Comparison Husqvarna GT48DXLS Compared to John Deere
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17 Oaks
Silver Member
LOL, its the engineer side of my brain and both a blessing and a cruse.
WOW, did you see the weight, heck, no need to mow, just drive over grass and weeds and they are dead meat.
I lean towards JD and Husq as everything I have is either painted green or Husq orange, but willing to look at anything that fits my needs...Thanks to all for your support.
SpudDaddy
New member
This thread started out as a comparison of the GT48DXLS versus the John Deere X300 series. One of the discussions centers around the quality of the frames of each mower. From my viewpoint the general quality of the frame would be based off of the amount of metal in the frame and the quality of the weld(s). Its hard to quantify the quality of the welds (not opinions) but the general weight of the mower should give some idea to the amount of metal in the frame. For John Deere I picked the X380 version since it has a 48 inch deck like the Husqvarna and has an engine and transmission closest in comparison to the GT48DXLS (22HP vs 24HP, G57 vs G66). From the John Deere web site the weight of the John Deere X380 is 651 lbs (no fuel), from a Husqvarna dealer site (Husqvarna GT48DXLS 48 inch 24 HP (Kawasaki) Garden Tractor) the GT48DXLS weighs 630 pounds. So roughly the John Deere is 20lbs heavier but that is roughly a 3.5 percent difference not that great. Is there any other way to quantify the quality of the frames (not opinions - those have already been shared :laughing: )? This was an interesting thread - facts and opinions both. I have one of these models ordered ....
airbiscuit
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The question is, which model ???? :confused2:
SpudDaddy
New member
Not saying yet. I can cancel in the next day or so with no penalty. This discussion gave me a lot to think about - wish I had read it before placing the order. Just trying to sort out as much as I can regarding facts vs opinions. The one surprise I saw is that nobody compared the GT48DXLS to the John Deere S240. Also very curious about the weight being almost the same. X300 series supports the bucket lift but it cannot be due to the amount of metal in the tractor - they are to close in weight. It seems that the bagger is a lot more expensive for the John Deere. It also seems the pricing varies greatly from John Deere list. Can folks share what they are paying for new X350/X370/X380 John Deere mowers? I saw where they had a $500 off coupon last year - is that usually a reoccurring deal and when does that start?
Deere Dude
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Just having a 20# heavier frame doesn't mean to much because one frame may have a higher tensile strength. A lighter frame might still be stronger.
Maybe the heavier one has more gussets where they matter so a heavier frame might be a plus if for that.
SpudDaddy
New member
Good point Deere Dude. There is no way to really quantify the frames unless we were to get the Husqvarna and John Deere product engineers in the same room and let them share material make up/mfg process..
s219
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I don't think that you can make a comparison of the frames just based on overall weight, because 1) there are so many other factors involved in the weight of the machines, and 2) weight and strength don't necessarily go hand in hand (for example a tall I-beam will be a heck of a lot stiffer than a piece of round bar of the same weight because the material is spread farther from the bending axis).
Deere has a picture of their frame here:
And they list these specs:
Note that the X380 shares the same frame construction as the X500 models except for the front bumper and hitch area, which are thicker 0.25-in. (6.4-mm) steel on the X500.
I could not find any specs for the Husky's frame. But if you look at the two frames it will be very obvious how they differ. Note that both tractors will seem wimpy compared to a garden tractor of 30-40 years ago.
Deere has a picture of their frame here:
And they list these specs:
Note that the X380 shares the same frame construction as the X500 models except for the front bumper and hitch area, which are thicker 0.25-in. (6.4-mm) steel on the X500.
I could not find any specs for the Husky's frame. But if you look at the two frames it will be very obvious how they differ. Note that both tractors will seem wimpy compared to a garden tractor of 30-40 years ago.
crazyal
Super Member
I don't know how you could look at over all weight and try to apply it to one part of the tractor. For example the Deere has a plastic hood vs steel for the Husqvarna, is there a weight difference between the two? The only way that seamed to rate the frame was the post about an aftermarket company that makes a front bucket for multiple brands. They state that the frame isn't strong enough for their bucket on a number of the Husqvarna models while the X300 series they offered a loader. How that translates to how strong the frame is for those who will never put a bucket on it, I can't say. Then there's engineering. Like 17 Oaks posted a fabricated deck could be stronger than a stamped one unless the stamped one was made out of a better quality of steel. At the end of the day I think you just pick the things you like about each brand and compare it to how you plan to use it to find the best option to fit your needs.
SpudDaddy
New member
For me I realized that when I started looking at Yard Tractors, Garden Tractors and "real tractors" that a Yard Tractor and a Garden Tractor (in most cases) are really only good at being a lawn tractor. I thought I wanted a Garden Tractor to use for a bucket lift, a snow blade and possibly pulling a cultivator or pull behind rototiller. I realized after reading all the forums that its just to risky using a garden tractor as a tractor. People criticize the K46 transmission yet John Deere uses them in a Garden Tractor (some of the X300 series). Why do I want to spend $2500 to $4000 on something that I have to wonder if I am tearing it up every time I use it as a garden tractor - even a John Deere?
I have looked at the X300 series John Deere and they appear to me to be more rugged than the various Husqvarna Garden Tractors although again it is hard to quantify. The John Deere is evidently more rugged, can handle a bucket lift, better warranty and some nice "use-ability" feature (like the way the deck is leveled, etc). The Husqvarna has a larger engine, better transmission and manual rear locking differential.
There are 4 Husqvarna dealers in a 45 minute radius from where I live - 3 of the 4 dealers are worthless, one has good service/show room. I have two John Deere dealers in my area and both have good reputations, nice showrooms/lots and sales people.
Just to share I have roughly 2.5 to 3 acres to mow, hilly and I will be hauling dirt in a smaller utility cart attached to the tractor for the home orchard I am setting up/maintaining.
My pricing structure seemed to be different then what I read on this forum. One of my local Husqvarna dealers offered me the GT48DXLS for $2799 and the bagger for $349 and the Husqvarna dealer seems competent. Both John Deere dealers would only come off $100 dollars off of list so I was looking at $3100 for an X350 to $4300 for an X380.
The pricing is what sunk John Deere - if I could have gotten the X380 for $4300 - 500 coupon (former promo) - $380 (another 10% off) I would have walked out with an X380. I read in the forums that some people were getting these type of discounts but not where I live. I could not swallow paying $1500 more for an X380 especially when I plan to use the GT as a Mower with light hauling capability.
As a side note John Deere needs to add locking rear differential to a lower end x300 model - it was not a must have for me but a very very nice to have.
My current Craftsmen Yard Tractor is 19 years old, made by Husqvarna and is tore all to pieces - but I abused it. Hopefully my new Husqvarna will last as long with little trouble.
So now you John Deere lovers you can through darts at my pic (imagine Mr Potato Head) and Husqvarna fan boys well I guess you can party on .... Thanks to all who post in these forums - it really helps novices like myself.
I have looked at the X300 series John Deere and they appear to me to be more rugged than the various Husqvarna Garden Tractors although again it is hard to quantify. The John Deere is evidently more rugged, can handle a bucket lift, better warranty and some nice "use-ability" feature (like the way the deck is leveled, etc). The Husqvarna has a larger engine, better transmission and manual rear locking differential.
There are 4 Husqvarna dealers in a 45 minute radius from where I live - 3 of the 4 dealers are worthless, one has good service/show room. I have two John Deere dealers in my area and both have good reputations, nice showrooms/lots and sales people.
Just to share I have roughly 2.5 to 3 acres to mow, hilly and I will be hauling dirt in a smaller utility cart attached to the tractor for the home orchard I am setting up/maintaining.
My pricing structure seemed to be different then what I read on this forum. One of my local Husqvarna dealers offered me the GT48DXLS for $2799 and the bagger for $349 and the Husqvarna dealer seems competent. Both John Deere dealers would only come off $100 dollars off of list so I was looking at $3100 for an X350 to $4300 for an X380.
The pricing is what sunk John Deere - if I could have gotten the X380 for $4300 - 500 coupon (former promo) - $380 (another 10% off) I would have walked out with an X380. I read in the forums that some people were getting these type of discounts but not where I live. I could not swallow paying $1500 more for an X380 especially when I plan to use the GT as a Mower with light hauling capability.
As a side note John Deere needs to add locking rear differential to a lower end x300 model - it was not a must have for me but a very very nice to have.
My current Craftsmen Yard Tractor is 19 years old, made by Husqvarna and is tore all to pieces - but I abused it. Hopefully my new Husqvarna will last as long with little trouble.
So now you John Deere lovers you can through darts at my pic (imagine Mr Potato Head) and Husqvarna fan boys well I guess you can party on .... Thanks to all who post in these forums - it really helps novices like myself.
