Husqvarna TS 354D, 1 Year Later. Was This Top Of The Line Garden Tractor Worth It?

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[@jameschandler2776]

A few years ago I finally bit the bullet and bought a new riding mower. I was a Husqvarna 26 HP with a 54" deck. It mowed well but the deck and blades were not as tough as I hoped. I used it for 2 years and while mowing my 2 1/2 acres, I was going down a straight row and the axel broke at the edge of the wheel. I took it to my Husky dealer and the warranty wouldn't cover it. So the mower didn't even outlast the battery that it came with. I used nothing but Husky chainsaws for many years, would always buy 2 at a time, so I would have a backup. The last pair I bought, one was bullet proof, the other I used for parts because it never ran. As soon as the warranty ran out, even though it had been in the shop for the same problem 6 times, they said I needed a new carburetor and wanted almost what I paid for the saw for it. Needless tio say, I have nothing good to say for Husqvarna and no longer buy their products

[@patrickflohe7427]

I also have the TS 354D, and absolutely love the 25 HP Kohler. I can’t imagine how the Briggs engine actually drank less fuel, because this thing does really well on fuel consumption. It gets better fuel economy than my old John Deere 316, with that wonderful 18 HP Onan. It’s too bad that the engine is not available for the later XD model, as I’d rather buy an American engine if possible. Overall, the tractor has been trouble-free, just a couple of minor issues. The main thing is, that it has always burned headlight bulbs out. When I bought LED bulbs to put in there, it was even worse. -That is one thing that I really dislike. I’ve had this thing for a couple of years now, and I really don’t have to use the headlights very often, but I do occasionally need them. The other thing is, that when it was fairly cold out and I had to move the thing, even after letting it warm up for a while, The belt would squeal & the PTO would stall the engine when PTO was switched-on. . The only thing hooked up to this lawn tractor, is a 54” mower deck that came with it. The mower deck cuts well, but the expensive blades that it uses are still cheap shit. You hit any rocks or anything, they crack at the ends. Frankly, as light as the frame is on this thing, I would be afraid to put a snowblower blower or anything else on it. I’m glad I kept some of my old John Deere‘s from the 1980s, because those big beefy iron frames can handle anything.

[@timothyfreeman8660]

I have an old yth26v54 Husqvarna with the 26 horse Briggs. Have 1311 hours on it now and never had a problem.

[@meagenb4968]

I love these follow-up videos. A real review is, "here's what I bought, how I have modified it, how it works, here's how it is after X hours, etc ". I need to buy a garden tractor for next year. Guess what I am getting....yupperdoodles, a Husqvarna - specifically THAT one. Why? Because the research and reviews were done by a trusted source. Husqvarna should thank you, because I am sure I will not be the only sale from your videos. Sleep well garden tractor 🚜. You and the Mrs. stay safe and well, Erik.

[@ericdee6802]

I agree, The follow up reviews Erik produces are great and are excellent info for the first time buyer such as yourself. As for the brand "Huskvarna" great value in my opinion, I have Many power tools in my arsenal as well as hand tools manufactured by Husky including one dirt bike from 72' that I put around on quite often. 🇺🇸👍

[@HillOrStream]

Thanks for the update, I'm in the market for something bigger than my old Craftsman lawn tractor. My biggest task is snowblowing so it has to run in sub-zero weather. I have had quite a struggle running LEDs for headlights as they fry at the boosted winter voltages most regulators are set to put out to wake up the near-frozen battery. Keep us updated please!

[@t.d.mich.7064]

Hey! In response to the weak frame issue, I made 2 brackets that use the rear axle mounting holes, and extended the upper portion attaching 6" higher up, and bolting on the side of the tractor frame. The new brackets simply set on top of the factory flanges, using the existing bolt holes to attach. The issues I've seen are the folded flanges on the axle mount can crack, and the repair isn't pretty. My TS348 has 75 hours and so far no issues other than the factory routed the fuel line directly on top of the cylinder head. When the motor got hot, it caused vapor lock and the engine would die. Spacing the line and fuel pump away from the block seems to have cured the problem. Good video, and best Christmas wishes!

[@cbradioghosttalk1986]

I like Husqvarna products. My last 22 horses lasted 16 yrs and had over 2000 hrs mowing and other stuff. I got a new one this year and bought it right. Don't use for anything but mowing. Use the JD for the small farm etc. I also own 4 Husqvarna chain saws and really like their products. great channel. Thanks ....

[@LionWithTheLamb]

I just found your old channel "Moped Freak". I'm gonna check it out since I've always been a fan of the VW Rabbits.

[@FarpointFarms]

You are only the second person to do so!

[@ericdee6802]

Great review Erik, thanks for sharing your experience with Husky with your viewing crew.🇺🇸✌️👍

[@jourdanbe]

Very nice review! I have been thinking very recently of moving and will need such a tractor in the foreseeable future.

[@nou755]

My GT52XLSi that we've owned since brand new for around 5 years had its frame bent near the engine. The rumor/myth of some of these tractors having weak frames are no joke. On johnny buckets website it lists which models have weak frames and which don't. Wasn't even running any attachments or pulling when the frame broke, was just mowing like usual, albeit our property is big, hilly, and the terrian really calls for a bigger kubota with a belly deck.

[@YllaStar95970]

Wheel weights are a smart upgrade.

[@Glenn_123]

Great video Eric! Loved the review as always.

[@brad0805]

Could you please do a video on how to adjust the tire rods up front with the adjustable nut on them? My TS348xd is towed in, and I need to adjust it...I just don't know how, and there isn't any videos on it. Thanks!

[@FarpointFarms]

Unless the toe-in is excessive I'd leave it alone. They are set that way from the factory so they will track dead ahead.

[@brad0805]

@@FarpointFarms Well, I'm not sure what is considered excessive...but, when you look from the front end you can see the tires bowing in toward the engine from the top of the tires. When you put a level on the wheel, it's 1/4" to 1/2" off level when the steering wheel is straight. Should I worry about that? Honest question.

[@brad0805]

Sorry, it's actually bowing from top away from the engine. Husqvarna says it's normal camber...?

[@CrabgrassFarmer]

I'm looking forward to you, hopefully, changing the trans oil on this. I have one and haven't figured out a way to change the trans oil without removing the trans. If you can't figure a way around it, I guess I'll have to bite the bullet and drop it.

[@robertfried3546]

Great info and reviews. I just put a craftsman #36 sleeve hitch and the electrical assist on my new Husqvarna TS 354 XD. I mounted the sleeve hitch perpendicular to the ground. and when I hooked the Agri Fab box scraper and elevated the sleeve hitch maximally the scraper doesn’t clear the ground. Wondering if anyone else has encountered this and solved the problem? Short of fabricating new brackets that would tilt the sleeve hitch up I don’t know how to get more clearance for the box scraper or other implements when elevated ?

[@yelyzavetalaskina4296]

Can you make a video of the extra frame supports you're talking about? Thank you

[@FarpointFarms]

I have hurt my back so it will be a while before I can make that video. My apologies to you

[@android9285]

By any chance, @Farpoint Farms, can you post the model number of the trans-axle? I know it's a Tuff Torq K66. . . but which variation did they put under the TS354D? I have a Husqvarna YTH24V48. . . at least that is what it started as. It's 8 years old, and I have upgraded much of the mower. It is no longer stock. The last thing I wanted to do was put a K66 under it. It originally had the infamous General Transmission - Plastic Transaxle, with, believe it or not, actually allowed me to pull a 14" hiller disk with two danish tines attached. Never had any issues. I also designed and built a 150lbs. pull behind box blade. Again, never had an issue with the plastic transmission. I rebuilt an older K46 from an Ariens donor in the past month. Its works flawlessly now under my mower. However, I do a lot of large hobby gardening - especially where I could use a moldboard plow, and I'm afraid of buying one, and the K46 can't handle it. (I know I would be scolded by Tuff Torq for thinking a K46 could do that, but I'm the kind of person to put it to the test.)

[@jeremymyers5503]

Hey Eric, any idea when the follow up review for Stryker antenna video you did a few months back will come out. Kinda looking forward to it.

[@pn-pt7hm]

Could you tell me the rear size AG tires your running and what wheel weights are those? Husky yells me they don't sell the wheel weights for the 345. Thank you.

[@themiddleclasstaxslave651]

How do you think it stripes?

[@1888CHAD8881]

Do you got any links for the plow you put on? I got this model.. I only mow my grass with it.. never knew it could take attachments

[@Wendyjuicy]

Johnny bucket jr

[@bro.weaver1282]

Husqvarna TS 348XD is the "Top of the line" you can get today. That 354D probably has the better frame.

[@mccarthy155]

Pretty sure they have the same TS frame no?

[@chuckd7423]

Husqvarna also makes a TS 354XD. I don't think there's any difference in the frame between the D and XD models. The biggest difference is that the XD uses a Kawasaki engine, while the D uses a Kohler, and the XD gets a more comprehensive, white face, gauge package. The XD is the newest model of the 2, and costs a couple of hundred more dollars than the D, mostly because of the Kawasaki engine which is considered an upgrade, even though it makes slightly less HP than the Kohler.

[@jbrown8176]

Based off the look of the hood when its closed his frame may already be tweaked. When they buckle it seems to be right in that area. The frame is the same frame on the XD and D.

[@ardumus]

I’ve been thinking about purchasing one of these, but what are your thoughts on the reports of the weak frames these supposedly have? Have you strengthened it at all?

[@gittyupalice96]

Its the height of the frame vs the lowness of the rear hitch panel. It acts like a big lever amplifying the torque put into the frame in the spot just in front of the rear tires.. Constantly using ground engaging equipment, like plows or ripping tree stumps out of the ground will exceed the elastic movement of the steel. Causing it to become brittle and tear or snap, it however is in very specific and constant location on all the tractors that fail and that spot is only about 1/4 inch large on both frame rails, simply welding a Rhombus shaped plate of steel over this spot would be enough to fix it for most people. Or just weld 3/16 plate over the rails, wich would also reduce the need for wheel weights lol.

[@ardumus]

Thanks for the update!

[@donnienorman2443]

Junk frame doesn't have a design flaw warranty

[@Stucknarutt]

I've heard you refer to it as an "electronic" sleeve hitch now, in multiple videos, so much, that I feel I must step in and comment for the sake of others at this point that may get the wrong idea. You're stuck in your radio world terminology here. It is an "Electric Sleeve Hitch" only, without the "tronic" on the end, as it only completes and breaks a 12 volt, electrical path to a motor, with a manually operated switch (SPDT), in two directions, up and down. Now.., say if you could like double or long press the switch, momentarily, to make it automatically return to a up, down or home position, then you would have "Electronics" involved but I don't think that's the case with any of these. I've had one since 2003 for my Huskee and have done great things with mine as well. Call me being critical or whatever. I've been a licensed, low voltage tech for over 20 years and I guess it irked me, lol. Also, did you call the Kohler a Kawasaki in this video ?

[@patrickflohe7427]

Mine also has the Kohler 25HP engine, & I love it! I don’t need a Kawasucki. I agree with you, too many people use electric & electronic interchangeably, when there is a big difference.

[@donnienorman2443]

Junk husky frame bent with ln 2 weeks $4000 wasted frame is workman's ship warranty does not cover design flaw

[@FarpointFarms]

Sorry to hear that you had such issues with it.