New Hustler/Gravely Fastrak/Raport SD Type vs Used Commercial ZTR

[monteu]

Ok, this is what happened. My 2006 Hustler Fastrak had a hydrostrat go out. The dealer here says that on that old of Fastrak the parts are obsolete. He can get them from an aftermarket place, but I'm looking at around $1,000 to repair it. Then the other side could go anytime. The mower needs some other work done too on the casters and in general has been used pretty hard. We live on an acreage and my boys run the mower. It usually takes 2-3 hours to mow the place. I'm not sure how many acres it might be. Mower has a 54" deck.

I have decided not to repair the mower. I'm a bit short on cash now so not coming at a good time. My options are a Huster Raptor SD for 4 grand, a new 2016 Fastrak for $5,500, the Gravely and Simplicity models in the same price range and a used commercial.

A local fellow here that does lawn mowing has a Gravely Pro Turn 460 with 860 hours on it and its a 2013 model I believe. It was around 12,000 new he says. It's $5,000 or best offer. I am fairly certain he would go down on price.

So do I buy a newer lighter duty machine and get the 0% financing or do I buy a used commercial machine and try to scrape together the cash? If I go new I am not sure if I should stay with Hustler or try Gravely this time.

 

[Locoweed]

How many hours on your fastrak?

 

[monteu]

How many hours on your fastrak?

600 or so

 

[southernAL]

From experience i've owned two Gravely ZTR's. My current one is a Pro-Turn 160 and I really like the mower. That Pro-Turn 460 is a sweet machine w/air-ride seat How well has he maintaned it? The good thing about buying new is you know what all has been done and how it has been treated.

 

[Garrett Wiggins]

The good thing about buying new is you know what all has been done and how it has been treated.

This!!

 

[BoylermanCT]

I have a 54" Hustler Raptor SD and love it. It takes me 2 hours to mow my 5 acres. If you are mowing for 3 hours per mowing, you are looking at 7-10 acres. At that size, I would go with a larger, faster mower. A 60" Fastrak would be the step up in the Hustler lineup. It comes with a 4 year, 400 hour warranty if I recall. If you have a Bobcat dealer, look at them as well. They come with a 5 year warranty.

 

[coobie]

I would also look into Ferris ZTR.Nice machines.

 

[whitexc]

Only cutting 2 acres here but have had no issues with my Gravely ZTHD52 other than your normal maintenance wear and tear. I have had the machine for 6 years and have right around 290 hours on it. This year I did add a Milsco suspension seat as my back yard is a bit on the bumpy side. I wish I would have done that 5 1/2 years ago! Cost was around $5000 when purchased.

I would be pretty leery on buying used unless I knew the guy and his habits mimicked mine, as in the machine was washed, waxed and treated to more frequent service intervals. I know it is just a mower but seeing how some guys treat them just doesn't work for me.

 

[southernAL]

Yea to mimick what whitexc said, get you a mower with a suspension seat at least! I also owned the gravely ZTHD52, and it was great, but would beat you to death if the lawn was uneven or bumpy.

 

[Ghost River Retrievers]

I have a Hustler FastTrac of about the same vintage that I abused until I got a tractor and bush hog. It is a high quality machine. I had a transaxle go out...it took about 3-4 months to find a replacement, but i found one for 300-400...glad I did. If you don't fix yours, I may contact you for parts.