Comparison Husqvarna GT48DXLS Compared to John Deere

[17 Oaks]

I wouldn't get hung up on fabricated versus stamped decks as the only factor for the deck. Also consider gauge of the material, quality of the brackets and wheels, and flow/performance. Manufacturing advances make it possible to build a heavier stamped deck nowadays, whereas in the past it had to be fabricated. Stamped tends to have better airflow and less clogging/buildup issues because they can build it with smoother shapes. Many of the high-end professional zero-turn mowers (of multiple brands) come with a stamped deck nowadays, and same goes for some of the mid-mount-mowers on compact tractors. Really comes down to what they can manufacture based on the various requirements and specs. If they can do it with a stamping, that's the best of both worlds.

Certainly won't argue with you on that. We have come a LONG ways in stamping/casting tech.

The fabbed shroud on the Husq is a very strong unit and I really need that on my place due to the number of tree stumps, mostly those little saplings that around about 1-2 in in diameter and stick up to catch things. Hitting and bending the front of the shroud can be a catastrophic mess when the blade hit the bent metal and that is what I want to avoid on my place...

 

[s219]

If you have a way to knock down those stumps before you get a new mower, do it -- I'd be afraid of causing serious damage to any mower. If not the deck, then to the spindles. Years ago I hit a small 2" stump and it and bent one of the spindle shafts. That was a direct blade-on-stump hit. My fault as I was reversing at the time and not paying attention, but I think the real problem was that I should have got rid of the stump before getting in that area with a mower. It had been a small cypress tree that died and I had cut it off low, but not low enough.

The mower deck on my Deere will disengage the electric PTO if there is any sort of impact, but I don't know if it would prevent damage when hitting a stump and I'm not about to test it!

 

[17 Oaks]

If you have a way to knock down those stumps before you get a new mower, do it -- I'd be afraid of causing serious damage to any mower. If not the deck, then to the spindles. Years ago I hit a small 2" stump and it and bent one of the spindle shafts. That was a direct blade-on-stump hit. My fault as I was reversing at the time and not paying attention, but I think the real problem was that I should have got rid of the stump before getting in that area with a mower. It had been a small cypress tree that died and I had cut it off low, but not low enough.

The mower deck on my Deere will disengage the electric PTO if there is any sort of impact, but I don't know if it would prevent damage when hitting a stump and I'm not about to test it!

100% right and have been working on that for years, tween those and the ROCKS its a minefield...

 

[crazyal]

The reason I wanted the fabricated deck vs stamped is that in 10 or 20 years things will rust. I can repair a fabricated deck much easier than a stamped one.

 

[cruzenmike]

For those of you wondering what happened to the GT48DXLS, it was a limited spring release only for 2017. There are a few new ones here and there but they are still priced at $2999. At the end of last season one could be had for $2650. The D designation in the model specifies "dealer only" as it you will not find it in a box store. Lastly, the GT48DXLS was replaced by the TS 348D this year. It carries the same transaxle but with a Kohler engine. They upgraded the seat and removed the analog gauges above the steering wheel in favor of an hour meter with service-minder. The price for this model is still $2999. There is also a TS 348XD which gives you the Kawasaki FR730V as well as LED headlights, Bluetooth connectivity and possibly a dash mounted fuel gauge. All of this will set you back $3399. I have seen the TS 348D in person and it is a nice improvement over the GT48DXLS with the exception of the Kohler. The seat alone is worth the upgrade in my opinion. The TS 348XD will have to be ordered from a dealer with units possibly showing up on floors in the coming months.

 

[plowhog]

What would the Bluetooth be used for?

 

[Rock Crawler]

I was really dreaming of them coming out with a 54" deck, Kawasaki engine, with a heavy duty fast cut hydrostatic transmission. I have an aging 54" deck, Courage with the Hydro-Great 730... I'd like to replace it with one that has a better engine and transmission but would never want a smaller deck. If anything, go to a 60" deck!

 

[cruzenmike]

The Bluetooth is for their app which stores mower related data like hours of use and service reminders. The display on the mower has LED indicators for equipment status such as PTO engagement, oil pressure and so on. The unit also emits an audible alert for various issues the mower may have. A search for the TS 348XD manual will show you these features in red text. There is a new model with a 54" deck the TS 354D which has the 54" clear-cut deck, Kawasaki engine, K66 locker and the upgraded seat. It does not appear to have to LED headlights or the new connected feature. Price is $3499 for that model.

Husqvarna Riding Lawn Mowers TS 354D

 

[airbiscuit]

I was really dreaming of them coming out with a 54" deck, Kawasaki engine, with a heavy duty fast cut hydrostatic transmission. I have an aging 54" deck, Courage with the Hydro-Great 730... I'd like to replace it with one that has a better engine and transmission but would never want a smaller deck. If anything, go to a 60" deck!

The TS354D is a 54" cut.

 

[Rock Crawler]

The TS354D is a 54" cut.

But it is not the "Fast Cut" and it has a junk Briggs engine. Take that deck/frame and give me a Kawasaki or even a Kohler 7000 series engine, and give me a 8-8.5 MPH cut speed and I would be in. My current unit is an older 7.5 MPH fast cut, Kohler Courage (Junk, but still running at 580 hours), and 54" deck. I do not want smaller cut path, I do not want slower cut speeds, and I do not another bottom end engine. I want the upgraded version (the unicorn version?) of my old gem. If Husqvarna made a Kawasaki powered, HD (K66 or better) hydro diff-lock fast cut (8 or 8.5 MPH) with a 60" deck and sell at around $4000-$4300.... they couldn't make them fast enough to keep up with demand.