Grasshopper vs Hustler

[moss2940]

I have a Hustler with a 52" deck. I mow 3 acres.
They are both good machines you mention, probably can't go wrong with either one. If I had it to do over again I would get a larger deck.
So my advice if you are mowing 6.5 acres, get the biggest mowing deck you can afford in either brand.
Based on my mowing experience at 7 mph, mowing at 15 mph should be one heck of a wild ride.

 

[gates]

Ajm,
I have a 428D Grasshopper with a 72" deck. It is a mowin machine. I have close to 600 hours on it. Not a single problem. Love the headlights.

Ron

 

[donaldprice]

I bought my 1979 Hustler 285 20hp. onan engine with 72" Deck.
Sold in 1991 I thank Hustler is clearly superior! just my opinion

Don /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[ajm]

Well, I bought a Grasshopper midmount today, but not the one I listed in my original post. I bought a 227 w/61" deck. I'm eagerly waiting for spring. Thanks for the input!

 

[DmansPadge]

Congrats! The Grasshopper is a great machine. A few of the local school districts and municipalities use them with great success. I've never heard anything but great comments on GH. Have fun!

 

[Dargo]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Well, I bought a Grasshopper midmount today, but not the one I listed in my original post. I bought a 227 w/61" deck. I'm eagerly waiting for spring. Thanks for the input! )</font>

A little late, but I test mowed up to the largest 928 Kubota Diesel front mount today. I've owned 6 ZTR mowers and have mowed with well over a dozen more. My findings are that unless you need room on a trailer, there is no reason for a mid mount. There is no mid mount made that rides as well as the worst front mount made. And, I challange you to find a mid mount that rides better than the Cat diesel powered mid mount with 4 wheel independent suspension. They just will not ride as fast.

Along the same line, I've seen some mid mounts advertise over 10 mph mowing speed. I've driven most all of them. Maybe on a newly paved parking lot, but not in my yard. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

As far as sheer strength, I don't thnk that you will find a tougher mid mount ZTR than the JD 777 machine. It should come standard with a kidney belt! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif It will take more than a Navy SEAL!

My only issue now is how to convince my wife that I need to sell my Grasshopper 725 G2 (now considered a 29 hp for '06 - no changes; just rated them at 4 more hp) to one of the new Grasshopper 928 diesel models. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif C'mon guys, help me out here. Every guy needs one of those! Heck, I already have 27 hours on my 725 and I need to wax it again!

 

[gamble77]

My take...I have rode almos all models of every brands and to me there is no finer ridding machine than the GrassHopper, mid-mount or front-mount. On their mid-mount units the whole machine is ISO mounted and is smoother then even a Cub Cadet Commercial machine with a suspension seat installed and it has a pivoting front axle.

We use to sell the Ferris line so I am familiar with them and know how they ride, and I just think GrassHopper is better. I couldn't sell a Ferris next to a GrassHopper.

To each their own...but you will find a front mount Kawasaki powered GrassHopper with power-fold in my garage. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif