Husqvarna l221a: The 3-in-1 Lawn Mower with a Honda Engine. Husqvarna walk behind mower
Husqvarna l221a: The 3-in-1 Lawn Mower with a Honda Engine
In this Husqvarna l221a lawnmower review, you’ll find out about the specs, features and positive attributes of this machine and what it can and cannot do.
We’ll also tell you the downsides and problems we discovered about owning one of these mowers along with the advantages and positive factors.
By the end of this review, you’ll have a clear idea about what kind of buyer is most likely to be pleased with purchasing this unit and who should keep shopping for a different brand or model. Continue reading for all the important details regarding this lawnmower.
- Husqvarna 21 inch Mower Pros and Cons
- Product Highlights
- – Husqvarna l221a Review
- – 3-in-1 Cutting Options
- – Operator Controls
- – Engine
- – Cutting Deck
- – Wheels
- – Size and Weight
- – Warranty
- How many hours is a lot for Husqvarna l221a mower?
- How often should you service Husqvarna l221a mower?
- What speed does Husqvarna l221a mower cut at?
Product Highlights
This Husqvarna self propelled mower is built to cut grass and weeds on typical residential small to medium-sized lawns, including those with uneven ground and moderate slopes. It comes equipped with an exceptionally reliable Honda engine that has an excellent reputation for hassle-free operation.
- 160cc 4-stroke Honda engine
- Single-speed forward motion
- Easy start-up
- All-wheel-drive
- It comes with a collection bag
– Husqvarna l221a Review
Suppose you have a small to medium size yard with a few moderate slopes, hills or patches of uneven ground that need mowing. In that case, this Husqvarna model offers a combination of reasonably good power and simple operation for getting the job done.
The high-quality 4-stroke Honda engine runs on regular gasoline, and it reliably starts up with just one or two pulls of the recoil cord.
Depending on what type of mowing you’re doing, you can operate this mower with or without engaging the self-propel feature. When faced with a large area, pull up on the bail below the handlebar, and the machine powers itself along without you needing to push it.
On the other hand, if you are cutting in tight spaces or have short runs, you can move the mower with muscle power by not lifting the lower bail. You need to release the self-propel bail and pull it back manually when moving the mower in reverse.
This mower is an excellent choice for buyers with small and medium-sized lawns with a few moderate slopes or hilly terrain because it has an all-wheel drive. With power going to all four wheels, you’ll have no trouble when encountering muddy spots, wet leaves or rough areas around your property.
– 3-in-1 Cutting Options
Like many mowers, this one includes the 3-in-1 feature that lets you opt for bagging the clippings, mulching them under the deck so they can add nutrients back into the soil and reduce the need for fertilizer, or blowing them out of the discharge chute and raking them up by hand later.
You do not need to buy a separate mulching kit to use the mower for mulching because the blade is designed for any type of cutting, and it comes with a mulching baffle to close off the discharge chute.
You can discharge cuttings from the rear chute by removing the collection bag and not installing the mulching baffle. However, the discharge location is not as convenient as a side discharge that is offered on many other models.
This is because with the clippings coming out of the back of the machine, they can get in the way of the operator’s walking path. However, this is not a problem if you are cutting short grass, and it only becomes an issue if you are hacking through tall weeds and discharging the clippings.
– Operator Controls
Running this mower is extremely simple. It has a Husqvarna auto choke system, so you do not have to adjust a choke lever or press a primer bulb to get the engine started. Instead, make sure there is gas in the tank and the fuel shut-off valve is open, then pull the recoil cord while holding down the power bail at the top of the handlebar. To stop the engine, release the top bail.
Power assist, also called self-propulsion, is engaged by pulling up on the lower bail. Unfortunately, there is only a one-speed setting when using it, and this could be a disadvantage for some buyers because you cannot choose the speed you want for walking behind the unit.
If you want more selection on travel speed options, consider some of the walk-behind mowers made by Honda, many of which have multiple travel speed settings.
One drawback of this mower for some buyers is that you cannot walk away from the machine and leave the engine idling because you must keep the drive bail pulled down for engine operation.
When it’s time to empty the collection bag, you have to stop the engine and then restart it back up again when you return. This safety feature can be an advantage if you have small children or pets in the yard while you mow, but it can be a bit frustrating if you have a large yard and need to empty the bag frequently.
Husqvarna Lawn Mower Main Product Features
– Engine
Honda makes the 160cc engine in this unit, and it’s one of the most reliable and durable you are likely to find in a lawnmower. It has plenty of power for typical lawn mowing jobs, but it can bog down under the load if you have tough cutting of tall weeds or wet grass.
The advantages of this engine are that it is low-maintenance, starts up reliably and is quiet compared to some other lawnmower engines. Nonetheless, it needs seasonal care such as changing the oil, cleaning and replacing the air filter and draining unused fuel when storing the unit for more than a month.
– Cutting Deck
The cutting deck mows a 21-inch wide swath of grass on each pass, and because the wheels sit slightly outside the cutting deck, you need to overlap the cuts on each row. This design is typical of many walk-behind mowers.
However, it can slow you down if you have a large lawn to mow. If that is the case, you might want to look into a Toro mower, which cuts the entire width on each pass and eliminates the need to overlap rows.
The rugged deck is constructed with 15-gauge steel, making it durable from season to season. Another plus is the cleanout port on top of the deck: attach a garden hose to the port with the quick-release fitting, turn on the faucet, and a jet of water will blast away debris from underneath the deck.
This cleanout system eliminates the need to tip the machine on its side to clean the deck’s underside, which needs to be done after every use. The cleanout port is a significant advantage for buyers who do not have lots of physical strength for flipping their heavy lawnmowers around to clean it.
– Wheels
All four wheels of this mower are 8 inches in diameter and made from durable plastic. They have exceptionally deep and rugged treads for superior traction on slippery ground.
However, when the rear wheels are the same size as the front ones on a lawnmower, you do not have as much leverage, making it less powerful on steep slopes and uneven ground.
To adjust the cutting height, use the small, hand-operated lever on each wheel. For example, you can change the cutting height to one of six settings between 1 inch and 4 inches above the ground, which is a reliable function to keep in mind.
– Size and Weight
This unit is 61.5 inches long, 24 inches wide, and 38.5 inches high, with the handlebar extended. It weighs 69.4 pounds, which is relatively light for a mower with this much power.
However, the lower weight reduces the amount of traction it has on steep terrain. If you have lots of slopes to mow, you might want to consider a Honda mower with a weight of around 90 pounds or more for better traction.
– Warranty
Husqvarna offers a superior bumper-to-bumper 3-year warranty on all its walk-behind lawnmowers, including this Husqvarna l221a model. You don’t need to register the product online to get warranty service, but it can make the transaction go smoother if you do.
However, it is essential to retain the receipt for warranty repairs, and it must show the model and the serial number of the machine. In addition, warranty service is only available at authorized Husqvarna service centers and dealers.
FAQ
How many hours is a lot for Husqvarna l221a mower?
A lot of hours for the Husqvarna l221a mower is subjective, but it’s generally considered significant when it exceeds 200-300 operating hours.
How often should you service Husqvarna l221a mower?
Regular servicing for the Husqvarna l221a mower is recommended every 25-50 operating hours or at least once per mowing season to maintain optimal performance.
What speed does Husqvarna l221a mower cut at?
The Husqvarna l221a mower typically cuts grass at a speed of 3-4 miles per hour, ensuring efficient and precise lawn maintenance.
Conclusion
This Husqvarna walk-behind mower is a reasonable choice for people with small and medium-sized lawns and a bit of uneven and sloped ground.
It has plenty of power for chopping through tall grass and weeds on flat ground, but it might prove to be somewhat underpowered in really challenging cutting situations.
The Honda engine that this mower utilizes is at the top of its class, so you are likely to be impressed with the easy start and general reliability of performance of this unit when using it for average lawn mowing situations.
Husqvarna Lawn Xpert LE-322 review: achieve a beautifully manicured lawn with a self-propelled electric lawn mower
The Husqvarna Lawn Xpert LE-322 impresses with customisable mulching, adjustable heights, and a self-propelled motor.
This is a good mower that will sort out your backward. However, minor but persistent issues Cloud an otherwise impressive performance.
- LED headlight
- Space-saving design
- Multiple cutting modes
- Adjustable self-propel system
You can trust Homes Gardens.
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My yard is a beast to mow – half an acre with lots of trees, slopes, and some sections with thicker and taller grass. I’m always looking for the best mowers to make the lawn mowing process less of a hassle, which was why I was excited to test the Husqvarna Lawn Xpert LE-322 with battery and charger.
Although I have used gas-powered lawn mowers in the past and understand the appeal of them, I truly believe that battery-powered mowers, like the Husqvarna Lawn Xpert LE-322, are the future. Not only are they eco-friendlier, but with each new year, they become more powerful and efficient.
According to Husqvarna, the Lawn Xpert can cut grass 30% easier and has a 30% longer run time than the competition. Over the course of a month, I put this lawn mower through the ropes in my large and complicated yard, getting a good idea on how it works and how long the battery lasts. Read about my experiences below to see if this is the right battery-powered lawn mower for you.
Product specifications
| 2x Battery |
| 21″ |
| 1.5-4.5″ |
| 2.3 cubic ft |
| 102lbs |
| 75 minutes |
| 1.5 hours |
Unboxing the Husqvarna Lawn Xpert LE-322
The lawn mower arrived in a large cardboard box on my front porch, so I used a dolly to move it to the garage. I was able to recycle the box, but the Styrofoam was not recyclable, which was disappointing. Upon removing the Styrofoam, I saw that the orange and black lawn mower had been packaged in a way that the handle was folded over. To lift the handle, I pushed the large orange button on the bottom of the handle and then lifted it to my desired position.
I put one battery on the charger while I examined the lawn mower. Unfortunately, you can only charge one battery at a time. Combined, they take about 1.5 hours to charge. However, set up was really easy. The lawn mower itself didn’t require any further set-up besides using the lever on the wheels to change the cutting height (up to 4.5 inches).
My first impression of the electric mower was that it was larger than I expected it to be with a 21-inch cutting deck. It was also pretty heavy to move around too.
What’s it like to use?
Once the batteries were charged, I placed them inside the machine until they clicked, and then pushed the On/Off button followed by the Start button while holding the brake handle down at the same time. The lawn mower powered up immediately. The motor did not emit as much noise as gas mowers do. If I wanted to use the self-propel system, I had to hold the drive control buttons on the handlebars. The speed can be adjusted with a lever up to four mph.
The control panel is one of the most high-tech that I’ve seen. There is a cut mode button that looks like two oscillating arrows. This allows the user to move through three different modes. Mode 1 is the Sensing mode which senses the height and thickness of the grass and adjusts the power used to cut it. This mode will automatically turn on when your battery is near the end of its charge so you can mow your yard for a little longer. I typically used Mode 2 which is the Mulching/High Quality mode, though I did try Mode 3 which is called Max Power. As the name implies, it gives you the most power, but at the cost of your battery life.
I tested the Husqvarna Lawn Xpert LE-322 three times on my half an acre yard. The first time I used the lawn mower, the grass was thick in some parts and high (no more than four inches) in others. On one part of my yard, the grass was slightly moist. There were only a few areas where I had to adjust the cutting height one notch higher than initially set as it was too difficult to push the mower through.
I opted to mulch my grass the first time and so left the mulch plug in the lawn mower. At 102 lbs., the lawn mower is too heavy for me to push without utilizing the self-propel system, though I did try on a few occasions just to see what it was like. It was not pleasant. Even reversing the lawn mower in a few sections of my yard was no easy feat.
Because the mower is so heavy, I used the self-propel system the entire time. Most self-propel systems have speeds between 4-6 mph, so while 4 mph is on the small side, it didn’t necessarily feel that way while using the Lawn Xpert LE322. My yard has a lot of slopes and without the self-propel system, I would have struggled to push the lawn mower up the inclines. When turning, I had to decrease the speed or else the mower would buck out of my control.
My wrists and forearms got tired and achy from holding the motor brake handle and the drive control buttons at the same time within just 10 minutes of mowing. I wish there was a better method that didn’t cause so much wrist strain.
In the past, I’ve used lawn mowers that had side discharge chutes, which can get in the way of mowing and subsequently get knocked off. I loved that the lawn mower mulched the grass without needing a side chute. While a rear discharge chute was provided, I do not relish the experience of having grass clippings covering my shoes as I walked.
On the first trial run, the batteries lasted about 50 minutes on Mode 2 (mulching/high quality) before automatically changing to Mode 1 (sensing) for 10 more minutes. I did not get the full 75 minutes of run time as advertised. This could have been for a number of reasons – like the thickness and height of the grass. I was only able to mow about 2/3rds of the yard before the lawn mower shut down. I recharged one battery up to three bars within an hour and cut the rest of the lawn in 20 minutes.
The second and third test runs were about the same in terms of the battery life and coverage. The only thing I did differently was use the grass catcher the second time. It did a phenomenal job catching the grass clippings. I had to empty it after mowing 1/4th of my yard and so on. I did not notice any real difference in terms of the battery life when using the grass catcher versus mulching.
While I never cut my yard when the sun was setting, I did notice that the LED lights automatically came on when I pushed the lawn mower into the garage. This is a nice touch for those who might need to mow their yard in the summer evenings.
Cleaning the Husqvarna Lawn Xpert LE-322
The one thing this lawn mower lacks is a deck wash port to connect a gardening hose. That would have made cleaning the deck or the underside of the lawn mower a lot easier. This is likely due to the fact that this lawn mower is electric, and Husqvarna warns buyers against cleaning this product with water. Using a hose or a pressure washer to clean the underside of the deck can result in water entering the motor or the battery and cause a short circuit. To prevent grass build-up, turn the lawn mower on its side after every use and use a leaf blower to clean the underside of the deck.
In terms of the rest of the lawn mower, it hasn’t gotten dirty in a way that warrants cleaning. If need be, I can always wash out the grass catcher, but otherwise, a nice wipe down with a dry or lightly wet rag on the exterior of the lawn mower (away from the motor and the battery) does the trick.
Storage and maintenance
When not in use, the Husqvarna Lawn Xpert LE-322 can be folded down and stored in a standing position which takes up little room in a garage, shed, or closet.
Since this is a battery-operated lawn mower, there is very little maintenance required. You’ll need to replace the filter every season which is a good time to examine whether or not the blade needs to be sharpened or replaced. The only other thing that you’ll need to check is the battery charger and port for damage on occasion.
If you ever need to get the lawn mower worked on, you can find a network of service dealers on the Husqvarna website. The three-year limited warranty will cover the repair or replacement of any parts that are defective because of normal wear or workmanship.
How does it rate online?
The Husqvarna Lawn Xpert LE-322 launched in the spring of 2023, so there are few reviews of the product on the Husqvarna website. I was able to find a few reviews on the Lowe’s website. Of the four reviews, two were five stars, one was three stars, and the last was one star. The three and one-star reviewers liked the product and how it cut but explained that the battery life did not last 75 minutes. One of the reviewers said it only lasted 35 minutes, while the other reviewer did not mention the exact length of time their battery lasted but noted, “In conditions that are normal, the battery does not come close to the stated runtime per charge.”
How does it compare to similar models and its predecessors
Husqvarna released another battery-powered lawn mower almost two years ago – the Husqvarna W520i. With only a 20-inch cutting deck and a 3 mph maximum speed, the W520i is no match to the Xpert LE-322. The Xpert LE-322 may not have the W520i’s aluminum rims and rubber tires, but the Xpert LE-322’s design is more ergonomic, the control panel has more indicator lights, and it’s way more affordable.
Another good comparison is the Greenworks 21-inch 60V MO60L410. The Greenworks lawn mower is cheaper and did better in terms of battery life – it could mow my entire yard, plus my neighbor’s front yard in just one charge. I also liked that the charger had two slots so I could charge both batteries at the same time. Having said all that, I thought the Husqvarna Xpert LE-322 was a heavier-duty lawn mower that could handle thicker and taller grass.
Should you buy the Husqvarna Lawn Xpert LE-322?
Those with small to medium yards will love the Husqvarna Lawn Xpert LE-322. This heavy-duty lawn mower cuts thick and tall grass with ease and lightens the load a bit with a self-propel system that can go up to 4 mph. It does well on inclines and around trees, and with the control panel, you can start and stop or adjust the cutting modes quickly. The battery may not last as long as advertised but this can be for a number of reasons. If you have a small or medium yard, the battery should last long enough to cut it one go.
When not in use, this electric mower folds and can be stored in a standing position without taking up much space. As a battery-powered lawn mower, it needs far less maintenance than gas-powered ones.
While it may be a little pricey, especially considering that each battery is only 36V, this lawn mower is made incredibly well by a brand you can trust.
