Yardcut
New member
I purchased this model from a local dealer for $1995 plus tax. Delivery was free. It came delivered setup and ready to go, even with a full tank of gas. I have used it twice and the following review is based on relatively new experience with Husqvarna products.
PROS
*Very nimble considering the heft of the machine
*Cuts evenly (but discharge chute is a pain)
*Plenty of power
*Greasable deck spindles
*B&S USA assembled engine
*Tuff Torq K57 transaxle, a step above the ubiquitous k46 found on lesser units.
*blades have high lift and can toss the grass IF you move the plastic shield from the discharge chute
*10 year warranty on the deck shell only, 3 year on the rest of the unit, 2 years on B&S engine
*Can turn the key back on click from run and the ROS remains engaged so you can mow in reverse.
*K57 Hydrostat is responsive and smooth.
CONS
*Fuel gauge is very hard to see
*Deck does not pivot with front axle
*B&S Engine at 24HP is way overkill for a basic rider like this
*Have to remove to plastic side fences to get at oil filter, fuel filter, and oil drain port
My primary goal is as follows. All I need is a mower to cut grass. Not to mulch. Not to bag. Just cut. Thus far, this unit does fairly well but still falls short of the 1990's era Ariens YT1340 unit my dad had back in Indiana.
Nevertheless, after a lot of research I decided on this unit. It is the last of the units that Husky will offer with a K57 transaxle. Going forward, all the units, yes even the ones sold at Lowes, will have a plastic, yes you read that right, plastic CVT made by General Transmission.
The mower starts and runs well. The B&S engine has an automatic choke that makes starting a breeze. Once you get in position, you lower the deck to desired height, rev up to full throttle, engage the electric PTO and off you go. The mower handles my grass with ease; I cannot comment on high thick stuff as I live in a residential area and keep my grass cut so it looks neat. I would assume with 24 ponies under the hood, it should handle the task.
The deck appears to be robust and with the 10 year warranty on the shell, I think it should last a while. The only drawback I see is it does not pivot with the front axle so evenness of cut is lacking compared to others that offer this design feature. The reverse speed is sufficient so as not to slow things down, it can really get up and go when you mash the pedal but I don't consider that a priority when mowing.
The B&S engine is OHV with full pressure lubrication, cast iron sleeves, and oil filter. Seems ok but at 24 HP I question, seriously, is all that HP necessary when I mowed for years with 12-15 HP machines as a kid. Still it runs well and has not used any oil during break in. Parts are easy to come by also.
The battery is a basic 240 CCA 12V affair that you can buy anywhere. Blades are available at Lowes. I plan on having the dealer perform all the service save for oil changes.
I cannot comment on removing the deck as I see no need to do so. LIke I said, this needs to cut grass. No more, no less. I cannot comment on pulling power as I have no cart or dethatcher but again, with 24 ponies under the hood, I cannot see it being underpowered. If anything, the K57 transaxle will give up the ghost long before the engine will under such usage.
Overall, it is a good unit. Time will tell how reliable it is. JD missed the mark by not having greaseable spindles and requires you to hold in a flimsy yellow plastic button to mow in reverse. Otherwise I would have purchased a JD. In the end, it came down to details.
PROS
*Very nimble considering the heft of the machine
*Cuts evenly (but discharge chute is a pain)
*Plenty of power
*Greasable deck spindles
*B&S USA assembled engine
*Tuff Torq K57 transaxle, a step above the ubiquitous k46 found on lesser units.
*blades have high lift and can toss the grass IF you move the plastic shield from the discharge chute
*10 year warranty on the deck shell only, 3 year on the rest of the unit, 2 years on B&S engine
*Can turn the key back on click from run and the ROS remains engaged so you can mow in reverse.
*K57 Hydrostat is responsive and smooth.
CONS
*Fuel gauge is very hard to see
*Deck does not pivot with front axle
*B&S Engine at 24HP is way overkill for a basic rider like this
*Have to remove to plastic side fences to get at oil filter, fuel filter, and oil drain port
My primary goal is as follows. All I need is a mower to cut grass. Not to mulch. Not to bag. Just cut. Thus far, this unit does fairly well but still falls short of the 1990's era Ariens YT1340 unit my dad had back in Indiana.
Nevertheless, after a lot of research I decided on this unit. It is the last of the units that Husky will offer with a K57 transaxle. Going forward, all the units, yes even the ones sold at Lowes, will have a plastic, yes you read that right, plastic CVT made by General Transmission.
The mower starts and runs well. The B&S engine has an automatic choke that makes starting a breeze. Once you get in position, you lower the deck to desired height, rev up to full throttle, engage the electric PTO and off you go. The mower handles my grass with ease; I cannot comment on high thick stuff as I live in a residential area and keep my grass cut so it looks neat. I would assume with 24 ponies under the hood, it should handle the task.
The deck appears to be robust and with the 10 year warranty on the shell, I think it should last a while. The only drawback I see is it does not pivot with the front axle so evenness of cut is lacking compared to others that offer this design feature. The reverse speed is sufficient so as not to slow things down, it can really get up and go when you mash the pedal but I don't consider that a priority when mowing.
The B&S engine is OHV with full pressure lubrication, cast iron sleeves, and oil filter. Seems ok but at 24 HP I question, seriously, is all that HP necessary when I mowed for years with 12-15 HP machines as a kid. Still it runs well and has not used any oil during break in. Parts are easy to come by also.
The battery is a basic 240 CCA 12V affair that you can buy anywhere. Blades are available at Lowes. I plan on having the dealer perform all the service save for oil changes.
I cannot comment on removing the deck as I see no need to do so. LIke I said, this needs to cut grass. No more, no less. I cannot comment on pulling power as I have no cart or dethatcher but again, with 24 ponies under the hood, I cannot see it being underpowered. If anything, the K57 transaxle will give up the ghost long before the engine will under such usage.
Overall, it is a good unit. Time will tell how reliable it is. JD missed the mark by not having greaseable spindles and requires you to hold in a flimsy yellow plastic button to mow in reverse. Otherwise I would have purchased a JD. In the end, it came down to details.
Obviously, I switched the high-lift blades out yesterday and recut the lawn. Lesson learned: Keep the blades properly matched.