Husqvarna tractor

[Tom7227]

I am thinking about buying a Husqvarna 18 hp tractor 46 inch deck with a bagger and a blower. I can get the rig for around $3800. Any thoughts on this outfit? It has a Kawasaki engine. The options on a blower are the Husqvarna for $1500 or a Berklmak (sp) for $1700. I don't know which one to go with. I was at a Simplicity dealer and they were close to $6000 for a similar rig so I wonder why the Husqvarna is so much cheaper.

[Sea Hage]

You usually get what you pay for

[delcecchi]

You usually get what you pay for

Except sometimes you don't get what you pay for.

[delcecchi]

Rated a best buy by Consumer Reports.

Quote:

CR's Take

This 46-inch model takes a bigger bite with two blades rather than three, which usually compromise cut quality. Cutting was especially even in all three mowing modes, and handling this Husqvarna proved especially easy. Other pluses include an infinitely variable drive system, which lets you vary speed smoothly without shifting, and a high-back seat, along with a comfortable steering wheel. Minuses: There's no electric-power takeoff to engage the blades (you'll have to pull a lever). And you can't check the fuel level without leaving the seat.

Highs

Dispersed clippings smoothly and evenly in side-discharge mode.

Mulched impressively, producing fine clippings with minimal or no clumps.

Filled its bag to capacity with clippings.

Easy to maneuver.

Includes features that make mowing more convenient.

Includes a washout port.

Includes cruise control.

Includes comortable high-back seat.

CR Best Buy.

Lows

Lacks an electric PTO.

Reviews

By WAM

from Central Florida

About Me Do-It-Yourself

Pros

Hood Easy To Remove

Lots of power

Oil-filter Accessable

Three Blades

Cons

Best Uses

Landscaping

Large Lawns

Comments about Husqvarna YTH21K46:

I have owned this riding mower for three years, over 300 hours on the clock. I have 5.25 acres in Florida and the sand kills all outdoor equipment. This riding mower has made my lawn look like a golf course and has a Briggs & Stratton motor with a lot of power. I've killed three riding mowers in six years and I know I will get ten plus years out of this mower.

How long have you owned it:

More than six months

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

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4/27/2013

(16 of 17 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Boomers Delight

By DAVE

from Ligonier

About Me Handyman

Pros

Adjustable Cut-Lengths

Easy to Push & Steer

Ergonomic Grips

Great For A Cart

Cons

None

Best Uses

Large Lawns

Comments about Husqvarna YTH21K46:

I bought this with the upgraded(re-inforced)deck,-it has FOUR deck wheels plus a middle wheel under front) ,Briggs&Stratton engine,bumper guard AND Auto blade engagement for just a little more.(won't find this in "box store".It pulls a dump cart (actually pulled 750lbs of rock).It is a workhorse,fully functional,requires little maintainence,and gets great traction(posi-option too expensive)I really enjoy this yard companion.In addition to wash out deck,and other functional ammenities,IT CUTS MY LAWN(2 acres of hills)perfectly.

How long have you owned it:

More than six months

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

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12/12/2012

(14 of 15 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

There are better BUT

By Troll

from 37865 Knox, TN

About Me Handyman

Pros

Adjustable Cut-Lengths

Big Lawn Looks Good

Easy to Push & Steer

Fast

Lightweight

Up Down Hills With Ease

Cons

Cuts Unevenly

Scalps On Tightfast Corn

Small Yard Can See Divits

Unever Cut On Uneven Grou

Best Uses

100x 200 At Least

Acres Are Better

Large Lawns

Comments about Husqvarna YTH21K46:

I mow 1-1/2 acre in hilly TN. So far it has done a GOOD job for me. BUT it will do some scalping when cutting lenghtwise in a dip or on tight corners. My area to mow is more of a dressed field rather than a wonderful lawn.For my use it works well but I would NOT recomend it for a million dollar landscape.

How long have you owned it:

More than six months

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

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8/21/2012

(13 of 13 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Mower is great. Bagger awful.

By Frank the old DJ

from Rock Hill, SC

About Me Do-It-Yourself

Pros

Easy to Push & Steer

Ergonomic Grips

Even cut

Good power on sloped yard

Handling is very good

Cons

Bagger is unexceptable

Best Uses

Large Lawns

Leaf collector

Comments about Husqvarna YTH21K46:

Finally reached the age where I needed a lawn tractor to cut my one acre yard. This unit is very good at what I need it for. Cuts quickly and evenly with very little effort. The only problem is the bagger. Designed to where the hole in bag compartment does not match up with discharge chute. Impossible to get rubber gasket to stay in place. Finally had to cram a heavy hand towel in hole diameter to keep clippings from flying back out. Haven't seen any other bag complaints, so I wonder if I just got one with a bad design.

How long have you owned it:

More than six months

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

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8/6/2012

(32 of 32 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Well worth the money I spent!

By Mow Joe!

from Long Island, NY

About Me Handyman

Pros

Adjustable Cut-Lengths

Easy to Push & Steer

Ergonomic Grips

Cons

Good Luck Changing Blades

Heavy

Noisy

Best Uses

Large Lawns

Comments about Husqvarna YTH21K46:

I use my Husqvarna YTH22V42 to mow my 3/4 acre lawn. Front yard is flat, back is 1 big hill. This machine is great, for what I need! I paid [$] for the 42" but waited almost 4 mos (store's fault) I had the Husqvarna YTH21K46 as loaner for my wait time- I put 42hrs on it. In short, 2 blades are better (more even) than 3, the 22hp Briggs motor is better (power and reliability) than the 21hp Kohler (noticeable) & for the extra 4" deck you lose manuverability won't fit through std 4'gate) and adds weight. So go 42"or 48"! The tractor is heavy so don't plan on working underneath. I put 55 hrs on the YTH22V42 with no maintenance (yet) not recommended, everything is perfect. Blades are in need for a sharpen/ replacing. (online $15 each). Also check out the comperable Craftsman might be a better deal and afterall made by Husqvarna. As for parts & accessories: I have the double bagger. The triplebagger is not a good idea. It's alot of weight and I just leave a large green pail in the middle of the lawn and dump the bagger a few times at peak season). I had no trouble getting what I wanted for the tractor there are plenty of accessories: aerator, cart, dump wagon, spreader, even a plow! You can find anything online!

How long have you owned it:

More than six months

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

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7/30/2012

(8 of 11 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Just got it!

By RedConan

from Matthews, NC

About Me Handyman

Pros

Adjustable Cut-Lengths

Easy to Push & Steer

Ergonomic Grips

Solid Feel

Cons

Best Uses

Large Lawns

Comments about Husqvarna YTH21K46:

Just got the H after dumping a Cub Cadet piece of junk! This just feels more substantial. Better warranty the the comparable Deere, for about $300 less. Only used it 1x, so that's why the 4 star.

I'l be back to update my review after we use it a while.

How long have you owned it:

A month or less

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

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6/14/2012

(20 of 22 customers found this review helpful)

2.0

Mows and bags well but made of junk

By The Captain

from Gettysburg, PA

About Me Handyman

Pros

Cons

Best Uses

Comments about Husqvarna YTH21K46:

I mow several acres of uneven ground. This mower does well at mowing and is particularly convenient in bagging. The trouble comes if one hits something even as tame as a brick edger. I did that, and the mandrels shattered, leading to nearly $300.00 in repairs. I have mowed this place for forty years with other mowers that have hit rocks and have dented and bent blades, but never have seen a mower deck essentially wrecked. I have seen the broken mandrels, which are made of something like pot metal--very poor quality.

How long have you owned it:

More than six months

Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

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6/7/2012

(22 of 24 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

This is one heck of a mower!

By Wheel

from Knoxville, TN

About Me Do-It-Yourself

Pros

Easy to change oil filt

Runs Great

Cons

Best Uses

Large Lawns

Small Lawns

Comments about Husqvarna YTH21K46:

My yard is one acre and I love this mower. I asked my friend (who is a manager at [@]) which riding mower is the best for the money. He said the Husqvarna had the fewest returns, problems, issues of all the brands they carry. I have owned mine for 2+ years now and I'm a believer!

How long have you owned it:

More than six months

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

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5/29/2012

(19 of 21 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Workers very well

By Victor

from Orlando, FL

About Me Do-It-Yourself

Pros

Adjustable Cut-Lengths

Backing up

Confortable Seat

Cruise Control

Quick start

Cons

Mowing inclines

Best Uses

Large Lawns

Comments about Husqvarna YTH21K46:

I have close to 2 acres of property and the mower cut the time for me to mow the area. The mower looks good and cuts evenly. Started every time of use and so far no problems. Installed the universal shade from Lowes and it seems to work well with the exception of interfering with the seat adjustment and lifting the seat to look at the battery. I may have to buy a bigger bolt to secure the shade further back so it does not interfer with the seat. The only thing I would change is to give it better traction on steep hills. I had to reverse the mower a few times because it lost traction.

How long have you owned it:

A month or less

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

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3/28/2012

(36 of 41 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Good tractor, good price

By prince2049

from kansas city

About Me Do-It-Yourself

Pros

Adjustable Cut-Lengths

Ergonomic Grips

Cons

Noisy

Best Uses

Large Lawns

Comments about Husqvarna YTH21K46:

Love the hydrostatic drive and power. Needs a rear anti-scalp wheel.

How long have you owned it:

More than six months

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Ratings

CU Best Buy Cub Cadet GT 2042 $3600 77

CU Best Buy Snapper NXT2346 $2800 76

CU Recommended John Deere X310 $4000 75

CU Recommended John Deere X304 3 6 $3600 75

CU Best Buy John Deere D110 2 see here $1700 74

CU Recommended John Deere D120 Similar to tested model: John Deere D110 $1800 74

CU Recommended John Deere D130 Similar to tested model: John Deere D110 $1900 74

CU Best Buy Cub Cadet LTX1045 13RX91AT 5 $1700 74

CU Best Buy Husqvarna YTH21K46 $1600 73

CU Best Buy Cub Cadet LTX1040 13RX90AR $1500 73

(A bunch more. )

The numbers are some sort of score. I got the stuff off the Consumer Reports web site, which the Rochester Public Library subscribes to so I can access it for "free". Check your library.

[Surface Tension]

Its one(maybe)small step up from a MTD or Craftsman but in the same class of tractor.

A consumer grade low cost lawn tractor.

Pedal Drive Hydrostatic transmission is a huge plus over a hydro with F/R speed shift.

Electric PTO another plus along with a Kawasaki engine although its air cooled.

The tractor alone can be had all day at $1800.

If you go with a bagger get one with a blower and save yourself fewer plug ups.

You also won't need to cut and bag at those screaming high RPMs Husk recommends.

Not to knock the lower priced range tractors but they are what they are.

A comparison would be a new cheap fishing reel. They seem tight and smooth but once you get a few years use its not so good anymore.

Put a few hundred hours on the cheap lawn tractors and you'll know what I mean.

IMO you'd have wished you fixed your Broadmoor.

[swamptiger]

My Wheel Horse fleet:

The one on the left is a 1991 520H with over 3600 hours - still running strong.

The other one is an 80's C-165 I picked up this fall for $150. It has a blown motor. It came with a good mower deck and an extra 14 hp cast iron Kohler block.

[Tom7227]

I followed Frank's advice (always sound) and moved up a notch and got a Husqvarna with a fabricated deck and what I call positraction. Bagger has another blower on it and I will be curious to see how that is powered. Now the problem is that it's about a foot longer than the old rig and so I have to come up with room in the always cluttered garage.

Thanks for the advice.