The Newest Restored Garden Tractor in America, Husqvarna GT48DXLS, the Build.

[plowhog]

This guy's been on a tear about this now for a while across more than one website/forum. He simply refuses to take responsibility for abusing the machine and keeps ragging on Husqy.

I did not reply to his original "trash Husqvarna" thread. Even though I have the exact same machine and it performs extremely well.

I found his first thread curious for several reasons. First, he chose a user name which is the exact same name of the product he hates. That in itself is odd, unless the intent was to trash a reputation. Second, the depth of technical knowledge of this machine, and competitors, down to very fine minute engineering details suggests a level of knowledge more befitting inside technical employee (of somewhere) than an end user.

Back when there was a long thread of the GT48DXLS versus John Deere, there was also a purported "end user" who had a single JD product in his signature. And of course he railed against "bent frame" Husqvarnas. But if you searched his post history, he expressed expertise to a fine technical level about 11 different models of JD riding mowers and garden tractors. Something only a JD employee, or perhaps someone working in a shop servicing JD products, would have. A few of us observed behavior in that thread of paid posters-- paid to talk up one product and trash another.

If this is a legitimate post from an end user, it's the only such example of its type I have seen. And that was the first thread. Now we have a second one.

 

[ruffdog]

I will have to say....you get an A for effort.

 

[GT48DXLS]

My story of how I got to this build is told in a thread "Beware of Husqvarna Garden Tractors". I intentionally told it as it unfolded, not trying to offend anyone, though, understandably, I was very upset. I had been deceived, out right lied too, slandered, accused, and wife too, from the original Dealer, and then Husqvarna.

I bought my own chassis to modify.
I have posted in many forums, I do not seek reimbursement, or warranty of any kind.
I do not seek civil litigation, that nonsense requires the kind of wealth that I would have bought a real tractor with.
If a lawyer took this on in a corporate suit, and there was money offered, I will publicly give it to a credible charity. I want nothing from Husqvarna, But just an apology on behalf of their Dealer, to my Wife and myself, and that Husqvarna properly represent their Garden Tractor and Warranty, that's it. I have stood by this for a year now.

(Husqvarna has been sued, The man ran out of money. I hold the picture of the same bent chassis, but in 2012, while used for snow-blowing, Spokane WA, his story was in the Husqvarna Answer Army, that was recently shut down).

My original chassis at 63hrs on the clock,



Here it is bare,



I found out that many Husqvarna GT owners going back before 2012 have been in the same place, and endured the same or similar Corporate Abuse I had, but with a twist?. many were afraid to be public and endure the ridicule from other owners. This upset me too. So I took this straight on, the good and the bad. I haven't always tackled things that might make me look good (this seemed disingenuous to me) .... I just do my best.

If someone seeks out my original story, I warn you it's raw. The reason, is how offensive it all became, over a $150 chassis, and the words "Husqvarna will never warranty their chassis, ever!" and "if there is a problem with the tractor it will show up the first day of use" also helped contribute to the offense. The Dealer was Backed up by Husqvarna, because, according to Husqvarna, those decisions are left to their authorized representatives, so they stand.

This Build started here, With professional advice and service,

403 - Forbidden: Access is denied.

with seeking out the right kind of expertise to properly assess, guide, confirm, and of course fix my tractor.

My confidence in knowing that Husqvarna miss-represents their Garden Tractor started with engineers and craftsman in the agricultural machinery field, then I had a base of knowledge to study the subject.

In Conclusion;

The project has turned out well. A real pleasure to operate. I really like it. If you are buying one for mowing, and want a tough mower, it's a bargain and comfortable, The fabricated deck has wow factor, and the Kawasaki is a plus.

If contemplating a Garden Tractor, let's face it the cheapest fully capable Garden Tractor in our market I can find does not come with a mower deck for $9K, making this look, understandably, very appealing.

I would say if looking at it as a $3,700 project, there are some good used projects out there that may be better.

If you just want to do it because you want to prove it can be done, with modifications, why stop there, I haven't seen one plow a farm yet (a real farm 100 acres +), that would be interesting. Also, a full set of tracks would be great too!

If you find yourself already owning one and concerned of it's limitations or worse, the best advice I can give you is this;

The biggest difference was adding the extra 1/4" hard steel and extending all the way to the back of the rear sleeve plate.

One continuous welded piece on each side from the very front to the very back (the extra 3" beyond the original chassis, the TS chassis is 57"). The rear sleeve plate on the Husqvarna TS354D (GT), as an example has a lot of stress placed on it, but does not have full support of the chassis because the chassis doesn't go all the way to the back, (the missing 3").

here it is, what I believe might be this Country's newest fully restored Garden Tractor,



As of today it has 184.5 hrs on the clock. 121 hrs since rebuild, approx 12 hrs have been mowing grass, the rest have been Johnny Bucket JR. The JBJR is so durable and usable, I can't imagine not having one.

Sincerely,

GT48DXLS-Restored

 

[GT48DXLS]

Did the johnny bucket cause the frame to buckle? Or did it happen without the johnny bucket?

Anyway, neat that you are getting it fixed back up stronger and better.

Thank you for following along.

There were a series of failures that happened all at once. Sometimes the stars, the moon, and the sun do happen

It's important to get this out of the way upfront. Everything at the time was a part of a careful plan prior to purchase from the original Dealer and at his recommendations with evidence of capability. All purchased the same day or within a week.

I was still using my 2011 Ariens for most mowing not all, deck was having problems then. The GT was moving sand and such well, I was enjoying the work getting done for 62hrs, and 11 months.

The reason I try and explain this next part, answer your question, is to hopefully help someone be aware of how things work together, and how this tractor may communicate a warning to the operator, such as forward movement without operator input. I feel it's just good to know.

I had just rented a mini excavator to pull palmetto out of the sand. I have, beach sand, and it's easier to work with than the real dirt of the Willamette Valley or especially the mix up in Sandy OR, Mt Hood area, volcanic rock can be brutal. I'm very familiar.

After finishing the job, with the loose sand left over on the edge of the holes, I used the GT to scoop and fill, all going well, until...

The chassis buckled in seconds, specifically, 2-3 seconds. I was working with the mowing deck still attached, as I had done before and told it was fine to do. As I had pushed forward and had some sand in the bucket, my bungee cord had failed to hold up the mower side deflector, (I tried to keep it up out of the way when not in use, it would catch on everything).

I had not noticed and it got caught on the sand to my right with a root, (actually a potato vine), the process of pushing forward with a piece of the mower deck out 30 plus inches from the side (the deflector is 21" wide on the Fab deck) was enough force to push the deck 1/2" into the right rear wheel which suddenly got exceptional traction and the flex was enough to push the control rod (on the right side too) that applied power forward without my input all at the same time in seconds, once I had the brake applied it was too late.

If I had removed the mower deck to work in the sand, it wouldn't have happened. This is why I encourage the removal of the mower deck "implement" before using another implement. The thing most people thought was the culprit wasn't, One of the things Husqvarna accused me of (I have actual HD security footage of the whole thing) was driving fast straight into an unmovable object....

No joke, there were many such accusations. Crazy.

I'm not sure if the stamped steel deck is as big in that same space, maybe someone can measure and let us know.

Cheers,

 

[GT48DXLS]

There you go, taking matters into your own hands. Good deal. BUT, I"m telling you right now- this better end with chrome wheels and zoomies...:thumbsup:

tomplum, taking matters into my own hands is the way I roll...... As for the rest, it's not over yet

 

[GT48DXLS]

I admire your effort and understand your disgust at the Husquavrna frame being weak. I've got a 42" Husky and a 54" CC XT3-GSX. I wouldn't consider either one to be a bulldozer wanna-be. At most I'll ask the CC to drag dirt around to level the lawn for that I've got the Box blade and the JB lift for it.

Thanks for following, and the respectful comment. It looks like you might be familiar with my sand, central FL no matter where, is only a couple hrs from the sandy coastline, this State is a bit of a large sand bar, right?

Is your box blade the Agri-Fab or brinly?
How do you like it?
Whats your thoughts on that JB power sleeve?

One of the things I really like on that Cub Cadet you have is the Hydro-Gear that has a removable oil filter, any thoughts?

 

[GT48DXLS]

This guy's been on a tear about this now for a while across more than one website/forum. He simply refuses to take responsibility for abusing the machine and keeps ragging on Husqy.

We are all entitled to our opinions, after all it's a forum, right?

Out of all the things that were done to create a durable GT, you found nothing interesting?

Out of all the work I put in this to give as much picture record as possible to possibly (for free) inspire someone out there to take on an idea of there own in a project, I would have thought something would be of interest?

Off the top of my head, the Craftsman PYT-9000 that you have, is that the Simplicity built tractor? Between that and the JD X-300 how do their mowing decks compare?

Respectfully,

-GT

 

[GT48DXLS]

I did not reply to his original "trash Husqvarna" thread. Even though I have the exact same machine and it performs extremely well.

I found his first thread curious for several reasons. First, he chose a user name which is the exact same name of the product he hates. That in itself is odd, unless the intent was to trash a reputation. Second, the depth of technical knowledge of this machine, and competitors, down to very fine minute engineering details suggests a level of knowledge more befitting inside technical employee (of somewhere) than an end user.

Back when there was a long thread of the GT48DXLS versus John Deere, there was also a purported "end user" who had a single JD product in his signature. And of course he railed against "bent frame" Husqvarnas. But if you searched his post history, he expressed expertise to a fine technical level about 11 different models of JD riding mowers and garden tractors. Something only a JD employee, or perhaps someone working in a shop servicing JD products, would have. A few of us observed behavior in that thread of paid posters-- paid to talk up one product and trash another.

If this is a legitimate post from an end user, it's the only such example of its type I have seen. And that was the first thread. Now we have a second one.

I'm going to take this post at your word, at face value, and respectfully consider your opinion and concerns.

I've had people over the past year quietly help with info, some were from Husqvarna, they knew some particular details and were themselves disgusted with the way my Wife and I were treated by the original Dealer. I've actually held things back to protect those sources. I can't imagine anyone here defending the original Dealer if these sources were able to be public. but when it comes to fight or flight my response is fight, and the only allowed way I could fight was to make enough noise to spread awareness.

The fact that critics bring it up now (my continuation of Husqvarna Awareness), possibly meaning to be less than respectful, is the proof that I kept my word.

Keeping my promise, has proved very successful, both friends and critics continue to spread awareness, and in some actions even unfavorable responses are in a strange way, favorable. In any case, organization's will have good people, and not so good, fact of life, right?

Now what puzzle's me,

I can't remember a single post where I said I hated the GT48DXLS, not one. I have on numerous occasions pointed out it's positives and said it was a "good looking machine". Besides, that would be most unfortunate to go to all the trouble of building this project, getting more done on my land than I thought I could ever expect from a GT, and "hate it"? Doesn't make much sense.

This one is a first for me,

I would think if I were a John Deere Rep (???) of some kind it would be more beneficial to have a forum name like Husqvarna Garden Tractor TS354D or something like that. That would get more "trash" publicity per post, if that was my objective, since the TS is the Garden Tractor Flagship for Husqvarna, and the very small production numbers of the GT48DXLS is barely a mention and hasn't been produced since 2017?

I chose the name GT48DXLS because, good, bad, or indifferent, it's the truth. I bought a Husqvarna GT48DXLS. It's really that simple,

I don't want there to be confusion, I'm not a Rep. I'm what is called a Quiet Professional, Military, retired now.

I do thank you , in an almost humorous way, for the backwards compliment, thinking I'm so knowledgeable ("fine technical level", I would love to think it was because I was smart, truth is, I just googled, like anyone can do with a strong work ethic) that I must be paid, good stuff, seriously.

I share the same disgust for anyone that would be an "industry plant". I don't have much tolerance for those types of games and it sounds like you don't either.

I have responded hopefully in a non offensive manor. I wanted this thread to be a positive, the bits of negative are actually scaled back because I think it would be a shame to get lost in the sauce.

By the way, I'm honest about other forums, and unfortunately my first was FLHusqGT, I never liked it because I thought it should be under the same name on all forums, but when it occurred to me, it was too late, so everything after the original name has been GT48DXLS and I just post the other name like right now. I do all this in keeping with open continuity, including, I have no other names used that might be used in playing social media games, (such as dog-piling) I think that is shameful too, don't you agree?

On a more positive note, it sounds like you have a Husqvarna GT/ TS, that is working well for you, I'm genuinely glad. They are a nice looking machine aren't they?

Do you have pictures to share? Of it using implements?

Very Respectfully,

-GT48DXLS (restored)

 

[GT48DXLS]

I will have to say....you get an A for effort.

Right back at you!

You are obviously no stranger to a project! (your avatar pic)

Cheers

 

[Diggin It]

I did not reply to his original "trash Husqvarna" thread. Even though I have the exact same machine and it performs extremely well.

I will have to say....you get an A for effort.

Guess he's having fun.