If you’ve heard of Lane Shark, you know they haven’t been around very long, but in recent years they managed to gather quite a “fanbase” for their tractors.
Some brand dealers, including big names like Kubota, have been selling and installing Lane Shark from the very start and seem very satisfied with it.
There’s not much to dislike about this compact tractor, but a few things could be improved since some users have found issues with the bush hog, loader, and hydraulic drive.
If you’re wondering what the most common Lane Shark problems are, we have all the answers you need!
The Most Common Problems with Lane Shark
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Many household names in the lawn mower market, like John Deere, Cub Cadet, Scag, Bobcat, and Mahindra, so what would push someone to buy a Lane Shark?
Please don’t underestimate the Shark tractors: they’re high-quality utility vehicles capable of heavy work and highly versatile.
It’s a customizable beast with several attachments that can make your work on the field so much easier.
Sure, it’s not a compact tractor for highway expansion projects, but if you need to do maintenance on your property quickly and easily, Lane Shark might be the machine for you.
So now, what is wrong with it? Because it just sounds too perfect on paper.
Some users reported issues with the bush hog, improper cutting, and hassle with the hydraulic drive and loader.
How serious are these issues, and are they enough deal-breakers for the Shark? Let’s find out.
1. Cutting issues
There are some complaints about the cutting style of this tractor, as it isn’t what you’d call a clean cutter.
It’s worth noting that most cutting issues occur when cutting bushes and trees rather than grass.
That’s because the Lane Shark leaves a jagged cut on the limb stubs, which can be unpleasant to see for the first few days.
There is no fixed solution for this, apart from hoping that newer models from Lane Shark will somehow improve the cutting function of this mower.
2. Hydraulic drive issues
We all love a good hydraulic system, as it makes life with a lawn mower easier and your work more accurate.
However, the hydraulic drive also comes with a few problems, and it seems that the Lane Shark mower is another victim of these issues.
If the hydraulic fluid is too hot, it won’t take long before the whole motor becomes too hot to carry on its duty.
This can cause a variety of issues that become more serious the longer this problem is ignored, so it needs to be addressed as soon as possible and, even better, prevented.
The hydraulic fluid gets too hot for one of these reasons:
- The wrong type of fluid: this mistake is more common than expected. If this is your first time owning a mower, you might want to gather information on the types of hydraulic fluids and their differences.
- Clogged oil cooler: both the cooling fins and the cooling fan can become clogged over time, and this is the most common cause of several issues with lawn mowers. It would be better to completely prevent this problem by regularly cleaning the fins and fans.
- Relief valve failure: any problem with the relief valve affects the system’s pressure, affecting the hydraulic fluid’s temperature. The valve might be displaced or fail altogether.
- Low fluid level: the most common reason the hydraulic system overheats is simply insufficient fluid in the system. Don’t just refill the fluid; check for any damage or leaks.
3. Loader issues
We’ve mentioned how the Lane Shark is very versatile, and its loader is part of why this utility vehicle is so well-received by the public.
However, some users encountered issues with the loader, specifically that it was too heavy for the hydraulic pump to move appropriately.
A problem with the loader arms can make you waste a lot of time and sometimes jeopardize the whole purpose of the tractor, but rest assured that this is something that can be fixed.
Most of the time, it’s not a mechanical problem, and it’s not a problem that spurs from the hydraulic system, but rather a matter of requirements.
Lane Shark has two mowers, LS1 and LS2, and they have different requirements in terms of load. Some vehicles can support up to 8.5-15 GPM, while larger motors can go up to 15-20 GPM.
If you don’t input the proper requirements for your mower, the hydraulic pump fails to control the loader arms.
4. Bumping issues
Maybe the biggest flaw of this lawn mower is how “fragile” it seems to be. It’s very easy to bend or break something when bumping into trees or other obstacles on the road.
Luckily, most of the time, these are fixable issues. However, the Lane Shark requires more care on the user’s part to avoid more extensive damage.
Additionally, it is preferable to drive around limbs that have been chopped across the road rather than going over them, as some users have reported issues with the latter strategy.
It’s also worth noting that while this mower has no problem cutting through long limbs (we’re talking over 10-foot limbs) when dealing with short limbs (2-3 feet), there is a risk of “explosion” of the limb.
So it’s safer to wear a protective mask if this is the kind of fieldwork you do.
Lane Shark problems: are they a deal-breaker?
It comes down to the kind of job you need to do and how much patience you have.
The Lane Shark is a good machine, a powerful utility vehicle even, but it does get bent easily, even if no severe damage is done, so if this is something that would frustrate you, it’s probably not the mower for you.
Users appreciate its versatility, design, and overall quality, and we do agree that this is a good tractor that can give you some satisfaction.
However, keep in mind that the hydraulic system needs regular cleaning and that the cutter of this lawn mower has some problems with short limbs.
All in all, it’s not a wrong choice for beginners or people who need to do maintenance work on their property.
Marvin is an expert in farming equipment with a strong background in agricultural engineering. He graduated from Kansas State College of Agriculture, where he received a degree in Agricultural Engineering and specialized in farm equipment design and maintenance.
