Beware of Husqvarna Garden Tractors! Part 3, the Warranty

Lets look at some definitions, some of what goes into them, and the people responsible for them, in what goes into some of the regulating of the industry.

OPEI;

Husqvarna is 1 of the 100 members with OPEI, (Outdoor Power Equipment Institute) and they are a part of the current definition. OPEI has long contributed to the definition for this sector of commerce, for themselves, Washington D.C. , and contributed to other Regulating Agencies around the world.

OPEI’s definition of a Garden Tractor currently’

“Garden Tractors are designed to supply sufficient power for home lawn, garden
and yard attachments: moldboard plows, tillers, cultivators, snow throwers,
sweepers, leaf mulchers, etc. Fifty percent of garden tractors are used for areas
larger than two acres.”

I wanted to find a definition that was older(possibly before Husqvarna's entrance), I found this reported July/August 1979, reportedly by OPEI,

“according to the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute
(which is responsible for sorting out the various categories of lawn and garden machinery), a garden
tractor is properly defined as a "self-propelled riding vehicle — designed for general purpose lawn
and garden work — which must have all attachments removable . . . and be capable of pulling a
plow."

Not much has changed in the years, but that it became a little more specific in definition since Husqvarna joined this organization. I have included a list of members of OPEI, in a PDF.

In my opinion they don’t get to play dumb when confronted with questions on their international, lawyer approved, warranty for a consumer. This will be important later, in the mean time I will add a bit of what OPEI helps (again this is them defining them) to define;

This sector of commerce has numerous classifications for commerce, tariff assessment, legal definitions, EPA, and other Regulations. Here is a few examples;

NAICS-North American Industry Classification System
The USA’s Census system

NAICS Code 333112 “Lawn and Garden Tractor and Home Lawn and Garden Equipment Manufacturing”

or SIC-Standard Industrial Classification System
OSHA’s system.

SIC Code 3524 Lawn and Garden Tractors and Home Lawn and Garden Equipment

ANSI-B71.1.2003, OPEI-B71.1.2012, ASE J1940, ASE J1995, ASE 2723, EPA Compliance CAT, etc.

This is specifically what Husqvarna Outdoor Products (a Div of Husqvarna AG in Sweden) is classified as under SIC/NAICS, (in husqvarna corp2.png, screenshot)

The PDF lawn and garden ride-on is an example of a familiar implement (the sleeve hitch we are familiar with from Agri-Fab for Craftsman and Husqvarna) for our tractors and how OPEI plays a role in the equipment we buy, and how they define purpose. (think of warranty)

The US Federal Law that governs the warranty they give is the bare minimum standard for compliance with Consumer Protection in this country, there may be more protections in your State(PA, NY, FL, etc), or country, such as Australia, Canada, the EU, or?.

15 USC 2301 Magnuson-Moss Warranty-Federal Trade Commission Improvements Act.

Without the base of knowledge here, what I reveal later with Husqvarna's answer's may not seem important. They are, if you think you are getting a warranty for that GT/ TS.

I have included a 1997 PDF as an example only of what a US economic census report looks like and specific to this industry, what it's for, and what they reveal.

Also a PDF of the article citing the OPEI quote.

:tango_face_smile:

Husqvarna started Producing Lawn Care equipment In the 1960's It wasn't Purchased By Electrolux until early 1990's Prior to that White Consolidated Industries owned Husqvarna actually Headquartered In Itasca, IL It hadn't been it own company since the early 1970's when White Consolidated Industries Bought it. White tractor had been spun off from White Consolidated Industries In the 1950's. Electrolux Spun off Husqvarna In 2006(AYP was a Electrolux Company)

But anyways Your going to have to see what a Private Attorney says or your States Attorney

Because Husqvarna could technically be fully in Compliance with the Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act

Which I bet there Corporate Attorneys Looked at before Publishing there Limited Warranty

Warranty - What is the Husqvarna warranty coverage time period?

There warranty states Point 3 what is not covered

Damage related to abuse, misuse, neglect, modifications, alterations, use of unauthorized attachments, improper storage, or lack of lubrication or engine failure due to the use of oils that do not meet engine manufacturer's specifications, pressure cleaning or steam cleaning the product, excessive dirt, abrasives, salt water, moisture, corrosion, rust, or varnish. Failure to perform required maintenance as described in the operator’s manual will void this warranty.

So your damage can be attributed to abuse, misuse, modifications & use of unauthorized attachments

That part I hate to say covers the damage You Have. But I am Not an Attorney That's Just My best guess

We Pretty Much know out here in forum land That you were using it correctly

So as I said above You Have to talk to a Private & Or State's Attorney and see what they say as to weather or not You have a case against Husqvarna

Sergeant said:

Husqvarna started Producing Lawn Care equipment In the 1960's It wasn't Purchased By Electrolux until early 1990's Prior to that White Consolidated Industries owned Husqvarna actually Headquartered In Itasca, IL It hadn't been it own company since the early 1970's when White Consolidated Industries Bought it. White tractor had been spun off from White Consolidated Industries In the 1950's. Electrolux Spun off Husqvarna In 2006(AYP was a Electrolux Company)

But anyways Your going to have to see what a Private Attorney says or your States Attorney

Because Husqvarna could technically be fully in Compliance with the Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act

Which I bet there Corporate Attorneys Looked at before Publishing there Limited Warranty

Warranty - What is the Husqvarna warranty coverage time period?

There warranty states Point 3 what is not covered

Damage related to abuse, misuse, neglect, modifications, alterations, use of unauthorized attachments, improper storage, or lack of lubrication or engine failure due to the use of oils that do not meet engine manufacturer's specifications, pressure cleaning or steam cleaning the product, excessive dirt, abrasives, salt water, moisture, corrosion, rust, or varnish. Failure to perform required maintenance as described in the operator’s manual will void this warranty.

So your damage can be attributed to abuse, misuse, modifications & use of unauthorized attachments

That part I hate to say covers the damage You Have. But I am Not an Attorney That's Just My best guess

We Pretty Much know out here in forum land That you were using it correctly

So as I said above You Have to talk to a Private & Or State's Attorney and see what they say as to weather or not You have a case against Husqvarna

Click to expand...

I know this might sound strange but I've argued this same point (part 3).The part about damage and all, is why I stand by my statement that if someone buys a GT/ TS for anything other than cutting grass, and you have a problem, Husqvarna has already skillfully written the language to automatically shift the liability on to the consumer, meaning that the very use of a snow blower attachment as an example, requires the modification of the chassis in order to use it, making it abuse.

If you have to remove, add, change, in anyway, what is not original, to the tractor for any purpose, that it did not come equipped with, you are at their mercy, having clearly violated the warranty contract, giving up your right to a warranty claim should you need it. If it is "authorized" it will be written as such, because when it comes to liability, belief is not enough to define what is "authorized".

I didn't write it, they did. That same snow blower attachment (name one, any of them) is not authorized for use as it pertains to a potential warranty claim. Where is it written, and where is the tractor covered under warranty during the use of a believed attachment? and where are you instructed on how to maintain the use of the attachment so that you are in proper compliance with your warranty terms?

Is there an actual ground engaging attachment that is "authorized"? Where is the proof? This is the part that for $3500, I think should be paid attention too, because Husqvarna will hold you accountable to the warranty terms.

I haven't even dived into what "improper storage" is or "failure to perform required maintenance" as it pertains to using the tractor for anything other than cutting grass. :tango_face_grin:

As far as the Moss-Magnuson Act is concerned, the warranty could be in compliance (not State Law though), depending on how the lawyers want to argue it and how the residing judge might adjudicate the arguments, it may be a bit too weak.

I think more important, is to acknowledge the Corporations (such as Ford, Chevy, Dodge, etc) since the 1970's that also had quality attorneys but failed to comply, and consumers believing they must be in compliance, until someone was able to challenge it.

It can also amount to the knowledge that until someone wants to spend the 100K plus, for a suit of this kind over a $3500 item, max, Husqvarna, as an example, will be able to do what ever they want. It's only illegal, as it pertains to the actual practice of compliance, when there is the will to enforce.

I could have a very strong claim with my State's Attorney General, as an example, if more people came forward with a unified complaint, such as 10 or more, this is what she would prefer, as it would seem.

If there are any professional attorneys out there that would like to challenge Husqvarna's warranty, regardless of your personal reasons, I would be interested in a common malpractice arrangement. I would also put it on the line now, any settlements outside of 50% for the lawyer, would be publicly paid to charity, to ensure honesty, I'm not interested in being public about it at all (I have Veterans and Law Enforcement charity's I prefer, and the recognition can go to the lawyer). All of it. I want nothing financial from Husqvarna, just a public apology.

About the Electrolux timeline, you may be right, I'll dig into that later.:tango_face_smile:

Sergeant said:

Husqvarna started Producing Lawn Care equipment In the 1960's It wasn't Purchased By Electrolux until early 1990's Prior to that White Consolidated Industries owned Husqvarna actually Headquartered In Itasca, IL It hadn't been it own company since the early 1970's when White Consolidated Industries Bought it. White tractor had been spun off from White Consolidated Industries In the 1950's. Electrolux Spun off Husqvarna In 2006(AYP was a Electrolux Company)

Click to expand...

I just wanted to point out that Husqvarna says they were bought by Electrolux in 1978. Still working on the other stuff as time allows.:tango_face_smile:

I will share these finds,

This record of AYP filing I found interesting too. and the Roper acquisition.
Also a certified list of White acquisitions by 1979.

A Deed summary is included just to show the sales to White and the address.

FLHusqGT said:

I just wanted to point out that Husqvarna says they were bought by Electrolux in 1978. Still working on the other stuff as time allows.:tango_face_smile:

I will share these finds,

This record of AYP filing I found interesting too. and the Roper acquisition.
Also a certified list of White acquisitions by 1979.

A Deed summary is included just to show the sales to White and the address.

Click to expand...

I think what they are doing is the Fact White consolidated Industries was Bought By Electrolux in 1986 there Incorporating WCI History into Electrolux's History and in turn Husqvarna History(Darn Swedes don't want it known it was US owned for a While. Electrolux is a Swedish Company known for appliances(Vacuum cleaners to be Precis)

Principal Subsidiaries of WCI Frigidaire Company; The Eureka Company; Schrock Cabinet Company; American Yard Products; Poulan/Weed Eater; Americold; Baring Industries; Beam Industries; Challenge Industries, Inc.; Dimas; Dito Dean Food Prep; Dometic Corporation; Euroclean; Husqvarna Forest & Garden Company; The Kent Company; Partner Industrial Products; Richards-Wilcox; VWS; Wascator Manufacturing; Washex Machinery Company.

:thThumbsU