Comparison Husqvarna GT48DXLS Compared to John Deere

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

Just be sure to order a set of G5 blades, I just put some on my mower and there awesome, I went from standards and it's a night and day diff.

 

[s219]

People criticize the K46 transmission yet John Deere uses them in a Garden Tractor (some of the X300 series).

The X300 series isn't a garden tractor, at least not in Deere's lineup, even though it has a stouter frame than garden tractors of the other brands right now (including the Sears/Husky GT twins). You need to get into an X500 with the thicker hitch materials before Deere considers it a garden tractor (in which case you get other features like locking diff, etc). It's just the way Deere has their lineup arranged. But when you think about the fact that the X300 series and X500 series share the same frame construction except for the hitch area, it's obvious there is some overlap.

BTW, I don't like the K46 regardless of how you classify the tractor, and think it's unfortunate Deere uses it in their entry level X300 models. However, that transmission is fine for some applications, like mowing flat terrain. It's really hills and heat (from extended use) that kill it. Unfortunately, buyers (of all brands) don't usually know what limitations they're getting with a K46 machine.

The Husqvarna has a larger engine, better transmission and manual rear locking differential.

At least in the case of the X380, which is the general machine getting compared here, the engine (Kawasaki) and transmission (K66) are the same, it's the availability of locking differential that differs. I am pretty sure the engine/trans combo are the main reason these models get compared, which is probably misleading.

In every comparison we have here on TBN, pricing is the general gripe people have with the Deere models, and I won't hold that against anyone. But at the time I bought my X380 in early 2016 it was just a few hundred more than the Husky GT52 model (same exact machine as the GT48 discussed here except for deck and differential). For that few hundred dollars the Deere had very compelling value. Even at $1000 more it had compelling value. I compared those two machines (and the Sears twin of the Husky) very closely over a period of a couple months before coming to that conclusion. The calculation would have certainly changed if the GT48 was available, but I still see quite a bit of added value in the Deere, so it would come down to what it's worth. For me, the nicer dash/control layout, real gauges (including fuel gauge), significantly better seat, and beefier frame on the Deere are worth something. Getting ~ $700 knocked off helped a lot too.

Right now the current Husky/Sears GT lineup dates to about 2012 (engine/transmission/diff options notwithstanding). It will be interesting to see what they do in their next redesign, but I have no idea what their timeline is for that. Deere made some nice improvements for the 2016 redesign when the X380 was introduced, but it's their market to lose if another player can come in with a similar machine for less money.

 

[crazyal]

I was in the same boat as you. I was favoring the Husqvarna with the welded deck and the locking diff (hadn't picked out which model) when I found a used x500 with under 50 hours for $4k. The price range the Husqvarna dealer was giving me was around $3200 (since I didn't have an actual model picked out or what options I would want it was just a ball park number). So I did have a debate about spending an extra grand for the x500. I only ended up with the x500 because, and this is just my opinion, it looked better designed/ made. Of course it's a $6k new tractor so it should be. I think the Husqvarna is a good deal for how much it costs. I think it will serve you well. Before last year I wouldn't of spent more than a grand on a riding mower and then in 10 years been replacing it.

I think the K46 is fine for what it is. Tufftorq should have made changing the oil easier on it though. I think most of the problems come from people running it until it dies where they should be changing the oil after 50 hours and then every 200 hours. Since it's hard to do (requires removing it to turn it up side down) most people never do it. How long would a car engine last if you never changed the oil? I wouldn't run the K66 on the Husqvarna or my K72 without changing the oil on routine service intervals either.

 

[SpudDaddy]

The X300 series isn't a garden tractor, at least not in Deere's lineup, even though it has a stouter frame than garden tractors of the other brands right now (including the Sears/Husky GT twins). You need to get into an X500 with the thicker hitch materials before Deere considers it a garden tractor (in which case you get other features like locking diff, etc). It's just the way Deere has their lineup arranged. But when you think about the fact that the X300 series and X500 series share the same frame construction except for the hitch area, it's obvious there is some overlap.

BTW, I don't like the K46 regardless of how you classify the tractor, and think it's unfortunate Deere uses it in their entry level X300 models. However, that transmission is fine for some applications, like mowing flat terrain. It's really hills and heat (from extended use) that kill it. Unfortunately, buyers (of all brands) don't usually know what limitations they're getting with a K46 machine.



At least in the case of the X380, which is the general machine getting compared here, the engine (Kawasaki) and transmission (K66) are the same, it's the availability of locking differential that differs. I am pretty sure the engine/trans combo are the main reason these models get compared, which is probably misleading.

In every comparison we have here on TBN, pricing is the general gripe people have with the Deere models, and I won't hold that against anyone. But at the time I bought my X380 in early 2016 it was just a few hundred more than the Husky GT52 model (same exact machine as the GT48 discussed here except for deck and differential). For that few hundred dollars the Deere had very compelling value. Even at $1000 more it had compelling value. I compared those two machines (and the Sears twin of the Husky) very closely over a period of a couple months before coming to that conclusion. The calculation would have certainly changed if the GT48 was available, but I still see quite a bit of added value in the Deere, so it would come down to what it's worth. For me, the nicer dash/control layout, real gauges (including fuel gauge), significantly better seat, and beefier frame on the Deere are worth something. Getting ~ $700 knocked off helped a lot too.

Right now the current Husky/Sears GT lineup dates to about 2012 (engine/transmission/diff options notwithstanding). It will be interesting to see what they do in their next redesign, but I have no idea what their timeline is for that. Deere made some nice improvements for the 2016 redesign when the X380 was introduced, but it's their market to lose if another player can come in with a similar machine for less money.

S219 - you are right. John Deere does not market the X380 as a garden tractor, that was my mistake (although people compare them as garden Tractors). And my use of the Husqvarna will be as a Lawn Tractor plus pulling loads of dirt (not that many). I do not think Husqvarna should have market the GT48DXLS as a Garden Tractor.

 

[SpudDaddy]

I was in the same boat as you. I was favoring the Husqvarna with the welded deck and the locking diff (hadn't picked out which model) when I found a used x500 with under 50 hours for $4k. The price range the Husqvarna dealer was giving me was around $3200 (since I didn't have an actual model picked out or what options I would want it was just a ball park number). So I did have a debate about spending an extra grand for the x500. I only ended up with the x500 because, and this is just my opinion, it looked better designed/ made. Of course it's a $6k new tractor so it should be. I think the Husqvarna is a good deal for how much it costs. I think it will serve you well. Before last year I wouldn't of spent more than a grand on a riding mower and then in 10 years been replacing it.

I think the K46 is fine for what it is. Tufftorq should have made changing the oil easier on it though. I think most of the problems come from people running it until it dies where they should be changing the oil after 50 hours and then every 200 hours. Since it's hard to do (requires removing it to turn it up side down) most people never do it. How long would a car engine last if you never changed the oil? I wouldn't run the K66 on the Husqvarna or my K72 without changing the oil on routine service intervals either.

I was willing to pay more for a John Deere - but not $1400 to $1500 more for a model with the same transmission, engine and missing the rear locking differential. The other difference was that I had to finance mine - 0% Husqvarna vs 4.98% John Deere. That saved me another $300 dollars. The other difference is I got a bagger for $349 vs roughly $800 on the John Deere.

You got a heck of a deal on your X500. I have a feeling some of the folks on this forum live in areas where the John Deere Dealerships are more competitive and the discounts are much better.

 

[17 Oaks]

I was willing to pay more for a John Deere - but not $1400 to $1500 more for a model with the same transmission, engine and missing the rear locking differential. The other difference was that I had to finance mine - 0% Husqvarna vs 4.98% John Deere. That saved me another $300 dollars. The other difference is I got a bagger for $349 vs roughly $800 on the John Deere.

You got a heck of a deal on your X500. I have a feeling some of the folks on this forum live in areas where the John Deere Dealerships are more competitive and the discounts are much better.

Now you know why I have not bought the JD.

I am still out, don't NEED it now, but maybe next year or the year after for sure, Got to finish the land clearing, pick up rocks, the I go to the mow, so I am 1 maybe 2 years out. But looking now does not hurt and who knows...

 

[plowhog]

Regarding: "at the time I bought my X380 in early 2016 it was just a few hundred more than the Husky ..."

I believe your experience was unique. My experience at two Deere dealerships was the opposite. In Northern CA, I was quoted $4,595 (CA model) MSRP no discounts take it or leave it. In Northern NV, $4,495 MSRP take it or leave it. The bagger was about $1,200 more as it apparently required a separate power flow. So, about $4,500 + $1,200 = $5,700 before tax for a Deere X380.

I bought the Husqvarna GT48DXLS for a little under $3,000, I paid full retail for the bagger at $399.

So, for me, the X380 was $5,700, the Husqvarna $3,400, a $2,300 difference. Your price differential was only $300, my price differential was $300 plus another two thousand dollars. I'm guessing most people shopping for a mower are going to experience close to what I did? The difference being some Deere dealers supposedly will knock of $100 or throw in a hat or other goodie, while others do not. Neither of mine would budge.

I was motivated to buy a John Deere for sentimental reasons. Since I have an assortment of equipment, I wanted to buy *something* John Deere to add to the collection. If it was a $300 bump I would have easily paid that. But the $2,300 difference plus the inflexible "pay sticker no dicker" position bothered me.

I have not encountered any business or industry for this class of equipment where "sticker no dicker" is the norm. I've bought and sold dozens of vehicles, five airplanes, lots of real property, and all sorts of farm equipment. I never a single time paid asking price. So, this posture by the Deere dealer(s) stands out.

Next, if the dealer's position is to stiff-arm me even before the sale, what will my treatment be for post-sale service? Does that inflexible attitude lead down the road to having to purchase special "John Deere available only" parts at inflated prices? Or an attitude to "get in line, we'll get to it in six weeks?" I wasn't sure, and decided not to take the chance.

I always try to point out that Deere makes quality equipment. They of course do, with a few exceptions. I believe their box store models might be an exception, and the differential lock is woefully absent on the X3XX platform.

But in the end, the X380 I was looking at was of course a well engineered mower. It was the dealer posture and position that killed my interest in JD, as much as the price differential.

 

[17 Oaks]

PlowHog, I fully concur!

There are a few places they specialize in tractor sales and they are listing by both them and listings from across the US. So you can get and idea of cost. A few posts above the JD S240 was mentioned, so I Googled JD S340 for sale. Prices from discounted $100 below to OVER $600 above MSRP...fora 2016 model, not a 17!!!

Having done a ton of research on 'for sale', when it comes to JD, prices run from 'your kidding' to 'that's STUPID money'!

When I bought my JD tractor I got a GREAT deal albeit at the time I did not think so. First I got $1500 off MSRP by adding on 2 implements, which I needed. Ok, good deal I guess but will go for it. Then my sales guy calls me up at home Thrus nite and tells me I got a deal for you if you buy tomorrow. He said there is 'push money' on your tractor of $1500 bucks that goes to the dealer who can split it with the salesman. BUT I am being laid off and tomorrow is my last day. If you want that tractor, I will write it up and give YOU the dealer money of $1500, but be here first thing in the am. I was and I signed the paper. He took the paperwork to the big boss and I could hear the argument. Him and boss come in the door and boss tell me a mistake has been made and the $1500 belongs to the dealer, I look at my sales guy who had told me the boss was going to scream and to just tell him I will walk on the deal. I did and I got the money. My sales guy left at noon instead of 5. I did call him at home the next week and told him thanks and if he needed a recommendation I would give him one.

All total I got $3k off MSRP as a result. Knowing what I know now, I got one hellva of deal.

 

[s219]

Deere didn't want to deal very much when I bought my first compact tractor a few years back so that sale went to Kubota. I actually spent about $800 more on a bigger Kubota model, so the Kubota dealer's discounting let me get a whole lot more tractor for just a little more than what Deere wanted for the smaller machine (hows that for Deere losing a sale -- they drove me to the competition where I spent *more* money). For my second tractor and UTV I went Kubota too. I would have probably given them my business for the mower, but Kubota doesn't really have any compelling options for riding mowers in this price range, so it was down to Deere, Husqvarna, or Cub. This time around (March 2016) it was a combination of a spring Deere rebate, a test drive coupon I got in the mail, and a weekend garden show special that knocked a big chunk off the price. The first two discounts were from Deere corporate, while the third was from the dealer. I was in the showroom a day before that garden show special was to kick in, but when I was debating over the purchase with myself, the store manager whipped out that discount and it pushed me over the edge.

 

[plowhog]

S219,

Sounds like you got a killer deal. Under similar circumstances, I'm sure I would have quickly done the same. When I went to purchase the X380 I didn't know a Husqvarna GT48DXLS even existed. I've told the story of how I wound up not purchasing JD too many times already, so I won't repeat it again.

I hope it gives you decades of good service. They are very fine machines.