Airing Gripe! (as well as call for help)

[dennis]

I am working on a Husqvarna walk behind mower, Mod HD800BBC, Ser 071712M002636, Product # 961430089-01. The control assembly on the handle has 2 plastic levers that break easily. It appears the levers cannot be purchased separately. The entire unit (part # 532430995) is a $65 item, cheapest found is $59. Here is the gripe.....the ONLY parts that are shot are the 2 plastic levers. The unit itself, cam and spring mechanism, and cable are all like new. However, the whole danged unit has to be purchased. Usually Husky has a good name and people buy their products for quality...at least that is the way it was. Well, this "designed weak link" really makes me think twice about ever purchasing a Husky product again. Feel better now that I vented to you guys...and gals.

[bgsengine]

I am working on a Husqvarna walk behind mower, Mod HD800BBC, Ser 071712M002636, Product # 961430089-01. The control assembly on the handle has 2 plastic levers that break easily. It appears the levers cannot be purchased separately. The entire unit (part # 532430995) is a $65 item, cheapest found is $59. Here is the gripe.....the ONLY parts that are shot are the 2 plastic levers. The unit itself, cam and spring mechanism, and cable are all like new. However, the whole danged unit has to be purchased. Usually Husky has a good name and people buy their products for quality...at least that is the way it was. Well, this "designed weak link" really makes me think twice about ever purchasing a Husky product again. Feel better now that I vented to you guys...and gals.

You DO know that those machines are all AYP - American Yard Products, formerly known as Roper, - also the makers of Craftsman and Poulan, and Weedeater You can buy the same thing at Sears for a lot less if you don't need the Husqvarna name or Orange paint.

Husqvarna should have stuck with what they did best - Swedish built Chainsaws.. But putting their name on all that cheapo crap is hurting their brand.

[RoyM]

[

You DO know that those machines are all AYP - American Yard Products, formerly known as Roper, - also the makers of Craftsman and Poulan, and Weedeater You can buy the same thing at Sears for a lot less if you don't need the Husqvarna name or Orange paint.

Which is now HOP (Husqvarna Outdoor Products) I deal with this stuff on a daily basis. You think that is bad, have a look at some of Murray pricing. In some cases, a bag and frame costs more than a new mower.

[bgsengine]

[

You DO know that those machines are all AYP - American Yard Products, formerly known as Roper, - also the makers of Craftsman and Poulan, and Weedeater You can buy the same thing at Sears for a lot less if you don't need the Husqvarna name or Orange paint.

Which is now HOP (Husqvarna Outdoor Products) I deal with this stuff on a daily basis. You think that is bad, have a look at some of Murray pricing. In some cases, a bag and frame costs more than a new mower.

Trust me, I know just what you mean - actually sold a new lawnmower after customer priced out a replacement grass bag for his old one (which was a Murray)

Also I well know AYP = HOP (Note my second paragraph) and meant to put that in there, missed typing it out.. LOL! - Same way it can be so confusing with Homelite, Ryobi, Ridgid (Techtronics Industries, LTD), and then there's the other "big" box store guys - MTD - with all their brands like Cub Cadet, Troy-Bilt, Columbia, Yardman, Bolens, Yard Machines, and of course often end up re-labeled under Craftsman, Ace Hardware, Wal-Mart and other brands..

And worse yet - couple days ago just worked on a 6 months old lawnmower.. with the Murray badge on it.. Built by Husqvarna!

It really is getting difficult to keep these things straight - but what I am finding is, once you get to "know" the actual model number formats on those brands, you can usually figure out who really made them.

[KE4AVB]

I going be like Homer of the Simpsons, I going to lose that last couple hairs of my head if keeps up. Things are getting so confusing for all us; the customer and repair shops.

Roy, You could check out PN 581950505 Control.aw2.22+rg.bs.gen.bk/bk as compared to PN 532430995 Control.aw2.22+rgd.bs.gry/blk

It would from the HD800BBC 96143008903 (2014-01) and the HU725AWD/BBC - 96145001801 (2014-01)

You may need change out the cable but the control housing looks the same except the it is all black instead of grey and black. Finding listed with cable for around $35.00 + shc.

[Deere2me]

I am working on a Husqvarna walk behind mower, Mod HD800BBC, Ser 071712M002636, Product # 961430089-01. The control assembly on the handle has 2 plastic levers that break easily. It appears the levers cannot be purchased separately. The entire unit (part # 532430995) is a $65 item, cheapest found is $59. Here is the gripe.....the ONLY parts that are shot are the 2 plastic levers. The unit itself, cam and spring mechanism, and cable are all like new. However, the whole danged unit has to be purchased. Usually Husky has a good name and people buy their products for quality...at least that is the way it was. Well, this "designed weak link" really makes me think twice about ever purchasing a Husky product again. Feel better now that I vented to you guys...and gals.

It gets better!!! I just replaced the control cable on that very same model....$35.00! You might wanna check the inner cable for fraying where it passes thru the deck.

[DennyIN]

Can you re-enforce the new unit so it will last longer? I couldn't pull up a good picture showing how it is made. On my JD 160, lx172 & 275 the throttle lever is hollow and over time becomes brittle and breaks. I fill in the hollowed out portion with JB liquid weld to make it solid and stronger and haven't had one break since.

[KE4AVB]

And worse yet - couple days ago just worked on a 6 months old lawnmower.. with the Murray badge on it.. Built by Husqvarna!

Sure it wasn't built by Chin Ho out back out his rickshaw.

[dennis]

Thanks for the moral support, and suggestions. I'm glad I vented, especially since I know I am not alone! All kidding aside, I could make new levers, and maybe would, if the unit were mine. However, it would take awhile, and probably several trys, to get it right. Obviously one cannot do that when working on other's equipment. I will check out the suggested links.