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General Product Question

    David Parmeter
    The trigger controlled steering on my 1830 EXLT is less than...Answeredescalated
    General Product Question posted November 19, 2011 by David Parmeter, last edited February 10, 2012 
    7077 Views, 23 Comments
    Question:
    The trigger controlled steering on my 1830 EXLT is less than smooth. Sometimes the triggers are stuck and difficult to pull. Sometimes they seem totally in-effective, and I end up trying to steer it by pulling the handle bars left or right...and that's no easy task with this heavy machine. What gives?
    D Scott
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    Best Answer

    Greg P.

    Dear Mr.Parmeter

    We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused to you because of this.

    Due to the nature of your situation we would like for you to please contact our consumer support number at 1-800-487-5951

    We rely on our servicing dealers to provide us with the best information to properly serve you.

    We reassure you of our co-operation and look forward to a more positive association with you in the future.

    Thanking You,

    Sincerely,

    Husqvarna Technical Services

     

    Answer

     

    • Vasken Setrakian


      I have the same problem with my 1827 EXLT

      I just got my 1827 EXLT ( identical to the 1830 EXLT except in width) and followed instructions so as not to damage the hydrostatic drive.  I thought the unit was full of intelligent details compared to my 20-year+ old Honda snowblower.  In the absence of snow, I raised the auger to the transport mode and rode behind the unit to familiarize myself.  It did practically turn on a dime but it was mostly quite a struggle.  The problem was noticeably more severe on the right side.  I had to exert so much pressure on the right handle in order to stop the right track's rotation that using the snowblower was no fun.  And I am a big guy.  This is no "Power Steering".  The power might as well all be provided by the operator.

      Having at one time been a mechanical engineer, I tried to figure out the problem.  I focused mainly on the discrepancy between right and left.  Both handles have initial slack, but the right has many more degrees of slack compared to the left, at least twice as much if not three.  By initial slack, I mean that with the unit safely off, squeezing either handle meets with no resistance initially.  Some slack is normal, but I felt a quantum difference between left and right. 

      The tension of the steel wires on the steering handles should be adjustable - similar to bicycle gears or brakes.  Unfortunately, the owner's manual is mum on the subject matter.  Let us hope that Husqvarna will tell us how to adjust the tension on these "Power Steering" handles.

      Vic

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      • Paul Fitzgerald

        I have a similar problem.  My LH TURN TRIGGER will not work all the time time.  It will not depress no matter how much force I use and the machine keeps going straight.  This is a dangerous situation that makes snowthrowing with the 2011 Husqvarna 1827EXLT a hateful task.  The machine won't turn when I want it too.  When this happens while I am backing up I sometimes get trapped against obstacles like a rock wall. 

        To turn the machine left I have to release the TRACTION DRIVE CONTROL LEVER which stops the machine and then the LH TURN TRIGGER will work.  

        This problem happens about 25% of the time I try to turn left.

        I visited my local dealer who I bought it from and they looked at the prints and said there is no logical explanation for this behavior.  I asked them to contact Husqvarna to find out if there is a service bulletin on this but they never got back to me.  

        I contacted them today again, after a season of using the machine - despite the problem, and they said they do not work on snowthrowers now (May) and to contact them again in the fall when they work on snowthrowers again.  I asked if they can at least contact Husqvarna and see if there is a service bulletin and they said they were too busy and besides, they would need to experience the problem themselves before calling their Husqvarna service rep.

        Does anyone have a answer to this problem?

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    • JOHN MALENSEK

       I have the same problem, I went to a TORO DEALER ( THE SELL HUSQVARNA AS WELL)  THEY CLAIM IT IS BECAUSE  THE TRANSAXLE BRAKES ARE DIRTY AND  NEED TO BE CLEANED AND LUBRICATED WITH A DIFFERENT TYPE OF LUBE. SOME TYPE OF DRY NON FREZ LUBE. I'M HAVING MY 1830 EXLT RELUBED SHORTLY. I WILL REPOST IF IT WORKS.

      JOHN

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    • Greg P.

      Dear Mr.Parmeter

      We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused to you because of this.

      Due to the nature of your situation we would like for you to please contact our consumer support number at 1-800-487-5951

      We rely on our servicing dealers to provide us with the best information to properly serve you.

      We reassure you of our co-operation and look forward to a more positive association with you in the future.

      Thanking You,

      Sincerely,

      Husqvarna Technical Services

       

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    • JOHN MALENSEK

      I took my 1830 exlt blower  in to a authorized dealer for the repair for poor steering. They claim to have relubed the hubs and gave me the story,  "they only work in snow".  The left is still hard to pull and the left still doesn't disengage the track.   No improvement noticed. This is the same problem as before! I'm very unhappy with this repair! The tecks At Husqvarna need to come up with a better repair than this ! There has to something else wrong with it!

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      • Mr. Halcoussis

        Has anyone come up with what to do about this.  How do I get to the parts that need lubrication?  

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    • val bourque

      Did anybody get a straight answer from hHusqvarna. I have been trying to get them to describe the characteristics of this steer assist system and they simply won't say.

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    • DAVID KEDZIERSKI

      I also own Husqvarna snow blower 1830 EXLT and from day one it has been one problem after another with this machine.  The ACE store has bent over backwards to help me as any good company would do, but I believe that the mechanical problems we are incurring is due to the engineering and lack of field testing by the manufacturer before selling these units to the unsuspecting buyers.  I have had new track adjustable cables put on both sides for track control and the cables seemed to function for a short time on the right side but not well on the left side track control.  I have no control on the left track and also seems the cable adjuster has some how managed to come apart. You would say simple put it back together and I would say sounds easy and let me tell you nothing is easy about this over weight expensive machine.  The right thing to do is this manufacturer should recall all the 1830 EXLT ( all trigger controlled machines) and fix them or return our money! I am looking forward to the mechanical problems to happen like I read in this Forum it just adds to my dislike of the snow and cold weather and now feeling the dislike for the name Husqvarna !

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      • DAVID KEDZIERSKI

        Calling product support and taking your machine to a service center for something that is malfunctioning is one thing, but to have something that goes wrong with a machine that only has 8-9 hours on it over two years time is not normal wear and tear for this expensive piece of equipment !  What drove me to buy this unit was Husqvarna brand one of the best and the looks of this machine is awesome, and let me tell you when it is working like it is supposed too I would buy two of them.  All that is wrong is that the machine needs to turn left and right every time with no effort from the operator and without the treads coming off .  All the professional people in the business when presented with my (our) problems never heard about them before so therefore only guess of what is wrong.  I am not here to beat the product up or its manufacturer just to get what I paid for without all the BS.

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    • Marty

      I just bought a power steering unit, model ST227P and tested the power steering in the Lowe's home store parking lot on dry pavement, it worked just fine so don't believe anyone who says you have to have snow for it to work!  Also, for power steering issues, watch this You Tube video ..  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9WrMEh8zyo

      Apparently, this is a common problem and the fix, according to the video, is an easy DIY.  At least it's worth a try.

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    • Thomas Lichon

      I just bought an ST 224 and the steering does not work at all. I am unable to turn it even when the snow blower is not running. The wheels only move forward together or backwards. I had a difficult time getting it into the garage... I basically had to lift it up to turn it...I called Husqvarna tech support and they were not helpful. I was on hold for 20 minutes and after discussing the issue with the tech I was hung up on. Not happy at all. Any ideas what the issue could be???

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      • Marty

        According to the Husky website, the ST224 does not  have power steering and when I look at the pictures of the control panel I do not see the power steering levers.  Get out your owners manual and see if you can disconnect one of the wheels by changing the location of the wheel pin on the drive shaft.  Even if you can, that would mean only one wheel would drive the blower but it may make it easier to turn while its in drive. 

        If you really wanted a power steering model, maybe you can exchange it since its so new.  The power steering is fantastic and by squeezing both left and right power steering triggers, you can very easily move and turn it even without the engine running.

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        • Thomas Lichon

          Thanks for the response and I did look and it appears on the Husqvarna website that it does not list as having power steering. I read the information off of another website which stated that it has power steering. I will believe the Husqvarna website.

          This still does not resolve my issue though. I am still unable to turn the snow thrower. When I try and turn it one wheel locks and skids on the ground while the other moves forward...the wheels will not move in opposite directions at the same time. It feels like something is not disengaging.

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          • Marty

            While I'm not positive, the "P" after the model number may designate Power steering.  In any event, I have no experience with a non power steering unit so am not much help to you going forward, hopefully someone else will reply to your post but I would not depend on this forum for your answer ;-(

            From what I understand though, without some sort of power steering, turning these guys basically comes down to muscling your way through it.  The slower the speed, the more time you have to muscle it and therefore the easier they are to turn.

            What bothers me though is your statement of one of the wheels locking up and skidding.  I would not think this would be normal.  So, when you reply to this post, pls state the following so it will assist others who will hopefully reply.

            - Does the locking and skidding happen on both wheels...meaning when turning left, which wheel locks and skids and when turning right, which wheel locks and skids?

            - When the engine is off, can you then turn the unit easily without the locking and skidding?

            - When the engine is on but you have not yet pressed the traction drive lever, is it easy to turn without locking and skidding?

            Since you said you just bought it, it is under warranty, if I remember correctly, you get 90 days after purchase where your local Husky dealer will come pick it up, fix it and deliver it back to you.  After 90 days you have to bring it to them.  So, for starters, find out who your local dealer is and call and discuss this with them and then go from there.

             

            Good luck Tom

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    • Thomas Lichon

      Good news, its normal...I took the thrower to the local shop and he said it was normal...there is no posi-track system on this model so the only way to get rid of this issue is to remove one of the pins on the wheels so it is not attached to the axle. Well, if you remove the pin, the wheel will fall off. So it is a normal operating characteristic of the machine. Thanks for the responses and help!

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      • Marty

        I think what he may have meant is what I was saying in my earlier reply.  Pick the wheel of your choice and pull the wheel pin out of the axle shaft, push the wheel closer to the snow blower so the pin hole in the axle shaft is revealed and then push the pin back into the hole.  Hopefully you will have room to push the wheel enough to expose the axle shaft hole.  By doing this, you will bypass the posi-traction and it will be easier to turn as that wheel will simply free-wheel. 

        Realize though that by doing this, the snow blower will only be driving with one wheel.  If you are on flat surfaces, this may well be a good compromise for you but if you have hills to plow through, having only one wheel may not do the trick.

        Anyway, it's as easy as pie to try this and put it back if you don't like it so give it a go.

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    • DAVID KEDZIERSKI

      We all know we have a problem with the steering of the EXLT 1830 and we are being taken down the road by the company that just refuses to fix the problem.  We also are aware that with a lot of US companies customer satisfaction is number one.  My suggestion is all of us settle on the  fact that this has been a expensive lesson  well learned and lets move on just remember buy AMERICAN!!

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    • val bourque

      I bought my 1830 late last spring and got to use it about 10 minutes. I didn't think that the steer assist could be working correctly. I called Husqvarna and they assured me that the steer assist was very responsive. This fall when I got it ready for the comming winter I carefully assessed it and was more convinced that something was wrong. I contacted the dealer and they said bring it in. They pointed out to me that when you pull a trigger it simply disengages the track on that side. They pulled both triggers and the machine stopped. To them this was proof enough that it was working. I told them that I had spoken to Husqvarna and was told that something was not properly adjusted. They did not believe me, said in a confrontational manner "who did you talk to". I called Husqvarna and got a reference number. I gave them the number AND my manual to show them what adjustments could be done. I don't think that they had any resource material of their own.  They kept the machine for a couple weeks and finally said to come get it. I tested it in the parking lot and saw a vast improvement. Time willl tell when the snow finally comes. Oh it will also interest you to know that they wanted to charge me for the adjustments they had to make due to WEAR AND TEAR on the machine. The look in my eyes when I told them it was new with 10 minutes use, must have really sunk in. Lets go load it up Mr. Bourque and if there are any further issues be sure to let us know. I think that the reason I had to go thru this is that when they put them together, they satisfy themselves that the machine will stop when both triggers are squeezed and skip over all other required adjustments.

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    • Terrence Mestnik

      ST 330 T  tracked snowthrower didn't disengage left track when drive powered.  Left track did disengage when not powered, and then drive powered.  Lubed dogs as suggested by "Moving Snow" Utube video.  Very little difference, turn lever had "catch' in it.  Page 21 of operators manual is devoted to bellcrank adjustment.  I adjusted left turn lever cable as specified in figure 31. Center section of cable adjustment works like a turnbuckle, to shorten or lengthen cable sheath.  Test ran unit around 2 car garage floor.  I believe I've solved it. Good to have 40F weather on December 15, 2014 so I could work on this

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      • Marty

        Hmmm, my ST227P manual doesn't mention bellcrank adjustments or even have a pic of that area.  It does mention how to shorten a cable via the turnbuckle but how would one really know if they needed to or when it was at the proper length without some way to gauge proper mechanism alignment, like your page 21 shows??? I took a look at your manual, .. nice.  I will assume mine would be the same but wonder why they don't mention it. 

        Husky is certainly not up to speed on their manuals, I have heated handle grips but my manual doesn't show or mention them and all the pix of the control panel do not have the on/off switch pictured.  I spent several weeks with a Husky support person who was kind enough to dig into the issue and told me when Husky Corp pulled the manual from their master files, it also did not have that feature called out.  I'm a bit surprised on how a company can sell a product with features that are not in their op manual....so I wonder what else may be missing on peoples manuals.

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    • John Kitchen

      I have the same problem with my 1827EXLT. Took it in for servicing. Was charged for the servicing since I bought the machine second hand from the dealer, who had one returned because the woman who bought it couldn't manage it. I thought it would be no problem for myself. Wrong, its a *** to manoeuver. After I got it back the steering was better for a short period of time. Now the left hand steering cable won't engage unless I release the traction drive lever. Its now a two hand operation to get the machine to turn to the left. Even the right hand steering cable only engages some of the time. Very disappointed with Husqvarna and what I am reading. They need to recall these machines and come up with a proper fix. Dealer can't do anything else. I own three of their chain saws, and the 550 brush cutter. As a loyal Husqvana customer I want a solution ASP.

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    • paul saunders

      This is the third winter for my 330T and steering has not work right since I bought it.  Several trips to dealer complete replace of mechanism on one side and still does not work.  Like stated above learn from your purchase mistakes.  

      A very dissatisfied customer.

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      • val bourque

        What happened to mine is that there is a c clip that falls out of the mechanism in the drive to the wheels.....I had to find this out on my own and brought it to their attention.....they did not know about this.....once I told em what to do they replaced the whole drive system and now it works.....Shame on them for not knowing this.

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