Among lawn mower users, Husqvarna is a name that is trusted and exudes quality. This company, establish in 1689, has been manufacturing high-end riding lawn mowers for many years. Their advanced machine and highly efficient engine make Husqvarna lawn mowers very special.
Husqvarna lawn mowers use a belt mechanism for transmitting power from the engine to the blades. The belt determines whether the blades rotate or don’t. So, it’s very important to maintain optimal belt tension.
But sometimes the belt can become loose. This may happen because of long or extensive use. That’s why you should know how to tighten a belt on a Husqvarna riding lawn mower.
In this article, first, we’ll focus on the factors that cause the belt to loosen. Then we’ll discuss why it needs to be fixed and how you can do it.
So, let’s get started!
In this content you’ll learn:
Why Does The Belt Become Loose?
There are many reasons for which a belt becomes loose. In some cases, the belt can be worn out due to heavy use. Oil or dust can cause permanent damage to the belt surface. But in most cases, it becomes loose because of the expansion of the belt.
The belt transmits power continuously during the whole operation. It works under high tension. As a result, under continuous stress, the belt material gets expanded. So, it becomes loose and needs to be tightened a bit.
If the belt surface is good and there is no permanent damage then, tightening the belt can be a solution. But if the belt is permanently damaged or worn out, then replacing it with a new one will be better.
Why Do You Need To Tighten The Belt On A Husqvarna Riding Lawn Mower?
As I’ve mentioned earlier, the belt mechanism is used for the power transmission of Husqvarna lawn mowers. It works like the gears that we can see in automobiles. The engine generates power and the belt transmits it to the blades. As a result, the performance of these lawn mowers largely depends on the belt condition.
Generally, there is a lever that is used to apply or release the tension on the belt. It controls the engagement of the drive belt with the blades. So, you can turn the blade on or off with this lever. When you turn it off, the drive belt gets disengaged. This makes the belt slack, which may cause the belt to slip from the pulley.
This may stop the power transmission and affect the performance of the rotating blades. So, if you don’t adjust the belt tension, you won’t be able to turn off the blades. This can be very risky and may cause accidents. So, it’s very necessary to tighten the belt of lawn mowers.
How To Tighten The Belt On A Husqvarna Riding Lawn Mower?
It is very easy to tighten the belt of these lawn mowers. By following the steps I’ve described here, you can do it all on your own. Follow these steps accordingly:
- Parking the lawn mower:
The first step is to park the lawn mower in a suitable place. To do it, turn on the mower by igniting the engine. You can do it by pressing the ignition switch. As the belt is not tightened yet, the blades should be stationary. Ride the mower to a safe place and park it in a stable position by using the parking brake pedal. Generally, this pedal is at the left side of the lawn mower. - Find the lever and pull the paddle handle:
Mostly the log lever is situated inside the control panel of the lawn mower. So, the thing you need to do is simple. Just look for the lever at the top side of the control panel. Beside this lever, you’ll find a paddle handle. This handle is used to adjust the belt tension.
Just pull the handle toward the steering wheel. This will make the belt tight enough to run the blades.
- Check the blades:
If the operation is successful, then the belt and blade will be engaged. By rotating the pulley and the belt, you can ensure that the blade is rotating too. If it works, then the mower is ready to perform. - Adjust the belt tension:
If the tension is not accurate, you can adjust it as well. All you need to do is pull the lever backward. I’d recommend checking the tension manually each time you rotate the lever. This will ensure the perfect tension on the belt, which is a must for it operating smoothly in the future.
You can disengage the belt easily by pushing the lever away. This will restrict the blades from rotating. Thus you can check and maintain the tension by tightening the belt.
Safety measures to follow:
Blades can be quite dangerous if not handled properly. So, you must be careful enough while adjusting the belt. Otherwise, it can cause great harm. That’s why there are some safety measures everyone should remember. You should follow them as well. Those are:
- Always read the user manual. Most people avoid it, but it’s very important. The designers and engineers prepare user guides to properly help users. So, it’s best to look through it before you start operating your machine.
- Never forget to check and recheck your lawn mower’s blade. Don’t ever try to engage with the blade while it’s rotating. Always disengage them from the pulley before doing any servicing.
- It’s very important to check the condition of the material on the belt. If you find that the belt is worn out and the condition has deteriorated completely, replace it as soon as possible. Otherwise, it may cause serious damage to your lawn mower.
In case of any severe problem, it’s always best to look for a professional service provider. If you can’t handle it on your own, don’t hesitate to seek out an expert.
Conclusion:
Without properly maintaining the belt tension, all high-performing mowers will be useless. So you should aim to maintain it as perfectly as you can for the durability of your mower.
Now you know how to tighten the belt on a Husqvarna riding lawn mower. If the belt is in good condition, by following the above steps you can tighten the belt easily.
However, if there is any defect in the belt, then it’s better to replace it with a new one. I would suggest never using the belt without properly tightening it first, as it can severely damage the lawn mower and the operator as well.