Updated on Nov. 25, 2024
We know Husqvarna makes some of the best lawn care equipment, but does that include riding mowers? Our Husqvarna TS 242XD review tells you everything you need to know.
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Lawn care enthusiasts and gardening experts know Husqvarna is one of the best companies for chainsaws, robotic mowers and gas leaf blowers. But how does its riding lawn mower stack up to the competition?
To answer that question, we reached out to longtime homeowner and riding mower expert Tyler O’Rourke, who’s used everything from the classic John Deere to zero-turn mowers for work and his personal lawn. He says the Husqvarna TS 242XD is a beast that “obliterated” the typical mow on his half-acre property. “What used to be a two- to three-hour mow was done in a mere 30 minutes,” O’Rourke says. “Beyond that, it’s just fun to drive.”
In addition to breaking down O’Rourke’s experience with the Husqvarna TS 242XD riding mower, we had other gardening experts weigh in on the model. Spoiler alert: They loved it, too.
The Husqvarna TS 242XD is a riding mower made by the gardening equipment company Husqvarna (which started as a weapons manufacturer in the 1600s, but in recent years has been known for its lawn mowers and other gardening equipment). It boasts all-day comfort with a vinyl seat that O’Rourke says lives up to Husqvarna’s promise.
“Once it’s in the right spot for your height, it’s a thing of beauty,” he says. “The padding is great for those long mowing sessions.” And it’s not just O’Rourke who’s benefiting from this mower. “I’ve kept right on mowing next door to save them the push or the wait for the landscaper to arrive,” he says.
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This 42-inch, gas-powered riding mower cuts down the competition.
Here are a few things that help the Husqvarna TS 242XD stand above the competition.
The Husqvarna TS 242XD has a 21.5 horsepower Kawasaki motor that has handled everything O’Rourke has thrown at it. “It’s like the Hulk of lawn mowers,” he says. “I’ve thrown a few sticks, pinecones and even taken on some dirt mounds when I was mowing (OK, mowing a bit too low). The results? Flawless. It devoured everything without breaking a sweat.”
Kawasaki motors are the best for riding mowers because they’re durable and powerful, according to gardener and Plant Bible founder, Zahid Adnan. “This engine provides ample power for mowing through even challenging terrains with ease,” Adnan says.
If you have a need for speed, O’Rourke adds that this riding mower can be fast and furious when needed. “In all seriousness, the Husqvarna TS 242XD would even make Dominic Toretto proud. It’s fast—like really fast. It’s a real speed demon in the world of lawn mowers.” Husqvarna says the maximum speed of this riding lawn mower is 5.5 miles per hour.
Are you looking for power? O’Rourke was able to drag a small truck with rocks and mulch up a hill using the Husqvarna riding mower. “Raw power,” he says. “This thing is a beast.”
A 42-inch cutting deck means you can tackle a large lawn in fewer passes. “With a wide deck like this, you’ll be done with your mowing tasks in no time, giving you more time to relax and enjoy your well-maintained lawn,” O’Rourke says.
He adds that the adjustable deck is good for short and long grass, but notes it does best on flat terrain. “It’s almost as if gravity pulls it further into the ground on the lower side, resulting in an uneven cut with a bit of a lower edge rather than a parallel cut to the angle of the hill,” O’Rourke says.
There’s nothing worse than an uncomfortable riding mower, especially since the whole point of it is to make mowing your lawn more comfortable. “Luckily, the Husqvarna TS 242XD’s extra-thick cushions are so comfortable you could sit for hours,” O’Rourke says. “The padding is great for those long mowing sessions.” One con, he notes, is that the seat isn’t ventilated, so there will be some sweat on hotter days.
Adnan was also a big fan of the seat. “Husqvarna has paid attention to user comfort with a comfortable high-back seat and intuitive controls,” he says. “This makes long mowing sessions less fatiguing.”
Nighttime mows are nobody’s favorite, but they happen from time to time. The Husqvarna TS 242XD’s light-emitting diode (LED) lights make those post-sunset chores a little easier and safer. “They’re a game-changer in the dark, but not so much during twilight,” O’Rourke says.
O’Rourke put the Husqvarna TS 242XD riding lawn mower to the test. In addition to testing and researching just about every riding mower there is, O’Rourke also has a half-acre property that includes crabgrass, Bermuda grass and some hills to create the perfect test course for a riding mower. O’Rourke says his typical lawn care duties previously took him two to three hours, but with the Husqvarna TS 242XD he’s done in about 30 minutes.
Although it’s not quite a zero-turn riding mower, O’Rourke says the Husqvarna TS 242XD can get in the crooks and crannies of most yards with ease. “It’s quick in a three-point turn when needed and handles garden edges with ease,” he says. “The brush guard is a helpful buffer to get up close and personal with larger trees or bushes, allowing you to get the deck as close as possible without any unintended tree consumption.”
He adds that you should slow down when trying to make turns. “Turning at full speed can be a bit too much for your lawn to handle,” he says. “It can potentially tear up your grass a bit. I learned this lesson the hard way during one late dusk mow right before dark. Luckily, there was no lasting damage, but it’s worth keeping in mind.”
Husqvarna is known for high-quality customer service, and O’Rourke’s experience with it regarding his riding mower was no different. The company told him the mower was going to arrive later than expected due to a manufacturing defect. “This level of customer care stood out, and it’s a testament to Husqvarna’s commitment to making things right when they go wrong,” O’Rourke says.
O’Rourke had an unexpected hiccup hours after starting the Husqvarna when his belt gave out. He notes that the Husqvarna TS 242XD’s manual gave few instructions on how to replace it, and that he had to find a DIY video on YouTube to guide him through the process.
He also says you may have to do trial-and-error when looking for non-Husqvarna accessories, such as a clippings collector/bag. “[The connector chute] has square edges, which means no easy fit with most attachments at retail stores,” O’Rourke says. “I even matched the serial number at Lowe’s to the one that supposedly fit the model on the Husqvarna website, and still, no dice.”
Husqvarna sells its own accessories on its website and lets you know which ones fit which models, so you don’t have to hunt for the optimal lawn mower cover.
O’Rourke and other customer reviewers were thrilled with the delivery process. “The Husqvarna TS 242 was hand-delivered and rolled off a U-Haul trailer,” he says. “This isn’t your typical drop-it-on-your-doorstep scenario.”
In other words, this Husqvarna riding mower arrives pre-assembled. All you have to do is fill her up and start mowing.
Husqvarna lawn mowers are built to last for several years, thanks to their high-quality construction and Kawasaki motors.
Husqvarna does not list the TS 242XD’s turning radius, but O’Rourke says it’s well suited for most yard sizes and is easy to turn in tight corners.
No, not all Husqvarna mowers have Kawasaki engines. Some mowers, like the Husqvarna YTH24V54, have a Briggs & Stratton engine.
We reached out to other lawn care and gardening experts who have used the Husqvarna TS 242XD, and every one of them had only positive things to say about it. Survivalist Mike Millerson uses it for his homestead property.
“The machine certainly delivers on functionality and durability whenever I’ve needed it,” Millerson says. “In my past experiences with similar mowers, like the Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro Series LT, the Husqvarna TS 242XD holds its ground in power and usability while improving significantly in terms of cutting precision and overall control.”
It has mostly positive reviews among customers, as well. Although it only has four Amazon reviews, three out of the four are five-star ratings.
“I liked that everything came pre-greased, the deck was even level,” writes verified purchaser, Carl Stevenson.
The Husqvarna TS 242XD and Cub Cadet XT2 LX42 riding mowers are very similar—both have 42-inch cutting decks, engines with at least 20 horsepower, LED headlights, adjustable seats, attachment capability and easy steering. Both are also similarly priced (Husqvarna is about $400 more expensive), so there’s not much separating between the two.
Other lawn care experts and reviewers seem to think the Cub Cadet riding mower is better for thicker grass, though some of the gardeners we spoke to said the Husqvarna can tackle any grass length or thickness, too. “This mower is a worthy investment for any serious lawn care enthusiasts,” Lindsey Hyland, a gardener and Urban Organic Yield founder, says of the Husqvarna mower.
Family Handyman has tested and researched hundreds of pieces of lawn care equipment—including more modern releases like the Craftsman electric lawn mower and Ryobi electric riding lawn mower—and few have received as many rave reviews as the Husqvarna TS 242XD.
“If you’re looking for speed, power and a fun mow, this is your mower,” says O’Rourke. “Just be prepared for a bit of DIY spirit when it comes to maintenance and customizing your setup.”
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The Husqvarna TS 242XD sells for around $3,700 at most retailers. You can get it at Amazon and Tractor Supply.
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