This is a public Forum  public

General Product Question

    KYLEY FENTRESS
    I HAVE A 2654 TRACTOR AND WAS MOWING A FLAT LAWN , HOW IN...Answeredescalated
    General Product Question posted July 25, 2011 by KYLEY FENTRESS, last edited May 4, 2012 
    18632 Views, 30 Comments
    Question:
    I HAVE A 2654 TRACTOR AND WAS MOWING A FLAT LAWN , HOW IN THE WORLD CAN YOU SNAP THE REAR AXLE? ITS ABOUT A 1" SHAFT SNAPPED LIKE A TWIG?
    • Be the first to rate this

      |

    • Bookmark and Share

    Best Answer

    Scott W.

    Thank you for contacting the AnswerARMY.

    First lets clear the above comment up.

    I pushed this to the engineers. The transmission in the LGT2654 is designed to carry the load and the horse power produced in this model.

    We do offer different transmissions in different models the model transmission that is referred to in the above reply has not been used by Husqvarna for more than 4 years, and when it was that tractor started at $2700.00 The spacers as are referred to do not affect the transmission in any way. The spacers affect ground clearance and design based on the frame chosen and the tire size. K46 Tuff Torq transmissions ( the brand and type in your tractor ) can and do have different gear ratios,this is determined in part by tire size as there are limitations on ground speed. So a transmission with a larger tire diameter requires a different gear ratio than one with a smaller tire. Also Tuff Torq Corporation has to approve the design of the tractor and the various implements the tractor is to be officially supported with. The axle spacers are not to "fool" anyone as referred in the previous response they are in place on many brands of tractor to keep the axles clean and cut down on rust and to space the wheel in some instances.

    We have had isolated reports of this axle breaking, less than 50 a year and we have produced Tens of Thousands each year. Pleae take the tractor to your local authorized service center for repairs.

    This failure represents less than 1/2 of 1 percent.

    As a side note there are tens of thousands of this same model that have never had a failure of the axle. 

    Answer

    • Paul Woodrich

      I know, I've done it twice now. Your rear axle is under-rated; it is not rated for the horsepower (26), or the deck size (54) or the tire size (22). If you go to a genuine dealership and not to a LOWES store you can see the real transaxle assembly that should have been in your LGT as original equipment. If you notice the little tubes around your axles, they are there to fool the consumer into believing that the axle size is 1" and not the actual 3/4". Also, your transaxle has spacers to get it to the frame; again, the real transaxle doesn't require these to fit (it is bigger and mounts direct to the frame). In short, LOWES puts the blame on Husqvarna, who codes the overall tractor assembly as a custom build for LOWES, basically saying - we built it to their specifications.  The curious thing is that they would both like to sell you impliments/add-ons which put even more strain on an already undersized unit. The transaxle that meets the HP rating, deck and tire size is a Hydro Gear 331-3000. You'll be glad to know it comes on the smaller tractor which is only 25 HP and has a 48" deck. Look in the dictionary under misrepresentation, or fraud, there should be a picture of an LGT2654.

      • Average Rating: Average Rating100% (+1/-0)

        |

      • Paul Horton

        I was told by Husq, that if you used the mower and you weighed more than 225lbs you voided the warranty.  If you used it on a golf course - you voided the warranty.  Bottom line our friends at Husq will not cover the transaxle because I'm sure the know the k46 axle will not stand up to use on any property larger than a small lot in the city.  Then your only problem will be how do I get it through the gate to the back yard!

        Paul

        • Be the first to rate this

          |

      • larry boyd

        There Zero turn 2654 is also a piece of JUNK

        • Be the first to rate this

          |

    • Scott W.

      Thank you for contacting the AnswerARMY.

      First lets clear the above comment up.

      I pushed this to the engineers. The transmission in the LGT2654 is designed to carry the load and the horse power produced in this model.

      We do offer different transmissions in different models the model transmission that is referred to in the above reply has not been used by Husqvarna for more than 4 years, and when it was that tractor started at $2700.00 The spacers as are referred to do not affect the transmission in any way. The spacers affect ground clearance and design based on the frame chosen and the tire size. K46 Tuff Torq transmissions ( the brand and type in your tractor ) can and do have different gear ratios,this is determined in part by tire size as there are limitations on ground speed. So a transmission with a larger tire diameter requires a different gear ratio than one with a smaller tire. Also Tuff Torq Corporation has to approve the design of the tractor and the various implements the tractor is to be officially supported with. The axle spacers are not to "fool" anyone as referred in the previous response they are in place on many brands of tractor to keep the axles clean and cut down on rust and to space the wheel in some instances.

      We have had isolated reports of this axle breaking, less than 50 a year and we have produced Tens of Thousands each year. Pleae take the tractor to your local authorized service center for repairs.

      This failure represents less than 1/2 of 1 percent.

      As a side note there are tens of thousands of this same model that have never had a failure of the axle. 

      • Average Rating: Average Rating67% (+1/-2)

        |

      • Garen Post
        Last week, I experienced this same broken axle problem on my LGT2654 with the K46BN series transaxle. This particular transaxle (Husqvarna 532 41 40-06, Tuff Torq 7A646084161) has been discontinued by Husqvarna and replaced by a series K46AW. However, the axle on the replacement is the same size and without metallurgical testing it would be impossible to say the new axle is stronger, better etc. I'm sure there could be several reasons for Husqvanna to replace the K46BN with a K46AW. Maybe broken axles was one? It appears the statics referenced of "50 a year and tens of thousands produced" to be vague and probably not valid data. You imply that Lowes sold "tens of thousands" LGT2654 with this transaxle. Maybe "tens of thousands" produced by Tuff Torq for all makes & models would be more appropriate? Does the 1/2 of 1% apply to the LGT2654 or the tens of thousands produced? Would Husqvarna release their failure rate for this problem on this transaxle used on the LGT2654? Also my LGT2654 averages only 1.125 hours per week. It is less than 4 years old; so "has not been used by Husqvarna for MORE than 4 years" is probably not correct. Do you know if there is a direct fit heavy duty replacement for the K46BN; excluding axle hub size? I will be contacting Lowes as well as Husqvarna to request satisfaction. Respectfully, Garen Post
        • Be the first to rate this

          |

      • Jerry LaFreniere

        I have a LGT 2654 and have had a somewhat similar problem, although I haven't had an axle snap yet, I have had both the brackets break that hold the transaxle to the chassis this break was right the angle bend, This tractor was still under warrantee 1 1/2 year old so after a lot of phone tag with Lowes and Husqvarna and getting nowhere fast I took the problem to a local welding shop, They welded each side back together and welded gussets on each side of the bolts that hold the transaxle to the frame.

        I think the only reason the failure representation of less than 1/2 of 1% is as low as it is because of all the song and dance you put a customer through. I like the tractor but I have to say it is not of the high quality that your trying to make out to be and that opinion is from first hand usage not engineering theory.  

        • Be the first to rate this

          |

      • Paul Horton

        How can Husq lie to us about this transaxle.  It is crap and there is many more failures than they fess up to.  The K46 should not be put into a mower that is to mow, pull attachments that are sold with it.  All you will hear is how you voided the warranty.

        Paul ( I bought 2of these mowers and almost all the attachments).  Husq is not honest or they would fess up to their customers.

        • Be the first to rate this

          |

    • verlin curtis

       I have the same mower and the axle snapped on level ground while mowing. It is a factory defect and I want a new transaxle installed on my mower at no coct to me. This is my second husqvarna mower and I had no problem with the first. The shaft was simply too weak for this mower. I purchased it at Lowes. Are you willing to meet my request?

      • Average Rating: Average Rating50% (+1/-1)

        |

    • larry blankenship

      I also have a LGT2654.  The right rear axel snapped in two last week (April 25, 2012). It has never been used for anything other than lightduty mowing. There is definitely something WRONG with these axels!!!!!!!!  They should be replaced free of charge!!!!!!!!    Very unhappy  customer!!!!!!!   EX-Customer!!!!!!

       

      Larry B.

      • Average Rating: Average Rating100% (+1/-0)

        |

    • Dennis Melancon

      I also have a broken axle on my lgt2654 and this seems to be a common problem.  Have contacted Husquavarna and they just push me to an area service center.  These axles do not hold up on the 2654 and cost about $1000 just for the part.  The original tuf torq transaxle has been discontinued for what I believe is a known problem by Husquavarna.  If they will not fix this machine I will no longer ever buy their products in which I've bought many.

      • Average Rating: Average Rating100% (+2/-0)

        |

    • Randy Twist

      My left rear axel just broke. Is it worth fixing? I'm sure Husqvarna has offered no assistance?? Can you order the parts and fix yourself? Thanks for any feedback!

      Regards,

      Randy

      • Be the first to rate this

        |

    • Don Jones

      My LGT2654 from Lowes also had the same problem with the axle snapping on level terrain. I replaced the transmission and now one year later it is leaking severely and now unserviceable. I am starting to wonder if going to the "Engineers" is the right answer.  Obviously there is an issue with the axle and frame. 

      I would personally like to see the data that supports 1/2 of 1%.  Have A3s been started to discover what the root cause is here?  If the product fails the customer why are replacements not being given instead of telling the customer you are now part of a "failure statistic" used by the engineers to determine if improvements should or should not be made.  If you haven't asked "Why" at least five times, then you haven't taken the time to truly find out how to make it better. 

      I am hoping that Husqvarna is moving forward in a positive direction by learning from mistakes and making improvements to take care of customers who spend their hard earned money on equipment that they should be able to trust works very well, not dangerously sub-par.

      Very concerned since I let my teenage kids use this equipment to mow my lawn.

      • Be the first to rate this

        |

    • Glenn Travers

      I have a Lowes Husqvarna LGT2554 from 2008. 2 weeks ago my right rear axle snapped. I brought it to a Husqvarna dealer near us for repairs. They called back today with a $1173 estimate. They talked with the warrantee dept at Husqvarna. They were told those are going to break and give me 2 hours of labor for my troubles but thats all since it's no longer under warrantee.

       

      We paid almost $2000 for the tractor. It made it thru 4 seasons and the start of a 5th before the axle broke. The Husqvarna dealer we took it to had 3 more dropped off the same week with the same problem.

       

       I/2 of 1%? It seems to be a little more systemic then we're lead to believe.

       

      • Average Rating: Average Rating100% (+2/-0)

        |

    • jennifer houk

      I also own a HusqavarnaLGT2654  and now after 2 times in the shop  ( in one year)they are telling us they can not find the rear axle seal made by Tuff Torq. I am so done with  people not backing up their products. Is there someyhing I can do?

      • Average Rating: Average Rating100% (+1/-0)

        |

    • Michael Sletten

      Same problem.  Lowes purchased LGT2654.  Left rear transaxle snapped today while changing direction.  Normally use a bagger, but was not today when it broke.  Looks like about $850 to order a replacement.  Purchased in 2008 with just over 200 hours on it.

      • Be the first to rate this

        |

    • Paul Woodrich

      https://www.tufftorqservices.com/EnvEEdefault/FlatHTML/TransaxleIdentification/LT_K46.htm

      seals at the end of each axle is tuff torq part number 19216334280 - about $5 each

      using your internet search engine: type in the part number exactly as it is to find a whole host of parts dealers/suppliers with the seal for $4.98 each - it is a standard shaft seal used on a variety of items.

      you can even get the complete seal kit (1A646099140) for the whole transaxle for $50

       

      New axles and seals are available through Tuff-Torq at great prices. More than likely it is the hubs that Tuff Torq does not make (which are machined incorrectly) providing a stress point on the shafts. This stress rolls around the axle until it fatigues. A properly fit set of hubs will correct this problem. A new set of high strength axles (L & R) will set you back $50. Replacement requires taking the transaxle off, which is no big deal (5 bolts) but should only be performed by trained professionals... Flip the transaxle over, remove the axles and seals, install new components and replace the fluid; button it up and you should be good to go. Install a new set of hubs if yours are the least bit loose. I broke two sets before discovering the culprit was the hubs (the part I kept putting back on to fatigue perfectly good axles). You can tell if it was the hub when the axle breaks inside the hub itself and does not shear off at the face of the hub as would be expected with a bad axle.

      • Average Rating: Average Rating100% (+1/-0)

        |

      • Charles Ponci

        Paul, your post is very helpful.  My rear axle just broke and per your description, it is the hubs.  Judging from all of the blogs I've just read...this is a Husqvarna issue.  They should not let Lowe's cost-reduce their lawn tractor for the masses and ultimately damage the Husqvarna brand. I know that I will not be buying anymore Husqvarna anything!

        Having said that, can you tell me which hubs you used to repair your LGT2654?

        Thanks.

        • Average Rating: Average Rating100% (+1/-0)

          |

    • Everett McGee

      I believe this just bad engineering.  I've looked extensively at many different Tuff Torq transmission diagrams at TuffTorqServices.com.  Husqvarna seems to be the only ones using this type of axle and hub key system.  I just had the axle snap inside the hub right where the keyway  starts.  My tractor is a YTH2454 and yes I was mowing on flat ground.  I don't use any ground engaging attatchments.  I checked both my hubs and they do have quite a bit of play with both old and brand new axles.  I'm thinking about throwing away the new axle I just bought, ordering new K46 axles made for a different manufacturer, and then buying that manufacturers hubs to go with them.  I think it with be cheaper and less repair work in the long run.  Again I thinks it's just a bad hub/axle design all together.

      • Average Rating: Average Rating100% (+1/-0)

        |

    • Jason Nienhouse

      Premac on eBay has stronger axles 

       

      • Be the first to rate this

        |

    • paul wesson

      get rid of that husqvarna garbage. buy a deere

      • Average Rating: Average Rating100% (+1/-0)

        |

    • nick merolli

      after having my mower just under a year with only 49 hrs ( just broke the mower deck brackets off the deck due to pouris welds) I decided to look into it online.

      it seems on consumer reports there is 205 complaints of these axles snapping welds breaking frames braking etc.

      quality control and customer support seems to be a thing of the past with Husqvarna.

      never again!

      • Average Rating: Average Rating100% (+1/-0)

        |