Husqvarna 1827EXLT (27") 414cc Crown Series Two Stage Track Drive Snow Blower

My $600 Yardmachines 2-stage thrower broke in January. It lasted 5 seasons, then the friction-plate drive transmission just broke apart. We normally get a lot of snow, so I wanted a replacement fast. From an engineering perspective, a friction plate drive just looks like a bad idea... so that led me to Honda and Husqvarna with hydrostatic drives. My driveway is fairly steep, so tracks were appealing. I love Honda equipment (I have a Honda power washer, lawnmower, and tiller... and all still perform perfectly), but there were a lot of reviews about the Honda tracked models being hard to handle because they didn't have power steering. "On paper" it seemed the Husqvarna had the best of everything, so that's what I ordered.

It arrived three days after I placed my order! The first thing I thought was "WOW, this is quite a machine!". It took a few hours to unpack and put together. While doing so, I noticed a puddle of oil on the housing that the engine mounts to. Thought it was probably just some spillage when it was filled at the factory. Wiped up the oil and filled it with gas and tried to start it. This is when the feeling of disappointment started to sink in. I pulled and pulled, but the thing would not start. After about 15 minutes trying to start it with the electric starter, it finally fired up.

Today was the first day we actually had enough snow to try it out. Well, I realized I made a mistake purchasing the 1827EXLT... I'm writing this review because I was already on the site to check the return policy. Looks like I have no option for return, since I put gas in the engine. These are the things I don't like about it:

1) It's very hard to start! Manually, it takes about 15 - 20 pulls. I never used the electric start feature on my Yardmachine. This one, I hook it up every time. Even when the engine is warm, it takes several pulls.

2) The engine definitely has a slow oil leak! (it wasn't factory spillage after all)

3) The engine has no throttle control. It just runs full speed all the time.

4) The engine is extremely loud, and you can't do anything about it (no throttle). I feel like I should be wearing earplugs when it's running. Especially when you pull into the garage. Normally I would throttle down in the garage, and noise would be no problem.

5) Wet snow clogs the shoot very easily. The snow by the end of the driveway is usually wet. It would occasionally clog my yardmachine... but I'd say this one clogs easier.

6) "Power steering" is not actually power steering. A trigger on each handle just disengages the track on that side. Going down hill, you have to pull back on the handles hard to make it turn. It does make it easier to maneuver though. I just thought it would kind of steer itself by the controls alone. It still takes a lot of effort!

The one thing I do really like is the traction... this thing seems like it will go anywhere!

Bottom line... I should have bought the Honda...

My $600 Yardmachines 2-stage thrower broke in January. It lasted 5 seasons, then the friction-plate drive transmission just broke apart. We normally get a lot of snow, so I wanted a replacement fast. From an engineering perspective, a friction plate drive just looks like a bad idea... so that led me to Honda and Husqvarna with hydrostatic drives. My driveway is fairly steep, so tracks were appealing. I love Honda equipment (I have a Honda power washer, lawnmower, and tiller... and all still perform perfectly), but there were a lot of reviews about the Honda tracked models being hard to ha... more

I placed my order and received the snowblower in a matter of a few days. Placed order on a Thursday got it 2pm EST. You MUST pay for the lift gate service because the snowblower is 300lbs not including packaging and pallet that it's on, so you have no real other choice. Anyway, I opened and set up my snowblower, however the instructions and parts for an older model engine. I was able to safely put together the snowblower with parts sent and misc nuts and washers I have.

Once got it assembled I could not start it. Needless to say I had to call the Husqvarna hotline for support. Well they gave me about 12 different companies that do warranty work for them. Every one I called no longer does warranty work due vendors feel they are not being compensated properly. I told them about how the book and parts were wrong and they sent me the updated information and parts which were not available online. The one problem they show a throttle when there is no adjustable throttle, just one to start and then run since it runs on full power at all times. I personally found a company that sells Husqvarna and fixed mine for no money and charged me only $50.00 to pick it up and deliver it once it was fixed within 2 days I had it back.

Now the positives, the machine is an awesome snow monster, the tracks are huge and easily moves through the snow on the steepest of hills. Steering and tossing the snow is much better than my old snowblower. I highly recommend this snowblower, I suggest you research if you have any local warranty shops. Some of the competition say that the Snow King Engine is junk but Snow King was Tecumseh Engines and personally think its a great engine especially if you do proper maintenance. I also recommend SnowBlowers Direct.

I placed my order and received the snowblower in a matter of a few days. Placed order on a Thursday got it 2pm EST. You MUST pay for the lift gate service because the snowblower is 300lbs not including packaging and pallet that it's on, so you have no real other choice. Anyway, I opened and set up my snowblower, however the instructions and parts for an older model engine. I was able to safely put together the snowblower with parts sent and misc nuts and washers I have.

Once got it assembled I could not start it. Needless to say I had to call the Husqvarna hotline for support. Well ... more

Well I just tried to use my Husqvarna 1827EXLT, for the very first time, it took me 6 1/2 hrs to get it started. Yup went out at 1:00pm this afternoon to try it out in the first snow of the season. At 7:38pm it finally started, of course now its to late to use it so as not to disrupt my neighbors.

Apparently it was bad gas, I used regular (with stabihl added) like the owners manual said, this was the day I received it (aprox. the Dec.1st) to make sure it started and to test out the controls: it started first shot like a dream. We got our first snow Jan. 21st, so the gas sat for aprox. 48/50 days in the machine. It just fought to start, lots of flooding, black smoke and rough running for 10 sec intervals. Looked online at Husqvarna, there they suggest using SPECIAL, not reg gas and not older than 30 days (because it can collect water)?

So my question is do they expect me to drain the tank after every use in case there is no snow beyond 30 days? I finally got it started after mixing in super (92 octane) gas and spending another 1/2 hour of getting it to go threw the line. I don't know what to make of it? Has anybody else had this touchy gas problem is this what I should expect?

Well its not bad gas tried again the next day (wont start at all), the thing is spitting oil all over from the exhaust when I try to turn it over. More like a bad gasket. Have called 4 of my local Authorized dealers for Warranty service, not one of them will service it (because I didn't purchase it from them) and the Husqvarna Co. themselves are taking their own sweet time getting back to me. Had plans on buying a Husq. Lawn tractor this summer, that aint happening.

PS: I would like to mention that Snow Blowers Direct has been great to do business with they are helping me get in touch with Husq to take care of the problem, Husq. just isn't responding well.

Well I just tried to use my Husqvarna 1827EXLT, for the very first time, it took me 6 1/2 hrs to get it started. Yup went out at 1:00pm this afternoon to try it out in the first snow of the season. At 7:38pm it finally started, of course now its to late to use it so as not to disrupt my neighbors.

Apparently it was bad gas, I used regular (with stabihl added) like the owners manual said, this was the day I received it (aprox. the Dec.1st) to make sure it started and to test out the controls: it started first shot like a dream. We got our first snow Jan. 21st, so the gas sat for aprox. 48... more

You know when you know some things built well. Machine has weight to it and you can position the tracks so it puts the weight on the auger! I don't think your going to need it! I dad track machines before and i will take tracks over wheels any day. This unit has some power and runs on hydraulics not friction plates and rubber bands under it that can wear out. This isn't your normal home owner Joe's machine it's as good as it gets! I can bet if you put a chain on this machine you can pull your truck out of the snow! It's sick! If you like good stuff and cool tools you will like this snow blower!

You know when you know some things built well. Machine has weight to it and you can position the tracks so it puts the weight on the auger! I don't think your going to need it! I dad track machines before and i will take tracks over wheels any day. This unit has some power and runs on hydraulics not friction plates and rubber bands under it that can wear out. This isn't your normal home owner Joe's machine it's as good as it gets! I can bet if you put a chain on this machine you can pull your truck out of the snow! It's sick! If you like good stuff and cool tools you will like this snow blower... more