I saw one of those recently while looking at garden tractors. It looks like a very solidly built machine that should give years of dependable service, especially with the Honda engine. Congrats. And please report back after you've had a chance to use it some. If I didn't need the versatility of a garden tractor, that Hustler ZTR would be high on my list.

I thought for sure I was going to go for a GT for versatility, then I realized that I would be mad at myself for not getting a ztr. I have wanted one for a long time. I am excited about this mower, I hope that it mulches well.

Hustler has a hitch available with a hole to mount a tow ball or pin so you can have a cart or aerator.
That is not the problem...it is coming up with the 4 or 5 thousand for one of those bad machines and justifying the expense to yourself and the wife.

"Hustler has a hitch available with a hole to mount a tow ball or pin so you can have a cart or aerator.
That is not the problem...it is coming up with the 4 or 5 thousand for one of those bad machines and justifying the expense to yourself and the wife."

Are you saying that a fully welded, Honda driven, commercial quality mower is a "bad" machine, or do you not like ZTRs in general.

My Hustler Fastrak came with a hitch mount hole as
standard, its last years model, 44" deck, also Honda
powered, bought it last fall when it was about 6 mos
old an had 20 hrs on it, I've only found one thing I
didn't like, and that was the plastic bushings in the
steering lever bell-cranks, they had too much play in
them to suit me.. I turned out new bronze ones on my
lathe an installed them, solved that little problem
very nicely... So far I've put an additional 16 hrs on
it, an I'm extremely pleased with its performance...
Paul R...

That 44 inch honda is the one I would have ordered if they still offered them. Do you mulch with yours?

No, I'm not into mulching per se, I do have gator blades
on it, an they do chew things up a bit more than the OEM
blades.. Getting up leaves in the fall with gator blades
is especially helpful, reduces the number of bags needed
by half because the gators chew them up into much smaller
pieces than the standard blades do...
Paul R...

I am leaning towards a ZTR for my 2 acre lawn. I was thinking about a Toro or the new John Deere EZTrak, but the salesman thanks I should go commercial and get the Hustler Fastrak. I want my ZTR to be well built and last a long time, but I don't know if commercial is worth the extra cost since I will only be using it 3-4 hours a week. Also, I live in Indiana, so I will only be using the mower a few months out of the year. Please help!

Exodus, I would not buy the JD EZTrak 225, but the 425 or 445 should last many, many years in the light usage you described.

Thanks passthegravy. If I go with the John Deere, I'd probably get the 425. I keep hearing that honda, kohler, and kawasaki are better engines than the B&S. Is this true or just preference?

I'm no engine mechanic, but I think that Honda and Kawasaki are better than the low and mid-level Kohler and B&S engines. For example, the Kohler Courage and B&S Intek engines. That much is clear.

Whether they are better than the commercial grade Kohler and B&S engines is very debatable, and you'll get arguments on both sides. Some people just prefer the Honda and Kaw engines. Others will say the Kohler Command and B&S Vanguard engines are commercial grade engines and are just as good.

I wouldn't have any problems buying a machine with the Kohler Command or B&S Vanguard engine, and would expect it to perform well and reliably for many years if normal maintenance was done.

You will inevitably hear horror stories from someone about any machine or engine, regardless of make or model. There are lemons out there, whether Honda, Kaw or whoever made them. Don't let them scare you away from a good commercial quality engine regardless of whose name is stamped on it.

Passthegravy-

Thanks for the input. I'll have to see what type of B&S Engine the JD EZTrak 425 has. Now I am being told I should go with the Exmark quest b/c the deck is more durable. The Exmark quest w/ 48" blade is the same price ($3999) and it has the 24 hp B&S Vanguard. I think the JD has a nicer look, but I'm not sure if it is as durable as the Exmark. Tough decision...

pcpacker- I am almost sure kachinee was using the word "bad" to mean good, as in "that mower is a bad boy." Kind of like how Michael Jackson uses it ; )

June 2007 - I am just about to decide on a Hustler - can you give me an update on yours - is it what you expected re heavy duty etc.??

I would sure try to find someone that has a hustler fastrak and look at the quality of cut. A neighbor of mine has the 52 inch model and personally, I do not like the cut. If I am going to spend that much money, I want it to cut as good, if not better, than a tractor type mower. Maybe the redesigned 48 inch model is different or maybe he just did not have his 52 deck set up properly.

Exactly, I think the Hustler ZTRs are "the bomb." (That's means they are all the rage, cool, the thing to have for us tractor and lawn geeks...).
Seriously, I think the Fasttrak with the Honda 18 h.p. is a great ZTR.....not as nice a a super-mini Z, but very, very nice. However, I thought the smaller minifastrak with the 16/17 h.p. engine option was a bit too small for me.

I would consider getting the optional flex casters on the front to smooth out the ride along with the towing ball in case you want to pull a cart or something .

I have finally made up my mind on a residential ZTR. I am getting the Hustler Fastrak, 54" deck, with the 20 hp honda engine. I test-drove this machine at the dealer yesterday, and the JD Eztrak 425 and 445 are no comparison to this bad boy. I also test-drove the new Scag FreedomZ's which was nice, but the Hustler seemed like a better deal. It was the same price as the Hustler, but only had a 48" deck and the briggs motor. I think the Hustler is the best choice for me with 2 acres and residential use only. I paid $5199 which includes delivery and full tank of gas (10 gallons). The mower is getting delivered friday, I can't wait!

Exodus,

that is a great deal. I paid 4949.00 for the 48 inch honda with the mulch kit installed. I keep waiting for the phone to ring (dealer will call me when it is in).