Which is better riding mower, JD or Husqvarna?

[Tractor Seabee]

I had a Husky Commercial model (not the big box models). Cost $3600 and I spent $1000 in two years on parts fixing it. Replaced all 3 mower spindle assemblies twice. Second time I compared them with MTD universal units, same part # and my mechanic found almost all the lower end mowers use them. Sold it before the next episode. Replaced the steering assemble after the gears ground away. Crank wheels all the way and it drug around corners versus rolling. The grass catcher was junk, threw it away and used a pull behind sweeper. never buy another one. My 20 year old craftsman just ran and ran.

Ron

 

[mapper]

Sadly, you're not going to get a good mower for that price nowadays. The box store Deere models are really not worth the trouble in my opinion -- you have to go to a Deere dealer and step into an X300 series or better to really get something good from Deere. I haven't seen a Husky mower at any price range that has truly impressed me, and the ones Lowes carries are their price-point models.

I will second that, there is a huge difference in the durability and quality between the mowers that are sold at the dealership and those sold at the big box stores. The box store version may last five years with good care, the dealership version will last twenty years (well my last one did anyway, we will see if my current one does)

 

[buickanddeere]

Depends on which Deere and depends on which Husky. Hills, flat land, pulling trailers, how many acres etc ? Can't recommend any unit that uses the low end K46 or any other manufactures lowest capacity transaxle. This model of Deere and up have at least a medium duty transaxle.X3 Select Series Lawn Tractor | X38, 48-in. Deck | John Deere US

 

[coobie]

Sadly, you're not going to get a good mower for that price nowadays. The box store Deere models are really not worth the trouble in my opinion -- you have to go to a Deere dealer and step into an X300 series or better to really get something good from Deere. I haven't seen a Husky mower at any price range that has truly impressed me, and the ones Lowes carries are their price-point models.

^ Plus 1 on this comment.Sit down and I will tell you about the first 10 years of my adult life buying cheap junky lawn tractors.LOL

 

[IXLR8]

OP here, we are looking for about 46" deck minimum (that's what we have) and up to 54", willing to go for used to get over 46". Price limit is $2,000 and can get either JD or Husky at HD or Lowes for $1800 after vet. discount.

At that price point you are going to have trouble finding a quality used machine. My neighbor bought the top of the line JD riding mower at Lowes, in the 2 years he has had it, he has hit a few stumps and has replaced bent blades, 1 spindle and had to have the JD dealer straighten the deck. In the 10 years I have had my JD Z-turn, I have hit my share of stumps and rocks, only thing I have had to do is sharpen the blades. He paid $1900 with his vet discount, I paid $4300 for my used Z-turn which cost $9200 new. I suspect you don't need a commercial machine, but most of the box store machines are not that sturdy and need to be treated with some care.
If you get a box store mower, where are you going to get it fixed? At least in my area there are 3x more JD dealers than Husky dealers, so getting parts and service favors getting a JD. Although parts for both are readily available online if you can do your own repairs. My neighbor choose JD due to the dealer support, I changed the blades and spindle for him, but I didn't have tools to straighten the deck and the dealer did.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

I have a box store Husq that I bought 2 years ago. So far it's been great. I try not to abuse it, not much hill work here and only cutting about an acre or two on a 3 acre lot. (I will be doing my road ditches now with my Branson and brush hog, which will take most of the "abuse" work off of my Husq) I do pull a trailer with it sometimes, with misc whatever in it, cut wood, brush clippings, mulch, grass fertilizer, etc. There's not a Husq dealer anywhere near me that I'm aware of, but so far "knock on wood" (tapping side of my head), I haven't had any issues. Ran the gas tank dry and pulled the battery end of last cutting season, and stored everything in garage with battery on a tender. Put it back in start of this season, poured gas in the tank and it fired up as soon as the carb filled. Starts on the first bump of the starter once it's warmed up, and always starts with choke on when cold.

I do think MTD builds most of the "box store" mowers, and I know mine's not a commercial unit, but I'm only mowing my own place, and I do try to be very careful with it, basically just mowing "lawn" grass and not doing any rough work or brush mowing. I'm still on my original everything, belts, tires, battery, etc. Maybe I'm just lucky? If I can get 10 years out of it, I'll be happy, and unless it's something major I'll fix it myself.

I think if I needed a heavy duty unit, I would have stepped up and bought a commercial model from a dealer.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

IF "I" only had 2K to put into a lawn mower, I buy a NICE used older Wheel Horse 8 speed for less than 1K and use the other 1K to fix up what's needed on it. It would STILL out last one or maybe even two of the new 2K mowers!!

The worst mower I've ever had the displeasure of having to put a belt on the mower, was a Sears Crapsman mower! Personally, I wouldn't have one!

SR

 

[Oaktree]

Could be wrong but I believe MTD makes a good many of the lower end mowers


Interesting::The 1975 36 inch, 10 hp Craftsman lawn tractor sold for $1099 in the catalog. The 16 hp Sears Garden Tractor was $1969 plus $484 for the 48 inch deck. You could buy a 1975 Ford F-150 truck for about the same price, $2778.90 or $2200 out the door. House: $42,600. Gas: $0.57. Bread: $0.28. Gallon of Milk: $1.40. Stamp: 13 cents. Every other area of the economy except lawn tractors and computers now cost 10 times as much. (1976 Apple computer sold for $666.)

I'm wondering where you came up with that price for an F-150. According to this site, in 1976 a Pinto went for more than that (didn't show a price for any Ford trucks except the Ranchero).

Wasn't just computers, but pretty much all electronics have held steady or gotten cheaper (as well as much more capable) over the last 40 years.

 

[tomplum]

As mentioned above, much depends on your lawn plus if you goal is just to cut grass or add a bagger. A bagger will play a big part in which machine you should by. I'll assume without. I service L&G equipment. Is their a substantial quality difference between a D series Deere or Husqvarna? Not really. They both fill the bill well for an entry level rider. At my house, we mow with a 48 and 54" Husqvarna. Really because they became donated by people that didn't want to put the repairs into their mowers. Plus, when I get Deeres, people pay a lot more for green paint. Basic two bladed decks seem to work better in the real world. The Husqvarna does offer a 46". Construction between that and the Deere 42 on a D series is not much different. Either one after getting beaten by a rough lawn may end up getting the rear hangers welded back on in their lifetime. The 48 and 54 Husqvarna decks are well built, have very few belt failures. I think their shortcoming is powering through high grass . The height of cut is a challenge on these too as most won't hit 3.5" height of cut. Either the Deere or Husqvarna decks are easy to remove and should be removed to do deck service. Not all Husqvarnas will have lube able spindles, but with that being said, they don't fail very often. Steering is better on the new Husqvarna machines and traction belts are easier to replace than the Deere. A twin cylinder engine is generally a better bet than a single. I'm personally not afraid of a K46 t/a or variations of them. With all that being said, should consider buying used? Sure. Something with reasonable hours in something like an X series or GT. They handle well and are well built. But, a can of worms can be opened here too. I don't advocate buying big , old clunky anything. They could last half a lifetime if cared for, but they handle poorly, can be sketchy on parts availability or pricing. BTW, if you are checking out Sears, see something you like, flip the seat open and if the model begins in 917- it is built by Husqvarna. 247 is MTD. Good luck on your search.

 

[kwanwon]

I have a Husqvarna LGT2654 from a big box store with 70 hours, I have replaced all three spindles, hitting tree roots, and the grass catcher deck tube due to the blade hitting it when getting close to obstacles.

My main complaints are the deck gouging the lawn no matter how it or the anti-scalp wheels are adjusted, and it gets stuck on the smallest of dips or bumps, I now know this is due to the narrow wheelbase and wide deck.

I didn't know the differents of models from box stores verses dealer models at the time of purchase or I would have gone to the dealer for buying advice and purchase and probably would have bought one with a narrower cutting deck or wider wheelbase.
My next mower will be a zero turn Kubota.

Now for my rant. I have a hard time understanding manufacturers putting their name on substandard products, any products, lawnmowers, boots, guitars, chainsaws, I could go on and on.
I get they want that market share but lots of people base their opinion on their first experience with a product and if it's negative they (myself) won't buy another of that brand.