Service & Maintenance Question
BLADES & BOLTS FALLING OFF new Husqvarna GTH26V52LS Garden...escalated
Service & Maintenance Question posted June 17, 2012 by D. Fain, last edited June 19, 2012
2640 Views, 5 Comments
Question:
BLADES & BOLTS FALLING OFF new Husqvarna GTH26V52LS Garden Tractor. THREE times in 1st YEAR of ownership.
Details:
On 6/2/11 I purchased a new Husqvarna GTH26V52LS Garden Tractor from STI Turf Care in Colfax, NC. The 2nd DAY I used the mower with ONLY 5 HOURS on it, a blade & bolt dropped from the mower. Never heard anything & had mowed a while before saw blade & bolt on ground--together with bolt threads up from center of star hole of blade.. I mow a lot of grass & my lawn is certainly not a golf course, but was on smooth & level ground when this happened. Dealer was not going to even come & pick up the TWO-DAY OLD MOWER WITH ONLY 5 HOURS ON IT or cover under warranty. They insisted I must have hit something to shear off the bolt. I did NOT. After planning to return the mower for full refund, dealer finally agreed to pick it up & make repairs. I'm sure they put same blade & bolt back on machine. Then in October 2011 (5-MONTH OLD MOWER WITH 88 HOURS ON IT), a blade fell off again, and I found the bolt within one foot of blade. Perfectly smooth & level ground once again. Dealer again flatly refused to pick up the mower & make repairs under warranty. I misplaced the bolt in my garage & they priced new one for $10.00 (NO warranty since had to be my fault per dealer). Went to LTD in King, NC & bought new factory bolt for under $6.00. Local repairman I have always trusted to service three John Deere & Toro Wheelhorse (I have used on SAME grounds past 15 years--without EVER having a blade fall off ANY of them!) made the repair, sharpened all the blades, & serviced the machine. I decided after their rip-off price for part that should be warrantied, overall poor service attitude & not standing behind their product that I would NOT deal with STI again. All went well until yesterday, 6/16/12, with 111.5 HOURS & just over ONE-YEAR old, blade fell off again on perfectly smooth & level ground. As with other two times, no noise or any idea blade was off until I came around & saw it on ground. This time I cannot find the bolt. I am extremely aggravated & disappointed considering price I paid for this machine. I am NOT abusing the tractor or subjecting it to anything or anywhere my two JD or Toro have gone before. Cutting at 2.5" to 3" and NO obstacles. This problem is NOT from the operator. Has to be mechanical defect. I have not marked the blades so have no idea if SAME blade each time. What do you suggest?? I received no help from dealership. Is Husqvarna going to ignore this very dangerous problem until someone is hurt or killed by a loose blade??
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Answer
So I'm replying to my own post since no one with Husqvarna has replied since this past Sunday.
This is a SERIOUS & DANGEROUS DEFECT with this particular machine!
How many OTHER customers have had this problem with blade(s) & bolt falling off your new mower??
Husqvarna, Dealers, and other Owners need to be aware of this defect before someone is hurt or killed by a loose blade!!
ANOTHER ONE:
Service & Maintenance Question posted Yesterday by Bill Cariker
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Question:
Blades dropping off GTH26V52LS. I recently bought a GTH26V52LS garden tractor. Less than 12 hours on the engine and am having trouble with blades dropping off spindles due to 7/16" bolt vibrating off. This bolt right hand threaded and want to know if this has been common problem. Not just one blade but of the three blades, only the center one has not come off. What is the spec for the exact torque on this bolt - can't find this anywhere in parts manual. Am at a loss at what to do. Thanks.
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Dear Mr. Fain,
Just acknowledging your post as you were kind enough to send me one as we have same problem. No news on my end from AnswerArmy. My dealer service manager confirmed no special technical bulletins printed on this problem. Claim that hitting rock, etc., probably loosened bolt. I suspect this is a catch all reason. Bolt was examined for "stretching" and no indication seen. Was told to engage blades at less than full power but other than that, I am still clueless and expect problem to reappear. Best regards, B. Cariker
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I have the GTH24V52LS, I had a blade bolt come off also for no reason, I have never had this happen before, but this is my first Husqvarna.
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We too have had this problem with the Husqvarna Gt52XLS that is only 3 yrs old now - the first year we had to replace all 3 spindles at our expense with new blades because the Unknown loose blades ruined the spines. The blades have continued to fall off at random times and random blades. This is our fault according to the service dept and that there is no recall or any other notice from Husqvarna addressing this issue.
We were also told by the service people that this issue has to be our fault and must be hitting rocks. Now we do have somewhat rocky grounds and have hit some rocks, but we are not mowing a rock field. We were also told that it is the rocks hitting the blades and making them "un balanced" may be the issue. Obviously from the original post here that is not the issue.
I have used Locktite to see if that hold them on with no success.
Looks like its time to contact Husqvara directly.
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Also found issue here - https://www.consumeraffairs.com/homeowners/husqvarna.html?page=5
I just bought a Husqvarna riding mower from Lowe’s that I paid $1600.00 in May 2014. THREE months later I called the local dealer to come pick it up because what I thought was the blade failing turned out to be a Spindle. They called me the next day to tell me that the repair wasn't covered under warranty and that it would cost $175.00. When I asked why it wasn't covered they told me that the spindle was broken by serious impact. BY WHAT the freaking GRASS??!!
I live on 2 acres of flat land. The same land that I had been cutting for the past 3 months. It seems that they find any excuse to not to cover something under warranty. Then had the nerve to say there could've been a rock or something in the grass??!! Seriously, if a little rock can break my $1600 piece of equipment just goes to show how shoddy these things are made. NO way it should've broken. They obviously do not care about customer satisfaction. After only having for 3 months and a measly $175 repair, they should've just fixed it at no charge. Very dissatisfied. Live and Learn. Will never purchase another piece of Husqvarna equipment EVER!!"
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