Dude-- I'm not hostile at all-- last I looked this was a John Deere Forum not a Husky Forum- so far in this thread a lot of misinformation about John Deere, that people that buy John Deere’s are stupid and wasting their money etc etc
John Deere is not the end all be all- but I can’t let outright falsehoods or misleading statements go unchallenged
Listen the husky is a nice entry level machine, and I’m sure your neighbors are impressed when you hop on your 10 year old husky..LOL- these silly comparisons to X series are just that silly- other than they both have engines and mower decks they have almost nothing in common. Get in front of the two machines and see the difference- The D series are made to compete with Cub Cadet and Husky at lower price point. And even at the lower end the D series are rated more reliable than its competitors, doesn’t mean JD is perfect, but they make a decent entry level machine and outstanding garden tractors
I recently TRIED to look at a John Deere x-series mower, specifically the x570. HUGE JD dealer here - doesn't stock them, won't order one in to look at. Walked a $6000+ sale. So I had to take to the forums and the manufacturers' websites to research mowers. Looking at the specifications, the x570 and the Husqvarna GT48DXLS are built with very similar components (slightly lesser ones in the Husky) that are far better than the box-store versions at HD or Lowes. Kawasaki 24hp engines, TT transmissions (K66 and K76) with lockers, heavy 48" mowing decks (stamped on JD, fabbed on Husky). Heavy gauge frames on both, similar seats and controls. There is no doubt in my mind that the x570 may be slightly superior, but it is literally twice the money and the dealer here doesn't want to sell them. For my particular application, the locking differential was not negotiable. That rules out the x380, which at least doesn't have a K46.
When I bought my current property, a 10-year old JD L130 was included. It was less machine than the terrain demanded, and had been repaired when it should have been replaced. I continued that cycle until it became apparent that it made no sense to continue. I was very pleased with the parts people at the Deere dealer - they stocked everything from tie rods to the mower clutch, and were very pleasant. The Sales staff, unless you were a farmer, were awful. Same way when I wanted a 30hp tractor. Had they treated me like a customer, instead of a nuisance, they could have sold me both at list price.
There are several "dealers" for Husky in the area, but most of them don't stock riding mowers. One of them was willing to get me the mower I bought, and for only $1200 over list price! I was about to drive six hours each way when a small indy shop nearby called me back and said they could get it. Five days later, it was ready.
Every time I use the GT48DXLS, I'm more impressed with it. For steep hills, that locking differential is fantastic, both uphill and down. It certainly appears to be a very strong machine, and it climbs like a goat. I'm sure the x570 would do everything just as well, but the Husky has three advantages in my view - the fabricated deck (which I can repair if needed - I weld), the included front bumper, and the $3000+ I saved. It's performance is amazing, well above good enough, as I'm sure the JD would be.
