Husqvarna TS 242XD 21.5 HP 42-Inch Lawn Tractor with Kawasaki FR Engine and Differential Lock

The TS 242XD sits at the top of Husqvarna’s residential tractor lineup — a 42-inch hydrostatic lawn tractor with a 21.5-horsepower Kawasaki FR Series V-twin engine and a Tuff Torq transmission with electric differential lock. The differential lock is the differentiator: with one button press, both rear wheels lock together for full traction in wet grass, on slopes, and at the edges of soft ground where most residential tractors lose grip and spin a single tire.

Power comes from a Kawasaki FR Series V-twin OHV engine displacing 603cc. Kawasaki’s FR series is the residential-grade extension of the brand’s commercial FX engines, sharing the same overhead valve architecture, full pressure lubrication, and dual-element air filtration. Owners running the TS 242XD on a typical weekly residential schedule will see oil and filter changes once a season — essentially the entire engine maintenance routine. Electric key start, automatic choke, and a regulated charging system handle cold mornings without operator intervention.

The Tuff Torq T40 hydrostatic transmission with electric differential lock is the headline drivetrain feature. The hydrostatic pump delivers continuously variable forward and reverse speed through a pair of foot pedals, while the diff-lock toggle on the dash engages a mechanical coupling between the rear wheels. On flat dry ground, the open differential allows easy turning. The moment the operator hits a slope, a wet patch, or one wheel breaks loose, the diff-lock restores full pulling power without requiring a re-route.

The 42-inch ClearCut fabricated steel deck cuts at six height settings between 1.5 and 4 inches via a fender-mounted lever. Two cutting blades work in parallel, with greasable spindle bearings extending service life beyond the sealed-bearing design typical at this price point. Air-induction ducting pulls air through the deck shell to lift grass blades for a cleaner cut and better discharge dispersal.

Operator comfort centers on a 15-inch high-back seat with armrests, an oversized soft-grip steering wheel, cruise control, and an integrated cup holder. The dashboard layout is honest and minimal: ignition, throttle, choke, PTO knob, diff-lock toggle, fuel gauge. The chassis is welded steel with a brush-guard bumper at the front and corrosion-resistant powder-coat throughout.

The standard rear hitch accepts most popular tow-behind attachments — dump carts, broadcast spreaders, plug aerators, dethatchers, and lawn rollers all mount without modification. A deck wash port allows post-mowing cleanup with a garden hose without removing the deck.

For a one- to three-acre property with hills, slopes, irrigation soft spots, or wet-grass conditions, the TS 242XD is one of very few residential 42-inch tractors with genuine slope-mowing capability. The differential lock is the entire reason this tractor exists, and within that constraint, it is the most refined option in the category.