John Deere 145 vrs Husqvarna 23-HP 48" Cut
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bp fick
Super Member
Didn't you say you were going to cut 3 acres? Semi rough? Not golf course or suburban home quality?
I'm personally shaking my head. Maybe it's just me, but that is a whole lot of cutting for a lower line machine. Were they really designed for such work and will the components hold up for 10 years doing such work? Shrug? I dunno.
I know what 3 acres of semi-unsmooth (to coin a word) lawn is to mow. We did the church's yard for years and years. I almost hesitate to say it, because I also do not always like the "bigger is better" crowd's chant, but heavier duty, in this case, and diesel, if possible, would certainly bring a grin to my face.
edit: Ok, my bad. The rider is just for trimming up. geeeesh.
I'm personally shaking my head. Maybe it's just me, but that is a whole lot of cutting for a lower line machine. Were they really designed for such work and will the components hold up for 10 years doing such work? Shrug? I dunno.
I know what 3 acres of semi-unsmooth (to coin a word) lawn is to mow. We did the church's yard for years and years. I almost hesitate to say it, because I also do not always like the "bigger is better" crowd's chant, but heavier duty, in this case, and diesel, if possible, would certainly bring a grin to my face.
edit: Ok, my bad. The rider is just for trimming up. geeeesh.
Last edited:
chipsndust
Platinum Member
I bought a Husky 2042 in 2005 (I needed a narrow deck to fit between stumps and rocks). I also had a JD LX255 which I traded in for my 2305.
I am using the Husky to mow very rough terrain, and it has performed well. I still have a hard time getting used to the hand lever control for direction and ground speed. The deck is much more difficult to remove than the JD decks (held on with several cotter pins, some difficult to access), and made of thinner gauge steel. I find that the gauge wheel location hinders mowing close to trees, and don't swivel like the JD for deck removal.
You need to look at both, then pick the one that you'll be happy with.
Some things to compare:
throttle and directional controls (hand vs. foot)
mowing deck (thickness, ease of adjustment and removal)
seat design (comfort, durability, adjustment)
gauge wheels (location, adjustment)
ergonomics (how do you feel after you've used it for an hour)
I am using the Husky to mow very rough terrain, and it has performed well. I still have a hard time getting used to the hand lever control for direction and ground speed. The deck is much more difficult to remove than the JD decks (held on with several cotter pins, some difficult to access), and made of thinner gauge steel. I find that the gauge wheel location hinders mowing close to trees, and don't swivel like the JD for deck removal.
You need to look at both, then pick the one that you'll be happy with.
Some things to compare:
throttle and directional controls (hand vs. foot)
mowing deck (thickness, ease of adjustment and removal)
seat design (comfort, durability, adjustment)
gauge wheels (location, adjustment)
ergonomics (how do you feel after you've used it for an hour)
SARG
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2009
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- Location
- Upstate New York
- Tractor
- NH T1030- NH T1530 - 49G Brockway
Hmmmmmm ... $800. for a kidney .......... Maybe I've found a way to cover 10% of my property taxes.
Here's my take as a regular Harry Homeowner guy . . . . . Whatever brand you buy, get it from an authorized dealer that sells parts and does repairs, as opposed to a big box store. I've had a few unfortunate experiences in getting lawn tractors from these places. Here's my latest story . . . .
It was the end of 2009 and the big boxes were still trying to get rid of unsold lawn tractors. I had done my research and decided on the Husq LGT2554. It seemed like a machine that would handle my lawn mowing needs and not much more than towing a garden card with mulch. So I picked a leftover up at Lowe's with an end of season discount.
I get the machine home, put gas in it, go to start it, and the battery is dead. I put the battery on a charger for a few hours, come back, and it's still pretty much dead. It wouldn't take a charge. Okay, so I gave it a jump start from my truck and it starts okay and runs fine. But again, the battery still wouldn't take a charge after running a while. So I concede that I'll have to have them replace the battery.
Next I look at the engine hour meter and it reads 40 hours. Okay, I can see a few hours, but 40? Hmmmm. . . . Well, we know with some brands that even just leaving the key in the ignition and the engine off, the hour meter will still be tallying time. But, in this case, who knows. Then I start noticing little things that indicated that this mower was actually a bit used. Hmmmm. . .
Then I started noticing a few missing parts here and there. Nothing major at all, just little things. . . . deck wash adapter, a headlight bulb, a manual, and a few other small items.
So I called the Lowe's warranty line and told them about the situation. They said all of this wasn't pointing to a warranty problem, as much as it pointed to a sales-related problem. So I called the Lowe's I purchased the mower at and asked to speak to the MOD (manager on duty). I explained everything and he said to come to the store and he would straighten it out.
When I got there, he said they would take it back and refund my money. However, they initially wanted me to wait for their delivery truck to come back so I could go home and pick up the mower to bring it back. After a bit of huffing and puffing, they agreed to come to my place to pick up the mower themselves. They said after they picked it up, they would credit my Lowe's credit account. The next day, they picked up the mower without incident.
A month later, I get a credit card bill for the full amount of the mower. I call Lowe's Credit and told them there must be some mistake, as the mower had been returned and the amount was supposed to be credited back to me. They insisted the credit was never applied and recommended that I call the store I purchased it from to find out what was going on. I called the store and spoke to the MOD (same guy as before). He said he remembered the mower return and that it should have been credited, but that he would check. He checked in the system and, of course, it had not been credited. He said he would do that right away, MINUS the charge for the use of their truck when I originally brought the mower home.
I pretty much lost it at that point and asked him why he thought I should pay for the use of his truck for an apparently used mower that was sold as new, with a dead battery, time on the engine, and missing parts. He took my point and agreed to also refund the use of the truck. A few days later, I received a letter and refund receipts from him confirming the refund to my account.
Whew!!! Long story, I know. The moral of the story is if I had bought the mower from a real dealer (any brand), I presume it would have been actually checked over, dead battery replaced, started, missing parts replaced (or put on backorder), and disclosed that it was a return with low hours on it, and given a more generous discount.
It was the end of 2009 and the big boxes were still trying to get rid of unsold lawn tractors. I had done my research and decided on the Husq LGT2554. It seemed like a machine that would handle my lawn mowing needs and not much more than towing a garden card with mulch. So I picked a leftover up at Lowe's with an end of season discount.
I get the machine home, put gas in it, go to start it, and the battery is dead. I put the battery on a charger for a few hours, come back, and it's still pretty much dead. It wouldn't take a charge. Okay, so I gave it a jump start from my truck and it starts okay and runs fine. But again, the battery still wouldn't take a charge after running a while. So I concede that I'll have to have them replace the battery.
Next I look at the engine hour meter and it reads 40 hours. Okay, I can see a few hours, but 40? Hmmmm. . . . Well, we know with some brands that even just leaving the key in the ignition and the engine off, the hour meter will still be tallying time. But, in this case, who knows. Then I start noticing little things that indicated that this mower was actually a bit used. Hmmmm. . .
Then I started noticing a few missing parts here and there. Nothing major at all, just little things. . . . deck wash adapter, a headlight bulb, a manual, and a few other small items.
So I called the Lowe's warranty line and told them about the situation. They said all of this wasn't pointing to a warranty problem, as much as it pointed to a sales-related problem. So I called the Lowe's I purchased the mower at and asked to speak to the MOD (manager on duty). I explained everything and he said to come to the store and he would straighten it out.
When I got there, he said they would take it back and refund my money. However, they initially wanted me to wait for their delivery truck to come back so I could go home and pick up the mower to bring it back. After a bit of huffing and puffing, they agreed to come to my place to pick up the mower themselves. They said after they picked it up, they would credit my Lowe's credit account. The next day, they picked up the mower without incident.
A month later, I get a credit card bill for the full amount of the mower. I call Lowe's Credit and told them there must be some mistake, as the mower had been returned and the amount was supposed to be credited back to me. They insisted the credit was never applied and recommended that I call the store I purchased it from to find out what was going on. I called the store and spoke to the MOD (same guy as before). He said he remembered the mower return and that it should have been credited, but that he would check. He checked in the system and, of course, it had not been credited. He said he would do that right away, MINUS the charge for the use of their truck when I originally brought the mower home.
I pretty much lost it at that point and asked him why he thought I should pay for the use of his truck for an apparently used mower that was sold as new, with a dead battery, time on the engine, and missing parts. He took my point and agreed to also refund the use of the truck. A few days later, I received a letter and refund receipts from him confirming the refund to my account.
Whew!!! Long story, I know. The moral of the story is if I had bought the mower from a real dealer (any brand), I presume it would have been actually checked over, dead battery replaced, started, missing parts replaced (or put on backorder), and disclosed that it was a return with low hours on it, and given a more generous discount.
mjncad
Super Member
DC3:
Was the Doh's MOD named Buddy? The crap you experienced buying a lawn tractor from Lowe's is similar to the hassles I had buying a refrigerator from them. I will never buy any major appliances from Lowe's ever again.
Was the Doh's MOD named Buddy? The crap you experienced buying a lawn tractor from Lowe's is similar to the hassles I had buying a refrigerator from them. I will never buy any major appliances from Lowe's ever again.
DavidVT
Gold Member
I don't know the JD but typically respect the brand.
The Husqvarna parts will likely be available from Sears which still has a darn good parts system. I believe that Husqvarna comes off the same line that the Craftsmen and other AYP products are built on. Since Husq owns AYP now, I have to assume these are likely the best products that comes off that line.
If I was looking for a GT for finish work, I think I would save my money and look around for an older GT with a good old cast iron engine. Look it over for abuse and finding none, buy it.
I have gone through two recent AYP produced mowers (craftsman and Husq) in the last 8 years and am still kicking myself for not staying with the old grey craftsman that I paid $500 for used. In my opinion, none of them are made like they used to......
I can't keep the craftsman (hydro) running without annual trips to the mechanic and/or having the choke pulled way out. When new it was great, but this past summer it was never used. The Husq (hydro) will start ok but the transmission will not hold going down hill (i.e. speeds up) and refuses to climb the same hills the craftsman will (when it starts). The old grey craftsman (RIP) with gear tranny, aluminum free engine and drink anything carb just kept going as long as you fed it gas.
The Husqvarna parts will likely be available from Sears which still has a darn good parts system. I believe that Husqvarna comes off the same line that the Craftsmen and other AYP products are built on. Since Husq owns AYP now, I have to assume these are likely the best products that comes off that line.
If I was looking for a GT for finish work, I think I would save my money and look around for an older GT with a good old cast iron engine. Look it over for abuse and finding none, buy it.
I have gone through two recent AYP produced mowers (craftsman and Husq) in the last 8 years and am still kicking myself for not staying with the old grey craftsman that I paid $500 for used. In my opinion, none of them are made like they used to......
I can't keep the craftsman (hydro) running without annual trips to the mechanic and/or having the choke pulled way out. When new it was great, but this past summer it was never used. The Husq (hydro) will start ok but the transmission will not hold going down hill (i.e. speeds up) and refuses to climb the same hills the craftsman will (when it starts). The old grey craftsman (RIP) with gear tranny, aluminum free engine and drink anything carb just kept going as long as you fed it gas.
RandyT
Elite Member
Poulan mower service centers can get most Husqvarna parts faster than sears can delivery them to you. Sears unless something has changed is usually 5-7 days. I usually get parts the day after I order them. The husqvarna mowers will count hours on the meter and run the battery down if the key is left on if the meter is electrical. I wish that the mower manufacturers would put the equipment back in the dealers hands where it belongs. the dealers could then become more profitable and not have to deal with the big box store hassles.
OK here I go again. Now on top of my list is the Gravely ZT2448HD with a 24hp Kal engine, serviable 3100 series transmission and a 10ga welded deck.
Homeowner Lawn Products and Equipment, Gravely ZT HD 48 Zero-Turn Mower Product Overview
Next would be the JD EZ445 which I feel does have the better transmission setup because of the pump/wheel motors.
In 2 to 3 weeks i will be cutting grass on my new ride.
Homeowner Lawn Products and Equipment, Gravely ZT HD 48 Zero-Turn Mower Product Overview
Next would be the JD EZ445 which I feel does have the better transmission setup because of the pump/wheel motors.
In 2 to 3 weeks i will be cutting grass on my new ride.
