I'm in the midst of purchasing a new lawn tractor and have narrowed it down to a John Deere 125 or a Husqvarna YTH20F42T. Both dealers I would consider friends of mine, both are with 3 miles of my house and their service would be comparable. The Deere has several advantages: resale(in this area anyway) cheaper to initially purchase ($200) it has a welded frame, and a couple of useless things like one more adjustment on deck height etc.
The Husky though has some advantages as well: electric PTO (which I'm a bit torn on, yeah it's easier but what is the $$$ if it goes?), much larger fuel tank, 10 gauge deck verses 12, better seat adjustment with what feels like a lot more travel, larger frame and a couple of "who cares" items.
I currently hold the opinion that a Kohler is better that a Briggs. I realize that is a sweeping statement to make based on the fact that each manufacturer makes many different models and sizes and has done so for many years. I also realize that the Briggs in the Deere is "built to John Deere standards" which to me is just another way of saying "built so you are forced to order your parts from Deere"
Now for the questions:
Am I wrong on the whole engine thing? Has anyone found the Kohler Courage series engine (this one is a 20HP) to be unrealiable in any way. Is their some achilies (sp?) heel or are they a solid engine? Is the "Deere speced" Briggs any better in any way shape or form that your average run of the mill Vanguard or Intek or whatever platform they build the engine off of?
What about Husky decks? I have 0 complaints about any deere deck I've used, and I know it's been their claim to fame, but have had no exposure to a Electrolux deck. Someone who is well know for his B.S.ing has tried to tell me their decks are MTD, but they don't look the same to me.
And lastly I was wondering if anyone has this model of either brand and was wondering about you initial thought on them (I realize they are both new models this year).
The Husky though has some advantages as well: electric PTO (which I'm a bit torn on, yeah it's easier but what is the $$$ if it goes?), much larger fuel tank, 10 gauge deck verses 12, better seat adjustment with what feels like a lot more travel, larger frame and a couple of "who cares" items.
I currently hold the opinion that a Kohler is better that a Briggs. I realize that is a sweeping statement to make based on the fact that each manufacturer makes many different models and sizes and has done so for many years. I also realize that the Briggs in the Deere is "built to John Deere standards" which to me is just another way of saying "built so you are forced to order your parts from Deere"
Now for the questions:
Am I wrong on the whole engine thing? Has anyone found the Kohler Courage series engine (this one is a 20HP) to be unrealiable in any way. Is their some achilies (sp?) heel or are they a solid engine? Is the "Deere speced" Briggs any better in any way shape or form that your average run of the mill Vanguard or Intek or whatever platform they build the engine off of?
What about Husky decks? I have 0 complaints about any deere deck I've used, and I know it's been their claim to fame, but have had no exposure to a Electrolux deck. Someone who is well know for his B.S.ing has tried to tell me their decks are MTD, but they don't look the same to me.
And lastly I was wondering if anyone has this model of either brand and was wondering about you initial thought on them (I realize they are both new models this year).