2004 - 2005 Deck Change

[coastallandscapesolutions]

I am getting ready to buy several of your Super Z's. I was told that the mower deck was changed for 2005 so it would have a larger discharge opening. Can you confirm this once and for all. I have gotten 3 different stories, from the dealer, the Hustler Rep and the factory.

Thanks,

Brian

[theservicingdealer]

As a dealer hustler has not informed us of any total deck change.At Louisville that have shown all a different blade on the unit to improve the quality of cut in wet conditions.All changes that we were made aware of were all in field improvements. SO they could be retrofited.
So we will have to wait a see!!

[coastallandscapesolutions]

Thank you for your reply. We will wait for a few weeks. If this issue is corrected then I will order 5 units. If it is not then I will go with another manufacture.

[Doc Pete]

As a dealer hustler has not informed us of any total deck change.At Louisville that have shown all a different blade on the unit to improve the quality of cut in wet conditions.All changes that we were made aware of were all in field improvements. SO they could be retrofited.
So we will have to wait a see!!

Yes,
I've been using custom blades for the past season on my WB's, 48" and 54" with exceptional results. Since my blades are similar to Hustler's new blades for the Z riders, I'm sure the results will be nothing short of great.
You can also bet while they are changing blade design, provisions for running doubles "with under deck height adjustability", are in the works.
Pete

[Travis Followell]

As a dealer hustler has not informed us of any total deck change.At Louisville that have shown all a different blade on the unit to improve the quality of cut in wet conditions.All changes that we were made aware of were all in field improvements. SO they could be retrofited.
So we will have to wait a see!!
What type of blades is Hustler using to improve cut quality in wet grass?

[theservicingdealer]

It was shown for the first time at Louisville expo. It kind of a double but not a full second blade. We have used one type of proto type and the really work. The deck stay unbelievable clean .Yes even mowing wet grass.From the what I hear It should be available as an option for the next mowing season. So I assume if they showed it to the public that this will be true!! Iam sure they will keep us posted.

[Doc Pete]

It was shown for the first time at Louisville expo. It kind of a double but not a full second blade. We have used one type of proto type and the really work. The deck stay unbelievable clean .Yes even mowing wet grass.From the what I hear It should be available as an option for the next mowing season. So I assume if they showed it to the public that this will be true!! Iam sure they will keep us posted.

While playing around, I had good luck using a set of 44" blades and the stock 54" blades on my WB. Also, using the stock blades which are drop downs and a set of super lift "flat" blades, results were again interesting. Since the there was about a 1" difference in height using flats and drop downs, you get the benefit of higher vacuum, but the grass isn't as finely chopped, which basically ended the clumping problem.
Pete

[theservicingdealer]

The blades are not 2 stock blades that Pete has tried .They are something totally different. Other things have been done. Hustler is more that that!!!!Souind like Pete has not seen these yet. Hummm.. :help:

[Doc Pete]

The blades are not 2 stock blades that Pete has tried .They are something totally different. Other things have been done. Hustler is more that that!!!!Souind like Pete has not seen these yet. Hummm.. :help:

No, I haven't seen them yet. However, I also believe what you saw "is not" what will be offered next year. Furthermore, if Hustler's typical type of testing (a la trimstar, gatemaster, shortcut and stock blades on SWBs) was done, there's still plenty of room for improvement and testing that could have been done.

PS..... I have tried many combos, including stock highlifts, which work well in 90% of situations. In fact, for most normal mowing, double stock "highlifts" give the best combination of overall power vs. cut quality.

[Envy Lawn Service]

Thank you for your reply. We will wait for a few weeks. If this issue is corrected then I will order 5 units. If it is not then I will go with another manufacture.I don't think there are going to be any physical changes for 2005. The shorty upper cutting blade should eventually be an option though. I saw that at GIE, but no deck changes. Dunno how much a larger discharge opening would really help things down here in our thick southern grasses anyways.

Oh well, maybe they will get your business on the next 5 units you purchase after these.

[theservicingdealer]

I find it very interesting that you never seen these blades but seem to know all about it.I think you should be well informed before giving advise. We all experiment and try to make things better. But Hustler has to be careful for liability reasons and Patent infringement's so please don't bash the mower maker for slow movements.

To the question about the deck cut out. With the hustler prototype blades on a 723" z the deck cut out made a huge difference in long grass. Its is not southern grass but this great northern lush stuff was a major improvement. I believe you are right that the upper blade WILL BE AS A OPTION ONLY.I can tell you this much from using them that the deck stays so much cleaner!!!. It acts much different then Pete's doubles he has tried!!

[Envy Lawn Service]

DealerDude, :D

Dunno which of us you are addressing, but I've seen what you speak of. I've seen the new Oregon Fusion blade option as well as the new shorty double setup. It's way different than any other double setup you do at home. The blade is shorter than regular blade length and also rotates on a much higher plane in the mowing deck.

Anyways, this little blade is supposed to help reduce clogging and clumping.
Let's just hope it does what it's supposed to and it's effective in all areas.

However, I would 'guess' that this setup is derrived from and/or similar to Pete's R&D using the 44" blades as upper blades on the 54" deck.

[Fareway Lawncare]

What You Need Here @ Hustler Are Some Notched High Lifts !

Is There an OEM Notched for Hustler ? The Notched Outperform the Solids in Lush Turf !

[theservicingdealer]

I hate to give you bad news but the notched blade by themselves dont really work as well you would think!

[Fareway Lawncare]

The set-up in left chamber is the Ultimate Solid Foil...Maximum Sail...never seen any solid blade w/more sail than meg knives. On the right...Notched.

The Notched don't pack the Deck like the Solids & Throw Further....even in Single configuration.

http://lawnsite.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=20301&stc=1

[bilelt9411]

I am getting ready to buy several of your Super Z's. I was told that the mower deck was changed for 2005 so it would have a larger discharge opening. Can you confirm this once and for all. I have gotten 3 different stories, from the dealer, the Hustler Rep and the factory.

Thanks,

Brian
I went to G.I.E. and looked at the super z . The one they had there had a wider opening . I was told it would be available Jan. 1st.

[Envy Lawn Service]

I hate to give you bad news but the notched blade by themselves dont really work as well you would think!

That's right. Totally depends on the individual deck. In general, they will tend to throw farther. But that don't mean squat. Increasing discharge distance is not always the perfect fix. Nor is turning the discharge chute into a gapeing hole. I've been able to dis-prove both.

Notched foils also tend to clog the deck around the perimeter of the blade arc, including in between the blades.

Fareway, the deck in the pic is a clogged up mess!

[Fareway Lawncare]

The Notched will not pack Wet Grass to the Deck like Solids....Air Rolls off the Sail & Throws....Solids are The Worst Type of Blade for Wet Turf.

The Bigger the Sail...the better the Lift & Throw...But Also The More it Packs Wet Stuff...Bad Trade-Off.

Notched for Wet.

[Doc Pete]

Increasing discharge distance is not always the perfect fix. Nor is turning the discharge chute into a gapeing hole. I've been able to dis-prove both.

IMO, I think we can agree the thickness, wettness and type of grass are probably the biggest variables in this equation. Also, there comes a time when you need to either put up or shut up about how you've been able to disprove every manufacturer's theories on deck design. If you have a true improvement, you should have already applied for a patent. So, let's see what you're constantly talking about, instead of all the hearsay......
Please don't take this the wrong way, but it gets tiring to listen how you've invented something no one else has, talk about how great it is, and never let us see it. And, as I've said, if you are that smart, then you already have a patent on it, so there's nothing to worry about........
Pete

[Doc Pete]

I hate to give you bad news but the notched blade by themselves dont really work as well you would think!

In addition, the length of the sail does make a difference, too. A shorter super high sail like the megmos "at times" ends up causing "cavitation" similar to a motorboat propeller, which in use, ends up with just "plain drag" and decreased suction, instead of a vacuuming effect. Plus, a longer sail of the same angle keeps the air from "turbulating" at the edge of the sail, which again, increases vacuum instead of just adding drag and noise.
Furthermore, a long high sail placed high in the deck actually directs the air to hit the top of the deck, besides vacuuming, and literally blows the grass from the normal "catch areas", which otherwise would collect and exit randomly as clumps.

[Envy Lawn Service]

Edited................

[Doc Pete]

Edited............

[theservicingdealer]

I think this may have gone over the edge. This is a forum to help one another make an educated decisions. Also to help one another out. If you have a improvement on how to make something works lets hear it. Don't just talk about it.That helps no one and seems to make all a little edgy. SO let hear your idea or just don't bother talking about it.

I don't believe Hustler is closed Minded what so ever or you have not dealt with other mfg much. Some people do believe they have all the answers to life but as well should know no one knows it all!!

[mowerconsultant]

Thread CLOSED.
We do not need bickering between members in this forum.

[mowerconsultant]

There has been plenty of speculation on this forum on deck changes that are forthcoming.
I can tell you that we are making some minor changes, and these changes will be retrofit-able to current and past product.
When I have the proper info to release I will do so.
At this time I can not divulge the changes you will see, or what products you will see it on.
I do not have an exact date for you, I will post the info as soon as it is released to me.

Pj