Customer Reviews for Hustler Raptor 42 in. 21.5 HP Kawasaki V-Twin Hydrostatic Zero-Turn Mower

This Hustler Zero Turn mower is a great value for the features that it has. The Hustler brand is known for quality and performance. I was most impressed by the rigid construction and quality of materials used in the production of this mower. The frame seems to be more rigid than competitors and the components used are higher quality. The Kawasaki engine performs very well and has an excellent track record for long life. This mower cuts evenly and quickly, I could not be happier.

Researched zero turns until my eyes bled, I kept coming back to the Hustler Raptor for a few reasons. -Quality of build -Welded deck -Kawasaki engine -Heavy duty frame & castors -Warranty & reputation -Price For about the same price as some of the "others", you are getting much more mower period. It mows terrific, controls are smooth as silk and the Kawasaki is quiet. The person who gave it 1 star puzzles me as if you put the Hustler side by side with JDs, Huskies, etc.. you will see a huge difference in stoutness. As far as having no hour meter, that is a $39 quick fix and installs in 5 minutes. Great mower indeed.

When I saw this last season, I was very impressed with the quality and specifications. The manufactures online video convinced me that I needed a Zero Turn mower, as I have a 9 degree slope in one portion of my 1/2 ac yard. (I flipped a MTD 46" last season). Safety of this mower is as advertised, and I have had no issues with tipping or instability. The cut quality is better than the old riding mower, and the operation is flawless, and is a real pleasure to use. So, with that said, I have to warn buyers about the 2 glaring defects in the design. The first is the 42" deck. My thoughts for the smaller deck were 2 fold; I have a shed with a 54" opening and a 48" trailer. I thought this would be the best fit for both, and also the fact that I have a smallish lawn. What I didn't consider, was the blade deck is narrower than the rear wheel base (or at best, exactly the same) This makes trimming nearly impossible. The rear wheels hit walls, fences, etc. when trimming, and also goes 8" into gardens with curved edges. The wider 52" deck is the ONLY way to go with this product. Issue number 2 is less agregious, and that is the rear wheel traction is lacking on slopped areas. You cannot easily turn on slopes of more than a few degrees and on steeper slopes like mine, you have to go straight up and down, or you will not be able to turn. (Wheels just spin and tear up grass). This may be systemic to all small Zero Turn products, but thought I'd mention it. Here again, the larger 52" model, with it's bigger, heaver engine, might help this issue. Overall, It's a super product, but the bottom line is it's usability, and with it's limited trimming ability, I'd have to give it a Do-Not-Buy in the 42" model. The good news is that the 52" version is only $200 more.

I had pent an entire week going to retailers after retailers and checking out the products and in all honesty I kept coming back the Hustler. When I looked at how this mower was built and the type of engine it came with plus the fact that it came with a welded deck where as other mowers had a punched cutting deck , needless to say I was impressed. As for cutting, I could not ask for anything better. Talk about time consuming savings it used to take me and hour and a half to cut my lawn. This Hustler did it in forty five minutes and I really wasn't moving fast. To be honest, it took me about a half hour to get use to the controls and after that it was a breeze. I must say I bought the right machine and I am very happy with the choice I made in purchasing this Raptor.

Mower was delivered with a deep scratch on the deck, and had two bolts were missing nuts. If you have never used a ZTR mower, it takes some getting used to...I was able to cut the yard after about 45 minutes of practice; I'm sure it'll be easier the second time. I love the sound of the Kawasaki engine and the ruggedness of the welded deck compared to the stamped decks I had seen on comparably priced ZTR's.

I have gradually went from push mowers to riding mowers. My last mower was a Snapper that I got new at the dealer in murfreesboro tn. I had it 4 years and it started first pull every time and never broke 1 time, when I recently moved out west the Snapper was the last item to go on the moving truck. short story - could'nt fit & I had to give it to friends. I was really disappointed up to a few days ago, I got this Hustler Raptor last week from a dealer. He said its the best zero turn they sell small enough for residential, all their mowers there have the Kawasaki engines as the other engine brand options are inferior to the Kawasaki. He was right. I used this thing yesterday and within 20 min was getting the hang of the zero turn. Compared to the snapper its miles ahead & zero turn is no comparison. My new property has alot of trees and levels on the hilly lawn, this Hustler Raptor tears it up, my old riding mower would'nt have made it up and down my yard like this one. I'm not sure about the review complaining about refueling and hour meters, If spend thru it you can eventually get there. In the sub 3K price range you will not get this quality, period. you wont get close. I have seen other brands that look alot like this mower, near identical but no Kawasaki engine !!! and they are only $200 - $300 lower price point.

The mower runs great and handles great, but it needs more anti-scalp wheels. I bought the mower online, only having a picture to look at. If I had known that it had only one wheel on the deck I would have never bought it.

My wife loves the mower. She cuts our yard (1 1/2 acres) and her grandmothers yard ( about 1 acre) in minimal time with a big ole grin. My observations :STARTS EASILY, NOT VERY LOUD & EXTREMELY WELL CONSTRUCTED.

The quality of the Raptor is best in this class of RESIDENTIAL mowers. It is not commercial machine and has cut some corners so it is not 3 times the price. It has what it needs, plus for the home owner. While the lack of hour meter was a poor decision on Huslter, it can be added in about 10 minutes. (The part number is listed in the manual.)

I have no idea what reviewer meant you can't fill the tank unless you lift seat up.. Slot on the side allows you to see and if you use your eyeballs god gave you you will see when your tank is getting full. I own a lawn care business and have one of these babies and it is hands down the best bang for your buck I bought mine from a dealer .... If I had one thing to gripe and moan about it would be to attach a holder for the side discharge so it would hold it up when you load, etc.. I used a hanger so didn't care. About an hour meter... Use a watch for gods sake... Tape a timer to it... You want all the bells and whistles for nothing then go buy a junk mower. Great mower hustler! Next year I'll be getting an X-One rear discharge they look great!!

For under $3000 you will not find a better mower, it has a fabricated deck and a Kawasaki motor. This mower has plenty of power and is strong enough that I do not get worried about mowing over small stick and limbs. I feel that if you are looking to buy a mower that will last, and hold up for years to come this is the one for you.

The gas tank cannot be filled without raising the seat so you can see the gas tank and not overfill it and it leaks. Does not have an hour meter yet all maintenance is based on hourly use. Does not have a gas gauge. The quality seems to be about average for any ztr I have used. It is easy to use but you have to be very careful due to over sensitive steering. Almost any ZTR is about the same price with more features.