Getting compliments on nice lawn care equipment isn’t exactly something to put on a resume. However, clean equipment represents the owners pride and reflects upon a certain attitude fewer and fewer people seem to have. The mower pictured here is nearly 2 years old with ~150 hours of operating time on the clock. This mower works 3-4 hours per week during season.
Pressure washed with plastic shroud cleaned up. The blade gets soaked in water before scrubbing the dried on grass off of it.
Cleaning the mower top to bottom after each use has become a habit. Out of the box it was waxed with a heavy duty automotive wax which has made upkeep and cleaning the mower a breeze. If water pearls off the paint, the mower remains easy to clean, shines and sparkles when parked. Even though I am pointing out what people could consider weak points, the Husqvarna mower is easier to clean and maintain in top shape than any other mower I have used. The blade pictured on the right is the mowers original blade as delivered in the box. Cutting high enough, no matter what, will keep your blade in near perfect condition with little need for maintenance, sharpening or replacement.
One of the weak points of most lawnmowers is the design of the deck. Husqvarna did a pretty fine job on the HU775H! Find out where water and dirt collects and settles on the top of the deck. Those areas should be a hotspots for cleaning and proper protection from the elements. Mind the drainage hole on the front of the deck, underneath the valve cover, as this is where excessive water will drip out.
Husqvarna states that the cleaning adapter, attached to the deck of the mower is sufficient to keep the mower clean underneath. Considering “normal” people don’t mind the corrosion after a few years, this is probably true. The Maintenance Schedule points out that the belt cover (drive cover) underneath should be removed and the covered areas cleaned every 10 hours. This means, to remove the blade & shaft, take the screws out of the belt-cover and two 8mm screws on the top, before removng cut grass within. All easy to do, thanks to a pretty nifty design by Husqvarna. Wet grass is incredibly corrosive and subject to mold. Paint and material will be damaged beyond repair before too long. Make the effort, though, also in an attempt to keep the mower light, dry and working optimally.
The front shroud attaches to the mower by the use of four 10mm cutting screws. Two on the bottom, two on each side, close to the front wheels. Taking those off will remove the lower axle cover (it drops out), leaving the upper front shroud cover in place. This front shroud cover is fastened to the deck with three more 10mm cutting screws and a clip. Removing both covers will yield a surprise!
Stuffed with gunk and wet grass, your complete front axle will be soaked. A perfect recipe for rust and moisture, also underneath the upper front shroud cover. Take the time to wax this area well and corrosion has no chance, even if you don’t have the time to disassemble the shroud after each use. Husqvarna provided optimal axle protection with the cover, the caught grass is probably a “accepted necessity”. It will take some time for the axle to be rusted out, hence it makes more sense to protect it from bending and impact than it makes to expose it to some wet grass. Again, most mowers don’t get any cleaning at all, therefore this will be one of the least worries for owners of Husqvarna machines.
The rear transmission area is unprotected from dirt and debris which will collect and literally stuff the mower up, besides wreaking havoc on the delicate mechanisms at play to keep the mower moving properly. Good thing is that the area dries out easy after cleaning. Taking the time to clean those areas will benefit the mower in the long run. Best is, again, a heavy coat of spray on wax, which will protect the metal underneath.
Mower propped for cleaning of underside. Clearly visible, a heavy coat of wax that was applied when new, still intact.
The underside of the deck has countless areas where wet grass and debris will collect, which is completely normal for most mowers. Besides a heavy coat of wax, once a year, the area should be pressure washed or at least hosed down with a high power jet to keep everything clean and dry. The mower will thank you by mulching better, catching better and being lighter on the already high curb weight of nearly 90 pounds. This high weight has benefits again when it comes to having a mower that won’t bounce on every small piece of wood. The cut is incredibly even and the mower is very easy to handle. Many people seem to have difficulty with getting the drive disengaged when trying to back the mower up. The transmission needs some free play to unlock out of gear and allow the mower to move backwards. Let go of the Autowalk grips a few inches before you desire to do very tight turns or back up and things will be fine and not as hard on you or the transmission. Most importantly, tell friends complaining about the “flaw” that its easily solved and not factually a flaw of the machine.
Prop the catcher- and side discharge door open after washing, to let the underside of the deck dry out. Remember that movement of air is all it takes to reduce the effects of moisture and mold and hence greatly reduces the risk of corrosion.
The catcher bag and side discharge doors in itself have crevices and wet grass will collect beneath, in direct contact with painted surfaces. When hosing the mower down, spend some extra time on these areas. The paint in direct contact with rubbing plastic parts will fade over time. Two 12mm nuts hold the side discharge door in position.
The rear wheels are driven by the use of a small gears which transmit onto the wheels much larger gear. Roughly every 10-15 hours of operation, I will remove the rear wheels and clean the collected grass out of the gears. Also a good time to check your bearings and make sure the wheels are OK. Grease is used sparingly as it attracts dust and dirt to collect, but some light mist of wax or oil will go a long way to keep the drive gear in perfect working order. With the wheels removed, the painted areas usually inaccessible may be cleaned and treated as well.
A complete dis-assembly including engine removal and thorough cleaning is done once per season, prior to storage. This way the mower looks and performs at its best and is ready for use when the next mowing season starts.
The Husqvarna HU775H Blog 