Questions on Hustler 48" WB

[naturescape]

Right now, I am running an Exmark 48" Turf Tracer, but am VERY seriously thinking about the Hustler hydro walk behind for next year.

A few questions, cause I won't be demoing the product till next spring:

1) On turns, I've heard the Hustler AUTOMATICALLY counter rotates the wheels? Is this true? Seems to me this would just about totally eliminate divots on turns.

2) Can the Hustler be set up to carry a Proslide sulky? I love the smooth ride and stripes I get from the Proslide, and want to stick with it.

3) Is a blowout kit available for the WB 48" deck?

4) Will the Masterchute OCDC fit the WB? Or is another OCDC, if any, better?

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by naturescape
Right now, I am running an Exmark 48" Turf Tracer, but am VERY seriously thinking about the Hustler hydro walk behind for next year.

A few questions, cause I won't be demoing the product till next spring:

1) On turns, I've heard the Hustler AUTOMATICALLY counter rotates the wheels? Is this true? Seems to me this would just about totally eliminate divots on turns.

2) Can the Hustler be set up to carry a Proslide sulky? I love the smooth ride and stripes I get from the Proslide, and want to stick with it.

3) Is a blowout kit available for the WB 48" deck?

4) Will the Masterchute OCDC fit the WB? Or is another OCDC, if any, better?

Very Simply, if you feel the cut of the Hustler is good enough for your needs, it will do anything you are asking, and it's control system is ahead of all others on the market. I'm running doubles and haven't seen the need for blowout baffles. The proslides fits fine, but the bullrider will perform so much better.

[MacLawnCo]

Hustler's wb controls are amazing! After no more than 5 mins on the machine, you will have just about mastered them. IMHO, its only a matter of time until they own the market with their wbs...just need to fix their deck.

[J.Gordon]

I have a 25/54 Super w-b; I pretty much always run doubles.
I would not trade it for any other w-b because the H-bar is awesome!
When mowing grass with my ocdc down the blowout isn’t that bad. But when mulching dry leaves I would definitely want a blowout kit on mine. I don’t have one yet but rest assured I’m going to get one.
Jeff

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by MacLawnCo
Hustler's wb controls are amazing! After no more than 5 mins on the machine, you will have just about mastered them. IMHO, its only a matter of time until they own the market with their wbs...just need to fix their deck.

I ran doubles on my machine since the day I bought them and I'm still confused about people not liking the cut. In talking with Hustler, they had mentioned that running doubles lowers the blade a 1/4" in the deck and "for their design" that makes a big difference in cut quality. It seems putting the blade lower lets it cut cleaner without having to let grass fold over a bit to clear the front of the deck.......
I remember my old 33" snapper single blade bagger deck (mid 80's) on the LT tractor when it first came out mowed so bad on soft grass that I called the company and bitched until the gave me a new two bladed deck. The front lip was rounded to allow a better vacuum, but it also would lay over the grass and not cut well.
Pete

[naturescape]

Maclawn said: ...just need to fix their deck.

What is wrong with the deck in your opinion? And darn, it sounds like Hustler doesn't used the "blade bolt through" design either, just a bolt from the bottom?

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by zip63
I have a 25/54 Super w-b; I pretty much always run doubles.
I would not trade it for any other w-b because the H-bar is awesome!
When mowing grass with my ocdc down the blowout isn’t that bad. But when mulching dry leaves I would definitely want a blowout kit on mine. I don’t have one yet but rest assured I’m going to get one.
Jeff

I changed back to single highlifts on my 48 WB/factory mulch kit and I have basically no blowout. I didn't see much of lack in mulching either......
Pete

[naturescape]

Maclawn said: ...just need to fix their deck.

What is wrong with the deck in your opinion?

[MacLawnCo]

Originally posted by naturescape
What is wrong with the deck in your opinion? And darn, it sounds like Hustler doesn't used the "blade bolt through" design either, just a bolt from the bottom?

Here is an older post with some other concerns.... click for thread (http://lawnsite.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=46327)

Hate to bash an already beaten horse, but hopefully if it keeps getting beaten...it will motivate Hustler to get the ball rolling.

I demoed a 54" swb this spring as we were in the prime of our high growth period. I was scheduled to pick up my hustler swb at noon so I ran my 48" 14 kaw metro up until noon. (note, that in the early part of the morning i was dealing with dew on the lawns). As usual, my exmark did an outstanding job and did not need double cutting on any lawns. Once i picked up the hustler swb demo, i was immediately in love with the controls and power, but frankly quite saddened at the discharge pattern. The cut quality was on par with my exmark, but the hustler just couldnt handle the clippings in an acceptable manner like my exmark. It was mainly the clipping dispersal that upset me the most. Instead of an even spread over the two rows, the clippings were just piled on the row two over.

This may not be a problem for some if the client only wants it mowed, but i maintain some of the most elite properties in the area and i could not leave the lawns looking the way the swb wanted to. I ended up having to double cut every lawn that the hustler was on and actually went back to my exmark toward the end of the day.

Ive said it before and will say it again, the hustler controls are top notch. Once they rectify their deck, they will own the market....especially considering their excellent support, reps, and waranty. Its only a matter of time. Until then, my trailer will only haul red.

[MacLawnCo]

Come on PJ, let it through.

[mowerconsultant]

Originally posted by MacLawnCo
Come on PJ, let it through.

What's this ???
I let all posts through except for some smart ----- off base "comments" that a couple of members leave here.
You posted last night @ 10pm..........I did not get on here til now.......
I have been working the weekend trying to get ready for winter.....sleds....camp....etc...etc...lol...lol...
You should come up this winter on your break.......I will take ya out snowmobiling....you can see what lco's do up here when there not plowing in the winter.....lol....lol.....or you can take spring break on the beach somewhere.....hmmmmm....hard decision huh ???....lol..lol...

Later
Pj

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by MacLawnCo
The cut quality was on par with my exmark, but the hustler just couldnt handle the clippings in an acceptable manner like my exmark. It was mainly the clipping dispersal that upset me the most. Instead of an even spread over the two rows, the clippings were just piled on the row two over.


Mac, "NOW" I understand your problem........Frankly, it's fine that the exmark will do the job you ask of it, but the problem is the lawn is not being cut often enough and it's just too long.
If you are getting rows of grass, the motor may not be up to factory speed, but regardless, either the grass is just too long, or the motor is not up to speed, or the blades are incorrect, or you are using the deflector shield that will cause that problem.
Frankly, my standard 17 cuts very well, and the SWB cut's even better because the motor doesn't slow at all, when the blades are engaged.
Sorry you had a problem with your demo, but something sounds messed up somewhere. Possibly the type of grass you cut "demands" the faster tip speed of the exmark, which you can easily fix yourself, and hustler will be "fixing" very shortly.
Pete

[naturescape]

MacLawn:

Were you using doubles when you demoed the Hustler?

[naturescape]

So, I still want to know:

Does Hustler make a blowout kit for the 48" WB?

Does anyone make an OCDC to fit the 48" WB?

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by naturescape
So, I still want to know:

Does Hustler make a blowout kit for the 48" WB?

Does anyone make an OCDC to fit the 48" WB?

Ray,
I've been using the mulch kit for the 48 with singles highlifts and except for 2 or 3 leaves every now and then I have no blowout problem. Doubles do seem to create a blowout problem, however heavy mulching with doubles slows the motor down enough that I'd start worrying about engine damage, which is why I've settled on single highlifts. FYI, it seems single Gator magnums have almost the same suction and mulch better than the highllifts, but unless you are leaving the mulch on the lawn, the highlifts work as well and take a tad less power.
Pete

[MacLawnCo]

Originally posted by naturescape
MacLawn:

Were you using doubles when you demoed the Hustler?

no

[J.Gordon]

Originally posted by naturescape
So, I still want to know:

Does Hustler make a blowout kit for the 48" WB?

Does anyone make an OCDC to fit the 48" WB?



Ray
I sure someone makes OCDC for the 48’’, I made my own out of a piece of flat stock 6’’ x 1/8’’ about 12’’ long give or take.
As soon as I get the time I will post a pic of it. It was very simple to make if you have the proper tools and about $2.00 of metal. I haven’t got the actuator installed as of yet. (I will have time to complete it this winter)
I put the Gator magnums (singles) on and my blowout is minimal.
If you want a W/B, I myself would highly consider the SWB because of the H-Bar and the power of the 23/25 horse Kaw. I had no problems with the cut. You can always change the blade tip speed if you conditions require it.
When it comes to mowing grass and discharge, I am tickled with the doubles.
Jeff

[naturescape]

I have a demo set up for next week on the Hustler WB. I can't wait! I am almost sold on the machine without demoing it! I'm very sure I'll be picking one of these up next spring.... We shall see.

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by naturescape
I have a demo set up for next week on the Hustler WB. I can't wait! I am almost sold on the machine without demoing it! I'm very sure I'll be picking one of these up next spring.... We shall see.

One thing, the mower comes with the motor on the low side, unlike the exmarks which (I understand) are revved up a bit. also, the SWB for some unknown reason come with lowlift blades as standard.
IOW, Hustler didn't think they needed to have their machines top notch just for a demo. If you are happy with the machine when you try it, raising the rpm as other brands are, and putting highlifts on will really make you happy.
More than likely, by next season Hustler should their BTS right in line with Exmark......

[naturescape]

Update -- I demoed the product for about 30 minutes on the dealer's property the other day. I wasn't impressed as I thought I would be. Whether going slow or fast on turns, and whether in neutral or not, I was getting divots. Could be I would just need more time on the machine, but I was expecting smoother turns right from the start. It does seem like the best machine to train a novice on tho.

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by naturescape
Update -- I demoed the product for about 30 minutes on the dealer's property the other day. I wasn't impressed as I thought I would be. Whether going slow or fast on turns, and whether in neutral or not, I was getting divots. Could be I would just need more time on the machine, but I was expecting smoother turns right from the start. It does seem like the best machine to train a novice on tho.

Ray,
If it was an SWB, it comes setup for a velky and 10mph and is just plain "not" for walking. Also, the stock tires are very wide and the edges need to be "broken in" (worn down a tad) for a "novice" not to divot just a bit.
Last, the cruise control I make would pretty much make you feel right at home with the machine, right from the get go.
Hustler, just doesn't seem to listen, thinks it's not needed. However, you and others on this site have mentioned that the machine doesn't work a nice as you'd like for a first time user.
And, if Paul would start reading the posts, or someone from the factory would "get the message", they'd realize they're shooting themselves in the foot by being so blind as to not understand they do need a cruise control. After all, they know what their sales are compared to other machines..........
Pete

[johnhenry]

I have a hustler 48 wb.It has a beautiful cut.And in my words the most user friendly machine out there.I hav a 2 year old model and it doesn't hace the cruise on it.But for my accounts with the hills we have year.Cruise isnt a issue for me.

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by johnhenry
I have a hustler 48 wb.It has a beautiful cut.And in my words the most user friendly machine out there.I hav a 2 year old model and it doesn't hace the cruise on it.But for my accounts with the hills we have year.Cruise isnt a issue for me.

I have 3 Hustler WB's and just love them, too. However, since you haven't used the cruise control, since I'm the only one with them, they make a "WB" used for "walking" just "that much better" than the H bar already is.........
Also, it's a big help for first timers that are too impatient to get used to the H bar, which is the biggest complaint about them. Of course they work well on the WB in this application too, set at 2 mph..........

Pete

[naturescape]

It seemed to me that upon turns, one wheel would turn much faster than the other one (more than it should, to compensate for being the outside wheel), leaving a divot.

Also, to do a turn, you need to swing the bar all the way to the side fairly quickly, which turns the wheels too fast all at once.

Trying to turn slower will not couter-rotate the wheels, also leaving a divot.

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by naturescape
It seemed to me that upon turns, one wheel would turn much faster than the other one (more than it should, to compensate for being the outside wheel), leaving a divot.

Also, to do a turn, you need to swing the bar all the way to the side fairly quickly, which turns the wheels too fast all at once.

Trying to turn slower will not couter-rotate the wheels, also leaving a divot.

Sorry Ray, the Hustler just ain’t that hard to use at all. And, it sounds as thought you don’t understand how the H bar works. For instance, you mention if you try to turn slow, the wheels won’t counter-rotate. That’s just not true. If you hold the bar with the machine stationary, “pulling” the bar "left or right" will automatically move the rear wheels in opposite directions. The speed of the counter-rotating wheels is determined by how far you “pull” the bar. Next, twisting the bar moves the rear wheels in the “same” direction, either forward or reverse.
OK, now to make a perfect zero turn you can do the following. As you begin your turn “pull” the bar in the direction you want to turn, and “at the same” begin to twist the bar backward (if you are moving forward). This is a very simple operation. Actually, if just slow “yourself” down (holding the bar with one hand), your hand will begin pulling the bar in the direction you want to turn, “and” your hand will also start twisting the bar, all in one motion.
Now, at some point you will “see” the inside wheel has stopped moving forward. At this point, continue to hold the bar at its current turned position and now “twist” the bar more, watching the currently stopped inside wheel reverse direction, while the outside wheel continues to move forward.
The more you twist the bar backwards, the more you increase the speed of the inside wheel and “decrease” the outside wheel.
Then, hold this position until you have turned the machine 180 degrees. Once you have completed the turn, stop pulling the bar, plus relax your grip on the bar and let the centering spring bring the bar back to neutral, and let the speed detent spring stop both wheels from moving. You are now ready to begin mowing the next pass. It’s rather easy, once you realize the machine is fully hydraulic and will self center and resume zero ground whenever you want it to. This machine cannot be manhandled in any way, and does not need to be, either.

[naturescape]

Sorry Ray, the Hustler just ain’t that hard to use at all. And, it sounds as thought you don’t understand how the H bar works. For instance, you mention if you try to turn slow, the wheels won’t counter-rotate. That’s just not true.

Switchless,
Then the machine I demoed was not set up properly or adjusted properly. I did turns from a crawl to a decent speed and watched the tires. Only one would turn at a slow to medium slow speed.

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by naturescape
Sorry Ray, the Hustler just ain’t that hard to use at all. And, it sounds as thought you don’t understand how the H bar works. For instance, you mention if you try to turn slow, the wheels won’t counter-rotate. That’s just not true.

Switchless,
Then the machine I demoed was not set up properly or adjusted properly. I did turns from a crawl to a decent speed and watched the tires. Only one would turn at a slow to medium slow speed.

I totally believe you. The machines I demo'd weren't set up right either. I didn't think it was you. I've mentioned this to Hustler time and again, but they just don't seem that interested. Funny, they arguably have the best control system for a WB ever made, or ever "will be made", yet they don't seem interested in why it's not selling so well. They continue to blame the consumer, when it's actually them and the dealers.
I'm hoping the new generation of H bar will be "more idiot proof", so dealers won't be able to screw it up. Frankly, if the machine is setup according to the manual everything would be fine. I must say, my new SWB came setup spot on and was a dream from the very beginning.
Pete

[naturescape]

I totally believe you. The machines I demo'd weren't set up right either. I didn't think it was you. I've mentioned this to Hustler time and again, but they just don't seem that interested. Funny, they arguably have the best control system for a WB ever made, or ever "will be made", yet they don't seem interested in why it's not selling so well. They continue to blame the consumer, when it's actually them and the dealers.

Pete,

Thanks for all your input on the Hustlers. I do think they offer a good control system, at least if it was set up right. I wish the Hustler I demoed worked the way I expected it to. I guess I'm sticking with the Exmark ECS, for next year anyway.

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by naturescape
[BThanks for all your input on the Hustlers. I do think they offer a good control system, at least if it was set up right. I wish the Hustler I demoed worked the way I expected it to. I guess I'm sticking with the Exmark ECS, for next year anyway. [/B]

Ray, I can't argue with you. HOWEVER.................. I sincerly hope Paul, Tony, Brain, and Frank from hustler are reading this. Come on guy's, Exmark is winning..............