4 Most Common Husqvarna Hydrostatic Drive Problems And How To Fix Them
The lawn tractors from Husqvarna are incredible. They offer superior overall performance and are highly reliable. However, they are not unbreakable. Like any other automotive, they can make you go through some problems. To illustrate, you can face Husqvarna hydrostatic drive problems at one point.
But among all the hydrostatic drive problems of Husqvarna, the most common are the hydraulic system overheating, fluid leakage in the transmission, pump failure, and malfunction in the cold hydraulic system.
What happens when these problems occur on the Husqvarna tractor mower? And most importantly, what should you do to fix the issues? All you need to do is keep on reading!
Husqvarna Hydrostatic Drive Overheating
Most of the temperature issues around hydrostatic transmissions are for fluid contamination. But why does fluid contamination occur? Here are the reasons why:
- Leak in the fluid system
- For the use of low-quality fluid
- Improper steps being taken during fluid transfer
- Problems with the tank and port
Solution
To fix the fluid contamination issue and eventually solve the overheating problem, you have to go through these steps:
- Drain the entire system
- Clean the reservoir and get rid of the dirt from the inside
- Flush the system using low-viscosity fluid
- Bleed and pump the vent
- Test the pump and see if the pressure is okay
- Start the pump and ensure that the fluids move through optimally
- Refill the system
Hydraulic Fuel Leak in the Hydrostatic Drive System
A leak in the oil can affect the power of the mower. Eventually, you will feel like the mower cannot plow through the lawn properly. In addition, you will not be able to run the tractor smoothly. You can even get a burning smell when riding the mower.
Wondering why does a fuel leak happen in a tractor? Generally, these are the reasons:
- For bad gaskets
- Damage in the fuel lines
- Problems with the tank
Solution
If there is a fuel leak in your Husqvarna tractor mower, these are the step you should go through:
- Check the condition of the fuel lines and change them if needed
- Inspect the rubber parts and replace them if they are worn or damaged
- Examine the seal and change the gaskets
- See if the crankset requires a replacement
Air in the Husqvarana Hydrostatic Transmission
For different reasons, air can get into the system. And when they do, many sorts of problems start to arise. For example, the pump will not be able to generate the right amount of pressure, which will make the mower feel less powerful.
The air basically takes up the space of the oil. And if there is not enough oil inside the system, you can not expect the mower to function optimally.
As stated earlier, air bubbles can form for different reasons. But generally, these are the cases:
- For overfilling the transmission fluid
- When the fluid level is too low
- Malfunction on the filter
- The fluid mixing up with other additives or contaminants
- Transmission pump failure
Solution
To fix the air problem inside the transmission, you must purge it. And these are the steps to do so:
- Locate the attachment lever, which is generally on the left side of the operator seat, and lift it up.
- Pull the freewheel control outward and down.
- Push the mower to a safe area.
- Get into the operator’s seat and press the brake pedal.
- While holding the brake pedal, disengage the cutting blades.
- Keep holding the pedal, and press the attachment clutch switch. It should be on the right side of the dash.
- Pull the choke out and below the throttle control. Insert and turn the ignition key when the engine starts. But release it right away.
- Lower the engine speed by working with the throttle control. Position the control lever in the middle, which is the neutral position. And then, slowly release the brake pedal.
- For the next five seconds, keep the control on “Forward.” Hold the control lever in the “Reverse” position for the other five seconds. Repeat this step three more times.
- On the rear side, engage the transmission and grab the freewheel control. Push the control inward and then turn the engine on. But lower the speed to one-half of the total capacity.
- Gently press on the brake pedal, adjust the motion control towards the “Forward” position, and make the mower drive about five feet forward. Then go five feet in reverse. Place the control in neutral. Repeat this step three more times.
Cold Hydraulic System Malfunction on Husqvarna
Last but not least, the hydraulic system of the mower can malfunction when it gets too cold. And these are the reasons why the system can have an extremely low temperature:
- The fluid is too thick (most common)
- Air and water contamination in the system is too high
- The pumps are not working properly
- The temperature sensor is malfunctioning
Solution
The easiest way to solve the low-temperature issue is to refill the anticoagulant in the transmission system. That will prevent the fluid from becoming too thick. Also, check the contamination level, the pump’s condition, and the temperature sensor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the disadvantages of hydrostatic transmission?
Hydrostatic transmissions do not associate with that many disadvantages. However, they require high maintenance and are more costly than the other types.
How long do the fluid and filters of hydrostatic transmissions last?
The fluid and filters of the hydrostatic transmissions generally last around 500 hours. But you should refer to the instruction of the manufacturer and follow the recommendation accordingly.
Is a hydrostatic transmission better in a lawn mower?
A hydrostatic transmission is better in a lawn mower because they offer higher flexibility in terms of speed. It also provides better control over the speed.
Can you pull start a hydrostatic tractor mower?
You can pull start a hydrostatic tractor mower. It has a mechanical connection between the engine and the wheels.
What happens if you push a hydrostatic mower?
When you push the hydrostatic mower, the fluid from the hydrostatic system will move backward. And when the fluid goes through the pump, there can be damage to the seals.
Final Words
To recapitulate, the most common Husqvaran hydrostatic drive problems are overheating, malfunction in the hydraulic system, fluid leakage, and pump failure. And as you can see, all of them are pretty easy to solve.
