Comparison Husqvarna GT48DXLS Compared to John Deere

[Tractorable]

I own an X590 but the GT48 represents an excellent value for folks who need both a lawn mower and a compact tractor to maintain their property.

It'd be nice to see other manufacturers compete with John Deere's X series garden tractor segment.

 

[s219]

Exertion
* cruise control easier to operate (button on dash versus lever on Husky)

It's more about the fact that Deere setup cruise as a button right next to the steering wheel, versus Husky who put a somewhat clunky/awkward lever down at knee level. I am sure the lever arrangement is simpler mechanically because it's close to the forward pedal, and it probably made sense to an engineer, but it's awkward to use. I don't think that was done based on usability or ergonomics. Same could be said for the fuel level reading, instruments, deck adjustment, etc...

I spent over two years looking at mowers and it became obvious that Deere put a lot more thought into controls, seating, and overall operator ease of use. The Deere is by no means perfect, but I have not seen any other riding mower with that attention to detail. Whether or not it matters to a buyer is another story, but like I've said over and over, for $300 more than the best Husky at the time, the Deere was a no brainer to me.

 

[airbiscuit]

I own an X590 but the GT48 represents an excellent value for folks who need both a lawn mower and a compact tractor to maintain their property.

It'd be nice to see other manufacturers compete with John Deere's X series garden tractor segment.

Well said!

 

[17 Oaks]

It's more about the fact that Deere setup cruise as a button right next to the steering wheel, versus Husky who put a somewhat clunky/awkward lever down at knee level. I am sure the lever arrangement is simpler mechanically because it's close to the forward pedal, and it probably made sense to an engineer, but it's awkward to use. I don't think that was done based on usability or ergonomics. Same could be said for the fuel level reading, instruments, deck adjustment, etc...

I spent over two years looking at mowers and it became obvious that Deere put a lot more thought into controls, seating, and overall operator ease of use. The Deere is by no means perfect, but I have not seen any other riding mower with that attention to detail. Whether or not it matters to a buyer is another story, but like I've said over and over, for $300 more than the best Husky at the time, the Deere was a no brainer to me.

Good points.

For me: Locking rear axle and strong (fabbed/welded deck). Cruise control, probably use it the next time I take my accordion with me when I go deer hunting. What some folks fail to do is ascertain their requirements and needs before they buy, then end up with something that won't perform as expected. I am just barely beyond rough cut mowing...

 

[crazyal]

Been fun to read all these "passionate" posts. I looked at both brands as well as a few others like Cub. I really wanted a locking diff so I skipped the X300 series. My solution was to buy a low hour used X500. Paid a grand more than a new GT48 but from my impressions it's a lot more tractor. Now I didn't take a GT48 home and try it here so I'm just going off of my visual impressions. Since getting it I can say that there's a reason why lots of people buy Deere riders (I see a lot more of them than any other brand while driving). Deere has had lots of time figuring out the little things. Besides a locking diff I also needed a strong frame.

I didn't realize this until I used the X500. I was going to sell my old box store special and used it one last time. I can actually feel the frame twist on some of the more challenging parts of my yard. After about 5 years of using it I can see stress marks on the frame (I'll not sell something that I know will fail shortly). Sure it's undoubtedly weaker than the GT48 and I have no interest in a johnny bucket but when they say "GT48XLSi, GT52XLSi, GT54LS, GT52XLS, GTH52XLS and a few others are still compatible but have a weak tractor frame design that is not strong enough for use with the Johnny Bucket" I don't think it would have lasted for my use.

But that's just me and my use. I would have no problems recommending the GT48 to someone if I felt it fit their needs. However I would probably tell them to ferret around on the used market and see what is out there used. In half a summer I have more than doubled the hours on my X500. Someone else took the $2000 hit. Unfortunately there's not a lot of used Husqvarna tractors out there while Deere as sold a lot so there's choices.

 

[airbiscuit]

I would prefer a used JD X5xx in good condition over a new JD X3xx. That is a good option if you can find it.

 

[17 Oaks]

Been fun to read all these "passionate" posts. I looked at both brands as well as a few others like Cub. I really wanted a locking diff so I skipped the X300 series. My solution was to buy a low hour used X500. Paid a grand more than a new GT48 but from my impressions it's a lot more tractor. Now I didn't take a GT48 home and try it here so I'm just going off of my visual impressions. Since getting it I can say that there's a reason why lots of people buy Deere riders (I see a lot more of them than any other brand while driving). Deere has had lots of time figuring out the little things. Besides a locking diff I also needed a strong frame.

I didn't realize this until I used the X500. I was going to sell my old box store special and used it one last time. I can actually feel the frame twist on some of the more challenging parts of my yard. After about 5 years of using it I can see stress marks on the frame (I'll not sell something that I know will fail shortly). Sure it's undoubtedly weaker than the GT48 and I have no interest in a johnny bucket but when they say "GT48XLSi, GT52XLSi, GT54LS, GT52XLS, GTH52XLS and a few others are still compatible but have a weak tractor frame design that is not strong enough for use with the Johnny Bucket" I don't think it would have lasted for my use.

But that's just me and my use. I would have no problems recommending the GT48 to someone if I felt it fit their needs. However I would probably tell them to ferret around on the used market and see what is out there used. In half a summer I have more than doubled the hours on my X500. Someone else took the $2000 hit. Unfortunately there's not a lot of used Husqvarna tractors out there while Deere as sold a lot so there's choices.

OK, ez, a grand more than a GT48 @ $3,000, ok, where do I get that X500 at for $4k large...?

 

[crazyal]

Without spending much time but a quick search on machinery finder I found a 2015 X500 with 100 hours in southern Iowa that looks in nice shape. The dealer is asking $4200. So where can you get a GT48DXLS right now? They are a limited production and best I can tell is you will have to wait until next year before you can get one. As for a used X500, in a month or two the prices will drop as dealers accept that they have to either price them to move or sit on them for winter.
215 John Deere X5 - Lawn & Garden Tractors - John Deere MachineFinder

 

[17 Oaks]

Without spending much time but a quick search on machinery finder I found a 2015 X500 with 100 hours in southern Iowa that looks in nice shape. The dealer is asking $4200. So where can you get a GT48DXLS right now? They are a limited production and best I can tell is you will have to wait until next year before you can get one. As for a used X500, in a month or two the prices will drop as dealers accept that they have to either price them to move or sit on them for winter.
215 John Deere X5 - Lawn & Garden Tractors - John Deere MachineFinder

Point is you said the delta was only a $1k when in fact its not, its almost $2k. As GT's I have found several that are on the floor and for sale @ $3000. They are out there there.


217 Husqvarna 217 HUSQVARNA GT48DXLS (96 43 2-31) for sale in Dimondale, MI | Harrington's Lawn & Power (517) 646-8787

Husqvarna GT48DXLS - South Side Sales - Power Equipment, Snowmobiles, Mowers, Tractors and More

I am in the exploratory mode and don't need it today, but will prob pull the trigger ( on something) this spring, if I get enough work down on the place to need it...more stump removal and the biggie, ROCK pick up and I have TONS of rocks on the ground.

 

[crazyal]

I'm at a loss. You called me out for what ever reason saying that it wasn't possible to find a used low hour X500 for a grand more than a GT48. In less than 5 minutes I found a dealer sort of near you asking $4200. $1200 more than the new price of the GT48. I was able to get the dealer I bought my X500 from down from $4500 down to $4000. It's very likely that the dealer would take $4000 for that X500 link I posted. When I was looking there were several dealers asking way too much, the same is true now. But with a little patience I sorted them out and found 3 in my area with an asking price of just over $4000 and a private sale ($3600). It sounds like you made up your mind, if so, I bet that the GT48 will serve you well as it sounds like it's a fine machine.