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.
Contents
Husqvarna 21 inch Mower Pros and Cons
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.
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