I’m in the market for a good riding lawn mower. Got a hustler raptor 52” zero turn but it is giving me issues, and i am starting to look elsewhere for the next ride. I previously had a JD and the transmission went out well before it should have...so I’ve been a little cautious about going with JD after that.

Looking to stay under $3k for sure! Don’t want to get something too cheap. Been down that road.

Anyone have any suggestions? Recommendations? Or stay away froms?

Do some research and you'll find MTD makes 90% of the parts. You're paying for a name. The biggest thing to look for are the trans. Did a ton of research when my craftsman went through 2. The tuff torq k46 is the most widely used and biggest pos out there; non serviceable, expensive to rebuild and comes in 5 or so forms. Now the k66 on the other hand is a great hydro trans. If possible find one with a Kawasaki motor and strong serviceable hydro trans. I went to a commercial ZT for this exact reason since I mow lots of hills. If you want one that last, best bet is a true garden tractor.

I've done a ton of research on zero turns the last few weeks.

Under 3k, for new, doesn't get you serviceable hydro on any model that I could find. There are tricks to service the non serviceable, but they weren't designed that way.

About 4 grand is where they start to get serviceable and pretty good warranties.

But after looking at pros and cons, if I broke down and bought one it would be a lower-mid Scag or Exmark.

I bought a 60 in club cadet for 4500 and have been really happy with it.Heavy frame and welded heavy duty deck.

Same Kawasaki motor that's in a lot of the higher end brands.

New landscape guys will start out with little money and buy undersized machines only to trade them back in for larger ones. Those traded in units are solid.

bad luck with the hustler? ive had one for 5 yrs, omly issue was the bolts holding the trannies. once I changed them out not a problem since.

Pm sent

Same here. Spend a little more and get the Hustler SD. They are certainly built better than the cheaper models. A friend of mine bought the 52" standard Hustler and has has some issues. I bought the 54" SD about the same time and haven't had a single problem. Both were purchased 5 years ago.

My Husqvarna has been a solid mower 8 years old only thing I've had to do is keep the oil changed and the inline gas filter and I put new blades on once a year and have never had a issue

Transmissions and deck design (fabricated) are the differentiators and stay with Kawasaki or Kohler motors.

What are the issues you are having with the Hustler?

Been happy with my Kubota Kommander Z121S. Had it for 5 years + with no issues. Serviced and changed filters on both hydros myself, pretty easy, serviced at 100 hrs as per service manual. Has the Kohler V-twin. Had the best warranty around when I bought it, but sorry, won’t touch it for $3000.

Kawasaki or Kohler, If you go with a Briggs, make sure it is a Vanguard. They can make quality IF they want.

I have a cub cadet ztr 50 with the Kawasaki motor. Love it.

We have an Xmark 52” ZT. Bought it used for about $3000, about 6 or 8 years ago. Only problem we’ve ever had was that leaves, sticks, and dirt would get under the plastic shield over the pulleys on the top of the deck and cause the belt to be thrown off. Took the shields off, and problem solved.

Its happened to me.

This might be one of my issues. The drive/trans belt keeps coming off. I need to get it lifted up to check all the bolts next time I’m at the ranch and have some time. What did you replace them with? Was there an upgrade kit you found? I’ve been hearing this is a more common issue for the 52’s.

cant get better than a hustler until you go comercial grade and that aint any where near 3k

Snapper

Highly recommended. My yard is too small to spend the money on a zero turn mower.

Very happy with my Gravely. It has a heavy fabbed deck And the Kohler 7000 series motor. It is a smaller deck at 42” with a 24 horse motor. I’ve only changed belts and pulleys which I consider standard maintenance. 490 hours currently and I use it to brush hog part of the time. I’m not nice to it.

Speaking of hours i think that a pretty important reference compared to years. I have no idea what normal is so mine might be high or low. Currently 4 years old I think.

Edit: forgot to add, that is a $3000 mower. You have to go smaller to get the better deck at that price. The upgrade to Kawasaki takes it out of that price range. Check out the mowing speeds rated for each one. The same motor with a bigger deck typically mows slower.

I have a 42” craftsman.Had it for about 6 years. Haven’t changed the oil since 2017, but I do check the level before running. It stays outside all year long, it’s gonna need the belt changed soon. It was slipping yesterday. Can’t justify a nicer mower, I’ve got too many rocks on my place. Only repair was squirrel chewed wires behind key switch couple months ago, and the starter went out around the same time.

I have an Exmark Quest, it's 6 years old. It's been pretty reliable. Only issues I have is an easily replaceable safety switch due to all the dust out here. It has a Kawasaki engine, I will never buy a mower without a Kawasaki engine. Belts and blades are easy to replace. Very comfortable seat too.

I have the same mower. Never changed the oil.

Sorry for the delay. I bought grade 8 bolts and lock washers and replaced all bolts holding the trannies. That’s what the hustler repair shop recommended. Haven’t had any prob since. 52 “ raptor. And the drive belt coming off was what clued me in. It’s a pain to put on

Have had 2 new Kubota mowers This Diesel ZD221Z Zero turn I have now and Traded in a Diesel Kubota Lawn Tractor GL2120 that they never could get it to cut right. Crap sticking up everywhere.This Zero turn ain't much better unless your cutting on the lowest setting. Both over 10 grand a piece. Don't buy a Kubota. They suck.