I just bought 2 Hustler Mini Super Z's, 25 Kawasakis & 52" decks. They are really great machines. Hydro controls are dampened, but very smooth and it doesn't feel like you are pushing against a brick wall compared to some other mowers. 13 mph! You can only cut at this speed if the ground is smooth and the grass is light, but when it is, work time goes way down!
I previously had been mowing with Encore Z52's that weighed 850 lbs (fairly light), were nimble in tight spots, light on the front caster wheels and had Carlisle low pressure V-tread tires mounted on them - they stuck like glue on hills no matter what approach angle.
Amazingly, with the stock turf treads, and weighing 130lbs heavier, the Hustlers seem to do just as good if not better than the Encores did.
We had trouble with the gas caps leaking fuel out from the side vents even when the tanks were only 1/3 full. Contacted the engineering department at Hustler and they sent me newly designed caps within 3-4 days. They still leak, but the fuel is diffused over a smooth area on top of the cap and three rings around the outer perimeter catch the gas and it evaporates quickly. A cheap, cheezy solution to an obvious design problem. The tank that is not drawing any fuel leaks the most gas. However, the caps do work and Hustler responded quickly to my needs.
The mower deck is offset to give you more trim capacity which is good - however, I am very particular about my striping patterns, and this caused me momentary consternation until I turned the trim side rear tire inside out - my trim capacity has been reduced, but my stripes are back in order. The deck seems to discharge OK - nothing phenomenal, and if the grass is slightly damp, clumping occurs very quickly. If the grass is high and dry, it still clumps rather than dispersing it evenly. The discharge opening is small and the grass seems to get caught on the tailing edge of the discharge opening. Another thread somewhere here by PJ at Hustler stated that Hustler is in the process of redesigning their decks - might be worth waiting for.
Hope this helps!
