I guess by the time they screwed it up TWICE IN A ROW rather than the handshake I'd have been down on my knees finding what they screwed up this time.
They got some kinda genius working on your mower to have the steering let go twice is really outstanding, usually you work really hard not to make the same mistake twice.

Charlie, What did you do to get the "Pin" gremlin's after you!!???

It just wasn't my month for mowing. I now have the newer blades and it is running well. I should have learned what pin broke but I didn't (shame on me). I purchased the Husky after researching (mostly this site). I think this level of Husky is the next step up from the cheap throw away mowers without spending thousands. Hopefully it isn't a quality issue. The sales people told me mowers are shipped unassembled. They are assembled locally. Perhaps they did a poor jpb. That appears common in todays day and age. I expect now that it works well, it should stay that way.

Hmmm, that Husky should have come out of the crate with the steering wheel installed. Check for loose or missing fittings, hook up the battery, add oil and gas and go. There is definitely something amiss when the steering failed twice.

I think you're local dealer let you down. He should have thanked you for not returning the mower and demanding a refund and then given you new blades. All the time he should have been thanking you for your business. It's that kind of treatment that drives people to the big-box stores where you are often treated better. They know the secret to success is making you feel good about your purchase.

I've been treated better by the big box stores than I have by the locals on more than one occasion.

I concur. Poor dealer service. I try not to get hot about it because there is nothing I can do, but, for future business and service I will go elsewhere.

Some posts don't age, they just get more validated with time, and Charlie2's is that kind of post.

My Wife and I got a great laugh at your writing style, very well written. I've wrote several articles about the quality issues and lack of warranty now days, it didn't get better, it got worse. Buying the upper end of Husqvarna might have just been bigger bills. This old post should get some new life, I wish the best.

My latest on Husqvarna is here, I show the problems through the years with pictures and other peoples trouble,

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/6144293/ceo-of-husqvarna-calls-it-quits-on-lawn-and-garden-tractors-petrol

My story with Husqvarna,

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5361478/beware-of-husqvarna-garden-tractors

My attempt to fix a sloppy steering system, (I have the upper end and same steering issues all these years later)

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/6074618/husqvarna-craftsman-and-related-models-steering-sloppy-at-the-top

GT

Doug - I realize how much work you did on replacing/reinforcing your mower. I replaced the deck on a Sears mower in the late 1990's. It completely broke and one of the front wheels fell off the frame. They had a frame reinforcing kit which was about 12 or 14" long for both rails. They had all the holes drilled in the new frame but any that needed tapped weren't so I tapped all of those and then mounted everything onto the new frame.

Other than mowing the only other thing I did with that machine was push a tine dethatcher.

I went to an Exmark machine in 1999 and found it so much more reliable that it was actually cheaper over the years. I have never bent a blade or ruined a spindle on an Exmark. I have replaced spindle bearings for worn bearings.

John - that's quit a story.

I don't hear any negative about those Exmark machines, are you saying you still use it after 21-22 years? If so, that speaks of true quality.

doug - I had a walk behind for about 10 years. Mine was the last one remaining at that dealer. I'm now running a 52" 2005 Exmark Lazer Z zero turn except that I'm currently not allowed to mow. 2 years ago I broke the hydraulic pump belt, last year I had to replace the starter solenoid, and this spring the starter motor. Funny thing about the starter. For a couple years I was having serious problems getting the engine to start. With the new starter motor the engine starts as soon as you hit the key.

DW wants to buy a big box store mower as she won't even try to drive the zero turn without the blades spinning. I guess we're going to have to listen to her wishes. I'd like a JD X570; but that ain't gonna happen. Right now two neighbors are getting the job done.

Anyway I commend you on your ability to get a job done and I respect that you reinforced the new frame.