This article looks at the 2020 Husqvarna Lawn and Garden Tractors.
Lawn tractors and garden tractors are disappearing from the U.S. because zero-turn mowers are taking over. That said, Husqvarna has updated their lawn & garden tractors with the features you want and streamlined the model line-up to make them a lot easier to understand.
I rate products differently than most sites. I not only look at the number of products, the price, the craftsmanship, and the quality of cut but also the dealers, ease of warranty service, and parts networks that support the product.
This article will discuss:
- Features that make Husqvarna a good value.
- Do You need a Lawn or Garden Tractor?
- 100 or 200 or 300 series tractors?
- The Tractors – By Deck Size
Features that make Husqvarna the best value.
Engines: For 2020 Husqvarna is keeping it simple. Just two of the most reliable engines on the market.
- Briggs & Stratton Endurance: Offered on the 100 series, this is a solid step up from the Briggs InTek engines found in other brands. This engine has a full pressure oil pump with internal oil porting to the critical components inside the crankcase. This engine can handle extended use mowing slopes and ditches without the fear of throwing a connecting rod. This engine is similar to the very reliable Sears Craftsman Platinum engine that everyone liked.
- EFI (Electronic Fuel Injection.) Husqvarna is not offering any lawn or garden tractors with EFI for 2020.
- Kawasaki FR: Offered on the 200 & 300 series. The Kaw FR has the best reputation for residential engines on the market. It’s a great, solid engine. It’s reliable, fuel-efficient, and will last you the life of the Husqvarna tractors.
Transmissions. Transmissions define what you can pull and how well the mower will last mowing slopes. Husqvarna uses only three transmissions and they are matched correctly to the lawn/garden tractor and what you expect the tractor to do. Husqvarna only offers hydrostatic transmissions. They do not offer cheap CVT or gear drives.
- CVT. For reference: Commonly used in Riding mowers under $1600. Husqvarna is not using a CVT transmission (black case) in any of the 2020 models. Craftsman, Troy-Bilt, and John Deere use this in their least expensive models.
- TL200. For reference: Commonly used in riding mowers and tractors with 42-46 inch decks. Husqvarna is not using them in any of the 2020 mowers. This economical transmission is designed for mowing and light-duty pulling. You can pull a small yard cart, sprayer, dethatcher, etc.
- K46. Commonly used in Lawn/Yard Tractors. This is the “standard” transmission for lawn tractors with 42-50 inch decks and 18-20 inch rear tires. It is used in more lawn tractors than any other transmission. This transmission will handle mowing slopes, pulling larger yard carts, and lawn rollers. Husqvarna properly uses this transmission in the 100 and 200 series tractors.
- K46D. We have been asking for this transmission in a 42-48 inch mower for years. I am so excited that Husqvarna has listened and is now offering the K46D with automatic locking differential in a 42, 46, and 48-inch size.
- K58. Commonly used in Garden Tractors. This is an economical heavy-duty transmission designed to handle any size deck and pull ground engaging equipment. This transmission uses one-inch axles so it will handle more weight and is a great choice if you want to add a mounted snowblower. (John Deere uses the K57 which has lighter 3/4 inch axles)
- K66D. Heavy-Duty Garden Tractors. This is the heaviest-duty transmission available for garden tractors with a vertical shaft engine. It is slightly heavier-duty than the K62 used by other brands. The K66 has been around for a long time and considered “bullet-proof” compared to all the other transmissions currently on the market for lawn & garden tractors. The K66D has the electronic locking differential.
Differential Lock: Husqvarna offers more models with Automatic, manual, or electric “diff” lock than any other brand. If you have wet areas to mow, slopes that can get slippery, use a snow/dozer blade or want to mount a snowblower a tractor with a diff lock is a must-have. Differential lock puts power to both rear wheels to give you more traction in wet conditions and slopes. It allows you to push more snow with a snow blade and is a must-have if you want to attach a front-mounted snowblower. Husqvarna is the ONLY brand to offer automatic diff lock on mowers with 42, 46, and 48-inch decks!
Frame.
Husqvarna uses two different frames.
100 series. Husqvarna uses a strong, channel style frame for the 100 series lawn tractors. It a solid frame and I don’t expect you to have any problems with it cracking over the years.
200 & 300 Series. Husqvarna uses a fully welded, ladder style frame for the 200 & 300 series lawn tractors. It is a stronger than the frame used on the 100 series.
Decks.
Consistent quality cut. Brackets on the decks on all models allow you to easily remove the deck for cleaning, blade sharpening, and maintenance.
- Stamped: Husqvarna’s stamped decks give you a consistent, quality cut. and features Husqvarna’s Air Induction Mowing Technology. Air is drawn from the top and bottom of the deck, improving grass lift and delivering a superior cut. They also bag and mulch well. All of the stamped decks this year include the bottom reinforcement plates to give the deck extra strength. Husqvarna is the only brand that still offers a 3-bin bagger for the 42 and 46-inch decks.
-
ClearCut™ fabricated cutting deck. Most zero-turn mowers have switched to fabricated decks because most ZTRs mow faster than lawn tractors and fabricated decks are stronger and will take more punishment when hitting trees, posts, and foundations. Husqvarna has added their ClearCut fabricated decks cut well and most people can’t see the difference between these decks and a stamped deck’s cut quality,
The new fabricated design features welded 10 gauge steel construction with additional welded reinforcement strips for maximum durability
Accessories: Husqvarna has a large selection of accessories and attachments for your lawn and garden tractor including snow blowers and a dozer blade for the 300 series. In addition, they will pull the thousands of attachments from Agri-Fab, Ohio Steel, and others.
If you want a “cheap” mower – Go somewhere else.
Cheap Riding Mowers: Riding mowers are generally cheap lawn mowers that are sold to customers that just want the “cheapest” riding lawn mower they can buy. In today’s dollars that is most riding mowers under $1500. Yes, they will cut the grass but don’t expect them to cut well and last more than a few years. Husqvarna has wisely decided to get out of this portion of the market for 2020.
LGT or Cheap Garden Tractors. A Cheap Garden tractor is basically a tractor with large, 23-24 inch rear tires, a big, 54-inch deck and the K46 – lawn tractor transmission. They were/are priced between $1900-$2500 and look like a “heck of a deal.” Husqvarna called them “LGT” or light garden tractors they have proven to be a waste of your money because no matter who made it the transmissions failed, the frames cracked and they typically didn’t last more than 5 years. Husqvarna has wisely decided to get out of this portion of the market for 2020.
Do You need a 100 or 200 or 300 Series?
100 series Lawn Tractors. The 100 series is designed to mow your lawn and pull small yard carts, dethatchers, sprayers, and leaf rakes. They will handle hills well when equipped with 42-48 inch decks. They use the industry-standard K46 transmission so you can expect a long life. They will last years on your “typical” suburban or city lot up to 3 acres. Most of us will be quite happy with this style and durability.
The 200 series is a solid step up and gives you better engines, stronger frames, and more transmission options. The 200 series includes locking differential on many models, Kawasaki engines, and two models with larger tires and the heavy-duty ground engaging K58 transmission.
300 series Garden Tractors. The 300 series is designed to handle mounted snowblowers well, pull large yard carts full of material, and pull grading rakes for gravel driveways and horse arenas. They can push dirt/gravel with a front-mounted blade. The heavy-duty K66 transmission with the electronic locking differential gives you the most traction available in a garden tractor. The larger front and rear wheels give you a better ride on rough lawns and better traction on slopes. The 300 series is available with 48 or 54-inch decks.
Quick Summary of the New TS Models?
- For 2020 Husqvarna has completely refreshed the lawn and garden tractor lines.
- All TS models feature an all-new hood with focused LED headlamps.
- All TS models feature cast-iron front axles.
- All 200 and 300 series models feature Husqvarna’s Clear Cut deck.
- Features not found on other lawn tractors:
- K46 transmission in all 42-inch mowers
- Commercial Grade Hydrostatic Transmission in the 300 series
- Kawasaki FR engines or Briggs & Stratton Endurance. All engines are full pressure lubrication for long life working on slopes
100 Series Husqvarna Lawn Tractors
TS 142
- Pedal-operated Automatic transmission (Hydrostatic)
- Manual blade engagement
- Reinforced Cutting Deck
- Deluxe comfort seat
- From $1,799.99 MSRP
Buy here from Tractor Supply Co. or your local Husqvarna Dealer.
TS 142X
- Pedal-operated Automatic transmission (Hydrostatic)
- Manual blade engagement
- Reinforced Cutting Deck
- Deluxe comfort seat
- From $1,999.99 MSRP
Buy here from Tractor Supply Co. or your local Husqvarna Dealer.
TS 146X
- Pedal-operated Automatic transmission (Hydrostatic)
- Chokeless start
- Reinforced Cutting Deck
- Deluxe comfort seat
- From $1,999.99 MSRP
Buy here from Tractor Supply Co. or your local Husqvarna Dealer.
TS 146XD
- Automatic locking differential
- Pedal-operated Automatic transmission (Hydrostatic)
- Manual blade engagement
- Reinforced Cutting Deck
- From $2,299.99 MSRP
Buy here from Tractor Supply Co. or your local Husqvarna Dealer.
TS 148X
- Electric Blade Engagement
- Pedal-operated Automatic transmission (Hydrostatic)
- Reinforced Cutting Deck
- Deluxe comfort seat
- Deluxe steering wheel
- From $2,299.99 MSRP
Buy here from Tractor Supply Co. or your local Husqvarna Dealer.
200 Series Husqvarna Yard and Garden Tractors
Stronger frame than 100 series
TS 242XD
- Dual pedal drive
- Electric Blade Engagement
- ClearCut™ fabricated cutting deck
- Deluxe comfort seat
- From $2,799.99 MSRP
TS 248XD
- Dual pedal drive
- Electric Blade Engagement
- Electric blade engagement
- ClearCut™ fabricated cutting deck
- From $2,999.99 MSRP
Buy here from Tractor Supply Co. or your local Husqvarna Dealer.
TS 248G
- Dual pedal drive
- Electric Blade Engagement
- ClearCut™ fabricated cutting deck
- Deluxe comfort seat
- From $3.099.99 MSRP
Buy here from Tractor Supply Co. or your local Husqvarna Dealer.
TS 254XG
- Dual pedal drive
- Electric Blade Engagement
- ClearCut™ fabricated cutting deck
- Deluxe comfort seat
- From $3,399.99 MSRP
Buy here from Tractor Supply Co. or your local Husqvarna Dealer.
300 Series Husqvarna Garden Tractors
TS 348XD
- ClearCut™ fabricated cutting deck
- High Back Seat
- Deluxe steering wheel
- Steel hood
- From $3,599.99 MSRP
Buy here from your local Husqvarna Dealer.
TS 354XD
- ClearCut™ fabricated cutting deck
- High Back Seat
- Deluxe steering wheel
- Steel hood
- From $3,899.99 MSRP
Buy here from your local Husqvarna Dealer.
TS 354D
- ClearCut™ fabricated cutting deck
- Electric Blade Engagement
- Hydrostatic transmission with locking differential
- Pedal-operated hydrostatic transmission
- From $3,699.99 MSRP
Buy here from your local Husqvarna Dealer.
