Looking for a lawnmower/garden tractor in the just-better-than-box-store range

[melehundele]

Hi all! My Craftsman LT2500 having just died for good after 5.5 years, I am looking for a new small tractor probably of a slightly better quality. I have a JD 4300 so don't need one for big jobs like snow removal. I DO need one that can mow about 1.5 acre of slightly-lumpy-but-otherwise flat lawn every week or two for about 4 months of the year; mow approximately 3.5 acres of lumpier horse pasture about 3 times per year; drag a 30 gallon sprayer around all 5 acres about 3 times per year; drag a 120# broadcast spreader on the 5 acres 2-3 times per year; and drag a 4'x6' chain harrow about 2-maybe-3 times per year. And I need no larger than a 48" deck because of some narrow areas. And one more thing: It is very sandy here. Dusty and awful if we have no rain. My lawn and pasture are pretty thick because I work at it, but the roots are shallow (which is why I don't do more turf work with the JD 4300).

I am looking hard at Husqvarna TS 348 types. I think they must be heftier but I can't figure out the specs for transmissions etc.; they all say Tuff Torq but I think there must be differences. I still haven't figured out the difference between the D, XD, and X variants versus the plain 348. I have found a seller with what they call a 348 but listing the part number for 348D at a very good price with a Kawasaki 24hp engine. I don't know if there is anything bad about that unit.

I did look at the JD x300 and x500 types, and am partial to JD, but they really seem expensive compared to the Husqvarnas. My neighbor has a x550 that she uses year round, including snow removal when I break out the 4300. I don't know if I need that much. I certainly won't use it in the winter.

I also looked at the Kubotas a little but don't really know that much about them to start comparing. They are, of course, also spendy. I have been looking at these things for four days and my head feels like it may explode. Meanwhile, the grass is getting longer....

Does anyone have any advice on this subject? Anyone have an idea on the 24hp Kawasaki vs 26hp Kohler 7000? I have read lots of threads comparing Husqvarna to JD but the Husqvarna model compared is generally the GT that do not seem to exist anymore. Which also is perhaps disturbing...it seems like the Husqvarna models get discontinued very quickly. Is there something about them they don't like?

Thanks in advance for any guidance you can offer!

 

[Roadworthy]

While shopping you could also look at Cub Cadet. They have several models. I don't know who makes Husqvarna - or if they make mowers for several others. I have a Craftsman "garden tractor" but Husqvarna parts is my go to for replacements. My mower is powered by a 26 hp Kohler engine. Cub Cadet uses Kawasaki or Kohler depending on year and model. Who's better? I haven't a clue.

 

[Imold]

I was mowing my 6 acres with my Husqvarna YTH24V48 which has the Tuff Torq K48 trans and it was a bit small, took a long time to mow then two years ago I bought a Cub Cadet RZT L54( I know you don’t want a 54 but it is available in 48 I think) and that took about a hour off my mowing and now well um I just bout me a GC1705 with 60 inch mmm but I still use the zero turn for the steep ditches and the YTH is my designated snowblower.

 

[tomplum]

Welcome to the TBN! So, if the model number below the seat of the Sears began in 917- it was built by Husqvarna. Husqvarna is not a bad entry level tractor, but if you really wish to improve- you would be looking at the X series Deere. You can buy a Husqvarna with a heavy duty fab deck if that was your machine's shortcomings. The frame and steering etc. is basically the same as what you have though. The X series 48 " deck is a nice deck. You will find that it doesn't pack full of grass like the Husqvarna.

 

[melehundele]

Thanks for all your thoughts!

I sat on the Cub XR1 at Tractor Supply but it felt like I was surrounded by plastic. I know that isn't a technical thing but just not a great feel. I haven't found any of the better models to see if they seemed sturdier to me. My understanding is that these are now MTD tractors, right?

I think I can't have a zero turn because a tractor-type is better for doing the hauling/dragging jobs. And I get what you are saying about saving time with a bigger deck but have to stay below 50" wide on the deck; I can't save time mowing areas I can't get into

My Craftsman is an MTD, not Husqvarna. The Kohler Courage 22hp is what finally blew (there was stuff flying around inside it, and a lot of smoke, before it's last shut down). I *think* it handled the dragging and hauling jobs I put on it, though that could have certainly fatigued the engine. The other issues I had were having to replace spindles twice (in 5.5 years, ready for a third replacement had it lived). They were the sealed bearing sort with no way to grease them. I do not know if treatable ones would be better (again, sand..). Also, the steering shaft and bottom bushing for the steering went out but the real cause was enlargement of the hole in the sheet metal where the bushing was fitted (I heard this was a fairly common issue with these MTDs).

I leaned toward Husqvarna because it seems there is good value there. Interesting your comment on the JD deck though! Is it worth about $2k more when the Husqvarna is a little over $3k? I just don't know.

I am kind of sick of shopping every few years so would like something better that will last longer, instead of picking up another "disposable" one. I figure with the disposable models I have had they are costing $300-400 a year considering initial cost and their lifespan (not counting regular maintenance/service costs). Can I expect a Husqvarna to last 10 years to keep annual/lifetime costs at that level? Will a x500 last ~17 years and be proportionately better than the Husqvarna? I don't know enough about these things to know what I don't know.

 

[buck12]

One possible option is a good used garden tractor style lawn mower. I bought a JD GT 235 used for $1000 about 15 years ago and it has been a good mower other than the cheap plastic hood. I cut 1.5 acres almost weekly March thru October and have had minimal problems other than the crappy hood. My Dad bought a used JD 425 a few years ago for a good price and cuts 3 acres weekly with it.

In this area a lot of folks buy premium mowers use them for a couple of years and then want a zero turn so there are a lot of good used mowers. I would rather have a higher end used mower than a new box store mower.

 

[tomplum]

Husqvarna deck spindles seem to last longer than the MTD wear wise , but the mounting legs break easier is you grab things in the yard. They don't have the troublesome lower steering issue as some of the MTD (CUB) builds, but the cast axle can tweak plus wears where it pivots, canting rearward and toeing the tires outward as time ticks on. You didn't mention replacing the traction belts a few times, but that had been more common on MTD issues in the past. Yes, Husqvarna 3 blade decks seem to build up more grass.
It is easy to spend someone else's $$. These are things I see as I work on a lot of consumer riders. I've done 1 steering repair on an X series ever. That was so uncommon the parts counter guy had never ordered the sector gear before, at least at that point. It is at least deserving of a look and road test. Kubota is a well made tractor as well. The biggest thing to remember is staying on top of repairs in your harsh environment with what ever you are cutting with.

 

[melehundele]

One possible option is a good used garden tractor style lawn mower.

Sounds like you got a great find with your JD! I am a bit afraid of used equipment since I don't even know what to look for and don't want to buy someone else's problems. The idea of a warranty is still appealing to me. I get the plastic hood woes; my 4300 has a super-cracked up plastic hood but it isn't worth replacing at this point.

 

[melehundele]

Husqvarna deck spindles seem to last longer than the MTD wear wise , but the mounting legs break easier is you grab things in the yard. They don't have the troublesome lower steering issue as some of the MTD (CUB) builds, but the cast axle can tweak plus wears where it pivots, canting rearward and toeing the tires outward as time ticks on. You didn't mention replacing the traction belts a few times, but that had been more common on MTD issues in the past. Yes, Husqvarna 3 blade decks seem to build up more grass.
It is easy to spend someone else's $$. These are things I see as I work on a lot of consumer riders. I've done 1 steering repair on an X series ever. That was so uncommon the parts counter guy had never ordered the sector gear before, at least at that point. It is at least deserving of a look and road test. Kubota is a well made tractor as well. The biggest thing to remember is staying on top of repairs in your harsh environment with what ever you are cutting with.

Thanks for this! I never replaced any belts, believe it or not. It was kind of amazing it would mow at all since that belt seemed kind of sloppy.

Very interesting about the mounting legs. I want to avoid repairs as much as possible and confess to occasionally hitting a rock or two out in the field. Also disturbing the axle issues you mention.

So, were you to tell me how to spend money, am I definitely looking at the x500 series or would a x300 series work? If so, what model(s) in particular would be ideal? The only other demanding aspect I can think of that I inflict on a little tractor is I have a tendency to get stuck in loose sand, if it hasn't rained recently enough.

 

[TractorGuy]

Don't assume the "Garden Tractor" label will get you a heavier duty machine. I picked up a Husqvarna GT2654 a while back that had the same lightweight K46 transaxle. Transaxle was bad.

We actually stuck a K46 from a lawn tractor in it and it has been mowing fine. Not sure the differences in all the K46 units but I read somewhere that a few of them had heavier duty pumps. The lawn tractor I bought to rob the transaxle from was beat all to chit and had a blown engine. The whole mower was worn slap out but the transaxle worked fine.

Personally I would look at the tag on any prospective mower and if it had a K46 I would move on. Haven't shopped in a while but the last time I looked there was nothing in the tractor type mowers at the box stores that didn't have a K46 in it.

The owners manual for the Husqvarna "Garden Tractor" said you shouldn't use it on a grade any greater than 15%.

All that said I think it's going to be hard to find a heavy duty lawn type tractor with a 48" deck.