hustler superz or lazer z?

[imograss]

i will be buying another z in the next two months. ive narrowed my choice to a superz or lazer z, both have 27 kohler, both have great features, i like the superz but dont see many in my area, also both are priced the same from same dealer. id like to hear from current owners of both these machines, good and bad points. thanks in advance for any replies.

tim

[TLS]

You've narrowed it down to 2 of the very best ZTR's out there!

The edge will have to go to Hustler on features. But eXmark has been building Lazers long before Hustler turned themselves around.

Engine options are what my biggest holdback is on the Hustler. But if your happy with the 27hp Kohler, then that isn't an issue then.

Parking brake integrated with the sticks is another thing that concerns me. Guess I'll have to sit on one to get a feel for that. Good Idea, but the Lazer is real simple and a VERY positive brake.

Single belt for the Hustler is another thing that has me scratching my head. Not that there's anything wrong with a single belt, but it just worries me a bit.

The other thing about Hustler is lack of dealers. There will ALWAYS be an eXmark dealer in just about every town. Cant say that about Hustler.

These are just nit-picking things. Like I said, they are a VERY close #2 to eXmark. More like a #1.1 !!!!

It almost comes down to what color you like!

[MacLawnCo]

Both are nice machines, but the features lean towards Hustler... the smoothness of their controls, integrated parking brake, suspension sear standard... but please make sure you demo both on YOUR LAWNS and are satisfied with each machine's quality of cut and discharge patern.

[crazygator]

Hey neighbor,

Demo both on properties you have. Especially if you have a question of whether it will stick on our hilly slopes or not. This is the only way you will know for sure which machine will work best for you.

I did with both the Lazer and Super Z, I chose the Lazer HP. But that was my preference.

[65hoss]

2 best manufacturers out there. Customer service is great with both. I run eXmarks, but if I ever bought any other mower it would be a Hustler. There would be no 3rd choice.

You need to demo both machines on YOUR PROPERTIES IN THE GRASS to know what you need. Don't go by overall ground speed. You need to see the performance of each in the grass on your personal properties. That does make a difference.

[SLS]

I am so impressed with Exmark and their Lazer Z that I would buy another one, without a doubt.

That said, the Hustler seems to be a great machine by any standard and I see plenty of them out here in my area.


As the others have said demo, demo, demo. I think that it is mainly a matter of preference when comparing these two particular machines and for most folks it may boil down to the dealer, their relationship with said dealer, and the proximity (location) of the dealer.

I really like my dealer and he has always taken care of me in a courtious and friendly manner. If he sold Hustler I would be checking one out before I bought another ZTR. But, he's an Exmark guy...and when a dealer is loyal and the equipment he sells is excellent........well, who could ask for anything more?

Good luck with your decision! :)

[John Gamba]

Heres My Vote.

[grassdaddy]

Hustler is cheaper,faster,has better warranty!!!:)

[crazygator]

Originally posted by grassdaddy
Hustler is cheaper,faster,has better warranty!!!:)

Cheaper? No way! Maybe close to the same.

Faster? Yeah, and how fast can you really mow anyway?

Better warrenty? Not a chance! Both are probably equal in many respects.

[brucec32]

I agree that these seem to be two great mower companies. I don't have hustler dealers nearby, but if I did I would try them out for sure.

As for the super high speeds, I've never been able to mow any faster than maybe 8-9mph w/o it appearing reckless anyway. Maybe on really smooth large commercial properties it would come in handy, but I thnk some of the speed claims are less important that cut quality, traction, balance, steering smoothness, reliablity, etc.

[imograss]

tls,
why does the single belt concern you?
as far as top speed of 15mph on the hustler, it dont really mean that much to me as i know very few areas that can be properly cut at most ztrs top speed. i really like the features of the hustler. i know the lazer has been tried and proven also. maintenance and general maintenance items also a concern.

[TLS]

Originally posted by imograss
tls,
why does the single belt concern you?


Don't know, but its gotta be one honkin' long belt!

I'm going on 750 hrs (knock on wood) on all original belts on my Lazer.

Speed is a big thing for me. Its probably the one thing that draws me to the Super Z. I don't know why eXmark doesn't jump on the speed bandwagon. At least with a limited edition fast boy.

[imograss]

i do like the speed of the super z, especially on flat ground, and travel between lawns in one area. i currently have a deere m665 i got it new in 2001 it has 715 hrs with origial belts also. i really cant complain about this mower it runs and cutd great, just want to upgrade .

[captken]

i like the hustler, a customer has a exmark lazer z with a liquid cooled engine. both have the same deck. a lady owns it [her husband was an lco before he died and she kept the z] she likes to mow with it, i go by to mow when she is on vaction. sometimes i use my hustler, some times i use her ex-mark. i can see no best, both have a quality of cut that leaves the lawn beautiful, the lazer has more power than my hustler z, [but on her property on the golf course] the extra power is not noticed, there is no tall grass, and the property is very smooth, they are both impressive machines. sometimes i'll switch back and forth between the two. ones as good as the other.
however the hustler is more user friendly. by that i mean that there is a simple foot switch and pin to change your cutting height. getting it going is easier, levers out, brake on levers in brake out.
being a novice to the lazer, i kept killing the enging by forgetting to release the brake, part of the learning curve.
owner repairs would seem easier to do on the hustler in that there is nothing and i do mean nothing in the way to hinder you from working on it, from making tracking adjustments to maintence on the battery, servicing the hydraulic system, filter, pumps easy to get to, everything is in the open, ect. its downright simple and very well laid out, when you lift the seat, everything is right in plain sight, in front of you to see.
the liquid cooled lazer feels to have a higher center of gravity, in fact you do sit higher in the seat, where as the hustler feels to have a lower center of gravity in fact you do sit lower in the seat.
given the apparent ease of service and the apparent lower center of gravity plus the ease of operation [its a no brainer] i'd buy the hustler.
when i need help, i use the hustler walkbehind, and after a rundown of the basics, let my partner use the z. they pick it up real fast.
they both are really great machines....just my 2 cents worth

[lawnpride]

I bought a Super Z 72" 24hp Honda at the beginning of the season. Love It. This is my first mid-mount having Walkers and walkbehinds. I didn't think that speed was a big deal having the walkers but once I got the Super Z my mowing time on 1 acre or larger lots was cut in half over a 62" walker. I mow at 9 to 11 mph but 15mph is very nice in large complexes where you have to drive any distance from the trailer.
I looked at exmarks, grasshoppers, and gravleys. Gravely and Huslter where the local dealers demoed both. Looked at Exmarks very closely but never tried one out. Two main reasons I went with the Super Z simplicity and cost. Compare one to any other machine out there they are built like a brick outhouse very well laid out, no fancy little gadget's to wear out. It cuts very nice and has no problem throwing out wet fescue or blugrass.
I only have a 150hrs on it zero problems besides a Minor one with the throttle cable not keeping it at max Rpms. The Honda runs great very smooth, could use a couple more H.P. in VERY tall grass. If you have a chance try one out it will sell itself. It will out do 62" Walker on hillsides which I thought was impossible to do.

[imograss]

after much thought and studying and demoing i purchased the hustler super z today. 60" 27 kohler. i chose it over the x mark that the same dealer offered at the same price. the super z seemed so much smoother with better features. ill put it through a full days work tomorrow. thanks for all the replies and opinions.
tim

[landscaper3]

We run Walkers and Z-Masters (Exmark brother) We demoed a Hustler Z and was very impressed as we were with the Exmark, I thought the controls (steering) was smoother on the Hustler and had alot better hill side stability and ran about 5mph faster but the cut was too close and the service around here is better with the Exmark! HHHMMMM tough call.

[Mr.Ziffel]

I've run the LazerZ 60" w'27LC Kawasaki for two full seasons, this being the third. No problems whatsoever, but when a new Hustler dealer offered me a demo of the SuperZ with the 60" deck and 24Honda I took him up on it.

The cut quality was the same on both, but I must admit that the SuperZ had smoother controls for easier turning. They just felt easier to move and a bit more responsive than the Exmark. Points to Hustler.

I don't have the suspension seat, but after riding the Hustler I'm considering springing for the $500+ to put one on mine. Great smooth ride on the SuperZ, BUT I'm 6'3" 250# and couldn't get the seat far enough back to be comfortable. Points to Exmark.

Yes the controls are well thought out on the Hustler and it's a bit easier to change height, but not enough so to make a difference to me. Accessibility to contols and under deck surfaces is excellent on the SuperZ but they're fine on the Exmark too. I'm totally unconscious now about using the Exmark brake, etc. so no difference here. No point advantage to either machine.

Speed was measured using a handheld GPS. I have many flat, wide open spaces to mow and I often run the Exmark wide open and can mow at a measured 9.5 mph and yes it looks good doing it. Not through the heavy wet stuff but in drier normal conditions it will mow well at that speed [the razor sharp blades I use may be what helps here]. The Hustler was advertised as 15mph, but try as I could, the fastest I could go over a 500' smooth gravel drive was 13. When mowing, I couldn't get it up to that speed, more like 11 but the cut wasn't good. At 9 -9.5, it mowed as well as the Exmark BUT the Honda24 took a bit of time to wind back up to speed coming out of the turn whereas the Exmar had power right out of the hole. Of course a bigger engine on this machine could make a significant difference. Points to Exmark.

All in all, I felt the Hustler Super Z was a very good machine and worthy of consideration when in the market for a ZTR, BUT I am very happy with the LazerZ and could not justify selling or trading my low hour Exmark for the Hustler. However if I were new to the market it would be a difficult decision and would probably come down to dealer availibility and service. The Hustler dealer who brought me the demo was great and I would have no problems doing business with him, but then again the Exmark dealer is much closer and I've had a good relationship with him also. Tough, tough decision that I will have to revisit in two years when I'll probably be seriously in the market again, but Points to Exmark this time.

Will M>