Sorry A** Rider 155!

[Gem99ultra]

I can't believe it - the spindles on the mower deck of my Husq Rider 155 wore out. What's the deal with selling junk mowers like that

Replacement parts were/are still available for this 12 year old mower. Total rebuild of the mower deck cost me $397 - way less than the current model of Husqvarna's articulating mower runs. Actual rebuild time was less than 2 hours, from tools out to tools put up. Runs like a new one now.

I'm not going to talk too loud though - the transmission or engine could blow up any minute. And it's have good reason to do so. It has over 2500 hours of mowing time on it.

 

[stuckmotor]

I hope it's good for another 12 years now.

 

[DHD]

I can't believe it - the spindles on the mower deck of my Husq Rider 155 wore out. What's the deal with selling junk mowers like that

Replacement parts were/are still available for this 12 year old mower. Total rebuild of the mower deck cost me $397 - way less than the current model of Husqvarna's articulating mower runs. Actual rebuild time was less than 2 hours, from tools out to tools put up. Runs like a new one now.

I'm not going to talk too loud though - the transmission or engine could blow up any minute. And it's have good reason to do so. It has over 2500 hours of mowing time on it.

I'm so glad I came across the post.
It sounds as though you made a very wise investment.

Are you the original owner of your Husqvarna Rider ?

Did you use it for other jobs besides mowing ?

I've been seriously thinking about getting a new Husqvarna R322T 4wd articulating mower, for blowing snow and mowing.
I've been following postings of others who have had their R322T Riders for a year or two, with very positive feed back.

Sounds as though these Husqvarna Riders are pretty tough.

Thank you for the posting.

 

[Gem99ultra]

I'm so glad I came across the post.
It sounds as though you made a very wise investment.

Are you the original owner of your Husqvarna Rider ?

Did you use it for other jobs besides mowing ?

I've been seriously thinking about getting a new Husqvarna R322T 4wd articulating mower, for blowing snow and mowing.
I've been following postings of others who have had their R322T Riders for a year or two, with very positive feed back.

Sounds as though these Husqvarna Riders are pretty tough.

Thank you for the posting.

Yes, I am the original and only owner of this Rider 155. I do routinely use it to pull one of those little carts around in addition with light loads, and to using it for mowing. The only time that I've really hauled heavy stuff was when we were back in Friendswood, TX and Hurricane Ike hit us square on. We lost 11 huge oaks that had to be cut up and used the Rider 155 to haul all of that debris out. Some loads were as much as 600#.

Certainly that was abuse for that little 15 horse mower, but then, I didn't have a tractor and really had no options. I have read that the light weight TorqTuff transmission in this size mower as well as in a number of other similar size mower won't hold up to loads heavier than 600#. No doubt I've simply been lucky.

For my use I would love to have a R322T AWD for mowing steep slopes around our dam with it's much more powerful engine and all wheel drive. But, I can't vouch for it's ability to run a snow blower. Perhaps there are others on here that have experience on that part. On the other hand, I see no reason that it would not handle that chore - the little R155 was used for over 10 years to mow 4 acres twice a week - and believe me, 3 of those 4 acres were simply round fields when I started.

 

[DHD]

Thank you for the feedback.

It's so hard to find confidence it so much of the equipment that's produced nowadays.

It's good to hear of the positive experiences you've had with your Rider.

Thanks again
bill

 

[DHD]

I can't believe it - the spindles on the mower deck of my Husq Rider 155 wore out. What's the deal with selling junk mowers like that

Replacement parts were/are still available for this 12 year old mower. Total rebuild of the mower deck cost me $397 - way less than the current model of Husqvarna's articulating mower runs. Actual rebuild time was less than 2 hours, from tools out to tools put up. Runs like a new one now.

I'm not going to talk too loud though - the transmission or engine could blow up any minute. And it's have good reason to do so. It has over 2500 hours of mowing time on it.

In April I'll be getting my new R322T.
This will be the first new riding mower I've ever owned, all my previous riding mowers have been used Wheel Horses, which have served me very well.
I hope my new R322T will serve me as well as you your 155 has served you.
I plan to maintain this new mower as I've maintain my WH mowers with regular oil changes and greasing, what can be greased, to extend it's service life.
However this new machine has fewer grease fittings as compared to my old WH machines.
It's also got a cable steering system, which is foreign to me.
I was wondering if there were any addition preventative maintenance practices you performed over the years, on your 155, which may had contributed to it's reliable service.

 

[Gem99ultra]

I agree about the lack of zerk fittings to keep the Husqvarna going. The ease of flipping the mower deck up is a real asset, especially in keeping the blades sharp and cleaning off the underside of the deck, which I do a couple of times per year. I wish the spindles had grease fittings, which I believe I could have added fairly easily had I known how simple they are to remove and drill. Oh well – they gave me good service anyway.
You could probably classify me as one that ‘over maintains’ his equipment though. I grease my Husq two or three times a year and changed the oil pretty much as the manual called for. There is one grease fitting on the steering cable drum on bottom that the book calls out that is very easy to overlook and hard to see. But it is necessary.
You are exactly right about the cable steering too. Keeping that lubricated is the key to longevity and ease of steering. I keep mine covered in white lithium grease the full length as well as the brake cable. The plastic floorboards on mine come off with two large screws, so getting to the underside from the top is easy.
I also pull the deck guide wheels off occasionally an add grease, although they are ‘supposed’ to be sealed bearings. Dry lube on all of the linkage, keeping the air filter clean, changing oil and a new plug every so often will go a long way in keeping your new mower rocking along. I am, of course envious of your soon-to-be R322T. It should be a very fine machine.

 

[DHD]

I agree about the lack of zerk fittings to keep the Husqvarna going. The ease of flipping the mower deck up is a real asset, especially in keeping the blades sharp and cleaning off the underside of the deck, which I do a couple of times per year. I wish the spindles had grease fittings, which I believe I could have added fairly easily had I known how simple they are to remove and drill. Oh well they gave me good service anyway.
You could probably classify me as one that 双ver maintains his equipment though. I grease my Husq two or three times a year and changed the oil pretty much as the manual called for. There is one grease fitting on the steering cable drum on bottom that the book calls out that is very easy to overlook and hard to see. But it is necessary.
You are exactly right about the cable steering too. Keeping that lubricated is the key to longevity and ease of steering. I keep mine covered in white lithium grease the full length as well as the brake cable. The plastic floorboards on mine come off with two large screws, so getting to the underside from the top is easy.
I also pull the deck guide wheels off occasionally an add grease, although they are 壮upposed to be sealed bearings. Dry lube on all of the linkage, keeping the air filter clean, changing oil and a new plug every so often will go a long way in keeping your new mower rocking along. I am, of course envious of your soon-to-be R322T. It should be a very fine machine.

Thank you very much for your suggestions and sharing you experience.
This information is greatly appreciated.
bill

 

[DHD]

I wish the spindles had grease fittings, which I believe I could have added fairly easily had I known how simple they are to remove and drill. Oh well – they gave me good service anyway.

I believe the new Mower Decks of these new Riders have zerk fittings for the spindles now.
Although you need to remove a plastic cover to get to them.
I read that one owner drilled holes through the plastic cover, for easier access.