Hustler vs. Exmark

[bderks]

Well, I was pretty much all set on purchasing an Exmark CT with a 52" deck and 19hp Kawasaki for $5600.

But today I stopped in at a Hustler dealership just for the heck of it, and the salesman offered me a great deal on a FastTrak 52" deck and 20hp Honda, for $4800. Now I have a tough choice on my hands.

The differences I have noted is the Hustler comes with a 12 gallon fuel tank (vs. 6 gallon on the Exmark), a foot lever to raise the deck, arm rests, and a mulching kit thrown in. But from what I've read on this forum, the Kawasaki engine seems to get better reviews than the Honda.

How would you guys compare the FastTrak against the CT? What does everyone think about the Honda engines? I know, the $800 difference in price is a lot, but I want to make sure I'm getting a machine that will give me years of trouble-free use.

For the record, this will be used on a 1.2 acre residential property, very little slope. Any opinions you guys have would be very helpful. Thanks!

Cheers,
Brandon

[Travis Followell]

The reason the Hustler is $800 cheaper and is bigger than the exmark is because the Fastrac is not a commercial machine like the exmark. The Hustler fastrac is designed to do just what you want to do without costing you more. It will work for you just fine as will the exmark will also. You may also want to check out the Hustler mini z also. It is a commercial mower like the Exmark and the price will probibly be pretty close. Like i said earlier the fastrac is designed to do just what you are planning on mowing and it will work just fine for you.

[davislawncare]

Exmark, Exmark, Exmark. I came upon the same situation when purchasing my equipment, granted mine was for commercial, but I looked at all the other brands(toro, scag, gravely)and I was offered a better price. Although, you will NEVER go wrong in buying an Exmark. The quality of these machines is unbelievable. Trust me, I have 2.

[dvmcmrhp52]

The Exmark CT is not really a commercial mower either..........
The wheel motors and pumps are smaller than a lazer hp or full size lazer, smaller tires etc.
The CT is sold as a top of the line homeowner mower.

I would not buy a fastrac but that's just me.................

My honest recomendation would be for you to save a few more pennies and buy a lazer Z HP..........More horsepower, better Hydraulics, more comforts, larger tires,foot lift assist for deck, etc.

Fastrac versus Lazer CT?
Lazer CT.


I'm an exmark guy................. :)

[rewill]

I'm a new member here and have found the information invaluable. I was leaning towards an Exmark CT, as my next door neighbor has a Lazer HP and has cut his cutting time in half, but was steered towards the Toro Z400 Estate by a friend who owns a lawn supply store. Essentially, these machines are fairly identical, since Toro owns Exmark, and can be had for about $500 cheaper.

Does anyone have any experience with the Toro, and is there something I am overlooking for someone with 2 acres to mow. I realize the difference in the decks, but as a homeowner and not a commercial user, I don't feel this is a huge drawback.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Eric

[mowhigh]

The 3 models that you and bderks are considering would properly fall in the 'estate' category and all would easily meet your needs. Your best bet is to demo on your own property. As long as you don't need a true commercial mower, you might also check www.countryclipper.com to see if there's a nearby dealer. Their JAZee series is as rugged as the Exmark CT (the most durable of the 3 mentioned) and the flip-up deck (easy clean-up), choice of Kohler or Kawasaki engine and single joystick control are great. But don't buy anything without trying it first! Good luck...

[PaulJ]

Iv'e ben running a 52" 20hp fasttrak "Loaner" for about a week as my 48"swb is at the dealer with a running problem (kaw engin)

The fasttrak is a nice little machine. I have been able to use it in most of the plaes i took the walkbehind. other that deck width the walkbehind is actually a bigger machine. I ran a friends exmark lazerhp the other day and I felt like I was sitting way up in the air compared to the fasttrak. you sit low on the hustler. the honda engine seems to do fine. the controls are smooth and responsive. the foot lever deck lift is very easy to use.

the best way for you to decide is to demo each machine and see which one feels right for you.

[dvmcmrhp52]

One question.........
Is the $500 going to make a difference in the long run?
For $500's difference I would buy the Exmark.
Exmark may be owned by Toro but they are totally different machines.


I'm a new member here and have found the information invaluable. I was leaning towards an Exmark CT, as my next door neighbor has a Lazer HP and has cut his cutting time in half, but was steered towards the Toro Z400 Estate by a friend who owns a lawn supply store. Essentially, these machines are fairly identical, since Toro owns Exmark, and can be had for about $500 cheaper.

Does anyone have any experience with the Toro, and is there something I am overlooking for someone with 2 acres to mow. I realize the difference in the decks, but as a homeowner and not a commercial user, I don't feel this is a huge drawback.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Eric

[RichmondR]

I agree there are substantial differences between the Fastrack and the Exmark, but there are a lot of similarities between the CT and the Toro Z-400 Estate. I own a Toro Z-453 (23hp Kaw, 52" turboforce deck), and I looked at models from both Exmark, Toro and Hustler. Portions of the frame are, I believe, identical (per a posting on the Exmark message board), and the specs are very similar between the Toro Z-400 series and the Exmark HP series (including CT). One significant difference is obviously the decks, and both models have their supporters. The deck on the Toro CT is apparently a Turboforce deck without the adjustable baffle or bull-nose bumper. The deck on the Fastrack isn't quite as deep nor do I think the blades spin quite as fast. One reason I went with the Z-453 is the larger tire size and HP, on the theory that I am already spending a lot of money, and the mosve up wasn't that much more.

[dvmcmrhp52]

[QUOTE=RichmondR]The deck on the Toro CT is apparently a Turboforce deck without the adjustable baffle or bull-nose bumper.



There is no Toro CT model..............
The Exmark CT does not have a Toro Turboforce deck it has an Exmark trivantage deck.

Exmark and Toro make completely different mowers.............

[rewill]

The specifications for the Z400 Estate and the Lazer CT are almost identical except for the deck. I've seen both in person and apart from different color plastic for the gas tanks and some badging, they are very similar.

Check them out:

http://www.toro.com/professional/lce/zmaster/z400/74410_specs.html

http://www.exmark.com/LazerZCTSpecs.htm

Toro is also offering some nice financing options that Exmark is not. I'm still investigating if the deck is worth the extra cost for a homeowner like me.

Thanks for all your help.

Eric

[RichmondR]

Apologies for the reference to a "Toro CT" -- I meant Z-400. I was writing this too late at night. I do believe that the Exmark CT models and Toro Z-400 models are quite similar, however.

BTW, I paid $7050 for my Z-453 (again 23hp Kaw, 52in.) including the mulching kit.

Rich

[dvmcmrhp52]

Rewill,
If you were speaking to me with this reference............
I'm quite familiar with what is available and the specs that go with them.
I'm not just a homeowner looking to cut my own lawn.




The specifications for the Z400 Estate and the Lazer CT are almost identical except for the deck. I've seen both in person and apart from different color plastic for the gas tanks and some badging, they are very similar.

Check them out:

http://www.toro.com/professional/lce/zmaster/z400/74410_specs.html

http://www.exmark.com/LazerZCTSpecs.htm

Toro is also offering some nice financing options that Exmark is not. I'm still investigating if the deck is worth the extra cost for a homeowner like me.

Thanks for all your help.

Eric

[CathyLynn]

Do not buy a Country Clipper! Bad news.

Get a good Exmark--shop late in the season with cash in your hand--good buys out there! Any good commercial mower that is rsidentially owned and cared for will last many many troublefree years!

[bantam]

cathylynn, I know of ALOT of Country Clipper mowers that have been out and are still running in excess of 15 yrs.

be nice, believe it or not the commercial (and residential) mowing world does not revolve around Exmark????

LOTS of good brands and products to chose from these days. American ingenuity and craftsmanship are second to none.

[rewill]

I'm just looking for specifics as to the differences between these two models. If you think that they are completely different machines, I'm interested in what the advantages/disadvantages of each are. No flames intended - your experience is noted and that is why I have posted here. Please share.

Eric


Rewill,
If you were speaking to me with this reference............
I'm quite familiar with what is available and the specs that go with them.
I'm not just a homeowner looking to cut my own lawn.

[bderks]

WHOA - thread hijack in progress :p

Well, I decided to go with the Fastrak, just too good of a deal to pass up. Dealer will be throwing in armrests, mulching kit, gator blades, and hour meter. Wish me luck.

Cheers,
Brandon

[rewill]

Sorry for the highjack... :o Not intended, but I saw Exmark CT and jumped on it. My bad.

We now return you to your regular channel.......

Eric

[RichmondR]

you may just want to start another thread -- your question is still a good one.

Rich

[bderks]

No worries, the more info the merrier!

[dvmcmrhp52]

Well, I decided to go with the Fastrak, just too good of a deal to pass up. Dealer will be throwing in armrests, mulching kit, gator blades, and hour meter. Wish me luck.

Cheers,
Brandon



Brandon,
I am sure you will enjoy your fastrak and get good service from it,hustler certainly makes quality equipment for the market that is being served by each particular model.


Rewill,
I did not feel like I was being flamed by your comments, I am just a pretty straight forward person.
My point in it all was this, for the $500 difference at the current time you will get better corporate support from Exmark,(in my opinion) the resale value of the machine will be higher than a Toro,etc.
Toro will be right in line with support and service as well as resale value in the near future for sure, they are moving quickly to gain market share.........
These points and others may very well be less meaningful
to a homeowner and that is understood. Either machine will serve you well for your intended purposes.

[rewill]

dvmcmrhp52,

Thanks for the reply. I had not thought of the resale value and that is definitely one of the areas that I've seen that Toro cannot compete at this time. The $500 did not particularily bother me, but I just wanted to make sure that I was not missing something on the differences between these models. I've been an Exmark fan ever since my neighbor bought a Lazer HP and waved at me while drinking a beer as I finished my lawn with my JD lawn tractor...

Thanks again.

Hijack over. :waving:

Eric



Brandon,
I am sure you will enjoy your fastrak and get good service from it,hustler certainly makes quality equipment for the market that is being served by each particular model.


Rewill,
I did not feel like I was being flamed by your comments, I am just a pretty straight forward person.
My point in it all was this, for the $500 difference at the current time you will get better corporate support from Exmark,(in my opinion) the resale value of the machine will be higher than a Toro,etc.
Toro will be right in line with support and service as well as resale value in the near future for sure, they are moving quickly to gain market share.........
These points and others may very well be less meaningful
to a homeowner and that is understood. Either machine will serve you well for your intended purposes.