Husqvarna R322T AWD mower. Any Good? Got one?

[Scooby074]

Was at the husky dealer and noticed a new mower in the showroom. Its a Husky R322T articulated. HUSQVARNA R 322T AWD - Riders Looks pretty interesting. Has the ability to add various attachments to the front like a sweaper, snowblower and a FLAIL!!!! mower.



AWD looks sweet. Seen a few videos online and they look quite stable on hills and pretty much unstopable.

Not sure on the deck. Metal looks pretty thin (well thin compared to my BX). .

Also not sure on the Briggs 22Hp Endurance engine. I know briggs has improved, BUT... And i think Ive been spoiled by my Diesel on the BX and the Kawi L/C I had on my X540.

Price was $5900 including the 3 bladed 48" side discharge. I think a rear discharge is available which might be better for mowing around obstacles.

Ironically, in Europe they offer a "Pro" series that has stronger components and Kawasaki power, with Diesel as an option... To bad they arent offered here, Id be interested.HUSQVARNA P 524 - Front mowers



A few videos of this neat machine i came across.

Husqvarna Rider PF 21 AWD joy - YouTube

 

[Scooby074]

 

[Scooby074]

 

[CompactTractorFan]

That does look like a neat machine!

 

[SAABoholic]

I'm getting mine delivered tomorrow and I ordered it about a month ago.
They had some delivered stateside but it's been "stuck" getting modified / approved for emissions.

As a Swede coming to the US I was surprised to find that there's hardly any tractors with a front mounted deck,
(counts for +70% of sales in Swe) so when Husky launched theirs over here I jumped at the chance.

The engine in the 322 is the same as in the Euro 422 which is a commercial grade machine whith a $14K
price tag so I'm not worried about lifespan around my yard.

What is disappointing is the side discharge, most data online seem to indicate that you'd get a bioclip/rear discharge deck
and that's what I'm used to.... so if the deck doesn't convert into a bio/rear deck then I'd be forced to complain as their
datasheet says otherwise.

// mrM

 

[Scooby074]

Interesting Saab. I thought they had the Bio-Clip as well. I was a bit surprised to see the showroom model with the side discharge.

Do post up a thread when you get yours up and running. Like you, I cant believe these mowers dont sell here. I guess its fear of the unknown?

 

[SAABoholic]

Well....

I've had mine for a bit over a month and used it a couple of times by now
so I'm feeling comfortable giving an relatively unbiased "review".

First off... if you're about to order one, don't make the same mistake I did
and just tell the store to go ahead and order one assuming you'll get the one
that all the information online is talking about (bioclip that is). You'll get the
side discharge deck which is the standard deck and apparently the only one
you can order (at least the only one with a part number in their sales material).
Yet none of the "features" listed online are optional except the combi deck....
http://www.husqvarnaretailer.com/PrintCreator/PCProductSheet/hq/451145/HEN2012-451145.pdf

Apart from the ordering mishap and an issue where the "brake" for the blades
fell off after the first time I used it, it's a very nice machine. Traction is
phenomenal, stability is great, feels very solid. A bit rough to start but I have a
Honda engine fetish so I guess I'm just spoiled.

I wish they had put on some kind of steering damper or servo because it's direct-wire
system is a bit rough on your wrists if you're using it on an uneven surface
as it tends to twist / yank the steering wheel as you go over bumps and rots.

Blades seem a bit "soft", I haven't tried to mow a gravel driveway and they still look
like I just did after only a months usage (probably cut the grass 5-6 times during that time).


//M

 

[Scooby074]

Interesting reply. I hope youll continue to post your experiences.

I know what you mean about honda small engines, theyre hard to beat. Is your dealer working to find you a bioclip, or has he given up because there is no part number?

 

[turkey2731]

Husqvarna R 322T AWD
I’ve had this mower for about two month's I’m impressed with it. Has anyone used the flail mower for lawn? On YouTube all I see them use the Flail mower for is a tall grass. Does it do a good job on lawn?

 

[Scooby074]

Husqvarna R 322T AWD
I’ve had this mower for about two month's I’m impressed with it. Has anyone used the flail mower for lawn? On YouTube all I see them use the Flail mower for is a tall grass. Does it do a good job on lawn?

In general, flail mowers can cut lawn quite well with the proper grass blades. I believe the Husquvarna flail is a rebranded German Muething mower. If thats the case it probably is a quality unit because Muething has a good reputation (and makes HD industrial flails)

I doubt you'll find anyone here who has a flail on a Husky Artic though. The Huskys are quite rare over here in North America even with the rotary deck; one with the expensive flail would be doubly rare. And that assumes that the flail is even available here. Many accessories that are listed for the mower seem to be Euro only, like the BioClip deck, as discussed in this thread.

 

[turkey2731]

I had a choice of the deck I wanted BioClip deck or 48 inch side discharge. I wanted 48 inch side discharge. I wasn’t sure about the rear Discharge on the BioClip deck. I thought it looked like it might through grass up under the mower and possibly Create a problem. I’m sure Id be happy with either one.

 

[Scooby074]

So the BioClip is available in the US?

 

[turkey2731]

They asked me what deck I wanted. It took one week to get my mower.

 

[Scooby074]

Interesting. Was the BioClip more expensive?

Did the dealer say a flail was available for the 322 and if so how much?

The flail for heavy grass / light brush could really open up markets for this machine.

 

[turkey2731]

I didn’t know about the flail at time I got my mower.
I just got the overall price. $5000. + tax
Snow blower is $1400 but it appears they don’t offer a snow cab for this mower.
I didn’t get the blower I don’t think it could handle The snow we get.

 

[orind]

The max cut height is listed as 3 inches....I am interested in this machine, but if 3 inches is the max height I do not think it will work for me. Those of you using thisctractor...is it really max 3 inches and is it an issue for you?

I live in Alaska and with our long summer days the lawn grows fast...add a few days of rain here and there and the lawn gets tall fast, so I tend to cut at the max of my current tractor ...5 inches... and bring it back down to about 3.5 inches over a week.

 

[turkey2731]

I like my Husqvarna R322T. I have 8hrs on it and took it to dealers to have oil changed in transition ‘s and dealer can’t get information from Husqvarna about the procedure.
Anyone have this information?
I’d appreciate any information.
Thanks Jim

 

[Scooby074]

Dealer cant get the procedure from Husquvarna? Thats a bit unusual?

 

[turkey2731]

This is a Dealer that has been in the area for years. That is the reason I purchased the mower there.
I’m a little upset I can’t depend on them for service for the R322T
I hope this isn’t what I will be dealing with from Husqvarna.

 

[daugen]

571 pounds strikes me as a little light, does it feel "sturdy"? Any rattling or flexing?
are the spindles sealed or greasable?
thanks Drew

btw...
very high tech piece of equipment, reminds me of the Honda lawn tractors brought out, also high tech,
but ultimately left the market place. Honda can't endanger their core engine business to compete with a garden tractor
I suppose. Never good to compete with your customers. But Husqy can do whatever they want and put any engine in they want;
it's the price point that concerns me. This looks like a $15-18K commercial Kubota outfront mower given a serious diet.

Out front mowing is a super idea, just curious to know what this unit will look like in 2000 hours.
Now how much more expensive would the 23hp Vanguard be over this "lesser" B&S? With such a classy design, why not put a premium engine in it?
Maybe they want to limit the total power delivery to the chassis/mower.

Not sure I'd want to hit a stump with this thing. But if your lawn is hilly and clear, it looks like a blast to drive.
I own some Husq equipment and have been very pleased with it.