Cub Cadet LTX1050 or Husquvarna YTH24V48K

[Bamaram]

I'm trying to decide between the two lawn mowers above. Both have the exact same engine. Price is exactly the same as well. The Husky has a top speed of 7mph while the Cub has top speed of 5.5 mph. Speed isn't huge to me though. The cub has a turning radius of 12" while the Husky has a turning radius of 16". The Husky has an "armored deck" though I don't know what gauge steel it is while the Cub has 12 gauges stell deck. The Cub is a 50" cut while the Husky is a 48". The Husky has a metal hood while the Cub's is plastic. Most everything else is exactly the same. Both have Electric PTOs, deck wash ports, and Kevlar belts. Does anyone have any further insight on the mowers that may help me make a decision? Any help is appreciated!

 

[JTKub]

I'd sit on each and work the controls. Operate both if you can. Which is more comfortable for you?

Does one have a better parts/dealer network than the other? Do you like one dealer over the other?

Like you say, aside from one being an MTD product and the other AYP/Electrolux/Husqvarna, they're both built about the same.

The Cub has a Hydrogear transaxle, where the Husqvarna has a Tufftorq. On the lower end of things, I prefer Tufftorq.

Engine manufacturer is the last thing I worry about. 1) Transaxle, 2) Deck and related hardware 3) Quality of steering components are the important things IMO.

Joel

 

[Bamaram]

Thanks for the info! I didn't know much about each transmissions company's reputation. Any idea on what model transmissions each of those mowers have in them. I knew the manufacturers, but I can't find which model tranny they have for the life of me. I found the Husky it is a K57. Here's a link to it.

http://www.tufftorq.com/images/TTC-L&G-K57.pdf

Is this one of Tufftorq's better transmissions?

 

[mowcub]

My advice is to look at the Dealer. There have been a lot of complaints about bot brands that seem related to how well they were prepped at the dealer. I had a Cub LTX 1042 from a big box store that had none of the problems other people were complaining about, but mine was setup by a small repair shop for the store. I also went over the setup myself. I used it for 5 years and sold it to a guy who has been using it for 3 years with no problems. I bought my Cub GT2550 from a Cub dealer and have had no problems. A coworker has the Husquvarna 54" bought from a big box store that had been returned. He went over the setup himself and has had no problems.

I think setup is very important because it is much more difficult to do that after it has been used and possibly damaged. If you are not a good mechanic, make sure you have a good dealer.

 

[tracter]

If that Husky has the fabricated deck , it weighs a lot more than a stamped deck yet they are hanging it off the same chassis , might long term prove to be a problem