[Tonyr]

Went to a rural show today, had a good look at the 2 contenders for my next purchase, with 60'' rear discharge decks.

Got a demo on the J.D Wednesday, I'll post pics...

 

[Mark McC]

I was wondering what in the world you're doing with all all that on in this heat and looked at the date of this thread. No help. Then saw you're in Australia. NOW it makes sense.

 

[Tonyr]

Ha Ha, yeah, it is mid winter here....had to get up at 4am to get there, was freezing lol. Then this cold dusty wind came up, as the saying goes here, ''freeze the balls off of a brass monkey!''


Tell ya, I had a little play on the J.D....smoothest hydro system of anything I've ever tried, for a big heavy toy it felt no heavier than my toro, just as nimble and responsive, quieter too!

I'm going to get the air intake changed to allow a precleaner, and a fan behind the radiator fitted so it can handle our hot temps and dust, currently the J.D sucks air in through a side vent, not smart if running a rear discharge deck.

This is the 1st 997 here, or one of the 1st, so it hasn't been modified for our rough ass conditions yet....

One word for the J.D......NICE!


BUT, I will say, while in my opinion the Hustler look as pretty lol, it does out spec it power wise, and is apparently 6'' shorter, though it looks much longer!
cosmetics tricking the eye!
The Hustler is indestructable, be the toughest mower on the market, put a gun on it and send it to war, it is military grade stuff lol. well, you get the point! :waving:

 

[Albemarle Lawn]

I'm concerned about the lack of a rear bumper...its plastic versus the real world.

Also, the radiator and oil cooler appear to be vulnerable. The back end of a zero turn need to be beefy considering how they operate.

Also, if you have 2 deere's they don't "interlock" well front-to-rear for transport.

NICE yanmar engine. Nice 7/8 thick belts on deck.

KB

 

[Scapegoat]

You look happier on the Hustler. Is that your wife and kids in the shot?

Just out of curiosity, what kind of prices are they quoting you there?

 

[Tonyr]

The J.D is $27500 Aussie dollars
The Hustler with 60'' rear discharge deck is around $31000 Aussie.

Mowing rates here are around a dollar a minute, so need quite a bit of work.

I should get $12000 min as a trade on my 18 month old toro....

 

[Cut 2 Please]

Tony,
Don't go trading in that Toro just yet. I demoed a new Hustler w/60" rear discharge deck today. It had the 25 hp Kaw. and was way under powered. I was very disapointed with it. My Exmark, (27 hp Koh 60" side discharge) would cut circles around it. To me the grass we had it on was not even all that tall. I was taking about 2" off the grass and the rear discharge would bog and almost cut off if you got much over 4-5 mph. My Exmark could go through it at about 8 Mph. I had double blades on my Exmark. Medium lift w/ gators over them. We also took a Hustler Super Z, (27 hp Koh 52" side discharge) and it was awsome. It had the stock blades only and could cut right with my Exmark if not just a little faster. The suspension seat was also very nice. I am very seriously considering buying the 52" Super Z.
I really thought that the rear discharge deck was going to be the greatest thing going, but man was I disapointed. Make sure you demo one before you buy. I am very glad I did.

 

[vipermanz]

both look like mini m1a1's to me

 

[iluvscag]

both look like mini m1a1's to me

Me Too. Exactly.

 

[horn1004]

I'm concerned about the lack of a rear bumper...its plastic versus the real world.

A mandrel bent rear bumper is supposed to be released any day now for the 997.

You can also make a rear bumper for it as well. I've got pics of one if needed.

 

[AintNoFun]

can you say CAT powered on the hustler.......
we own 4 hustler super z's i wouldn't trade them for the world. i can only imagine them with the diesel.....

 

[lawnandplow42]

wow, them are some big machines

 

[Envy Lawn Service]

Demoed the John Deere 997 with 60'' rear discharge today...

The machine was awesome, I want one!

Smoothest most pleasurable thing to opperate!

We put it into light paddock grass ranging to 2plus foot
high stuff, pretty good if only wanting a fast knockdown.

Then we went to the park I'm currently mowing....well,
what a mess! were cutting 2 to 3 '' of bermuda leaf and seed head,
nothing hard, my toro leaves it nice with one pass, the J.D, clumps,
long windrows etc, it just couldn't fan the clippings out to leave them
evenly dispersed.

I was so shocked and dissapointed I felt sick, as I love the machine soooo
much...

So, there ya go, even a big name like j.d can't build a decent rear
discharge
deck, I love the machine so much I'd even consider just having a 60''
side discharge fitted lol. But that ain't smart, but I love the machine
that much!

Just wanted to let you know, I can't post it on lawnsite, for some reason
I've been locked out, dunno why....says I don't have permission to access
the page when trying to reply.

I have a demo on a 72'' hustler diesel in a week or 2.....this will be a let
down
after riding the j.d, plus I reckon the diesel hustler looks so ugly!

I don't want to own one because I hate the look, but be my luck the ugly
duckling passes the test he he.

BTW, the deck on the j.d is the one that was posted awhile ago, not the
design of the one that has the middle blade set back, this deck I reckon
would go better, but they are only in 72'' for the 1400 series or something.

The j.d 997 would be working hard on thick grass powering a 72'' deck.

Spose, if the hustler deck somehow works, I could buy a deck and get it
fitted
to the j.d 997....wander if that's worth a thought?

You can post this on the thread on lawnsite started a couple of days ago
where I put pics if ya want on my behalf....or edit it...

Kind Regards,

Tony Rigby
A Perfect Cut Mowing Services
www.apcmowing.com.au
Hervey Bay, Qld.