Comparison Husqvarna GT48DXLS Compared to John Deere

[airbiscuit]

Their website has inconsistencies, however it says it has a Kawasaki engine. It also says it has a fast hydrostatic transmission, and in one areas it says it does not have a locking differential, and in another area it says it does - so who knows?

Compare

 

[cruzenmike]

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.

You do know that these companies are I'm business to make money right? What you described is a $9000 John Deere; And you want Husqvarna to sell it for $4300? There is a reason why so many manufacturers and so many mowers exist; so that they can compete on every level of features, costs and customers either willing or not willing to pay extra for these things. I am not trying to knock you but Husqvarna in some cases is already ahead of MTD and John Deere in regards to value, but even these manufacturers have to be cared of creating a product that is undervalued in such a market. I think there is something to be desired in each of their products, such as Deere's signature series engine, Cub Cadet's steering, Husqvarna's choice of transmissions with ELD and a reasonable price to go with all that. But, at the end of the day we all find ourselves sacrificing at least one thing that we want in our equipment because not one manufacturers makes a "perfect" tool for everyone and there is always something better out there.

 

[Rock Crawler]

You do know that these companies are I'm business to make money right? What you described is a $9000 John Deere; And you want Husqvarna to sell it for $4300? There is a reason why so many manufacturers and so many mowers exist; so that they can compete on every level of features, costs and customers either willing or not willing to pay extra for these things. I am not trying to knock you but Husqvarna in some cases is already ahead of MTD and John Deere in regards to value, but even these manufacturers have to be cared of creating a product that is undervalued in such a market. I think there is something to be desired in each of their products, such as Deere's signature series engine, Cub Cadet's steering, Husqvarna's choice of transmissions with ELD and a reasonable price to go with all that. But, at the end of the day we all find ourselves sacrificing at least one thing that we want in our equipment because not one manufacturers makes a "perfect" tool for everyone and there is always something better out there.

But Husqvarna has the Kawasaki engine in the line up, they have a 54" deck on the shelf, they the fast cut transmission... They just haven't put it all together.

 

[airbiscuit]

Not sure you can trust their web site, but ...

HUSQVARNA TS 354X
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Heavy duty garden tractor with unbeaten capabilities in its class. Versatile ClearCut™ cutting deck and powerful, reliable engine mean fast mowing anytime, anywhere – with a perfect result every time. Commercial grade, extra fast ground-engaging transmission works with large, wide rear tyres to enable tough usage without overheating, plus great traction and less damage to the lawn. Improved quality, comfort and ergonomics join smart connectivity for an optimal driving and ownership experience, including service and failure alerts and tilt warning, reducing maintenance and increasing productivity.

Motor/engine manufacturer
Kawasaki
Transmission type
Commercial Grade Hydrostat, Electric Locking Differential
Cutting width 54 in

Select product variant
$3,399.95
MSRP

 

[cruzenmike]

Not sure you can trust their web site, but ...

HUSQVARNA TS 354X
Be the first to write a review


Heavy duty garden tractor with unbeaten capabilities in its class. Versatile ClearCut cutting deck and powerful, reliable engine mean fast mowing anytime, anywhere with a perfect result every time. Commercial grade, extra fast ground-engaging transmission works with large, wide rear tyres to enable tough usage without overheating, plus great traction and less damage to the lawn. Improved quality, comfort and ergonomics join smart connectivity for an optimal driving and ownership experience, including service and failure alerts and tilt warning, reducing maintenance and increasing productivity.

Motor/engine manufacturer
Kawasaki
Transmission type
Commercial Grade Hydrostat, Electric Locking Differential
Cutting width 54 in

Select product variant
$3,399.95
MSRP

Their website is confusing. At the bottom of the page where it lists the specs it shows tuff-torq for the transmission, but the illustrated parts list shows a hydro gear g730. This in fact may be your perfect tractor minus the 60" deck. How fast does this trans allow a mower like this to travel when a K66 will do about 5.2-5.5mph? A look at the operators manual shows that the TS 354X does not have a differential lock. The TS 354XD for $3499 has the differential lock but again it is a K66ELD.

 

[Rock Crawler]

The G730 Hydro Gear is the 7.5 mph fast cut, or at least it is on my older model. It's getting tired now and peaks out at 6mph in level or a slight down slope. I maintain a 5.2 mph average moving speed over 5.7 miles of travel to cut around 3 acres. See attached, I track my time and speed with GPS.

Ignore the 9mph Max speed, that's a GPS error of some sort. The only way it would go 9 mph is on a trailer!

 

[cruzenmike]

I honestly think that Husqvarna is in a hurry to get their site updated before the start of the season as information keeps changing and moving around. One minute I can search for a model and it comes right up and the next minute I cannot find it without digging around.



So according to the site, there is a TS354X and a TS354XD, the only difference being the transaxle. So you have to choose between a locking diff (Tuff-Torq K66ELD), or the fast hydrostatic (Hydro-Gear G730) with the locker costing $100 more. In looking through the manuals and the illustrated parts lists, that appears to be the ONLY difference in them. I have spoken with my local dealer and these models will not be available until mid April. It is a darn shame that John Deere could not offer the K66ELD in their X380 for the same price they already sell it for. That would make the decision to go to the John Deere a bit easier. With their sale that just ended, the difference between the the X380 and the TS 348XD was only $500 with the Deere offering a better engine, better warranty and overall better build quality. But now at a $1,000 difference, it make the Husqvarna look more attractive. The only gripe I have now is that Husqvarna still continues to use steel bushings on the front wheels instead of ball bearings. Yes, it is easy to maintain and even replace when they wear, but the bearings in the X300 or even Cub Cadet XT2 series is a good move for reliability.

 

[Tractorable]

I scratch my head wondering why guys want to mow like it's the Indy 500. My JD X590 tops out at 7mph but I never mow that fast. The only time I go that fast is when I get a wild hair to do some hot doggin'.

 

[Rock Crawler]

With 580 hours on my bushings and they aren't worn bad, I don't really see that as an issue. I grease my tractor every 8 to 10 hours, so I think that if an owner Jeeps them nice and wet with grease, the replacement interval isn't quick enough to be a big deterrent. I've replaced 2 more deck spindles, one deck belt, one deck belt tension spring and 2 batteries in my hours/years. Not bad for a $2,800 tractor from Sears

 

[cruzenmike]

The X590 is a beautiful machine and I would certainly have one if I could afford it. The K72 in the new ones is a very robust transaxle and there are few rider type mowers out there today that can compare to the quality, features and specs without jumping up into the X700 Deere or the dielsel powered subcompacts. I think Simplicity makes a model called the Legaxy that starts to get up there in features but I am not sure as to the quality or warranty.