Husqvarna Riding Mowers Problems + How to Fix

Husqvarna riding mowers are popular due to their state-of-the-art build and exceptional performance. However, like any other power equipment brand, they sometimes suffer maintenance issues. 

The most common problems with Husqvarna riding mowers include 

• The mower leaks gas
• The mower won’t start
• The mower cuts unevenly
• The mower pops or backfires
• The mower has bad transmission
• The mower has unnecessary vibrations

I’ll help you troubleshoot Husqvarna riding mower common problems and fix them. 

Are Husqvarna riding lawn mowers good?

Husqvarna riding lawn mowers feature on many lists of the best lawnmowers. The company focuses on innovation to make users more comfortable and their power machines more user-friendly.

Husqvarna riding lawn mowers feature a compact design for easy storage and convenient handling. The seats are designed to provide comfort to varying body physiques while mowing.

They’re highly user-friendly as you can easily adjust the mowing height from the seat. The ergonomically designed steering wheel also delivers improved comfort.

Due to its air induction mowing system, you are guaranteed a clean and even cut with this mower. Meanwhile, a mulcher feature ensures that you don’t have to come back and collect the cut grass clippings after mowing.

Note: Husqvarna lawnmowers also allow tow-behind add-ons such as dethatching tools.

Common problems with Husqvarna riding mowers?

The most common problems with Husqvarna riding mowers include are mainly mechanical. The mowers develop problems as they age. However, you can fix those problems if you know where to look. Alternatively, you can call an expert if the problems are too technical for DIY fixes. 

The engine won’t start

An unresponsive engine is arguably the most common problem with Husqvarna riding lawn mowers. Engine startup failure can be caused by routine maintenance issues, a dirty/clogged fuel filter, a damaged spark plug, a clogged carburetor, a faulty fuel pump, a damaged ignition coil, and a broken recoil spring.

Routine maintenance issues

Mower startup problems can be due to a lack of enough fuel in the tank, the control lever isn’t set to ‘neutral,’ or a flooded engine. It could also be that the freewheel control hasn’t been engaged, or the attachment clutch hasn’t been disengaged.

Clogged fuel filter

Old fuel that has been in the engine for too long becomes stale and degrades into a thick sticky fluid that clogs the fuel filter and causes the engine not to start.

Damaged spark plug

The spark plug kickstarts the ignition needed for mower startup. The spark plug can malfunction if its porcelain insulator cracks, the electrode has excessive carbon buildup, or the electrode burns.

Clogged carburetor

The carburetor is where air and fuel are mixed and combusted to power the engine. If old fuel clogs the carburetor components, there’s an imbalance in the air-fuel mixture. The carburetor cannot produce enough power to run the engine.

Faulty fuel pump

Engine oil used for engine lubrication can overflow from the crankcase and leak into the fuel pump via the pulse port. Fuel won’t be pumped correctly with a malfunctioning pulse port, leading to startup failure.

Damaged ignition coil

The ignition coil is responsible for voltage transfer to the spark plug. Therefore, your Husqvarna mower won’t start if the ignition coil is worn out and cannot deliver enough voltage to the spark plug.

Broken recoil spring

The recoil spring retracts the starter rope via a pulley system. If the recoil spring breaks, your Husqvarna’s engine won’t.

Mower blade won’t engage

Another common problem with Husqvarna riding mowers is the blades failing to engage. This issue is usually caused by a drained battery or a defective engine drive belt, deck belt, or PTO switch. It could also be that you’ve forgotten to turn off the safety switch.

Damaged PTO switch 

The Power Take-Off (PTO) switch transmits power to the drive belts via the PTO clutch and the operator. When this switch is faulty or worn out, it’s unable to transfer adequate power to the PTO clutch. As a result, the drive belts fail to engage, and the mower blades don’t rotate.

Faulty deck belt

The deck belt is a vital component of the mower’s pulley system that facilitates blade engagement. Your Husqvarna mower blades can fail to rotate if the deck belt is dirty, damaged, or misplaced.

Defective drive belt

The drive belt kickstarts mower propulsion and blade rotation by transmitting radial torque from the engine shaft to the transmission’s input shaft. When this component is worn out, stretched out, or incorrectly mounted.

Battery keeps dying

The third common problem with Husqvarna riding mowers is when the battery keeps dying. This usually happens when the alternator is defective.

The alternator controls the battery’s charging system by transmitting voltage to the battery while the mower is in use. Therefore, a faulty alternator that cannot transmit voltage will cause the battery to drain and die.

Mower emitting black smoke

Sometimes, black smoke comes out of your Husqvarna riding lawnmower’s exhaust system. The most likely reason is excess oil leaking out of the crankcase and flooding the engine.

If that’s not the case, the other likely reason is the loss of crankcase vacuum, a problem that stems from the following factors:

• An improperly seated dipstick
• The engine breather assembly has malfunctioned.

The third cause of Husqvarna lawn mower smoking is a clogged air filter. When grass clippings, dirt, and debris block the air filter, the airflow to the carburetor is limited. This throws the air-fuel mixture off-balance, resulting in smoke coming out the muffler.

Finally, black smoke coming out of the mower’s exhaust can be due to insufficient oil in the engine. Insufficient oil increases friction between the engine parts, causing the engine to heat up and emit smoke.

Mower doesn’t drive straight

Sometimes, your Husqvarna riding mower won’t steer correctly, causing it to pull towards one side rather than in a straight line. This problem can be caused by unequal tire pressure, faulty dampers, and worn/loose steering parts.

Unequal tire pressure 

The mower won’t steer correctly when the tires on one side of your Husqvarna riding mower have more pressure than those on the opposite side.

Bad dampers 

To keep the mower from jerking off-course during forward movement, dampers on Husqvarna mowers need to be in peak condition.

Faulty steering components

Parts of the steering system such as the gears, washers, and bushings can wear down, preventing the mower from driving in a straight line.

How to fix Husqvarna riding mower issues?

The appropriate fix for Husqvarna mower problems depends on the problem. Most of the fixes involve either repairing or replacing the faulty components.

Fixing Husqvarna engine startup failure

• Drain the fuel tank and refill it with fresh gasoline.
• Ensure the spark plug is gapped as per the manufacturer’s requirements. If the spark plug is worn out, replace it with a new one.
• Remove and clean the air filter. However, replace it with a new one if it’s badly plugged.
• Replace the fuel filter if it’s clogged.
• Replace the fuel pump if it’s faulty.
• Clean the carburetor using carb cleaner aerosol spray, and replace faulty carburetor parts.
• Restring the recoil spring. Alternatively, replace the entire recoil starter assembly.
• Test the ignition coil. Replace it with a new one if it’s damaged.

Fixing Husqvarna mower blades that won’t engage

• Test the PTO switch using a multimeter to check continuity. Replace it with a new PTO switch if there’s no continuity.
• Realign the deck belt if it’s misplaced. Replace it with a new one if it’s damaged.
• Make sure the engine drive belt is mounted correctly. If it’s badly worn out, install a new engine belt.

Fixing Husqvarna battery that keeps dying

• Replace the faulty alternator.
• Relieve the buildup of deposits at the battery electrodes using a wire brush

Fixing Husqvarna mower that’s emitting black smoke

• If there’s excess oil in the crankcase, drain some of it to the manufacturer’s required level.
• If engine parts have overheated due to insufficient oil, get an engine repair technician to repair the engine parts.
• If the air filter is clogged, clean it or replace it with a new one.

Fixing Husqvarna mower that doesn’t drive straight

• Check tires for unequal pressure. Fill them all under the same pressure.
• Replace bad dampers with new ones.
• Replace faulty steering components with new ones.

References

i. Husqvarna.com: Lawn Mower Repair Tips – A Self-help Guide