open space cutting, so if the 72" will hold up and not bog down, it is what I want. Have been told by Hustler that the unit is not underpowered and I really want to believe them. However, some experiencd users insight would be appreciated. I know other companies offer higher powered units, but not Hustler at this point.
Thanks guys for any info...

I have the 25 kaw on my 54" Hustler WB with velkee. When the grass is long I need all the power it has. IMO, if you mow in the spring when many of the "Chemlawns" need cutting twice a week and you get behind, you "won't" be mowing at high speed with the 72" deck, unless they offer more horsepower.
HOWEVER............. this is when using doubles on my 54. If you use only one set of blades, things won't be so bad, BUT, the without the doubles, you'll be cutting the lawn twice anyway because it will look so poor...... I guess the bottom line is running doubles to make the lawn look good that's long, you'll need "more" HP...............
Pete

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Originally posted by Switchless@aol.com
I have the 25 kaw on my 54" Hustler WB with velkee
Pete


So how did the 25hp engine end up on a WB that it is not offered on.

For the thread, a 25hp will do just fine unless it get's real thick, tall, and wet.

25hp on a 60" deck sometimes could use more HP.

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by LAWNGODFATHER
So how did the 25hp engine end up on a WB that it is not offered on.

Well Mikey, the 17hp Kaw that was the stock motor, didn't "always" have the oomph in the tall grass. So, to answer your question, I first asked Hustler about putting the 25 on the WB. They said it wouldn't fit. OK.... not what I wanted to hear. Then I went to Kawasaki and talked to them. I found out that all the motors from 15 to 25 hp (air cooled) have the same bottom end, and the only difference is the size of the top end. So, that meant at least the motor would “bolt up” to the machine.
Next, I did some measuring and realized the only problem was the exhaust header would hit the front of the floating deck housing. Since, I knew I could solve that problem with the help of a good welder I know, I bought the motor.
As soon as I got the motor I took a day off from work and starting removing the old Kaw and installing the new 25 HP Kaw. Once I got the new motor on the machine, I found the only thing that needed to be done was cut the 20 degree bent off the end of the exhaust header, which was pointing frontward, and re-weld it pointing backward. This gave me the clearance to install the muffler without hitting anything.
Of course I had to buy and wire up a new key switch, add a battery and solenoid and find room for everything, since the new motor was electric start and old motor was pull start. But, I was able to do the whole job in one day, and now I have the type of machine that can handle any task I need.
Thanks for asking how to do it. It was worth the effort. FWIW, my dealer gave me a good trade-in on my old motor so by doing the work myself, the conversion was under $1,200 complete.
Pete

[lee b]

As a fellow southerner, who knows bahia grass all too well, I don't think you'll be the least bit happy with only 25hp. on a 72" deck. 25hp. is the minimum you need for a 60" deck in heavy bahia. Northern grass is totally different, you might better ask some folks with experience in cutting bahia grass. Get as much horsepower for that 72" deck as you can afford.

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by LAWNGODFATHER
25hp on a 60" deck sometimes could use more HP.


Wow, that's what I figured, too..........I'm gonna hold onto this info. It's sounds very helpful, in the future........Thanks again........

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Originally posted by Switchless@aol.com
Wow, that's what I figured, too..........I'm gonna hold onto this info. It's sounds very helpful, in the future........Thanks again........

Just as any mower could always use more ponies, just as you did to your WB.

BTW I did use the 36" Exmark Viking Hydro with the Flex Deck in TALL grass, the 15hp did a pretty good job of handling it, but it does not go 10-16 MPH like many ZTR's do, so the faster you go in tall grass the more horse power is going to be used or needed to keep the blades moving in taller grass.

That is the reason for your engine upgrade..................

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by LAWNGODFATHER
BTW I did use the 36" Exmark Viking Hydro with the Flex Deck in TALL grass, the 15hp did a pretty good job of handling it, but it does not go 10-16 MPH like many ZTR's do


FWIW,
I've signed off on a safe speed limit of 10 mph as a practical speed for smaller lawns, which is basically all I do. I realize you can go faster, but on the smaller lawn, if you run over a rut/bump it's too easy to end up hitting a tree/lamppost/shrub/myrtle or other "non mowable" object;)
Also, trying to make that kind of speed on the smaller lawn, all you do is accelerate out of the corner, and brake at the end of the strip, and any "rough" ground ends up with stutter bump scalping on the grass.
So, for me, 10 mph seems to be a fair compromise between productivity, quality and safety. Naturally, this varies from lawn to lawn and your mileage may vary. Glad to hear you’re having good luck with the FD. Brad may want to supply a power suggestion for his FD, which would help the consumer decide the kind of horsepower he’ll need for the type of grass that he will cut. Ya know, you can’t give the consumer, “too much” information. ;)
I had given Brad the name of my friend who does all my welding. My friend mentioned he can “punch” through 10 gauge and do all the holes for the FD with his punch machine.
Pete

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Brad has all the marterials custome lazer cut. All the holes and edges are cut with a lazer to the exact size ans specifications FD has set forth. he same company also bends the stuff to the same specifications.


LIke I have always said "all" mowers could use extra horse power at times.

Sorry I don't do many lawns that small or tight. I also have WB's I can put on those.