HUSTLER Raptor General Service Manual

Hustler® Raptor

General Service Manual

117373 REV A

•••••
P.O. Box 7000

•••
Hesston, Kansas

•
67062-2097

WARNING

WARNINGWARNING

The engine exhaust from this product

contains chemicals known to the state

of California to cause cancer, birth

defects or other reproductive harm.

NOTICE OF REQUIREMENT OF SPARK ARRESTER MUFFLER

This equipment may create sparks that can start fires around dry vegetation. California Public Resources Code
Section 4442.6 provides that it is unlawful to use or operate an internal combustion engine on any forest-covered,
brush-covered, or grass-covered land unless the engine is equipped with a spark arrester maintained in effective
working order. A spark arrester is a device constructed of nonflammable materials specifically for the purpose of
removing and retaining carbon and other flammable particles over 0.0232 of an inch in size from the exhaust flow of
an internal combustion engine that uses hydrocarbon fuels or which is qualified and rated by the United States
Forest Service. Other states or federal areas may have similar laws. The Operator Should Contact Local Fire
Agencies For Laws or Regulations Relating to Fire Prevention Requirements. THIS EQUIPMENT DOES NOT HAVE
A SPARK ARRESTER AND YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR THE PURCHASE OF
A SPARK ARRESTER.

Inspect spark arrester daily; replace every 500 hours or as needed.

The Engine Owner’s Manual provides information regarding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EP A)
and the California Emission Control Regulation of emission systems, maintenance and warranty.

Keep Engine Owner’s Manual with your unit. Should the Engine Owner’s Manual become damaged or
illegible, replace immediately. Replacements may be ordered per the information found in the Product
Information section of the owner’s manual.

Federal law and California State law prohibit the following acts or the causing thereof:

1. The removal or rendering inoperative by any person other than for purposes of maintenance,
repair, replacement, of any device or element of design incorporated into any equipment for the
purposes of emissions control prior to or after its sales or delivery to the ultimate purchaser or
while it is in use, or

2. The use of the equipment after such device or element of design has been removed or rendered
inoperative by any person.

REV A 117373

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1

General Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1

Hustler

®

Service Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1

Maintenance Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1

Warranty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1

Safety. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1

Safe Servicing Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1

Pre-Operation Precautions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1

Operation Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2

Operate Machine Safely. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2

General Maintenance Precautions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2

Maintenance Precautions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2

Torque . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1

Standard Torques. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1

Special Torques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1

Power Unit Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

Steering Adjustments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

Park Brake Spring Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3

Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3

Transaxle Belt Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4

Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4

Engine Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1

General Engine Maintenance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1

Engine Oil and Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1

Engine Air Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1

Fuel evaporation system filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1

Engine RPM Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2

Deck Adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1

Deck Leveling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1

Blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3

117373 t-1 REV A

Belts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-4

Deck Belt Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-4

42" Deck Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-6

52" Deck Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-6

Electrical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-1

Electrical Schematic — Kawasaki . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-1

Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-1

Maintenance Locator Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-2

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-1

REV A t-2 117373

GENERAL INFORMATION

Hustler® Service Program

This manual is part of a service package for the Hustler® Rap­tor mowers. Use of this manual in conjunction with other Hus­tler® mower and component manuals will provide the
information necessary to service and maintain the Hustler® Rap­tor mower.

This General Service Manual is a service guide for use by
Service Technicians. It provides the necessary information
needed to perform normal maintenance requirements on these
units.

The Parts Manual provides a complete parts listing for the
unit. Use this manual when ordering parts.

The Operator's Manual provides fundamental operational
information and operational safety that is needed when operat­ing the mower.

The component manuals are furnished by the various manu­facturers to be used for the troubleshooting and servicing of
their products.

Maintenance Introduction

Regular maintenance is the best prevention for costly down­time or expensive, premature repair. The following pages con­tain suggested maintenance information and schedules which
the operator/mechanic should follow on a routine basis.

Remain alert for unusual noises, they could be signaling a
problem. Visually inspect the machine for any abnormal wear or
damage. A good time to detect potential problems is while per­forming scheduled maintenance service. Correcting the problem
as quickly as possible is the best insurance.

Clear away heavy build-up of grease, oil and dirt, especially
in the engine and under the seat platform areas; minute dust par-

ticles are abrasive to close-tolerance engine and hydraulic
assemblies.

Daily inspect mower for grass clippings and wire and string

tangles. The underside of the mower deck will collect a build-up
of grass clippings and dirt, especially when grass is wet or has
high moisture content. This build-up will harden, restricting
blade and air movement and will probably show a poorer quality
of cutting. Therefore it should be removed routinely.

To do this it will be necessary to raise and block the deck,
using jack stands or blocks, in the full up position and scrape the
build-up from underneath.

Some repairs require the assistance of a trained service
mechanic and should not be attempted by unskilled personnel.

®

Consult your Hustler

Turf Equipment service center when

assistance is needed.

Information included in this manual was current at the time of
printing, but subsequent production changes may cause your
machine to vary slightly in detail. Hustler

®

Turf Equipment
reserves the right to redesign and change the machine as deemed
necessary, without notification. If a change has been made to
your machine which is not reflected in this service manual con­tact the Customer Service Department at Hustler® Turf Equip­ment for additional information.

Warranty

Warranty repair must be performed by a Hustler® Turf Equip­ment Authorized Dealer before warranty credit can be allowed.
Work performed by anyone other than an Authorized Dealer
will invalidate the warranty claim and warranty credit will not
be approved.

117373 1-1 REV A

REV A 1-2 117373

SAFETY

This safety alert symbol is used to call attention to a message
intended to provide a reasonable degree of PERSONAL
SAFETY for operators and other persons during the normal
operation and servicing of this equipment.

DANGER

– denotes immediate hazards which WILL result in
severe personal injury or death.

WARNING

– denotes a hazard or unsafe practice which COULD
result in severe personal injury or death.

Safe Servicing Practices

This product is capable of amputating hands and feet and
throwing objects. Always follow all safety instructions to avoid
serious injury or death.

Understand correct service

 Be sure you understand a service procedure before you

work on the machine.

 Unauthorized modifications to the machine may impair

the function and/or safety and affect machine life.

 If it is necessary to make checks with the engine running,

always use two people - with the operator at the controls,
able to see the person doing the checking.

Pre-Operation Precautions

Fuel Handling

 To avoid personal injury or property damage, use

extreme care in handling fuel. Fuel is extremely flamma­ble and the vapors are explosive.

 Observe usual fuel handling precautions:

• Do not smoke while refueling. Extinguish all ciga­rettes, cigars, pipes and other sources of ignition.

• Do not remove fuel cap or fill tank with engine run­ning or while engine is hot. Clean up any fuel spills.

• Allow engine to cool before storing machine inside a
building.

• Keep fuel away from open flame or spark and store
machine away from open flame or spark or pilot light
such as on a water heater or appliances.

• Use extreme care when handling gasoline and other
fuels. They are extremely flammable and vapors are
explosive. A fire or explosion from fuel can burn you
and others and can damage property.

• Refuel outdoors. Never refuel or drain the fuel from the
machine indoors.

• Never attempt to start engine when there is a strong
odor of gasoline or diesel fuel fumes present. Locate
and correct cause.

• Store fuel in an approved container and keep it out of
the reach of children. Never buy more than a 30 day
supply of fuel.

• Do not fill fuel containers inside a vehicle or on a truck
or trailer bed with interior carpets or plastic truck bed
liners. Always place fuel containers on the ground
away from your vehicle before filling.

• When practical, remove gas or diesel fuel powered
equipment from the truck or trailer and refuel the
equipment with its wheels on the ground. If this is not
possible, then refuel such equipment on the truck or
trailer using a portable container and not a fuel dis­penser nozzle. If a fuel dispenser nozzle must be used,
keep the nozzle in contact with the rim of the fuel tank
or container opening at all times until fueling is com­plete. Do not use a nozzle lock-open device.

• Never use gasoline or diesel fuel for cleaning parts.

• Read and observe safety precautions elsewhere in this
manual.

 Gasoline and diesel fuel is harmful or fatal if swallowed.

• Long-term exposure to vapors can cause serious injury
and illness.

• Avoid prolonged breathing of vapors.

• Keep face away from nozzle and gas tank or fuel con­tainer opening.

• Keep fuel away from eyes and skin.

• If fuel is spilled on clothing, change clothing immedi­ately.

Understand Machine Operation

 Only qualified and trained personnel should operate the

equipment.

 Carefully read the owner’s manual and all manuals fur-

nished with the attachments. Learn the location and pur­pose of all controls, instruments, indicators and labels.

Wear Protective Clothing

 Do not operate or service the equipment while wearing

sandals, tennis shoes, sneakers, shorts or any type of
loose fitting clothing. Long hair, loose clothing or jew­elry may get tangled in moving parts. Always wear long
pants, safety glasses, ear protection and safety shoes
when operating or servicing this machine.

 Always wear adequate eye protection when servicing the

hydraulic system and battery, or when grinding mower
blades and removing accumulated debris.

 Prolonged exposure to loud noise can cause impairment

or loss of hearing.

• Always wear adequate ear protection, such as earplugs,
when operating this equipment as prolonged exposure
to uncomfortable or loud noises can cause impairment
or loss of hearing.

117373 2-1 REV A

• Do not wear radios or music headphones while operat­ing the machinery. Safe operation requires your full
attention.

Operation Precautions

Avoid Fire Hazards

 Clean flammable material from machine. Prevent

fires by keeping engine compartment, top of deck,
exhaust area, battery, hydraulic lines, fuel line, fuel
tank and operator’s station clean of accumulated
trash, grass clippings, and other debris. Always clean
up spilled fuel and oil.

Start Engine Safely

 Avoid possible injury or death from machine runaway.
 Do not start engine by shorting across starter terminals.
 Before you start the engine:

• Sit on the operator’s seat.

• Move control levers to the neutral/brake position.

Operate Machine Safely

 Refer to the unit’s operator’s manual for complete safety

information on safe machine operation.

 Always maintain a safe distance from people and pets

when mowing

 Always be aware of what is behind the machine before

backing up.

 Never leave machine unattended with ignition key in

switch, especially with children present.

 Follow daily and weekly checklists, making sure hoses

are tightly secured and bolts are tightened.

 Always keep engine and machine clean, removing accu-

mulated dirt, trash and other material from machine.

 Never put hands or feet under any part of the machine

while it is running.

 Never attempt to start engine when there is a strong odor

of gasoline fumes present. Locate and correct cause.

 Keep all safety shields and covers in place, except for

servicing.

 Do not touch hot parts of machine.

General Maintenance Precautions

 Repairs or maintenance requiring engine power

should be performed by trained maintenance person­nel only.

 Never run the engine in an enclosed area unless exhaust

is vented to the outside. Exhaust gases contain carbon
monoxide which is an odorless and deadly poison.

 Unless specifically required, DO NOT have engine run-

ning when servicing or making adjustments to mower.
Park the machine on level ground. Place steering control
levers in the park brake position, disengage deck clutch,
lower deck, remove ignition switch key and disconnect
negative battery cable before doing any maintenance.
Wait for all movement to stop before adjusting, cleaning
or repairing. To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, be
sure proper ventilation is available when engine must be
operated in an enclosed area.

 Before working on or under the deck, make certain

engine cannot be accidentally started. Shut engine off,
remove ignition switch key and disconnect negative bat­tery cable for maximum safety.

 Except when changing or checking belt, always keep belt

covers on mower deck for safety as well as cleanliness.

 Use a stick or similar instrument to clean under the

mower making sure that no part of the body, especially
arms and hands are under mower.

 Keep your machine clean and remove any deposits of

trash and clippings, which can cause engine fires and
hydraulic overheating as well as excessive belt wear.
Clean up oil or fuel spillage. Allow machine to cool
before storing.

 Always wear adequate eye protection when servicing the

hydraulic system and battery, or when grinding mower
blades and removing accumulated debris.

 Never attempt to make any adjustments or repairs to the

mower drive system, mower deck or any attachment
while the engine is running or deck clutch is engaged.

 Never work under the machine or attachment unless it is

safely supported with jack stands. Make certain machine
is secure when it is raised and placed on the jack stands.
The jack stands should not allow the machine to move
when the engine is running and the drive wheels are
rotating. Use only certified jack stands. Use only appro­priate jack stands, with a minimum weight rating of 2000
pounds to block the unit up. Use in pairs only. Follow the
instructions supplied with the vehicle stands.

 Keep nuts and bolts tight, especially the blade attachment

bolts. Keep equipment in good working condition.

 Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper

operation regularly.

 Exercise caution when working under the deck as the

mower blades are extremely sharp. Wrap the blade(s) or
wear gloves and use extra caution when servicing them.

 Use only genuine Hustler® replacement parts to ensure

that original standards are maintained.

Maintenance Precautions

Avoid Fire Hazards

 Be prepared if an accident or fire should occur. Know

where the first aid kit and the fire extinguishers are
located and how to use them.

 Provide adequate ventilation when charging batteries.
 Do not smoke near battery.
 Never check fuel level with an open flame.
 Never use an open flame to look for leaks anywhere on

the equipment.

 Never use an open flame as light anywhere on or around

the equipment.

 When preparing engine for storage, remember that fuel

stabilizer is volatile and therefore dangerous. Seal and
tape openings after adding the inhibitor. Keep container
tightly closed when not in use.

 Inspect electrical wiring for worn or frayed insulation.

Install new wiring if wires are damaged.

REV A 2-2 117373

Prepare For Emergencies

 Be prepared if a fire starts.
 Keep a first aid kit and fire extinguishers available.
 Keep emergency numbers for doctor, ambulance service,

hospital, and fire department near the telephone.

Prevent Battery Explosions

 Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories contain

lead and lead compounds, chemicals known to the State
of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm.
Wash hands after handling.

 Charge batteries in an open well ventilated area, away

from sparks and flames. Unplug charger before connect­ing or disconnecting from battery. Wear protective cloth­ing and use insulated tools.

 Avoid skin and clothing contact with battery acid.

• Always wear eye protection when checking the battery,

acid can cause serious injury to skin and eyes. If con­tact occurs, flush area with clean water and call physi­cian immediately. Acid will also damage clothing.

• Do not drink the battery electrolyte.

• Do not allow open flame near the battery when charg-

ing.

• Hydrogen gas forms inside the battery. This gas is both

toxic and flammable and may cause an explosion if
exposed to flame. Always disconnect the negative
(black) battery cable(s) before disconnecting the posi­tive (red) cable(s). Always connect the positive (red)
battery cable(s) before connecting the negative (black)
cable(s).

• Do not overfill battery.

• Electrolyte may overflow and damage paint, wiring or

structure. When cleaning the battery, use soap and
water. Be careful not to get soap and water into the bat­tery. Clean the battery terminals with a solution of four
parts water and one part baking soda when they
become corroded.

 Shorts caused by battery terminals or metal tools touch-

ing metal mower components can cause sparks. Sparks
can cause a battery gas explosion which will result in per­sonal injury.

• Prevent the battery terminals from touching any metal
mower parts when removing or installing the battery.

• Do not allow metal tools to short between the battery
terminals and metal mower parts.

 Incorrect battery cable routing could cause damage to the

mower and battery cables. This can cause sparks which
can cause a battery gas explosion which will result in per­sonal injury. Always disconnect the negative (black) bat­tery cable(s) before disconnecting the positive (red)
cable(s). Always connect the positive (red) battery
cable(s) before connecting the negative (black) cable(s).

Avoid Acid Burns

 Sulfuric acid in battery electrolyte is poisonous. It is

strong enough to burn skin, eat holes in clothing and
cause blindness if splashed in eyes.

Avoid the hazard by:

• Filling batteries in a well-ventilated area.

• Wearing eye protection and rubber gloves.

• Avoiding breathing fumes when electrolyte is added.

• Avoiding spilling or dripped electrolyte.

If you spill acid on yourself:

• Flush your skin with water.

• Apply baking soda or lime to help neutralize the acid.

• Flush your eyes with water for 10-15 minutes. Get
medical attention immediately.

If acid is swallowed:

• Drink large amounts of water or milk.

• Then drink milk of magnesia, beaten eggs or vegetable
oil.

 Get medical attention immediately.

117373 2-3 REV A

REV A 2-4 117373

TORQUE

Standard Torques

The following chart lists the standard torque values for the threaded fasteners found in this manual. Torque all cap screws, nuts and
set screws to these values unless a different torque is shown in the Special Torques section.

Size Ft-lbs N-M Size Ft-lbs N-M

#10 32.4 IN.-LBS. 3.6 M3 12 IN.-LBS. 1.3
.250 98.4 IN.-LBS. 11.1 M4 26.4 IN.-LBS. 3
.312 204 IN.-LBS. 23 M5 54 IN.-LBS. 6.1
.375 30 40 M6 92.4 IN.-LBS. 10.4
.438 48 65 M8 222 IN.-LBS. 25
.500 73 99 M10 37 50
.562 105 143 M12 64 87
.625 145 200 M14 103 140
.750 260 350 M16 160 215
.875 420 565 M20 320 435

Special Torques

DESCRIPTION FT-LBS NM

Wheel (lug) nuts

Blade spindle bolt top 60 81.3

Blade spindle bolt bottom 48 65

Electric clutch mounting bolt

Front wheel axle bolt 73 99

Transaxle hub nut 200 271.2

Transaxle pump pulley nut 50 67.8

Engine torques

NOTE:

1. Lug nuts only – It is recommended that these be checked

after the first 2 hours of operation and every 50 hours and
following removal for repair or replacement.

2. Engine torque values – Refer to the respective engine

owner’s manual.

3. If clutch mounting bolt is loosened or removed, do not
re-use. Replace with a new bolt. Use only hand tools to

install this fastener.

1

3

2

70 95

47 63.7

N/A N/A

WARNING

Particular attention must be given to tightening the drive
wheel lug nuts and blade spindle bolts. Failure to cor­rectly torque these items may result in the loss of a wheel
or blade, which can cause serious damage or personal
injury.

117373 3-1 REV A

REV A 3-2 117373

POWER UNIT MAINTENANCE

Steering Adjustments

Steering control lever neutral adjustment

The mower’s steering has been factory adjusted to eliminate
creeping when the steering control levers are in the neutral posi­tion. However, should the mower begin to creep, the steering
control lever linkage can be adjusted.

Before considering any adjustment, check the tire air pressure.
Unequal tire pressure will cause the mower to drift to one side.
Refer to tire pressure information in the Tire section for detailed
information.

NOTE: Proper park brake adjustment must be completed
before the steering control lever neutral adjustment can be done.
Refer to the Park Brake Spring Adjustment section for detailed
information.

Fine adjustment to the unit’s steering is made with the trans­mission’s control rod.

Neutral is properly adjusted when the steering control levers
are in the park brake position and the transmissions do not
“whine”.

If this occurs, the steering control linkage may be adjusted as
follows:

2. Raise the rear of the mower and block with certified jack

stands. Remove the rear wheels.

3. Chock the front tires.

4. Make sure both steering control levers are in the park

brake position. Figure 4-1

Steering control levers in park brake position

Figure 4-1

5. Loosen the nuts adjacent to the steering bushing. Figure

4-2

WARNING

This procedure will require that the unit to be raised and
blocked up off of the ground. It is necessary for the
wheels to rotate without coming in contact with the floor
or any object that would permit the unit to propel itself.
Stay clear and exercise caution when rotating wheels to
prevent injury. Use only appropriate vehicle stands, with
a minimum weight rating of 2000 pounds to block the
unit up. Use in pairs only. Follow the instructions sup­plied with the vehicle stands.

WARNING

Keep hands, hair, clothing, etc., clear of the pulleys on top
of the transmissions. Exercise extreme caution.

WARNING

Untrained maintenance personnel should never attempt to
make any adjustments or repairs to the mower’s drive
system while the engine is running. The following proce-

dures should be performed by trained maintenance
personnel only.

1. Shut engine off, place steering control levers in the park

brake position, disengage deck clutch, remove ignition
switch key and disconnect negative battery cable before
doing any adjustments.

Bushing

Nuts

Figure 4-2

6. Place a clamp on the transmission pump arm as shown in

Figure 4-3.

7. Tighten the nuts against steering bushing (Figure 4-4).

Verify that the pump arms are still in the neutral position

8. Move the steering control levers out of the park brake

position and push fully forward, verify that the pump arm
does not bottom out against the stop on the transmission.
Move the levers to the full reverse position and release.
Verify that the levers return near to the neutral position.

9. The steering control levers should be adjusted so that

they align vertically with each other when in the neutral
position (Figure 4-5). Space between ends of steering
control handles to be .50” ±.25”. Figure 4-5

10. Check to make sure all tools or obstructions are removed

from under the mower.

117373 4-1 REV A

Clamp

Bushing

Control lever stops adjustment.

WARNING

Keep hands, hair, clothing, etc., clear of the rotating drive
wheels/hubs during this process. Exercise extreme cau­tion.

The steering control lever stops may be adjusted to help drive
straight when the steering control levers are pushed forward
against the stops.

1. Raise the rear of the mower and block with certified jack

stands.

2. Chock the front tires.

3. Make sure both steering control levers are in the park

brake position. Figure 4-6 .

Figure 4-3

Steering control levers in park brake position

Nuts

Figure 4-4

11. Re-install the rear wheels. Torque lug nuts to 70 ft.-lbs.

(95 NM)

12. Raise the rear of the mower and remove the jack stands.

Lower the mower.

13. Re-attach the negative battery cable.

14. Close the seat platform

Align handles

± .125”

Figure 4-5

Figure 4-6

4. Raise the seat platform and disconnect the mower harness

from the seat switch. Bypass the seat switch by
connecting the two mower harness female spades
together.. Figure 4-7

WARNING

Do not operate (drive) the mower without plugging the
mower’s wiring harness into the seat switch. This switch
is an important part of the safety start interlock system.
Serious injury can result if the seat switch is not plugged
into the mower’s wiring harness.

5. Start the engine and move both steering control levers

forward against the stops in the steering cover.

6. Determine if the drive wheels are rotating equally or if

one is faster than the other. If the wheels are not the same
speed, proceed to the next step.

7. Shut engine off and place the steering control levers in

the park brake position

8. Loosen the cap screw under the seat platform on the side

which is rotating too fast. Tighten the cap screw on the
top of the steering cover to adjust the drive straight
bracket up to stop the steering control lever sooner.
Repeat this procedure until both drive wheels rotate at the
same speed. Figure 4-8

REV A 4-2 117373

Drive straight bracket

Female
spades

Seat

switch

Mower

harness

Figure 4-7

9. Tighten the cap screws under the seat platform on both

sides to lock the drive straight brackets in place. Snug the
cap screws on the top of the steering cover so they don't
move during operation.

10. IMPORTANT: With the engine off, disconnect the two

female spade connectors from each other (from step #4)
and reconnect them to the seat switch. This must be
completed so that the safety circuit is functioning
properly. Figure 4-7

11. Lower the seat platform and secure in place.

Cap screws

Figure 4-8

4. Reconnect the negative battery cable.

5. Close seat platform and re-install seat platform hardware.

.625”

WARNING

Do not operate the mower without plugging the mower’s
wiring harness into the seat switch. This switch is an
important part of the safety start interlock system. Serious
injury can result if the seat switch is not plugged into the
mower’s wiring harness.

WARNING

Never operate the mower with a non-functioning seat
switch. Always reconnect the seat switch to the mower
harness.

Park Brake Spring Adjustment

Occasionally check the park brake spring adjustment using

the following method:

1. Shut engine off, place steering control levers in the park

brake position, disengage deck clutch, remove ignition
switch key and disconnect negative battery cable before
doing any adjustments.

2. Make sure steering control levers are in the park brake

position.

3. Adjust the nylock nut on the end of the brake rod so that

0.625" of thread is showing. Repeat for other side. Figure
4-9

Figure 4-9

Belts

Inspect belts frequently for wear and serviceability. Replace a
belt that shows signs of severe cuts, tears, separation, weather
checking and cracking, or burns caused by slipping. Slight rav­eling of belt covering does not indicate failure, trim ravelings
with a sharp knife.

Inspect the belt pulley grooves and flanges for wear. A new
belt, or one in good condition, should never run against the bot­tom of the groove. Replace the pulley when this is the case, oth­erwise belt will lose power and slip excessively.

Never pry a belt to get it on a pulley as this will cut or damage
the fibers of the belt covering.

Keep oil and grease away from belts, and never use belt dress­ings. Any of these will destroy the belt composition in a very
short time.

117373 4-3 REV A

Transaxle Belt Adjustment

The transaxle drive belt tension remains constant by means of
a tension idler and spring. There is no tension adjustment of this
belt. Figure 4-10

NOTE: Inspect the belt every month and replace as needed.

Replace the belt every two (2) years.

WARNING

If the transaxle belt fails, loss of control will occur espe­cially when operating on a slope. If you lose steering con­trol while operating the machine, place the steering
control levers in the park brake position immediately.
Inspect the machine and involve your dealer to resolve
the problem.

Top view with engine removed

Hydraulic

pump belt

Spring

Tension idler

Tires

It is important for level mowing that the tires have the same
amount of air pressure. The recommended pressures are:

Drive wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-12 psi (55-83 KPa)

Front wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-12 psi (55-83 KPa)

Figure 4-10

If you wish to use non-pneumatic tires on your Hustler
mower the tires must be an approved tire purchased from Hus­tler® Turf Equipment. Warranty claims will be denied on any
mower equipped with unapproved non-pneumatic tires.

®

REV A 4-4 117373

ENGINE MAINTENANCE

General Engine Maintenance

Detailed instructions and recommendations for break-in and
regular maintenance are specified in the Engine Owner’s Man-
ual. Please refer to this manual for engine servicing, lubricating
oil levels with quality and viscosity recommendations, bolt
torques, etc. The engine warranty is backed by the manufacturer .
Special attention should be paid to applicable data which will
not be duplicated here.

Engine Oil and Filter

WARNING

If the engine has been running and is up to operating tem­perature, allow the engine to cool before changing the oil.
Engine and engine oil will be very hot, so be very careful
when changing oil and wear the appropriate protective
gear to avoid being burned or exposed to engine oil.

Check engine oil daily and after every 4 hours of operation.
Mower must be on a level surface when checking oil. Refer to
engine manual and maintenance schedule for oil recommenda­tion and capacities.

Change the engine oil and filter after the first 5 hours of oper­ation and then per the engine manufacturer’s recommendations
after that. If mower is being operated in extremely dirty condi­tions, then it is recommended oil be changed more frequently.

IMPORTANT: After the new oil filter has been installed,

clean up any oil which may have spilled onto the engine plate,
muffler, and heat shield.

Draining the engine oil :

1. Locate the oil drain valve on the lower right side of the

engine.

2. Locate the oil drain hose that was supplied with the

machine. Be sure to clean and clear it of debris that might
block the flow of the engine oil. Figure 5-1

3. Attach one end of the hose onto the oil drain valve nipple.

Make sure the hose is pushed all the way onto the valve.

4. Position the loose end of the hose forward and down in

front of the right side transmission so that it can drain
into a suitable oil drain container.

5. With the hose in position, use a 10 mm wrench or socket

and open the valve approximately 4 turns in the
counterclockwise direction. Allow 10 minutes for engine
oil to adequately drain.

6. After oil is drained, close the valve by turning it in the

clockwise direction until it is fully closed.

7. Once the valve is closed, carefully remove the oil drain

hose and clean up any spilled oil.
IMPORTANT: All oil drips or spills must be cleaned off
of the exhaust system before operating the machine.

8. Clean the oil drain hose and store it appropriately. Figure

5-1

Oil drain hose

Oil drain valve

Figure 5-1

Engine Air Filter

Perform engine air filter maintenance per the engine’s

owner’s manual.

Fuel evaporation system filter

All Hustler® Raptor mowers have a fuel evaporation system
filter. This filter must be checked and replaced every 100 hours
or annually whichever comes first. Figure 5-2

Fuel evaporation

system filter

Figure 5-2

117373 5-1 REV A

Engine RPM Settings

The engine rpm’s are set at the factory for maximum mowing efficiency. Occasionally it may be necessary to check and adjust the
settings. The idle speeds should be set as follows:

FR651 / FR691

ENGINE SPEED

MODEL NO. ENDING WITH: HIGH IDLE

MODEL NO. WITHOUT EXTENSION

MODEL NO. WITH US EXTENSION
MODEL NO. WITH EX EXTENSION

3200 ± 50 RPM

FR541

ENGINE SPEED

MODEL NO. ENDING WITH: HIGH IDLE

MODEL NO. WITHOUT EXTENSION

MODEL NO. WITH US EXTENSION
MODEL NO. WITH EX EXTENSION

NOTE: Model numbers may or may not end with an extension after the number. There are several different extensions that may be
shown; i.e. EX or CE.
Example: 922222 (no extension)

922222 EX
922222 CE
922222 US

3600 ± 50 RPM

REV A 5-2 117373

DECK ADJUSTMENTS

Deck Leveling

1. Park the mower on a hard, flat surface.

2. Check tire pressures (8 – 12 psi) to make certain the tires

are properly inflated before starting to level deck.

WARNING

Stop engine. Make sure deck clutch switch is in the down
(OFF) position. Remove ignition key. Place steering con­trol levers in the park brake position. Make sure blades
are stopped before leaving seat.

3. Raise and place deck cutting height adjusting lever in the

“E” position. Figure 6-1

Height adjusting

lever

Figure 6-1

4. Make sure all deck hardware is tight on the right rear of

the deck. Figure 6-2

5. Measure the right rear of the deck from the ground to the

top of the deck. Figure 6-3

6. Now, go to the left rear of the deck and measure from the

ground to the top of the deck. If it is different than the
right hand side then the deck will need to be re-leveled.
Figure 6-4

7. Loosen the hardware that secures the cam just enough to

allow the cam to pivot. Do not over loosen the cam as it
will allow the deck to move on its own. Figure 6-5

8. Pivot the cam by using a 3/8” rachet and extension. Pivot

the cam until the top of the deck is the same distance
from the ground as the left side. Figure 6-6

9. Tighten the cam hardware.

10. Go to the front of the deck and measure the center of the

deck from the ground to the top of the deck. This distance
should be 1/8” to 3/8” less than the rear corner
dimensions. If it is not then it will be necessary to adjust
the deck front to back. Figure 6-7

11. Level the front of the deck by turning the lock nut, at the

front of the mower, until the correct distance from the

Make sure this

hardware is tight

Figure 6-2

Measure to
top of deck

Figure 6-3

ground to the top of the deck is attained. Figure 6-8

117373 6-1 REV A

Measure to
top of deck

Cam

3/8” drive extension

Figure 6-6

Front center of deck

Figure 6-4

Figure 6-5

Hardware

Figure 6-7

Lock nut

Cam

REV A 6-2 117373

Figure 6-8

Blades

Mower blade maintenance

Check the mower blades daily, they are the key to power effi­ciency and well groomed turf. Keep them sharp, a dull blade
will tear rather than cut the grass, leaving a brown ragged top on
the grass within a few hours. A dull blade also requires more
power from the engine.

Replace any blade which is bent, cracked or broken.

IMPORTANT: The blade sail (curved part) must be point-

ing upward toward the inside of the deck to ensure proper cut­ting.

IMPORTANT: The spindles have 5/8" diameter boss that

centers the blades on the spindles. When re-installing blades,
ensure that the blade is centered on the boss and seated flat
against the spindle shaft face. Rotate the blades after installation
to ensure blade tips do not touch each other or sides of the
mower. Figure 6-12

WARNING

Never attempt to straighten a bent blade by heating, or
weld a cracked or broken blade as the blade may break
and cause serious injury. Replace worn or damaged
blades.

WARNING

Never work with blades while engine is running or deck
clutch switch is engaged (on). Always place deck clutch
switch in the disengaged position, place steering control
levers in the park brake position and turn engine off and
disconnect negative battery cable. Block up mower when
you must work under it. Wear gloves when handling
blades. Always check for blade damage if mower
strikes rock, branch or other foreign object during mow­ing!

WARNING

Always wear adequate eye protection when grinding
mower blades.

WARNING

Failure to correctly torque the bolt may result in the loss
of the blade which can cause serious injury.

WARNING

Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the blade(s) or
wear gloves and use extra caution when servicing them.

Resharpening

pattern

Do not sharpen to original pattern (below). It is

easier to get a straight cutting edge following

the resharpening pattern shown above.

Mower blade removal

Use a 5/8” wrench to remove the 7/16” cap screw holding the
blade to the spindle shaft from underneath. NOTE: A blade
holding tool (part number 381442) is available from Hustler
Turf Equipment. It is designed to prevent the blades from rotat­ing when they are being removed or installed on the spindle.
Contact your Hustler® dealer for more information.

Sharpen the blades on a grinder following pattern as shown
(Figure 6-9). Touch-up sharpening can be done with a file

Check the blades for balance following grinding. A commer­cial balancing tool is available through most hardware supply
stores, or balancing can be done by placing the blade on an
inverted line punch or 5/8” bolt. Blade should not lean or tilt.
Spin the blade slowly, blade should not wobble. If blade is out
of balance, true it up before reinstalling.

Lay the blade on a flat surface and check for distortion (Fig­ure 6-10 & Figure 6-11). Replace any distorted blade.

Do not re-use spindle bolts which have stripped, worn or
undercut threads. Torque bolts on spindles to 48 foot-pounds
(65.14 Nm) when reinstalling blades.

117373 6-3 REV A

®

Original edge

Figure 6-9

Warped Blade (Replace)

Straight Blade

Comparison of Warped and Straight Blades

Figure 6-10

Cutting edge

Twisted Blade Edge

(replace)

Cutting edgeCutting Plane

Cutting

plane

belt that shows signs of severe cuts, tears, separation, weather
checking and cracking, or burns caused by slipping. Slight rav­eling of belt covering does not indicate failure, trim ravelings
with a sharp knife.

Inspect the belt pulley grooves and flanges for wear. A new
belt, or one in good condition, should never run against the bot­tom of the groove. Replace the pulley when this is the case, oth­erwise belt will lose power and slip excessively.

Never pry a belt to get it on a pulley as this will cut or damage
the fibers of the belt covering.

Keep oil and grease away from belts, and never use belt dress­ings. Any of these will destroy the belt composition in a very
short time.

Deck Belt Adjustment

The spindle belt tension remains constant by means of a ten­sion idler and spring. There is no tension adjustment of this belt.
Figure 6-13 & Figure 6-14

Spindle

shaft

face

Straight Blade Edge

End view of blades, comparing

twisted and straightened blades

Figure 6-11

Boss

Spring anchor point

Idler

spring

Figure 6-13

Figure 6-12

Belts

Inspect belts frequently for wear and serviceability. Replace a

REV A 6-4 117373

Blade

Spring anchor point

Idler

spring

Figure 6-14

117373 6-5 REV A

NOTE: The following notes are the same for the different decks shown.

1. There is no tension adjustment of this belt

2. Route belt as shown.

42" Deck Belt Routing

52" Deck Belt Routing

Figure 6-15

REV A 6-6 117373

Figure 6-16

Electrical Schematic — Kawasaki

ELECTRICAL

117373 7-1 REV A

REV A 7-2 117373

MAINTENANCE

Maintenance Schedule

Refer to Figure 8-1, Figure 8-2, Figure 8-3,

Figure 8-4, & Figure 8-5

SERVICE A T

INTERVALS INDICATED

Verify safety start interlock system Prior to each use
Visually inspect unit for loose hardware and/or damaged parts Prior to each use
Visually inspect tires Prior to each use
Check oil level, engine (1) Prior to each use or every 4 hours
Clean air intake screen (4) Prior to each use or every 4 hours
Check fuel level Prior to each use
Blades - sharpen & securely fastened Prior to each use
Discharge chute - securely in place & in lowest position Prior to each use
Clean engine and transaxle compartment After each use
Grease gauge wheel bearings X
Change engine oil & filter (1)(3) X
Check battery connections X
Check tire pressure with a gauge X
Clean engine exterior (a) X
Replace air cleaner paper element (4) X
Check pump & deck belt tension and condition (5) X
Check fuel system (6) X

Check fuel tank grommet (6) X
Tighten lug nuts on wheels (2) X
Change fuel filter (6) X
Replace fuel evaporation system filter (7) X

WEEKLY

OR 40

HOURS

ANNUALLY

OR 100
HOURS

NOTES:

1. Initial oil change is after 5 hours of operation. Thereafter, change oil after every 40 hours operation. Change more often under dusty or dirty conditions and dur-

ing hot weather periods.

2. Torque initially and after first 2 hours of operation.

3. Change engine oil filter per the engine manufacturer’s recommendations. Refer to Engine Owner’s Manual for recommendations and other maintenance items..

4. Service more often under dusty or dirty conditions.

5. Pump drive belt only - Inspect every month and replace if worn or cracking is noticed. Otherwise, replace every 2 years.

6. Check fuel system for any crack or leaks including, but not limit to, fuel line hoses, fuel valve, vent line hoses, vent valve, vapor valve, carbon canister, and

grommets. Replace as needed.

7. More often under dusty or dirty conditions and during hot weather.

REFERENCES:

A. Refer to engine owner’s manual for engine service information.
NOTE: After completing maintenance cycle (100 hours), repeat cycle.

117373 8-1 REV A

Maintenance Locator Chart

6

9

2

11

3

4

9

1

7

5

8

8

Figure 8-1

13

13

1. Engine Oil Fill & Dipstick

2. Fuel Filter

3. Engine Air Cleaner

4. Engine Oil Drain Valve

5. Battery

6. Fuel Tank

7. Engine Oil Filter

8. Park Brake Switch (2)

9. Drive T ire

10. Pump Belt

12

11. Engine Air Intake Screen

12. Front Wheel Tires

13. Front Wheel Zerks (2)

14. Deck Belt

15. Blades

16. Fuel Evaporation System Filter

Figure 8-2 Figure 8-3 Figure 8-4

10

42” Deck

52” Deck

15

15

15

14

15

14

16

Figure 8-5

REV A 8-2 117373

TROUBLESHOOTING

SYMPTOMS PROBABLE CAUSES

Starting motor does not
crank

The engine will not start,
starts hard or fails to keep
running

Engine:
Runs with continuous mis­firing or engine runs
unevenly or erratically

Loss of power or system
will not operate in either
direction

Air cooled engine over­heating

Low engine oil pressure Low oil level Add oil

High oil consumption Numerous Contact your Dealer

Mower jerky when starting
or operates in one direc­tion only

Steering control levers not
in park brake position or
switch not adjusted

Deck clutch switch
engaged

Weak or dead battery Recharge or replace

Electrical connections are
corroded or loose

15 amp fuse is blown Replace the 15 amp fuse

For additional causes See engine manual

No fuel or line plugged Fill tank or replace line (See

There is incorrect fuel in the
fuel system

There is dirt in the fuel filter Replace the fuel filter

Dirt, water or stale fuel in
the fuel system

The choke is not on Move the choke lever to

Numerous See engine manual

Numerous See engine manual

Restrictions in air cleaner Service air cleaner

Poor compression Contact your Dealer

Steering linkage needs
adjustment

Tow valve open Close tow valve

The traction drive belt is
worn, loose or broken

For additional causes See engine manual

Air intake screen or cooling

fins clogged

For additional causes See engine manual

Oil diluted or too light Change oil and check for

Failed oil pump Contact your Dealer

Steering control linkage
needs adjustment

Loose steering linkage Tighten linkage

Transaxle component faulty Contact your Dealer

SUGGESTED

REMEDIES

Place steering control
levers in park brake posi­tion or re-adjust switch

Disengage clutch switch

Check the electrical con­nections

Fuel System section for
more details)

Drain the tank and replace
the fuel with the proper type

Contact your Dealer

ON

Adjust linkage

Install a new traction drive
belt

Clean screen and fins

source of contamination

Adjust linkage

SYMPTOMS PROBABLE CAUSES

Mower creeps when
steering control levers are
in neutral

Mower circles or veers in
one direction

Mower creeps when park­ing brake engaged

There is abnormal vibra­tion

Blades do not rotate The deck drive belt is worn,

Uneven cutting height The blade(s) are not sharp Sharpen the blades

Steering linkage needs
adjustment

Steering linkage needs
adjustment

Loose steering linkage Tighten linkage

Tires improperly inflated Adjust air pressure to 8 - 12

Transaxle component faulty Contact your Dealer

Steering linkage out of
adjustment

Brakes need adjustment Adjust parking brakes

The engine mounting bolts
are loose

The engine pulley, idler pul­ley or blade pulley is loose

The engine pulley is dam­aged

The cutting blade(s) is/are
bent or unbalanced

A blade mounting bolt is
loose

Spindle bearing is worn or
loose

A blade spindle is bent Contact your Dealer

loose or broken

The deck drive belt is off
the pulley

Electric clutch is not engag­ing

A cutting blade(s) is/are
bent

The deck is not level Level the deck per the

An anti-scalp wheel is not
set correctly

The underside of the deck
is dirty

Tires improperly inflated Adjust air pressure to 8 - 12

A blade spindle is bent Contact your Dealer

SUGGESTED

REMEDIES

Adjust linkage

Adjust linkage

psi (55 - 83 KPa)

Adjust steering linkage

Tighten the engine mount­ing bolts

Tighten the appropriate pul­ley

Contact your Dealer

Install new cutting blade(s)

Tighten the blade mounting
bolt

Replace or tighten spindle
bearing

Install a new deck drive belt

Install the deck drive belt
and check for a reason

Check and/or replace 15
amp fuse.
Contact your Dealer

Install new cutting blade(s)

Deck leveling section of the
General Service Manual

Adjust the height of the
anti-scalp wheel

Clean the underside of the
deck

psi (55 - 83 KPa)

117373 9-1 REV A

REV A 9-2 117373

INDEX

PAGE PAGE

Belts.................................................................. 4-3, 6-4

Maintenance precautions........................................2-2

Blades.......................................................................6-3

Control lever stops adjustment ...............................4-2

Deck Belt adjustment ..............................................6-4

Deck Belt Routing ....................................................6-6

Deck leveling............................................................6-1

Electrical Schematic................................................7-1

Engine air filter.........................................................5-1

Engine oil and filter..................................................5-1

Engine RPM settings ...............................................5-2

General engine maintenance..................................5-1

General maintenance precautions .........................2-2

Hustler service program..........................................1-1

Maintenance introduction........................................1-1

Maintenance locator chart ......................................8-2

Mower blade maintenance......................................6-3

Mower blade removal..............................................6-3

Operate machine safely ..........................................2-2

Operation Precautions.............................................2-2

Park brake spring adjustment.................................4-3

Pre-operation precautions.......................................2-1

Safe servicing practices..........................................2-1

Special torques........................................................3-1

Standard torques .....................................................3-1

Steering adjustments...............................................4-1

Steering control lever neutral adjustment..............4-1

Tires..........................................................................4-4

Transaxle Belt Adjustment......................................4-4

Warranty...................................................................1-1

117373 i-1 REV A