Swedish company Husqvarna is one of the largest manufacturers of outdoor power products in the world and their riding mowers are considered to be easily among the top three. Meanwhile, American brand Craftsman built its legacy of dependable power tools on the trust they won from satisfied customers for decades. Craftsman riding mowers are known to last ten, even twenty years, making them a solid choice.
We compare two of their best models, the Husqvarna YTA24V48 and the Craftsman T225, to see which brand has a superior offering for people looking for a new ride-on mower.
The Craftsman T225 gas-powered riding lawn mower features a Briggs and Stratton engine with ready start, 46-inch cutting deck, and durable turf saver wheels for easy mowing.
Navigation
Husqvarna YTA24V48 vs Craftsman T225 Comparison Chart
| Model | Husqvarna YTA24V48 | Craftsman T225 |
 |  | |
| Price | Check Price at Amazon | Check Price at Amazon |
| Engine Brand | Briggs & Stratton Intek | Briggs & Stratton Gold |
| Engine Power | 24 HP | 19 HP |
| Fuel Tank Size | 3 gallons | 3 gallons |
| Cutting Options | 3-in-1 (Side-Discharge/Bag/Mulch) | 3-in-1 (Side-Discharge/Bag/Mulch) |
| Cutting Width | 48 inches | 46 inches |
| Cutting Height | 1.5 – 4.0 inches | 1.5 – 3.75 inches |
| Deck Positions | 6 | 12 |
| Blades | 3 | 2 |
| Max Forward Speed | 7.4 mph | 5.5 mph |
| Max Reverse Speed | 2.9 mph | 5.5 mph |
| Transmission Type | CVT – Automatic | Hydrostatic |
| Seat Type | High back with seat springs | High back |
| Arm Rests | Included | Sold separately |
| Warranty | 3 years | 3 years |
Engine
The Husqvarna YTA24V48 has a more powerful engine than the Craftsman T225.
With a Briggs & Stratton Intek V-Twin engine, the Husqvarna YTA24V48 has 24 horsepower on tap to help you cut grass and cover ground faster. It features a choke-less start, so you can get it up and running with a turn of the key. While the Craftsman T225 has a Briggs & Stratton engine too, the Gold version outputs 19 horsepower only, though it also doesn’t need priming or choking thanks to its ReadyStart feature. Fuel capacity is the same for either mower, and the 3-gallon tank can last a while, saving time with fewer refueling stops.
Speed and Maneuverability
The Craftsman T225 is easier to maneuver than the Husqvarna YTA24V48.
In terms of forward speed, the Husqvarna YTA24V48 easily comes out ahead, with a maximum of 7.4 miles per hour. That’s a lot of speed for a riding mower. You’ll get to really utilize its powerful engine if you have lots of flat land that you can simply blaze through. It has a fast CVT automatic transmission so you only need one pedal to go forward. You can do a tight 16-inch turn along the edges of your lawn area and not lose momentum, since you can expect the deck to leave no grass uncut behind.
The Husqvarna YTA24V48 24V tractor mower features fast auto transmission, choke-less start, and air induction mowing technology to ensure consistent lawn cutting every time.
While the Craftsman T225 won’t lag too far behind with its maximum forward speed of 5.5 miles per hour, where it trumps the Husqvarna is that you can go just as fast in reverse. The latter’s maximum reverse speed is only 2.9 mph, which is sufficient anyway to get around obstacles if necessary. Since both tractors can mow in reverse, the T225’s better reverse thrust makes it a bit more efficient in clearing ground. Needless to say, only experienced drivers should attempt mowing in reverse at full speed and only after reading the instruction manual detailing the process.
A lot more owners commend the Craftsman T225 for its nimbleness, courtesy of its foot-adjustable hydrostatic transmission. It should be a bit easier to operate especially if you have an uneven yard or have a lot of obstacles such as flower beds, trees, and roots to evade.
Cutting Efficiency
The Husqvarna YTA24V48 is slightly more efficient than the Craftsman T225.
The two-inch difference between these mowers’ decks should almost be negligible if you have only have a couple of acres or less to cut. Where the Husqvarna YTA24V48 becomes more efficient is on larger tracts, since its wider cutting coverage combined with its faster speed should get you done with mowing, well, faster. Still, the Craftsman T225’s faster reverse mowing and easier maneuverability will let you cover ground more thoroughly and it will still cut time spent trimming.
Despite the Craftsman having one fewer blade than the Husqvarna, both tractors actually have comparable cutting power — you won’t need more than one pass to get the even levels you’re looking for. They’re excellent at clipping grass to your preferred height, although the T225 has a bit more flexibility in this regard. It has 12 deck positions you can choose from and can trim down grass up to a height of 4 inches. Both can equip additional attachments such as mulching kits, bagger add-ons, snow plows, and more.
Safety, Comfort, and Ease of Use
The Husqvarna YTA24V48 has a slight edge in comfort over the Craftsman T225.
There are cushioned high-back seats on both lawn tractors that you can plop on and comfortably cruise from. Husqvarna added a little extra by including the armrests on theirs though, which is a nice touch for a ride-on built for larger yards. Underneath the seats is the standard safety feature that disengages the engine and blades if it senses the driver suddenly leaving. It’s an essential component to keep you safe in case you lose balance or fall off for some reason, though it might take getting used to so you don’t turn off the motor unintentionally with a slight change in sitting position.
Mowing in reverse is another feature that requires additional safety precautions and a read-through of the operating manual. Once you get the gist of it, the Craftsman T225’s better reverse speed becomes more attractive, though some may prefer not cutting using this feature at all. The treads on both sets of front and rear tires are also designed to provide as much traction as possible to keep your ride steady even across inclines.
Verdict
The Craftsman T225 is a better value riding mower than the Husqvarna YTA24V48.
The Husqvarna YTA24V48 24V tractor mower features fast auto transmission, choke-less start, and air induction mowing technology to ensure consistent lawn cutting every time.
The Craftsman T225 gas-powered riding lawn mower features a Briggs and Stratton engine with ready start, 46-inch cutting deck, and durable turf saver wheels for easy mowing.
Even though the Husqvarna YTA24V48 seems to come out ahead in this comparison, the overall difference isn’t that big compared to their price points. As the more affordable option, the Craftsman T225 offers plenty of cutting power and speed for your needs, making it the better value buy. You can expect to be fully satisfied with its performance and actually enjoy cruising around your property in comfort. Best of all, you’ll love the consistent results it delivers as you gaze out into your freshly cut green fields.
The biggest point in the Husqvarna’s favor is that it becomes the better pick the larger your yard gets. With a lot more muscle and cutting swath thanks to its 24 horsepower engine and 48-inch deck, you’ll plow through acres of land in record time. The extra power comes at a modest price increase but it’s worth it if you prefer a durable workhorse with a premium touch.