Husqvarna YTA18542 Transmission Problems And Troubleshooting Guide

In the world of a handyman, Husqvarna is the king. Whether you are buying a power tool or gardening equipment, the name will definitely come up in your research. I have been a huge fan of theirs for quite a while, and the YTA18452 lawnmower by them is definitely one of my favorites.

It’s a fantastic beast capable of making short work of any small to moderate lawns. The mower is equipped with a 42-inch cutting deck and is compact enough to maneuver tight corners without any hassle on your part. And the best part – it’s not that expensive either.

With all these features, it’s really no wonder that this mower is extremely popular. However, there are many who have complained quite frequently about the transmission system in their lawnmower.

In this article, I decided to address these concerns and help you figure out exactly what you should do to fix the Husqvarna YTA18452 transmission problems. So without further ado, let’s get started.

Common Transmission Issues In The Husqvarna YTA18452 Lawnmower

Before I give you the solutions, let me talk a bit about the problems that you might be facing with the transmission system. The Husqvarna YTA18452 is a pretty reliable mower, but there are certainly some concerns that you need to know about in its transmission.

If you are a first-time user, then you can take the list as a heads-up for issues that you might have to face in the future.

Drive Problems

Not everyone has a flat, level lawn, and if you are mowing uphill, the tractor might not be able to deliver its top speed. Even when you push down on the pedal, the mower will not be able to reach a good driving speed

Disruption In The Power

The hydrostatic transmission in your Husqvarna relies on efficient airflow and power delivery. And if there is any disruption in the system’s efficiency, the wheel movements will suffer. You might notice awkward movement from the tractor because of hindrance in the airflow.

Pedals Not Working

Sometimes, the lawnmower might start to move even when you are not pressing down on any pedals. This is a serious cause for concern, especially if you are mowing on a slope.

Wire Loop

The wire loop in your mower is designed to disengage the hydrostatic transmission, and if there are any issues there, you will not be able to disengage the transmission.

Dirt Buildup

Due to the nature of the machine, it picks up a lot of dirt and debris. And if they are allowed to build up inside the mower, it can cause all sorts of transmission issues.

Broken Components

If the mechanical components like the filter or metal hoses are damaged, they can start a chain reaction of events that can cause your transmission system to malfunction.

Oil Leakage

If there’s an oil leak in the hydrostatic system, then that can cause issues with your lawnmower. Typically, leaking oil can lead to difficulty in shifting or sudden loss of power in the lawnmower.

Oil Viscosity

Using the wrong oil with the wrong viscosity is never a good idea. You should always check the instruction manual and use the oil that matches the recommended viscosity range. Otherwise, you would likely notice a lot of drivability issues with your lawnmower.

How To Fix The Husqvarna YTA18452 Transmission Errors?

While issues in the transmission system of the Husqvarna YTA18452 can present themselves in many ways, the way to fix the problem is pretty straightforward. There are a couple of things that you need to do one after the other.

Before moving on to the next step, make sure you check the mower and see if the transmission is working again. Here are the steps to fixing the transmission issues in the Husqvarna YTA18452.

1. Purge The Hydrostatic Transmission

Air is the number one enemy of a hydrostatic transmission. The hydrostatic transmission system relies on oil pressure to generate a driving force. But when air gets into the pumps, it cannot generate enough pressure. Air getting into the system, also referred to as cavitation, is a common problem in many hydrostatic mowers.

To drive the air out, you need to purge the transmission system. In general, it’s a good practice to purge the system anyways if you want to take your mower to a servicing center.

It might seem like too big a task for a first-timer, but the steps are pretty straightforward. Here is a quick step-by-step guide on purging the hydrostatic transmission in your Husqvarna lawnmower.

• First thing first, set your mower on a flat, level surface and engage the parking brakes. Use jack stands to lift up the rear part of the lawnmower.
• Take a look at the oil tank and ensure that it’s topped off with oil of the right weight and that the oil is not stale. Drain old oil and refill if needed.
• Next, you need to disengage the transmission system. In the case of Husqvarna YTA18452, you need to lift the attachment lever on the left side of the operator’s seat to the highest position.
• Then pull the freewheel control in the rear downwards and pull it outwards. This will disengage the transmission.
• With the transmission disengaged, turn on the engine after sitting on the operator’s seat.
• Position the control lever to the neutral position, set the speed to the slowest setting, and disengage the clutch.
• Set the mower to go forward for five seconds by pushing down the control lever forward.
• Then set it to go reverse for five seconds by pulling back on the lever.
• Repeat the back-and-forth motion for three cycles.
• Set the mower back in neutral and turn off the engine. Reengage the brake.
• Check the oil level again and reactivate the transmission. The steps are the exact opposite of what you did to disengage the transmission.
• Remove the jack stands from the rear, fire up the engine, and take the mower off the brake.
• Move the mower forward for five feet by pressing the lever forward.
• Do the same for the reverse moving the same amount of distance.
• Repeat the cycle three times.

Doing the above steps should purge the transmission system in your Husqvarna YTA18452 and get rid of any trapped air inside. So, try driving the mower around and see if it is fixed.

If the transmission system still feels weird and the mower feels sluggish, move on to the next step in the troubleshooting.

2. Thorough Visual Inspection

Purging the system should fix any transmission issues that your mower might be having. However, if the problem lies in its mechanical sections, then you need to do a thorough inspection and figure out which component is causing the problem.

Let me talk about how I like to approach this task. Of course, make sure you are equipped with the right gear for the job.

• Check the oil level in the hydraulic system. Top it off if needed.
• Check for leaks in the hoses and connectors. Sometimes, leakage can be hard to detect. So, take your time and proceed slowly.
• Clean out the components using a soft brush and compressed air.

If this doesn’t fix your transmission, there’s one last thing you need to check.

3. Steering And Hydraulic Fluid Condition

If the hydraulic fluid in your Husqvarna YTA18452 got stale, then that would explain why your mower is performing poorly. So, once you have purged the system and checked out for signs of damage, the next likely culprit here is the fluid.

Drain the old fluid from the steering and hydraulics and use fresh fluids. Try running the mower now. It should fix any transmission issues in your vehicle.

4. Consult An Expert Mechanic

If none of the above steps helped get rid of the transmission issue, then it’s time to call in the big guns. Get your mower to a repair shop and have it checked by a professional. And since you have already purged your lawnmower, he will be able to figure out the problem much quicker.

Final Thoughts

The transmission system in the Husqvarna YTA18452 is really well-designed. However, with poor maintenance, it can fall victim to a host of issues. If you want your mower to survive regular usage, then the best thing you can do for it is to service it in due time.

Regularly cleaning the mechanical components and changing old fuel will help your mower run better and perform in its peak condition for a longer period. By checking it in a service shop once every six months, you will be able to prevent any issues from coming up and messing up your experience with the lawnmower.

Hopefully, my article on Husqvarna YTA18452 transmission problems could help resolve any issues you might be having with your machine. Good luck!