Husqvarna mower steering problems. How To Adjust Steering On Husqvarna Zero Turn
How To Adjust Steering On Husqvarna Zero Turn
One of a zero-turn mower’s most important features is steering. Many property owners adore their Husqvarna Zero Turn’s easy maneuverability and smooth steering when maintaining your lawn. However, they find it difficult to adjust the mower’s steering while it is veering off course. Fortunately, we are here to help you adjust the steering on your Husqvarna Zero Turn and to share what we have learned about the mower.
The Husqvarna Zero Turn’s steering can be adjusted by following these easy steps;
- Turn off your zero-turn mower
- Check tire pressure
- Adjusting steering lever height
- Adjust the steering lever width
- Adjust the steering lever reach
This article outlines how to adjust the steering on a Husqvarna Zero Turn. We will also go through common steering issues, its lifespan, and some maintenance advice to make it last longer. Let’s get started!
How To Adjust The Steering On Your Husqvarna Zero Turn Mower
Your steering may also be directly altered by adjusting the levers on your zero-turn mower. Lever misalignment can result in steering problems, which will cause you to mow erratically. You can adjust the lever several ways to improve your comfort level while using the equipment.
Step 1- Turn Off Your Zero Turn Mower
Make sure your zero-turn mower is turned off and has no moving parts before you begin the adjusting process. Instead of leaving your Husqvarna Zero Turn out on the lawn where the ground can be uneven, park it on a flat surface.
Step 2-Check Tire Pressure
Check the front and rear tires of your zero-turn mower for any damage, and ensure all tires are inflated to the same pressure. Otherwise, use a tire inflator to pump air into the underinflated tire.
Never let the tire pressure on your zero-turn vehicle reach its maximum, and avoid adding air to any tire that is already at the correct pressure. If you exceed the maximum level, especially when mowing on a slick or wet surface, your handling will be affected.
Step 3-Adjusting Steering Lever Height
Locate the bolts that secure the levers. The two bolts that attach the levers are located at the sides. Unscrew the nuts with a wrench and set the height of the levers to a position that is comfortable for you. Next, reinstall and tighten the bolts.
Step 4-Adjust The Steering Lever Width
Loosen the mounting hardware on your lap bars’ lower control arm. Loosen the bolt and locate the spacer to adjust the lever’s width. With the bolt on the spacer, adjust the lever to the ideal position. Attach the mounting hardware back, then tighten the bolt.
Step 5-Adjust The Steering Lever Reach
Identifying the mounting hardware on the upper steering arm will allow you to modify the lever reach. Remove the bolts holding the mounting hardware in place, then, based on how comfortable it is for you, move the steering ahead, away from you, or back towards you. For your steering to be stable, tighten the mounting bolts.
Watch this video for more details.
What Are the Most Common Steering Problems With Your Husqvarna Zero Turn?
If the connecting components, such as the deck and the tires, have a problem, it may not be easy to drive the Husqvarna zero-turn mower smoothly. Below is a list of steering issues; learn how to fix these with the explanations provided.
Insufficient Tire Pressure
Depending on how often your mower is used, the tires’ pressure can rise or fall. It is difficult to freely steer the mower when the tire pressure is out of balance. As recommended by Husqvarna, check the tire pressure and maintain it at the same level in all the tires.
Zero Turn Tracking Not Adjusted Properly
When one tire on the mower moves quickly while the other moves slowly, the mower will continue to pull toward the quicker side, making steering difficult. To adjust the rotational speed of the tire, change the speed of the adjustment rivets.
Wobbly Components Of The Steering System
The washers, gear assembly, and bushings all deteriorate with time. Frequent usage weakens the steering mechanism. Closely examine each component and replace if needed.
Malfunctioning Zero Turn Dampers
It will be difficult to maneuver the mower from one side to the other if the dampers are broken. Examine the dampers and replace them if necessary.
What Are Some Maintenance Tips For Your Husqvarna Zero Turn?
The greatest investment you make in your yard may be a Husqvarna zero-turn mower. Like other investments, it’s crucial to ensure you perform the suggested maintenance to keep it functioning smoothly. To help you keep your Husqvarna zero-turn mower in good condition, we’ve provided some maintenance schedule tips.
Sharpen The Blades
Better cut quality and less need to mow the same area repeatedly are two benefits of sharp mower blades. This not only saves time but also ensures that your zero-turn mower won’t suffer equipment damage from the unbalanced blades.
Blade sharpening may be done by anyone with the right equipment, but you might want to take your equipment to a service center for this maintenance advice.
The flat file can be used to sharpen the blade of your lawnmower.
Change The Oil
The engine life of your zero-turn lawn mower can be greatly extended with just a small outlay for oil changes. Follow the engine manual’s recommended oil change intervals consistently.
The number of hours you use the mower determines how often the oil needs to be changed. Change it on the safe side if you can’t recall how many hours have passed when you’re using it. To check the oil level, use a dipstick.
Check The Air Filter
One of the simplest maintenance procedures for a functional zero-turn lawn mower is checking and replacing the air filter. To find out how to inspect the air filter, consult your user handbook. Replace the air filter with a new one if it is dirty or damaged. It can also be cleaned using an air compressor and a soft brush.
Check The Mower Belts
You can become stuck in your lawn if your mower belt fails. Always check your belts periodically for deterioration or cracks. Make sure to replace the mower belts if they develop any indications of wear before making your stripes.
Check The Mower Deck
The mower may also be damaged, the cut quality may be affected, and you may permanently damage your lawn if the deck of your zero-turn mower is overloaded with grass cuttings, debris, and trash. The mower spindles and blades can become damaged and need to be replaced because the grass, dirt, and debris contain moisture that can corrode the bare metal.
Cleaning the equipment after each use is strongly advised to prevent this corrosion problem.
Check The Spark Plug
A mower‘s spark plug provides the initial spark to ignite the fuel mixture for an explosion. The spark plug explosion contributes to the machine’s ability to produce power.
Therefore, remember to change the spark plug on schedule if you are worried about the lifespan of your zero-turn mower. The most important part of any machine is the spark plug, and if it breaks down, you will have a lot to be worried about since the engine will not be able to start.
A poor spark plug will cause the engine to misfire, lower power output, and significantly affect fuel efficiency. If neglected for a long time, a bad spark plug could cause an out-of-order lawn mower.
How Long Does A Zero Turn Mower Last?
How well you take care of a zero-turn mower will determine how long it lasts.
Your lawn mower can last up to 2,500 to 5,000 hours if you take care of them and change its oil regularly. However, if you use the lawn mower roughly, it won’t matter how well-made it is or how much money you spend on it—it will break down sooner than it should.
Conclusion
It’s simple to make adjustments to your Husqvarna Zero Turn. A wrench is all you need to deal with nuts and bolts; no further tools are needed. Steering adjustments can be mostly altered based on your comfort level or when your mower has trouble following the correct mowing route. Nevertheless, you will greatly benefit from the brief and simple steps outlined.
If you found this post helpful, check out these related articles:
Husqvarna Zero Turn One Side, not Working (Fixed)
If your Husqvarna zero-turn mower is only working on one side, there are a few possible causes.
The most common cause is an issue with the drive belt, hydraulic oil, and steering arm bolt.
In this blog post, we will take a look at the common causes of why your Husqvarna zero turn one side not working and how to fix it.
How to Fix Husqvarna Zero Turn One Side not Working?
Check Hydraulic Oil
If your Husqvarna zero-turn mower is having issues with one side not working, the first thing you should check is the hydraulic oil level.
The hydrostat drives on these mowers can be sensitive, and if the oil level is too low, it can cause problems.
So, check if the oil level is low then fill it, and if low remove some oil from it.
How do you check the hydraulic fluid on a Husqvarna zero-turn mower?
To check the hydraulic fluid on your Husqvarna zero-turn mower, first, locate the dipstick.
The dipstick is usually located near the front of the mower, on the right side.
Once you have located the dipstick, pull it out and wipe it clean with a rag. Then, reinsert the dipstick into the reservoir and pull it out again. This time, check the level of the fluid on the dipstick.
If the fluid is at or below the “low” mark, then you will need to add more fluid.
To do so, simply remove the cap from the reservoir and pour in the hydraulic fluid until it reaches the “full” mark on the dipstick.
What kind of hydraulic fluid does a Husqvarna Zero Turn take?
If your Husqvarna Zero Turn has Hydro-Gear transmissions and pumps, the recommended hydraulic fluid is 20W-50 motor oil or 15W-50 synthetic motor oil.
Check for Damage
If you see any damage to the hydrostat drives or hoses, that could be the cause of your problem.
If the hoses are leaking or damaged, they will need to be replaced.
Inspect the Belts
The drive belts on Husqvarna zero-turn mowers can also cause problems if they are worn or damaged on one side.
And your mower will not work from that side.
So, to fix the problem these belts need to be in good condition in order to work properly.
If they are not in working condition then replace them.
Check the Tire Pressure
If one side of your mower is not working, it could also be due to an issue with the tire pressure.
So, check the pressure on both sides and adjust as needed.
Check the Steering Arm Bolts
Another thing you should check is the steering arm bolts.
Very often they are loose and the arm doesn’t pull the valve rod that controls the hydrostat unit.
So, make sure these are tight and not causing any problems.
Check the Splines
The splines can also be an issue on Husqvarna zero-turn mowers. These are the key that fits into grooves in a wheel’s hub and shaft.
They can become stripped over time, which will cause problems with one side of the mower not working.
So, if you think this might be the problem, you will need to replace the splines. Replace the Spindles.
The primary steps to do this are:
Loosen three bolts with the 1/2-inch wrench to remove the mower deck spindle assembly cover and remove the cover from the socket.
Using a 1/2-inch wrench, remove the mower deck belt. To loosen the tensioner pulley and lower the belt, use a socket wrench and cheater bar.
Using the 1-1/8″ wrench, remove the nut on the top of the spindle’s spline with an adjustable wrench or socket.
Bad Dampers
If you have a bad damper, it can cause your Husqvarna zero-turn mower to jerk to one side when you try to move it forward.
This can also cause the mower to pull on one side.
The fix is simple – replace the dampers.
You may also want to replace the springs, as sometimes the steering arms are not automatically pushed back by the new dampers.
Traction Adjustment
If one of your back wheels is slipping more on one side, it’s time for a traction adjustment.
Depending on your model of mower, this can be a complicated process that is best left to an expert.
You can find the specific instructions for your model in the operator’s manual.
To avoid this problem in the future, try reducing tire pressure, choosing larger tires, and avoiding abrupt turns or Rapid stops on a hill. Mowing on damp grass is also not recommended.
Dragging Brake
If your Husqvarna zero-turn mower is pulling to one side, it could be caused by a frozen brake caliper or an issue with the brakes themselves.
To fix this issue, you will need to remove a tire to take a look at the brakes.
A specific tool is supplied to exert force and retract the pad for seized caliper pistons or sliding pins.
A simple C-clamp is frequently used.
Once you have access to the brakes, you can assess the situation and make any necessary repairs.
Related Questions
How often do you change the oil in the Husqvarna Zero turn mower?
If you use your Husqvarna Zero turn mower regularly, it is important to change the engine oil and filter regularly to keep the engine lubricated and running smoothly.
For most residential zero-turn mowers, the recommended interval is every 50 hours or annually. For commercial zero-turn mowers, the recommended interval is every 100 hours or annually.
Be sure to consult your owner’s manual for specific recommendations for your model.
Conclusion
The Husqvarna zero-turn mower is a great investment for those who want a top-quality, durable, and reliable product that will offer years of trouble-free service.
However, as with any mechanical device, there are occasional problems that can occur.
If one side of your Husqvarna zero-turn mower is not working properly, there are a few potential causes that you can check that we wrote above.
Hopefully one of them will work for you and your mower will again work like normal.
I’m David man behind Lawn Mowerly; I’ve been dealing with lawnmowers and Tractors with my father since I was a kid. I know every make and model and what each one is capable of and love helping people find the perfect lawn mower for their needs.
The Best Zero-Turn Mowers of 2023
These achieve the rare feat of making lawn mowing fun.
By Roy Berendsohn Published: Mar 1, 2023
When it comes to yard work, zero turn mowers do the impossible. They make lawn mowing fun. They accomplish this by putting unprecedented speed, control and maneuverability at the disposal of the person mowing the lawn. The so-called “zero turn” feature of these mowers converts a grass cutting machine into something akin to an amusement park ride. You steer the machine with two levers—the left lever controls the left wheel, the right lever the right wheel. With that steering setup, you can zoom over the landscape cutting straight lines, curves, or pivot the mower into and out of a corner. What’s not to like?
Read on to understand how these agile grass cutters work, how we go about testing them, and see some candidates that we’ve recently tested as well as some that we haven’t but that we think look particularly promising.
How Zero-Turn Mowers Work
A zero-turn riding mower consists of an operator platform, a frame and wheels, an engine (or battery bank), transmissions (or motors), and a pair of control levers commonly known as lap bars. In gas mowers, the engine powers a pulley system. One group of pulleys drives the blades, another group powers a pair of transmissions–one at each rear wheel. When you move the lap bar forward or back, you are directing the transmission to go faster, slower, or even turn the opposite way. When one drive wheel turns clockwise and the other counter clockwise, the mower pivots. When the wheels rotate at different rates, the mower turns in an arc-shaped path. When the lap bars are in the neutral position, the mower stops. Aside from a parking brake, there’s no other braking mechanism. Battery-powered zero-turn mowers work the same way, but have separate motors to drive the rear wheels and one for each blade inside the mower deck.
When it comes to transmission, most mowers have a Hydrogear EZT—a well-known and cost-effective residential-grade transaxle with a reputation for durability.
Some mowers use a deck stamped from one piece of steel, others use a deck fabricated from multiple pieces and welded together. A fabricated deck can be built from thicker steel at a lower cost than it would be able to be built otherwise. Once you’re talking about stamping metal as thick as 10 gauge (about 1⁄8 inch thick), the cost of stamping such a deck would push up the mower’s price beyond what most people are willing to pay. The decks in the mowers below range from 42 to 52 inches, a typical size in this class of product. When powered by these engines and the Hydrogear, these mowers will deliver a decent cut quality at their rated top speed of 7 mph. Note, however, that cut quality declines steeply if you maintain that speed in very thick grass or on uneven terrain.
As to the electric mowers, they represent the leading edge of the technology in this category. These are remarkable and expensive mowers powered by large-voltage lithium-ion batteries. If you’re interested in reducing mowing noise and simplifying your maintenance routine by eliminating gas and oil, they’re worth a look.
Selecting a Zero-Turn Mower
Everyone would like to select the biggest possible zero-turn mower with the hope of whittling a big grass cutting job down to size as quickly as possible. Reality usually intercedes because these machines are expensive and the wide range of options available today quickly drive up the cost. Roughly speaking, you start somewhere in the range of a mower with a 42-inch deck costing in the vicinity of 3200 to 3500 and move up in increments of 1000 to 1500 until you reach entry-level commercial-grade equipment that costs 7000 to 8000.
Again, speaking in terms of approximation, a mower with a 42-inch deck will cut a two-acre lot (that takes into account that the house, driveway, outbuildings and various landscape features are taking up some of that space). Use a mower with a larger deck to cut anything over two acres. But here’s the caveat. That entry-level ZTR mower (3200, say) with a 42-inch deck will wear out faster and need more maintenance than a mower with a 50-inch deck, a heavier frame, larger engine and higher quality transmissions, and thicker deck with more robust blade spindles, costing 4500.
In the simplest possible terms, you can cut a smaller area with a larger mower and expect more longevity out of the machine (not to mention a nicer mowing experience) or you can cut a larger area with a smaller machine and encounter more maintenance and a mowing experience that will be, we might say, a bit more rugged.
But there are still other factors to consider, in selecting a mower other than deck size and your budget. Larger mowers take more space in a garage or outbuilding. And a mower with a 50-inch or even 60-inch deck, as useful as it might be in getting the job done more quickly, may not fit through a fence’s gate, and it might be more difficult to maneuver in tight spots without creating scalp marks on the lawn from a lot of close-quarter pivoting.
Carefully consider all these factors when shopping for a mower: your budget, maintenance and whether you will perform that work yourself, mowing speed and time, maneuverability and trimming in tight areas, the importance that you place on your comfort while mowing, cut quality, longevity, storage, and access to the landscape.
How We Select and Test
There’s only one way to test a mower, and that’s to cut grass with it. But we also do more than mow.
We raise and lower the deck and adjust the seat. We look at service point access (the air filter, the spark plug, and the oil filter) and how easy it is to remove the deck. We mow approximately an acre with each mower, considering cut and mulching quality while running uphill, downhill, across washboard, and along sidehills. (On sidehills, we’ll mow surfaces pitched up to approximately 20 degrees; manufacturers generally recommend not going steeper than 10 degrees, but we like to be thorough.) We evaluate power and speed relative to cut quality—we investigate whether the mower delivers a decent cut mowing at full speed. When mowing in damp conditions, we look at whether the mower’s tires accumulate grass and how effectively it discharges moist clippings. Finally, we test maneuverability (these machines are, generally, very nimble) and how readily they come to a stop when you back off the lap bar control levers.
Husqvarna front wheel adjustment
Anyone know how to adjust the front wheels on a 2013 Husqvarna Fast Tractor? I noticed my wheels are pointing inward, so when steering wheel is straight, one wheels close to straight and the other points out. I didn’t notice it last year, but when I pulled it out to get it ready for this year I noticed it. Thanks for any help.
Senior Member Join Date Jul 2008 Location Melbourne Age 59 Posts 12,740 Thanks 16,580 Thanked 7,201 Times in 3,648 Posts Rep Power 2190 Reputation 79113
Junior Member Join Date Apr 2015 Posts 5 Thanks 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Rep Power 0 Reputation 30
if the tie rod end are adjustable? the easiest way is to take a piece of something flat i use angle iron but can be anything. place it against outside of tire and wheel and cut 2 notches just in front and back of tire on both sides and then use a measuring tape and set the toe (or front measurement ) to where it is approx. 1/8 inch greater than rear measurement.
The Following User Says Thank You to slowride56 For This Useful Post:
Senior Member Join Date Jan 2008 Posts 5,458 Thanks 4,638 Thanked 3,135 Times in 1,633 Posts Rep Power 0 Reputation 29602
if your fast tractor is anything similar to my Husqvarna ride on mower, there are no tie rods you either have run into something which has bent one side or a bush needs replacing
Crazy Diamond Join Date Dec 2010 Location Tasmania Age 63 Posts 6,353 Thanks 10,899 Thanked 5,402 Times in 2,640 Posts Rep Power 2131 Reputation 88377
I reckon you’re right weirdo, no tie rod adjustment.
If the tie rod arm is bent try the redneck method.(see video below) or replace it with a new one, I can’t see why you shouldn’t be able to straighten it though?
Slightly different tractor make/model; however the redneck style wheel alignment may prove useful. NOTE:I think I’d just lift up the front support it on stands rather than tip it on it’s rear end. Edit: also a bench vice is safer more appropriate than a rock.
Cheers, Tiny You can lead a person to knowledge, but you can’t make them think? If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem. The information is out there; you just have to let it in.
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Senior Member Join Date Jul 2008 Location Melbourne Age 59 Posts 12,740 Thanks 16,580 Thanked 7,201 Times in 3,648 Posts Rep Power 2190 Reputation 79113
Fark, the steering on that thing is a toy, my sons old plastic electric jeep had more robust steering.
LSemmens Join Date Dec 2011 Location Rural South OZ Posts 10,345 Thanks 11,622 Thanked 6,889 Times in 3,242 Posts Rep Power 3065 Reputation 129040
I straightened the forks on my motorbike with a couple of bits of wood and a sledge hammer once. (we were first day out on a long weekend) Mate took them to work the next week and found that we were only 1mm out on the worst one.
Junior Member Join Date Mar 2014 Posts 107 Thanks 75 Thanked 69 Times in 28 Posts Rep Power 144 Reputation 1360
if your fast tractor is anything similar to my Husqvarna ride on mower, there are no tie rods you either have run into something which has bent one side or a bush needs replacing
I found my owners manual and they are not adjustable. And no, I haven’t hit anything or done anything to bend it. I put 2 hours on it last year (it was brand new when I bought it) and I put less than an hour on this year. I ll look into all of your suggestions. Thanks everyone.
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Best thing to do is to compare it to another unit and also check for any wear before adjusting anything. If it has a very basic steering system, it may be normal for it to be toeing out slightly when straight ahead so that the toe out on turns is correct. Toe out on turns is needed when turning because each wheel needs to be at a different angle because of the different arc they make. If this is not correct it will rip up your lawn and turn badly. Just Google toe out on turns if you’re not sure what I mean.