6 Common Problems with Husqvarna Riding Mowers and Their Fixes

Husqvarna is one of the most trusted riding mowers manufacturers, but Husqvarna riding mowers are also infamous for common problems that often appear out of the blue.

Here are 6 common Husqvarna Riding Mowers problems that you should be aware of:

  • Starting Failure
  • Engine Malfunctioning
  • Carburetor Problems
  • Poor Cutting Performance
  • Steering Faults
  • Transmission Troubles

Keep reading the following article to discover more about these six common Husqvarna Riding Mower problems and learn how to fix them_

common problems with Husqvarna riding mowers

Here’s How to Fix The 6 Common Problems with Husqvarna Riding Mowers:

Check out the causes behind each problem and discover easy fixing ideas:

1. Starting Failure

One might encounter one of the following scenarios with the Husqvarna riding mowers:

Common ScenariosCauses
Hard to turn on or startOperator’s mistake, Lack of fuel or bad gasoline, Dirty/blocked filters & pumps, Worn spark plug,Damaged starter switch
There’s No crank or clickOld or contaminated fuel, Brittle and cracked primer bulb, or Defective spark plug
Won’t start or complete starting failureOperator’s mistake, Lack of fuel or bad gasoline, Dirty/blocked filters & pumps, Worn spark plug, Damaged starter switch
Doesn’t start after running for a whileInsufficient fuel level, Long grass got trapped inside the mower, Faulty filters or spark plug

Whichever situation you are in, be sure your mower’s fuel tank is not empty, and the fuel in the tank is neither tainted nor poor.

Confirm the brake pedal is pressed & the brake lever is in the “On” position.

If fuel is not the problem, start the investigation from the very basics:

  • Look for defective/broken spark plug and service or replace it.
  • Check whether the air filter is dirty or severely clogged. Either clean or replace the filter.
  • If the issue was caused by a flaw in the fuel delivery system, here’s the easiest way to find out the issue & fix it:

If your Husqvarna still does not crank or there’s no click_

  • Inspect the solenoid coil & replace it if it’s bad.
  • If you have a flat or dead internal battery, try to start the Husqvarna with jumper cables or replace the battery.
  • Inspect the primer bulb, and if it’s cracked, replace it.
  • Clean all the trapped grass out of the mower deck.
  • Check the ignition/starter switch & brake switch on your mower. Replace them if necessary.

2. Engine Malfunctioning

Over time, you will notice one of the following engine problems with your Husqvarna riding mowers:

Common IssuesReasons
Engine starting difficulty or poor performancePoor/bad fuel,Clogged air filter, No spark due to faulty plug
Sudden smoke emissionFlooded mower engine due to too much oil Crankcase Vacuum loss due to faulty breather assembly, faulty seated dipstick, tube, or valve cover
Unusual knocking, tapping, or rattling noise from the mower engine  Low engine oil, Worn/dirty internal assembly components
Excess vibrationLoose Engine mounting bolts/nuts,The mounting clamp of the muffler is not aligned,Bent/damaged blades, spindles, or pulleysDefective drive belt
Engine belts won’t engageWorn or damaged belts
Problem with bagging, disposing, or mulchingThe engine not running at full throttle
Burning excess fuelExcess or low oil in the engine crankcaseWorn or damaged piston rings Oil leaking from engine assembly or lubrication system

Check these basics first:

  • Refill the engine oil or drain out the excess oil.
  • Service the air filter, spark plug & wires.
  • Change the faulty engine belts.
  • Inspect the internal muffler & clean or replace it.
  • Confirm that the engine is running at full throttle.
  • Examine the crankshaft pulleys & piston rings. Service them if needed.
  • Check the breather assembly & replace the tube if necessary.
  • Ensure that the dipstick is seated properly in place. Replace the dipstick tube & valve cover if required.
  • Tighten or replace the engine bolts/nuts if required.
  • Re-align the muffler mounting clamp properly.
  • Replace the faulty spindle/bearings.

Besides that, check the mower blades to see whether they are dull or bent.

  • If any of them is bent, properly straighten them.
  • If they are broken or dull, replace them.

3. Carburetor Problems

You might notice either of the below issues when the Husqvarna carburetor has a problem_

The engine begins but immediately starts stalling due to:

Sticky substances left by the old fuel and dirt clogged the carburetor.

So, check & clean the carburetor thoroughly.

Mower stops or dies in between mowing due to:

Either sudden power loss caused by any issue in the fuel system or the dirty carburetor on your mower.

If you’re certain there’s nothing wrong with the mower’s fuel system, make sure the carburetor is not clogged and look for any faulty internal component that might be causing the issue.

Service or replace defective components.

Maneuvering too slow due to:

A plugged carburetor.

So, check your mower carburetor and ensure that it’s clean.

Black steam or smoke emission due to:

A damaged float needle in the carburetor.

Check the float needle & replace it if needed.

Related Post: Type of Oil to Use in Husqvarna Riding Mowers (A Complete Guide)

4. Poor Cutting Performance

Users might sometimes experience one of the below performance issues with their Husqvarna riding mower_

Mower Blades fail to engage due to:

  • Worn or incorrectly installed drive/deck belt: Locate and check the deck/drive belt to see whether it’s loose or damaged. Replace the blade/drive belt.
  • Improper belt tension: See if tightening the connection or adjusting the drive belt tension fixes the problem.

Mower does not go straight or turn in the right direction because of:

  • An imbalance in tire pressure: Check & adjust the pressure to maintain the balance if necessary.
  • A faulty damper on your riding mower: Replace the damper if needed.

Also, check internal components such as bushings, gears, and washers. Replace them if required.

Mower Cuts unevenly due to:

  • Too slow engine speed: Make sure your engine is running at an adequate speed and tire pressure is balanced on all tires.
  • A faulty blade on your mower: Check & service the mower blades as needed.
  • Faulty spindles or bearings: Replace the spindles & bearings if required.

Stops while cutting:
It happens when the grass on your lawn is taller than usual, and the mower deck is adjusted too low to cut them evenly.

Adjust cutting deck height on a riding Husqvarna lawn mower

5. Steering Faults

The two most common steering problems that often Husqvarna users encounter from time to time are:

Loose or clumsy steering wheel:

CauseSolution
A partially or fully damaged steering mechanismRequire professional servicing.

Difficult in controlling the steering:

CausesSolutions
Any fault or damage in the steering systemDamaged or worn wheelsNeed professional servicing. Replace the wheels if necessary.

6. Transmission Troubles

The most common transmission problems that Husqvarna users often experience are:

Bad Hydrostatic Transmission due to:

  • Old fuel or lack of oil: Change the fuel & put an adequate amount of oil in the reservoir
  • Defective deck belt: Check & adjust the tension or replace the belt.
  • Faulty pulley: Identify whether the pulley is bad & replace it.

Mower Transmission constantly slipping due to:

  • Low trans fluid level: Inspect & refill the fluid if needed.
  • Faulty transmission belt: Replace the belt.

Transmission fails to engage due to:

  • Loose or damaged transmission clutch: Check & replace the clutch accordingly.
  • Faulty gears: Inspect the gears on the transmission system & replace them if necessary.

Related Post: Husqvarna Riding Mower Won’t Move Forward Or Reverse – What To Do Now?

Frequently Asked Queries (FAQs)

How long does a Husqvarna riding mower last?

These mowers can last up to 15 years if properly maintained.

What is the cause of the Husqvarna riding mower power loss?

A worn or loose belt tensioner.

When should the oil in your Husqvarna riding mower be changed?

Change the oil annually or per season.

What engine oil should I use on my Husqvarna riding mower?

Husqvarna brand only recommends using its premium quality Full Synthetic 10W-30 4-Stroke motor oil.

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