Hustler Raptor Review Mar 2024

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Most people like a big and beautiful lawn, but few realize that a lot goes into maintaining it.

Ask anybody who is the proud owner of a large lawn, and they will give you the same answer – lawn maintenance chores can be back-breaking and tear-jerking, to say the least. But that’s where a riding lawn mower comes to the rescue!

Now, what do I mean when I say “large lawn?” Anything bigger than a couple of acres qualifies as one. I have a 3.5-acre lawn and keeping it manicured used to be one of the toughest challenges. But that was until I found the best riding lawn mower available out there.

Today, I have handpicked two exceptional zero-turn riding lawn mowers from the reputed brand of Hustler. These two beasts will surely make your lawn mowing chores easier and quicker.

Before getting to all the nitty-gritty, I want to tell you that I have used each of these two lawn mowers extensively for more than a couple of months. This helped me gain an unbiased understanding of the pros and cons of these products.

Let’s cut to the chase and talk about these top-notch products, shall we?

Hustler Raptor 52 Reviews Mar 2024: Why Buy This Product?

hustler zero turn reviewsThe first product I want you to consider is the Raptor Zero Turn Riding Lawn Mower. It is available in two cutting deck sizes – 42 and 52 inches. Of these, I recommend going for the bigger, 52-inch variant.

While using it, I noticed several win-win aspects. Of these, I was impressed the most by the following:

Powerful Performance

It packs a powerful punch with its 23 HP 726 cc Kawasaki FR691 engine and its dual hydrostatic drive system. And if that wasn’t enough, the HydroGear ZT2200 transmission system allows it to go at a top speed of 6.5 miles per hour.

Furthermore, it has three blades with a tip speed of 16,600 fpm, which allows it to cut through grass effortlessly.

Ergonomic Design

Above all else, you will appreciate the ergonomic design of the 52-inch Raptor. I especially liked the thoughtful inclusion of a comfortable seat with lumbar support. And how can I not mention the trademark Hustler features like SmoothTrak Steering and Automatic Parking Brakes?

The foot-operated deck lift and the cup holder are other design features to be lauded. Overall, it is more user-friendly than any other lawn mower I have ever used.

Durability

Nobody wants to invest in a lawn mower that is not durable enough to last for at least a couple of years, and that’s one test in which the 52-inch Raptor exceeds all expectations.

The steel frame and the heavy-duty cutting deck, coupled with a sturdy front axle and robust wheels, ensure long-lasting performance. And to top it all, Hustler backs it with a 3-year limited warranty.

Value for Money

One of the features that sets this mower apart from its competition is its low seat height. It results in a lower center of gravity, making it more comfortable to use on slopes up to 15 degrees.

I can assure you that you get a ton of features in this mower, and only a handful of other models come remotely close to it in terms of the sheer value for money it offers.

Hustler Turf Equipment 52" Raptor Zero Turn Riding Lawn Mower
  • Powerful Kawasaki 23 HP V-Twin engine delivers smooth output, quieter operation, and outstanding durability

Last update on 2022-02-28 at 12:13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

What Could’ve Been Better?

The 52” Raptor has reduced my lawn mowing time to half, and I am very impressed by it. But like every outdoor power equipment, it is not perfect. The holes in the foot deck tend to let some grass clippings and dirt swirl and settle near your legs. It is not a deal-breaker in any way, but something Hustler should undoubtedly look into!

Pros

Pros
  • Equipped with a 23 HP 726 cc Kawasaki engine
  • Hustler’s patented automatic parking brakes
  • Impressive 52-inch cutting width and up to 4.5-inch cutting height
  • Large fuel tank with a capacity of 3 gallons
  • Backed by a 3-year limited warranty for residential use

Cons

Cons
  • Holes in the foot deck serve as outlets for grass clippings and dirt

Verdict

It won’t take rocket science for you to see that the upsides of buying this lawn mower are considerably greater than the downsides. My verdict for the 52-inch Raptor Zero Turn Mower is a sure buy!

Raptor SD 60 Review Mar 2024: Why Buy This Product?

raptor sd reviewsIf you liked the 52-inch Raptor, you would absolutely love the 60-inch Raptor SD. It is bigger and better in more ways than one. You can choose from three cutting deck sizes – 48, 54 and 60 inches.

Here are the most significant praiseworthy features of the 60-inch Raptor SD that I observed:

Powerful Performance

Straight off the bat, I was impressed by its powerful engine. Hustler has equipped it with a 24 HP 726 cc Kawasaki FR Series engine and a dual hydrostatic drive system. It doesn’t get much better than this when it comes to riding lawn mowers.

Moreover, it comes equipped with an unmatched cutting capacity of 60 inches in width and 1.5 to 4.5 inches in height. Each of the three blades has a tip speed of 18,400 fpm.

Ergonomic Design

Everything about this mower is all about ease of use. From the comfortable seat with armrests to the thoughtful inclusion of a cup holder, Hustler left no stone unturned to enhance user comfort.

I am a big fan of the automatic parking brakes, foot-operated deck lift, and single-stage air cleaner in this model. It is the most ergonomically designed lawn mower I have ever used!

Durability

The Raptor SD boasts best-in-class durability. Be it the cutting deck, spindles, front axle or wheels, each part of this mower is made from high-quality materials.

I especially liked the heavy-duty steel construction of the frame. This behemoth weighs around 675 pounds, so you can understand how durable it is. No wonder it is backed by a 3-year limited warranty!

Value for Money

You may be wondering if it is worth it to invest in this lawn mower. It surely is, especially if you have a large lawn or yard that takes up a lot of time to mow. The 60-inch Raptor SD packs more than adequate nifty features to justify its price.

I can say without a shadow of a doubt that it will give you the most bang for your buck!

Hustler Turf Equipment 60" Raptor SD Zero Turn Riding Lawn Mower
  • Powerful Kawasaki 24 HP V-twin engine delivers smooth output, quieter operation, and outstanding durability

Last update on 2022-02-28 at 12:13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

What Could’ve Been Better?

The 60” Raptor SD is an absolute beast of a machine, but it is not flawless. I noticed that its performance was slightly compromised when I tried to cut tall or damp grass. The only plausible reason for that, according to me, is that the grass exiting gap is not wide enough.

Pros

Pros
  • Equipped with a 24 HP 726 cc Kawasaki FR Series engine
  • Hustler’s patented automatic parking brakes
  • 60-inch cutting width and up to 4.5-inch cutting height
  • Large fuel tank with a capacity of 3 gallons
  • Backed by a 3-year warranty for residential use

Cons

Cons
  • Cannot tackle tall or damp grass perfectly

Verdict

As you can see, the positives far outweigh the negatives when it comes to the 60-inch Raptor SD Zero Turn Mower. Also, if you look at any commercial model that has all of its features, it will most likely cost a lot more. So, my verdict for this amazing Hustler product is a definite buy!

Final Words

I can understand if you are more familiar with household brands like Toro, Cub Cadet, and Craftsman, but that doesn’t make Hustler inferior in any way. In fact, I looked at a score of products from several brands before picking these two as my top recommendations.

I am confident that your experience using either of these two lawn mowers will be as good as mine.

Can’t make up your mind yet? Read our buying guide for zero turn mowers before you proceed with your purchase.

You should also check out our reviews of other models: