7 Most Common Problems With Husqvarna Riding Mowers
Husqvarna is a prestigious mower brand. You must have come across this name many times while shopping for lawn mowers for your few acres big yard. It has manufactured some brilliant and best commercial riding mowers for lawns. One can find the entire range and collection of mowers like Husqvarna YTH22V46, YTA24V48, etc. and many more under this brand.
But all that glitters is not gold. There are some common problems with Husqvarna riding mowers faced by many users. These issues deteriorate the overall efficiency and performance of the mower and lead to unsatisfactory cutting results.
In this article, we have highlighted and discussed the major Husqvarna zero-turn mower problems you might face in the future or maybe facing presently. We have also advised potential solutions for each problem. Scroll down to learn more.
Most Common Problems With Husqvarna Riding Mowers With Solution
Listed below are 7 challenges of Husqvarna Mowers that may pose a problem in your lawn. We will learn its causes and effective methods of troubleshooting Husqvarna riding mowers.
1. Engine Won’t Start
The most common problem is your Husqvarna mower won’t start due to engine issues. It is unable to harness gasoline or air power. It can result from minor issues like low fuel capacity, unchanged fuel, fuel leakage, a flooded engine, an Unengaged freewheel control position, or an Engaged attachment clutch position. Fixing these simple maintenance issues will get your mower back on track.
Apart from this, some major issues might cause more serious engine breakdowns in Husqvarna models. These include- Clogged fuel filters due to old fuel compiled into a sticky material. The spark plug ignites the engine to start. It can break down due to electrode carbon buildup, burnout, and damaged insulator.
The fusion of air and fuel generates Power for starting the engine in the carburetor. Stale fuel can clog the carburetor and result in engine breakdown. Thus, you may have to locate the carburetor. Unclean Cooling fins, Damaged recoil, or ignition coil are also some negative incidents that might stop your engine from starting.
Solution:
- First, change the old fuel and put fresh and good-quality fuel in the tank.
- Check the spark plug placement and replace it with a new one if it’s broken or unrepairable.
- Clean the sticky buildup within the carburetor with an aerosol carb cleaner spray. Reach all parts and corners.
- Clean the existing cooling fins or install new ones if needed.
- Clear out dirt and dust from the clogged air filters. Replace filters as per the condition.
2. Mower Blades Won’t Engage
The blades get tangled with flying twigs, grass clippings, etc. These leftovers can block the blade mechanism and cause blockage in blade rotation. On a serious note, The Mower blades do not work with a faulty engine deck belt, drive belt, a drained battery, or a defective PTO switch.
PTO switch means Power Take off switch, which generates energy in the PTO clutch and operator that runs the drive belt. When the PTO switch fails to transmit Power to the PTO clutch, the driver belt experiences stops and standstills. This ultimately causes hindrance in blade movement.
Deck Belt Malfunction due to dirt, displacement, or damage can restrict the blades from engaging. Faulty Drive Belts are another prime reason behind failed blades. Drive belts are responsible for channeling rotatory force from the engine handle to the transmission’s input area. Damaged or worn-out belts cant transmit the torque.
Solution:
- Clear up any grass clippings or twigs, or leave that might have intertwined with the blades in the cutting deck.
- Examine the continuity of the PTO Switch by testing it a couple of times. Fix a new part if continuity is nil.
- Check the placement of the deck belt and position it correctly. Damaged deck belts need immediate replacement.
- Align and mount the drive belts with the help of a professional. If the drive belt has gone through much wear and tear, it’s better to fit a new component.
3. Mower Engine is Smoking
You might experience black smoke emissions from the mower engine. This might be alarming and harmful to the engine and operator’s health. The main culprits behind mower engine smoke are oil leakage into the crankcase, more fuel burning due to less airflow, the low fuel level in the engine, and other internal engine issues.
Plugged Air filters can cause a disbalance of fuel and air in the carburetor leading to more fuel burn and smoke emission. Insufficient fuel in the tank causes the production of extreme friction and heat in the engine, which leads to more smoke output.
Solution:
- Drain excess oil from the crankcase to de-flood the engine.
- Clear out leaves, twigs, and dirt from the air filters to ensure sufficient airflow needed for optimal combustion.
- Get your overheated engine checked and repaired by a technician. Henceforth, maintain enough fuel and cool the engine in between mowing.
4. Loses Power And Dies
Husqvarna mowers sometimes collapse easily in between operations due to dirty air filters, inefficient fuel systems, or stale fuel in the engine.
Old Fuels affect the engine’s efficiency and clog the tank and pipe. Blocked air filters from grass clippings, leaf remnants, and grime can affect airflow in the engine and cause breakdowns. Cooling fins are important for reducing the heat of the engine. Broken fins will result in overheating of the engine. The Clogged carburetor due to bad fuel can also lead to a powerless engine.
Solution:
- Remove and clear the air filters. Dust them nicely and replace them with new filters if needed.
- Drain out the previous fuel. Clean the tank and fill a new and fresh batch of fuel in it.
- Get the cooling fan repaired or replaced if no fixing is possible.
- Unclog the ethanol deposits from the carburetor components nicely.
5. Excessive Vibration
Do you feel shaky more than on normal days? This is due to the excessive vibration of the Husqvarna mower. Vibration is caused when the blades or cutting deck comes in contact with the lawn. It can increase due to uneven blade placement, missing or broken bolts, spindle blockage, low-quality bearings, and damaged deck belts or pulleys.
Unstable blades can cause most vibrations as it continuously cuts grass. Bolts are fitted in the engine to reduce the intensity of vibration. Grass shoots, long leaves, and twigs can wrap around the blade spindles causing vibrations. It can further increase due to ill-fitted ball bearings. Bearings falling out of a damaged clutch also promote vibrations.
Solutions:
- Install good-quality ball bearings.
- Clear up all the debris from the spindles and cutting deck.
- Check the blade placement for stable operation.
6. Mower Is Burning Excessive Fuel
Your fuel expenses will skyrocket if you don’t control the mower burning excessive fuel every time you mow your lawn. The main reason for fuel overuse is clogged air filters.
Air filters allow the entry of air into your mower. This air combines with fuel in a balanced proportion inside the carburetor and powers the engine. When the air filter is blocked due to dust and grass clippings, the air is unable to find a way to the carburetor. Therefore, the engine utilizes more fuel than required.
Fuel leakage into pipes or crankcase also leads to more fuel consumption. Insufficient oil in the tank leads to more friction in the engine. As the friction increases, the temperature increases, and the engine becomes hot, leading to more fuel burn. A blown head gasket also results in excess burning of oil.
Solution:
- It’s more budget-friendly to replace the engine head gasket than to repair it.
- Monitor the oil level after every use and maintain an ideal amount in the tank.
- Air filters must be cleared completely or replaced with new parts to ensure proper combustion in the carburetor.
7. Battery Is Constantly Draining
The last common Husqvarna riding mower problem is constant battery drainage. The entire battery system is controlled by a single generator called Alternator.
The alternator powers the engine with an electronic charge by transmitting voltage and charging the battery. A faulty alternator will fail to convert mechanical energy to electronic energy. There won’t be any transmission to charge the battery fully. As a result, the mower battery will drain out every time after little use itself. To fix these issues, replace the Alternator.
Conclusion
These were some common problems with Husqvarna riding mowers faced by most people who own any given brand mower model. Many issues can be self-solved without any professional. Major problems require replacement and professional help. Most of the issues arise from air filters, Fuel imbalance, carburetor damage, and blade failures.
We feel these issues can be avoided. Prevention is always better than cure. If you regularly maintain and clean your riding mower after every spin, the chances of developing any crucial issues are less likely.
It’s a heavy investment out of your pocket, so it’s your responsibility to take care of your machine as far as possible. Frequent breakdowns will cost you additional money. Touchwood to your Husqvarna riding mower.
