Please forgive a newbie.....

RecurveRx · Jul 23, 2005

We all have our passions. Mine are shotguns and traditional bows. I contribute to more message boards on those topics than I care to admit. However, this is my first post here. I'm sorry it is in the form of a question. I know I should contribute first.

It's just that I'm interested and informed enough on this topic to THINK I know what I want, but I really am a novice. I've done some research and I think I know what I want. From the posts I've read here, it seems that a lot of guys here know there stuff.

I won't take up too much time, lets get to the point. Here's my situation. I recently bought 23 acres of flat land. 21 acres are wooded. The rest is taken up by the home and lawn. The lawn contains a lot of obstacles (trees). The woods has manicured trails throughout half of it.

I am accustomed to a Honda Harmony walk behind mower and LOVE it. I have a particular bias toward Honda engines. Anyway, I'm in the process of purchasing a rider for this lawn. It is important to note that I also have a Ford 2000(about 35 HP) tractor with a disc, stone bucket, and trailer. So I'm primarily looking for a mower for my lawn and trails (LOTS of sticks) and an occassional light trailer load.

Here's what I've narrowed it down to: Hustler Mini FasTrak with the 16HP Honda engine and the 36" deck for about $3800. Even though I'm not a "lawn nut," I love quality and buy it whenever I can. If I'm going to own it for 7+ years, I buy the best I can afford. To me, this seems to be the Hustler Mini Fastrak.

Okay, you guys are the experst, am I missing something? Is there a better "bang for the buck?" This mower seems to be commercial grade at a residential price. If I do go with the Hustler, will the Honda 16 HP easily handle the 42" deck, or should I stick with the 36? I know that it is probably more than I "need," but......

Thanks in advance. Mike

DmansPadge · Jul 23, 2005

Welcome to TBN!

It sounds like you already know what you need. A ZTR would be a good choice for your lawn.

If you are stuck on Honda (I don't blame you) than the Hustler is a good choice IMO. I would opt for the 18hp Honda with the 44" deck.

If you are open to suggestions other than the Hustler, I would look at Exmark, Ferris and Kubota.

Sigarms · Jul 24, 2005

Mike

Although I don't have an opinion for you, I had to laugh after reading your post.

Sounds like were in the same boat.

I have many passions, but after recently getting married and buying a house with 38 acres, most time that was spent on "fun" is now on work around the house/land.

Like yourself, spent many hours on different web sites pertaining to "other things", but funny enough, I spend more time on this site "looking" for "answers" not on just mowing/tractor choices, but on landscaping, house repairs and such.

Guys here seem "first rate" and unlike other web sites that I used to frequent (pertaining to other subjects), there isn't a lot of "bickering" (AKA "flame away posts").

Seems to be a genuine friendship via the internet.

You will be sure to get helpful information here.

Joe

Bird · Jul 24, 2005

Mike, welcome to Tractorbynet, and it sounds to me like you don't need any advice, already got it pretty well figured out. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif As to whether the 16hp Honda will handle a 42" deck . . . well, I haven't used one personally, but my 14hp Briggs & Stratton handles the 38" deck on my Toro ZTR very well, so I'd be very much surprised if that Honda doesn't handle a 42" deck easily.

Spiffy · Jul 24, 2005

However, this is my first post here. I'm sorry it is in the form of a question. I know I should contribute first.


I was thinking the same thing when I first signed on, but people here love to answer questions [and spend your money /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif].

Also, I actually regret not posting my first question [I sent 3 PMs to members who were posting on threads related to my concerns, got 3 good responses in less than 12 hours]: I thought my question comparing a residential Z to a commercial Z was just too strange, a few weeks later, several threads emerged with similar concerns!!! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Sure would like some pictures when you decide though! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Spiffy · Jul 24, 2005

I wouldn't worry about the HP driving either deck unless you're planning on hogging down excessively tall grass way beyond the resonable use for this or most "lawn" mowers. For the deck size, I'd think you'll be happiest planning your deck width against the most effective use on your trails [maybe the 42 can't get through some places, maybe the the 36 can't do enough in one pass, or two, or whatever width you cut]. Maybe the 42 will give you better overhang clearance with extra deck offset.

Hustler is doing many of the same things as everyone else on the "transition [between consumer and comerical]" machines: smaller frames [though I'd say quite appropriate on a 36 or even 42" machine], smaller tires [possible concern on your trails], EZT transmissions [not trying to scare, just cheaper than most "commercial" solutions]; however, they also have a very impressive fab deck, which I think will hold up better in your condiontions than many other options for that price.

How many total acres are you mowing? Maybe you should be looking at something even more indestructable like the MiniZ44 [assuming you like the Hustlers], but I think you are really on the right track. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

eeerrr, the right FasTrak???!! Didn't intend the pun, but had to to acknowledge it before someone else did!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Spiffy · Jul 24, 2005

[assuming you like the Hustlers] 

My crazy grammer! Meant only as oppossed to bringing any other brands into the equation.....don't think I've ever heard a bad thing about the Hustlers.

carry on..... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

wushaw · Jul 24, 2005

I have a 36" Mini Fastrak with the Kohler, I like the hustler but the hydros are not commercial grade, they are rated for 800hrs. The rest of the machine is really built well.

If your needing a 36" deck commercial grade ZTR..I was looking at a Scag 36" at my Kubota dealer last week and it has a Kawasaki engine and the hydros are commercial and the price was 4500.00. Here is a link to their site. Scag

Hustler makes a good product but there are other units to look at also.

leoniru · Jul 25, 2005

Mike;
Hate to introduce more variables to your dilemma, but have you considered a used machine?
I too once upon a time, hemmed and hawed about what to buy, but with the help of the great folks on this forum, I was able to determine what was best suited for my mowing needs. The trouble began when my identified mower requirements didn't come new for under $8,000.00 or so. I ended up buying a lightly-used commercial quality machine (Woods 6200 front mount deck Mow'n Machine) for $3400.00. I couldn't be happier even though I've already had to replace the PTO clutch for $140.00. Heck, the way I figure it, even if BOTH hydraulic pumps/motors puke, I'll still have a commercial level machine for around half the cost of a new one. Of course one needs to be mechanically inclined (or have a really good friend who is!) to take this avenue as I suspect that things would quickly become UNaffordable if you needed to go to a dealer for all your parts and repairs.
I never drove a mid mount ZTR, but I can attest to the under-obstacle reach, and smooth ride of the front mount Woods. It actually rides BETTER than my two Cub Cadet lawn tractors and at faster ground speeds to boot.

Jim S.

Spiffy · Jul 25, 2005

$4500 on the Z-Cat?!!! I didn't know they were that competetive.

If you can scrounge up the extra $700, I'm betting that would be money well spent! [oh yeah, the ol price creap /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif : I want a $1500 lawnmower....oh, but ZTR would be nice: OK $2500...but that welded frame and 2 cylinder engine is awsome: OK $3500.....but for only $1000 more I can get.....: 3X what I oringinally wanted to spend!!!]

Anyway, I'm still not sure you'll be putting on the hours to justify it, but if you have some nasty conditions the commercial machine would be the way to go [I'm still convinced that 20 years of home owner use is often nastier than 5 commercial years putting on twice the total hours].

Anyway, I've never been on a ZCat, but it looks like it specs out like the commerial machines; here's what the extra $$$ get:

Timpkin Tapered roller bearings; these will take loads in any direction without damage [hitting rocks and stumps] better than ball. They are not greaseless!! This is a very good thing if you're willing to spend the extra two minutes after you're done mowing to put in a pump of grease; a very bad thing if you forget for a whole season (the next season you'll likely have a bunch of rust in there just eating them up).

Commercial pumps/motors: longevity; peice-part replacement if required; and, IMHO, smoother operation.

Larger drive wheels for getting over your trails.

Of course, I still think you'll be happy with either deck; however, if you're set on a Honda, it won't matter whether the Kaw is twice or half the quality, it won't be your Honda.

Anyway, see if you can get a couple test drives [of which ever you think you'll choose; better yet: both] on your nastiest areas, and I think you'll be a happy mower! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif