Husqvarna or Yard Machine lawn tractor?

16 years ago

I need to buy a new lawn tractor and I'd appreciate any advice or comments concerning Husqvarna. I prefer to not buy from Home Depot and while there's a local Ariens dealer, Ariens only makes zero turn mowers which are too expensive for my needs - the smallest is the 1634 (16 hp 34" deck) and it costs $2500. I've been using an MTD 12.5 HP 38" deck $800 Walmart tractor since May 2000 and it's been a good mower for the money. I was tempted to buy the Home Depot 13 HP 38" deck $800 Yard Machine tractor (looks very similar to my tractor) but I'm hoping to get a better quality mower. Mine leaks oil from the base of the oil dip stick tube and also directly under the engine (where the front pulley/belt is) so it's a real mess in that area with oil soaked dust, dirt and grass. The left side of the diff leaks oil and I have to top it off 1 or 2 times a season. The engine is down 8 oz of oil after each cutting which takes about 1 hour running the mower. There's a little oil in the exhaust at start up but you don't see blue smoke or smell oil in the exhaust after that. For these reasons I'm leaning away from that $800 YM mower at HD even tho it is 1/2 the price of the Husqvarna. I presently am using mulching blades but I think I'll go with the regular blades on the new mower. On the Husqvarna, I was considering the 2 bag bagger about $320. One other thing, I'm retiring in 2 weeks. The point is that I can now mow the grass when it needs to be mowed vs being bound by the constrictions of work and the weather. This means I can mow it when I need to take off say 1.5-2" of grass vs rain preventing me from mowing and then 3 days later I'm mowing 4" of grass! With the regular blades that was a mess and even the mulching blades leave grass when mowing off that much grass. That's why I switched to mulching blades, plus I don't fertilize the lawn now instead using all those grass clipping as fertilizer. I mow as high as the deck will mow, the last mowing I do mow 1 notch lower.

.

I am mowing an acre, 90% of that is flat with 1 moderate up/down hill portion that's only about 2000 sq ft and a side hill that is the same size and grade.

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I trim around the few objects in the yard and around the house foundation with a 22" walk behind.

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I went to the dealer on Saturday and saw the LTH1538 ($1400) and the YTH20K46 ($1600). They did not have the YTH2042 ($1500) on the floor but can get it. I like the LTH1538 but lean towards the YTH2042 for a mere $100 more but then the YTH20K46 has a Koler engine for another $100. a 42" deck is a bit better than the 38 and the 46" is the largest I'd consider and I think is just getting into too big a mower.

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Is Husqvarna a good quality tractor for reliability, low maintenance? I'm sure it is a better made machine than the Yard Machine but they cost twice as much. If I get 7 years from the YM for $800 I have to get 14 years from a mower that costs $1400-1600 otherwise I can buy 2 YM for the price of 1 Husqvarna. The ability to remove the deck from these 3 tractors is prabability not something I care about because I live alone and have no one to help me slide the deck sideways out from under the tractor if I were to drop it. Getting it back under the mower ditto.

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Here's the specs from the sales literature, all 3 tractors have 2 blades, cast iron front axle and 6 position cutting height with spring assist:

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LTH1538 $1400 plus 6% tax

Briggs & Stratton Intek 15 hp, lever operated hydrostatic transmission, 38" 3-in-1 mowing deck, manual clutch blade engagement, 2 anti scalp wheels, 16" turning radius

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YTH2042 $1500 plus 6% tax

Premium Briggs & Stratton 20 hp, foot pedal controlled both forward and reverse hydrostatic transmission with cruise control, 42" 3-in-1 mowing deck, manual clutch blade engagement, 2 anti scalp wheels, 16" turning radius

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YTH20K46 $1600 plus 6% tax

Premium Koler 20 hp, new 46" deck with deep draw design, foot pedal controlled both forward and reverse hydrostatic transmission with cruise control, 46" 3-in-1 mowing deck, manual clutch blade engagement, 2 anti scalp wheels, 18" turning radius

.

Thanks for any help you can offer to me.

.

Tom

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Comments (13)

metal
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
If you can afford the Husky, I think it is worth the extra money. For an acre I would go with the 46" deck.
HerringboneD28
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I'd chose the Husky with the 46" deck and Kohler engine. You'll love the foot pedal hydro.
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greenhobby
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Funny think about buying a little more then you need. You always find more things for them to do! IHMO, I would rather have 1 tractor last 14 years, then 2 lasting 7 years. The last year of a tractors life is usually a bit frustrating and sometimes costly.

good luck,
-gh
TJG911
Original Author
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Just an adjunct -

I read down thru to page 27! I now see that Husqvarna is sold at Sears and Lowes, IMO this is no different than Home Depot. However, I went to a Husqvarna dealer and I'm sure the lawn tractors they sell are not the same ones as Sears and Lowes sells. YES OR NO? I also gather than Husqvarna is not a great mower but just a better than Yard Machine, Toro whatever.

EVERYONE seems to be in LOVE with John Deere. OK, so I just spent some time at their website. A bit more expensive but I do want quality, reliability and a product that will last a long time.

IF I bought the $800 Home Depot YM then I know that is a bottom end machine not in the same class as JD.

IS Husqvarna from a Huskie dealer in the same class as the JD? For instance, compare the Huskie YTH20K46 for $1600 with the Premium Koler 20 hp, 46" deck to the John Deere LA110 (per website $1650 basically the same as the Huskie but has a 42" deck where the Huskie has a 46" deck) or LA120 (per website $1850 $250 more than the Huskie again a 42" deck vs the Huskie 46") an apples to apples machine as the JD? I see the Huskie has a Koler vs the JD has B&S but similar hp but the LA 120 has a V twin. Not sure how to compare this other than 1 cylinder vs 2 cylinder tho I'd think the V twin is a stronger longer lasting engine than the 1 cylinder. Besides the engines, is the JD worth the extra money as far as construction for longevity and reliability? BUT the LA 130 has the wash port at $2000, is that worth an extra $150? I store the mower in the garage and wet grass stinks and will rust the deck. I presently push the mower up on car ramps and scrape it with a paint scrapper and I don't like to do this!!!!!!

See I'd spend the couple hundred more today for value over say 12-15 years, a small outlay if worth it.

Tom
TJG911
Original Author
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
OH VERY IMPORTANT - JD WOULD BE BOUGHT FROM A JOHN DEERE DEALER - I DON'T WANT TO BUY FROM A BIG BOX STORE AND GET A LESSER VERSION.

TOM
metal
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
The versions at the Box Stores are also available at the dealer (for the same price). The dealer will also have some "higher end" models available as well. The Box Store JD's and the Huskys compare pretty well.
bluemalibu
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I've narrowed the choice down to models sporting the Kawasaki engine. Your Husqvarna dealer has the YTH1542XP model for $1995. JD installs them in X300 and above.
These engines are pure joy. Smooth running, reliable, .....
HerringboneD28
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
If your old MTD is still running you might want to keep checking the oil and running it until the end of the mowing season. Before long, you might be able so save some serious money as stores tend to clear their stock for the fall and winter months. If you can't wait, then keep doing your homework and you'll come to a favorite sooner or later.
eal51
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
tjg911,

The Husky at a Husky dealer is the same one sold at Sears.

If you are going to buy, make sure you test drive any tractor you are considering. The ergomonics are just as important as the engine and overall manufacturer. The fact that you are considering one that is a little more than you may need is also a good move.

The Kohler engine with the 46" deck is a good choice.

Enjoy the journey.

eal51 in western CT
dfpmonroe
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I bought the YTH20K46 a couple of months ago and love it. Only have about 11 hours on it but it mows and works great for my needs. Just read betweet the lines from all of the replies and make your own mind up. Hope you have good luck with whatever you buy.

http://s205.photobucket.com/albums/bb225/dfpmonroe/?action=view&current=000_2143.jpg
dfpmonroe
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
A great machine and love the Kohler motor.

[IMG]http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb225/dfpmonroe/000_2143.jpg[/IMG]

Hope that is better.
javert
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
tjg, congrats on your upcoming retirement! You're probably wrong about having time to mow whenever you want to - my "voice of experience" says you're gonna find yourself much busier than you imagine ... but I hope for you that the "busier" is also "happier," as it is for me.

My opinion: I have 3 MTD products; 1 is absolute, total junk, and the other two (both Craftsman by MTD) are middling okay. Some folks (me - I have 2 older JDs) are quite pleased with John Deere, while others (one of my neighbors and my son have had an abnormal number of problems with JD lawn tractors). My brother has an old Murray that he swears by; one of my sons has a 4 year-old Murray that has been one problem after another. Sound like the old "which is better - Chevrolet or Ford?" question? Well, my personal advice is to avoid MTD, except perhaps for their premium line (Cub Cadet); I'd go with the Husqvarna (NOT Huskee) or a Deere ... but then, when it comes to the Chev-Ford question, I have TWO TOYOTAs (uh ... and a Mercury). By the way, my REALLY GOOD tractor is a 1979 Power King. Whatever you wind up with, follow the maintenace schedule provided by the manufacturer for maximum implement life - especially keeping the air filter clean. Another "by-the-way" - I think Sarah Brightman is the greatest female singer in the world ... except for maybe Lea Salonga ... or Ruthie Henshall ... or - oh, hell, I can't make up my mind. But, being retired, I don't have to!
marineguy
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago

It's been my experience that mulching decks are more suited for frequent cuttings. I bag it with my JD, but when I had a CC with a mulch kit (a really cheap mulch kit which included a plug and nothing else), it couldn't get through the thick stuff and still cut evenly. I always had better luck discharging it out the side when I had to go longer than 10 days between cuttings.
Seems like you've experience the opposite. Anyone else?

Husqvarna or Yard Machine lawn tractor?

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metal

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