Hustler Mower Throwing Drive Belts? PERMANENT fix shown here
This Hustler Raptor SD 54" kept throwing drive belts. In this vid we dive into what happened, why it is happening, and the solution I came up with to both fix the problem and permanently keep it from happening again.
Here are some links to save you time. Most of these are affiliate links so if you end up buying I will earn a small commission. Thanks for your support!
I didn't use these, but would be a good option if you can't weld to repair the bracket like I did. It looks like there are some aftermarket brackets available that are thicker than the factory ones (make sure you find the right one for YOUR mower): amzn.to/3JTXI2e
If you do decide to go the route I did, here are links to tools and parts to do it:
Norton 4.5" grinder flap disk: amzn.to/3pIs0y9
Carbide burr bit set: amzn.to/3pTqxVA
Grizzly radial arm drill press: amzn.to/3NNq1AI
5" cross slide drill press vice: amzn.to/3pLYhEp
Quick clamps (for squeezing/spreading): amzn.to/3riMxto
Inkzall (the BEST shop markers I have ever used): amzn.to/44Ejdft
5/16-18 x 3" Grade 8 bolts (10 pack): amzn.to/46JZxIU
5/16-18 coarse thread nut/washer assortment: amzn.to/3Oc8HXk
Raptor SD Hydraulic Transaxle filters (qty 2): amzn.to/44nkbwW
20w-50 Full Synthetic Hydro-Static Transmission Oil: amzn.to/3pLaMA9
Hydro-Gear Transaxle Air-Purge Process: • Hydro-Gear Transaxle A...
This is the way I did it, I would love to hear your feedback on what has worked for you in your shop. Hope you get some ideas!
Check out our site at www.DIYMetalFabrication.com and store at www.CreativeEnterprisesLLC.com
Excellent video, well explained and thoughtfully planned out. Just threw my drive belt, had other issues in the past. Great idea for a rear stiffener bar. I'll probably put that idea to use before the end of this mowing season. Mower has 1100+ hours...still runs well, just these little(rather frustrating issues).
Nice, congrats on making it to 1100 hrs. Have you had to replace the handle bar pivots yet? I just got those delivered for this same unit and will be putting them on here soon. Might make a vid about it. The handle bars are sloppy and knock against each other while steering.
@diymetalfabrication it's my father-in-laws mower. Most everything we've had to do to it revolves around the hydro system, and the deck pulleys.
I had the exact same problem with my 2017 Hustler Raptor SD... Thank you for the fix idea... I just welded mine and built the extra bracket...
Awesome! Glad I could help. Let us know how it works out!
My SD broke 2 bolts and bent the mounting brackets. Bought the bracket kit (upgraded thicker brackets) which should be free, somebody under engineered these parts at the factory at your expense. My last Hustler purchase. My 20 year old John Deere has given me less trouble
For sure. The mower in the vid is my neighbors Raptor, and it has the same hours and is about the same age as my Deere z425. I have had almost no issues with my Deere other than regular maintenance parts and a clogged up carb once. Hers has had a new transmission on one side and multiple service calls, loose bolts, sloppy handles, etc. I will say the hustler with the fabricated deck does mow nicely though.
Hustler offers a frame bracket kit for this issue. The older models, (which I own) have very flimsy brackets on them. I ordered the kit, available on amazon or from hustler, and installed it. Mower has not thrown a belt since replacement.
Thanks for posting. I was wondering how the bracket kits held up, glad to hear they work well! I have links in the video description for one of these kits. Looks like the kit needed varies based on which mower it is.
Nah they break to looks like this one already had the thicker upgrade.The most important thing is to keep all bolts tight and double nut the rear ones.
I pick up scrap bed frame angle and use it for all kinds of repairs.Great video bro!
Thanks! Bed frames are an awesome source of free angle iron. I do the same thing when I come across them.
Always keep the pump brackets snugged up.Ive cracked the upgraded parts as well.HF welder saved your butt with this mower.
Yep, gotta check them often.
@@diymetalfabrication Amen. Every time I change the oil it gets snugged up.
Shout out from Olathe!
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I wonder how people drive their raptors. I have a raptor SD, known for breaking/bending the trans mounts. Mine lasted 400 hours...hours i put on in 2.5 seasons as i use it for commercial use. That means it gets trailered, drives on/off trailer and is used on a few dozen different lawns, most not flat. But a lot of people use these mowers for their own lawn and have the brackets fail in less than 250 hours. Same for the bolts backing out, ive never had that happen on mine. There is an updated bracket kit, which has a thicker side plate along with a backing plate. I do kind of like the idea of tying in the 2 rear mount bolts.
The raptor in the video was bought new by my neighbor and only used in her personal 1 acre yard; it has around 500 hrs. Before she brought it to me she had already had the bolts back out twice and as shown in the video one of the mounts was ripping apart.
I use mine like you do and you still need to keep an eye on the bolts plus had a front upper mount crack twice
Great video!
Thanks!
I’m Keen to see how a drive belt is changed ……I changed my cutting belt first time I’ve broke one 60hrs in was a piece of cake to change that.
The drive belt isn't bad. Would be easy if the rest of the mower around it held together and we didn't have to fix these brackets while we are at it 😅
Hi, is there anywhere locally where you'd recommend buying the drive belt that doesn't cost an arm and leg? Thanks for all of your videos! ❤
These parts can get expensive. Looking around, it appears to be part 607400 for the drive belt if you have a Hustler SD 54". Here is a link to the OEM belt on Amazon currently around $25 amzn.to/4arWo2r You can get a little discount by going with the no name import brands on Amazon, but im not sure it is worth the risk to save $5. Let us know how it goes!
Is the issues only with the SD? I have a raptor XD no problems yet, mind you it’s only done 33 hrs
Not sure. If yours is that new, they might have fixed it by now. You could take a look at mine in the video and compare it to yours, see if it looks different now.
@@diymetalfabrication I just had a look at mine and where yours is torn that little gap mine is one solid bracket and if I wanted to I couldn’t put a bar across the back like you have as the pulley comes out to Far at the back and would be in the way .
My Raptor Limited has the same problems but I use it in my lawn business so it has lots of hours. Broke the first bracket at about 250 hours and it's pretty much a regular occurrence now. I've welded all of them and finally added stiffeners to the side L brackets.
It’s definitely a faulty design, hustler went way to cheap on the frame and brackets I have a 60’’ and that one is extra sensitive to any uneven surfaces
Agreed. That is exactly when the belt would pop off for my neighbor, anytime she got close to the ditches.
Hi, not sure if you can help but I’m at wits end as well. Replaced the drive belt after it broke off, and my mower still won’t move. Hustler raptor 60”. After watching your vid I noticed I’m also missing one of the transmission bolts. I plan to replace that as well but can’t figure out for the life of me why it still won’t go after putting the new belt on 😢
All the bolts on the transmissions need checked, tightened, or replaced if needed. This is the #1 cause of the belt slipping off. When the transmissions are loose, everything can flex around and get misaligned. Here are some basic things to check: Is the belt routed correctly? Did you check the fluid level for the transmissions? With the back end up on jack stands or blocks, will the tires spin if you start it and try forward and reverse? If they spin while off the ground but not with weight on them, then likely they are low on fluid and/or need to go through the bleeding process to get air out of the transmissions (plenty of vids on youtube about this). Hope this helps.
@@diymetalfabrication I checked last night after making this comment and I had the belt routed incorrectly. Thank you for the response. I am going to work on the transmission bolt today. Is there a part number for it? Or can I get any similar bolt at Lowes etc?
A similar bolt from the hardware store works. Take the other side off that is still there to take to the store to use as a guide (I think I also covered the bolt sizes in the video). I would replace bolts on both sides while you are at it even though the one was still there. I highly suggest getting grade 8 bolts with washers and locknuts or lock washers and double the nuts as I mentioned in the video. These see a lot of vibration and doubling up the nuts will help them stay on.
@@diymetalfabrication thank you so much for the assistance! I am not mechanically inclined at all, I got this mower a couple weeks ago and the drive belt broke in the first 10 minutes I used it. I was about to pay someone to do it but decided to grow a pair and do it myself, and so glad I came across your video otherwise I would’ve never known that bolt was missing.
Something else to look at is the spring on the outside of the hydro-pump. Just threw a belt on my 60" and when i put it back on, it would only drive the right wheel. Got to looking and noticed the spring on the left side was gone.
Still working?
So far so good! It is my neighbors mower so I will be the first to hear and have to tow it back to the shop if it fails. She has some pretty steep ditches so this machine gets a workout regularly.
I use mine for a bush hog