Looking into purchasing a Hustler

[SLOWLS1Z28]

I've been thinking about buying one from a buddi of mine, mainly for going ride just having fun. If I recall correctly its an 80 i'm not sure on the model though. I do know its got an 18hp IC B&S,T20 trans, and is in pretty good shape suprisingly enough. I've got many friends with 4 wheelers who go riding frequently and was mainly wondering if this would be a good investment trying to go riding with 4 wheelers. I do know with the lack of ground clearance it will have some trouble in deep ruts if the tires dont hit bottom or sides. I just dont want to buy this and not be able to still do riding with them and have something else sitting around the house that I dont use.

[boncrshr]

I am a little biased towards Hustlers....as far as riding with your quad buddies, I do it all of the time and don't have any problems to speak of. Also, I have not really experienced any problems with high-centering in ruts....with the proper tires you will be much more capable in just about any terrain you will encounter. The only time I wished I had a quad was when we were riding near Lake Sam Houston and there were a lot of downed logs...I got across them just as good as the quads, but it was a ROUGH ride.

Also, when buying any used machine, it would be a good idea to plan on changing at least the bearings and chain, just for good measure. Maybe tires, if the machine has Rawhides I believe the tread depth is 19/32 when new. A new belt would not be a bad idea either...keep us posted if you get it. There are several members on this site going to the Marengo Swamp Run on June 7 in Shreveport...you might be getting this one in time to go??

[SLOWLS1Z28]

Thats good to hear thanks for all the info. The tires and rims are brand new and a few bearings have been replaced already and he has a few spares that come with it. The chain is in good shape. I'll look into the belt to see if its in need of replacement but he may have already done that also. I may go pick it up today if our deal goes through. As long as i'm off of work i'll gladly go on the swamp run! I'm also sure that I can get alot of my buddies around here to go also.

[boncrshr]

Hey Slow,

What kind of tires does it have on the new rims? Do you know what diameter the rims are?

I think you'll like the Hustler....for me, it is perfect. I like fixing up and working on my own stuff though. So the extra maintenance is worth the increased capability to me. I see in your sig line that you like working on cars, so pretty much everything in the Hustler will be very easy for you, even the T-20.

For some reason my hunting buddy's kids love riding in my Hustler (he has a Polaris 500 sportsman).

[SLOWLS1Z28]

He bought the tire/rim package from richardsrelics.com there 21-11-8 tires I think i'd have to ask on the rim width though. Yeah working on and modifying things is a very big hobbie of mine, so it should be a fun investment. Not to mention its kinda nice that I will be able to ride up to 4 people. My nexty question is whats the tire you would reccomend for mud but still making it able to pull the machine through the water.

[boncrshr]

4 people would be kinda tight! I always say they used jockeys to make the Hustler promotional photo!

With an 8" rim, the Goodyear Rawhide III is probably the best all-around tire for water and mud. They ride really good also. I have been through the whole tire thing. First, I bought a set of Kenda Bearclaws that are awesome in the mud, but do not swim at all. I then rode around on a set of Rawhides I borrowed, now I just stepped up to 9" rims with 25x13-9 Vampires. Haven't ridden on them yet. But the 8" rims really limit your tire choices....that being said, the Rawhides were really good tires....you know how it is, you just always want more.

Also, the Argo tires are supposed to be really good, but they are prohibitively expensive, you could get a set of MattO's K-Lock rims plus Vampires for what you would pay for those!

So bottom line is if there are Rawhides on there, just drive them and enjoy them for now, they will probably do just about anything you ask of them.

[jpswift1]

I second those 22" Goodyear Rawhide III's. They are only $40 something bucks a piece, they swim decent, they offer a super smooth ride, and they are excellent in the mud. As far as the year of your Hustler is, I believe that it is between 1982-1985 since it was around those years that they came with the flat twin I/C Briggs. Before that it was the K341 Kohler single. Be sure to keep us updated. You'll be very happy with a Hustler, I have one and it is a very tough, and reliable machine.