5 Most Common Husqvarna Zero Turn Mower Problems and Fixes

Husqvarna manufactures high-performance zero turns that can navigate through multiple terrains. Whether you want to mow flat yards or steep hills, Husqvarna zero-turn mowers will do the job in less time. They’re among the most reliable mowers for tackling extensive residential and commercial lawns.

But like mowers from other brands, Husqvarna zero turns can malfunction and halt your mowing operations. The most common Husqvarna zero turn mower problems are stalling, problematic starts, fuel leakage, excessive smoke emission, and steering issues.

If you’re a Husqvarna zero-turn owner, it’s necessary to understand the problems you might encounter with your mower and how to resolve them. Herein is a detailed Husqvarna zero-turn troubleshooting guide to help you out.

Husqvarna Zero Turn Won’t Move

Does your Husqvarna zero-turn mower start but fail to move forward or reverse? If that’s the case, your mower might have worn or broken components that hinder it from moving in any direction.  

The most common possible cause of this problem is a worn or broken drive belt. So, the first component you’ll want to inspect is the drive belt.

If it’s worn or broken, it won’t provide the required grip to rotate the pulleys. You can uninstall the worn or broken belt and replace it with a new one. Secure the belt around the pulleys. Then, inspect for rusted or defective pulleys. Lubricate rusted pulleys and replace them if the bearings don’t rotate.

A loose or misplaced key in the axle can also cause moving problems in your zero turn. If your mower has an axle key, check if it’s out of place and fix it in the axle. Then, check the idler arm spring to ascertain that it’s in good condition. If it’s broken or missing, replace it.

Another component you’ll want to check is the drive release lever. This lever plays a significant role in allowing hydrostatic mowers to move. If the drive release lever is incorrectly positioned, the mower won’t move. Fix the lever by putting it in its correct position.

Lastly, check if low or old/contaminated hydraulic oil is the culprit. If the hydraulic oil is low, old, or contaminated, it won’t lubricate the mower’s hydraulic system, causing moving problems. Add fresh oil if the level is low. For old or contaminated oil, drain and add fresh hydraulic oil.

Losing Power and Stalling

It’s common to find your Husqvarna zero-turn mower losing power and stalling intermittently. Like most Husqvarna zero turn mower problems, a stalling issue can occur due to poor maintenance. The primary culprits you should inspect are as follows:

• Clogged fuel lines
• Bad fuel
• Clogged air filtration system

To get to the root cause of this problem, check the fuel lines, fuel pump, carburetor, cooling fins, and air filter.

Start with the fuel tank and check the quality of your fuel. Bad fuel will have a foul smell and might look dark. It releases sediment that clogs up the lines. A clogged fuel line will cause the engine to lose power and stall despite adding fresh fuel.

Drain the tank and flush a fuel line cleaner into the lines to remove the sediments. Then fill the tank with high-quality fresh fuel and run the mower.

While still on the fuel system, inspect the carburetor and fuel pump. If these components get dirty or clogged, they prevent fuel from flowing, leading to stalling problems. Clean the carburetor and the pump to remove any deposits.

Next, check the air filter and cooling fins to see if they’re dirty or damaged. Dirt and debris can accumulate on the filter or fins, preventing air from cooling the engine. Remove the filter and the fins and clean them. If you find a damaged filter or broken fins, replace them.

Fuel Leakage

A fuel leakage issue might plague your Husqvarna zero-turn and trigger several engine problems. Thankfully, you can detect fuel leaks by paying attention to the following:

• The smell of leaking fuel
• Fuel level goes down fast
• Spots with dead grass around your lawn a few days after mowing
• Gas lurking around your garage

In most cases, fuel leaks in Husqvarna zero turns occur due to damaged fuel lines, a defective fuel tank, a damaged fuel pump, or an unsealed gas cap.

First, check the gas cap and ensure it is properly sealed. If the cap is worn and loose, replace it. Then, inspect the fuel tank and check for leaking areas. 

The gas tank will wear out with time and cause fuel to leak. Try repairing the leaking areas or replacing the tank if it appears old and worn out.

Husqvarna zero turns have rubber fuel lines that can wear and crack over time and leak fuel. If the lines appear worn, brittle, or cracked, replace them.

If the leaking problem persists, inspect the fuel pump and check if the fuel leaks at the seams. The fuel pump of these mowers will wear out and deteriorate over time and start leaking fuel. If the pump appears worn, replace it.

Steering in the Wrong Direction

Does your zero-turn pull to one side, and it feels tough to drive straight? If that’s the case, your Husqvarna zero turn has a steering problem. Several factors can cause the mower to steer in the wrong direction or become difficult to drive straight. They include the following:

• Incorrect tire pressure
• Bad dampers
• Worn or loose components

To fix Husqvarna zero turn mower problems related to the steering, start by checking the tires. Inaccurate pressure in your mower tires can cause steering difficulties. The mower might move in one direction.

Tire pressure can decrease with regular use. The tires become uneven and cause steering problems. Check the tires and ensure they have equal pressure, as Husqvarna recommends.

If your zero-turn has bad or defective dampers, you’ll find it difficult to steer it around your yard. Inspect the dampers and replace them if they’re faulty.

Lastly, check the steering system for worn or loose components. You can look for worn or loose washers, bushing, and gearing assembly. When these components wear out or become loose, they weaken the steering. Replace these parts if necessary.

Smokes While Running

Husqvarna zero turns can start to emit smoke as a warning sign to indicate issues with the engine. If you notice excessive smoke from the exhaust, stop the engine and look for the cause.

In most cases, your mower will emit excessive smoke due to an improper air-to-fuel ratio. As a result, the engine runs too rich and burns more fuel than air. Other causes of mower smoking include insufficient oil, leaks, a clogged air filter, and internal engine problems.

Before checking the engine components, inspect the air filter. If it has dirt or debris, it prevents airflow, causing the engine to run too rich. Clean the filter and replace it if it appears damaged.

Excessive oil can find its way into the cylinder due to pressure buildup in the tank. When the oil gets into the cylinder, your mower will emit smoke. You can drain excess oil from the tank to the recommended level. Add fresh oil if the problem occurs due to a low oil level.

Lastly, check for a defective gasket, piston ring, or valve assembly. These components succumb to wear and damage when the engine runs with insufficient oil. Take your zero-turn to a local repair shop and let a professional inspect these parts and replace them if necessary.

Husqvarna Zero Turn Recalls

As mentioned earlier, Husqvarna zero turns are prone to fuel line issues that can cause fuel to leak. This problem is one of the reasons why Husqvarna recalled many zero turns. 

The recall was due to the manufacturer accidentally routing the fuel line incorrectly.

This fuel line can succumb to wear, leak gasoline and pose a fire hazard. You can check the list of affected zero-turn models on the CPSC website. 

If your zero-turn is among the affected models, return it to the manufacturer for inspection and repair.

Are Husqvarna Zero Turn Mower Problems a Deal Breaker?

While Husqvarna zero turns are prone to problems, they’re among the best mowers for tackling small- to large-sized lawns. These mowers are powerful and will offer clean cuts in less time.

If you encounter Husqvarna mower issues, diagnose and fix them promptly. You can also take your zero-turn to a local repair shop and have a professional fix the problems.