Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Hi All,

New here (first post) but have been reading on this site for a few years and appreciate all of the knowledgeable info from all of you. Thanks!

I had a Simplicity 555 snow thrower for seven years but it was way underpowered (5 HP), and I am pushing 50 with a bad back, so I decided to buy a new one with more power. I live in NJ and have a big driveway along with a sidewalk that is 150' long, . Also, the bus stop for the kids is on my driveway so it is important to me to make sure it it clean and safe. Well, tonight I bought a new Simplicity Signature Pro model 10524 from a dealer in Princeton. The dealer told me it was last year's model and would sell it to me for last years price for 1650.00, which I paid. But when I got home and looked at the receipt, I noticed the model was a 10524P, not P10524E as in last years brochure. On top of that, the 2008 model is P1524E.

Anyone know what the 10524P year is and did I get a bad deal? I didn't want to buy something brand new if it's a two year old model.

Thanks for your help in advance.

You can shift on the fly, but for liability reasons it is not recomended.  I have a steep driveway, and when going up if I change to a higher gear it may lift up (front).  Speed is controlled by the friction disk, inner is slower go out it gets faster -- physics 101.  There really is no excessive wear shifting on the fly.  In fact, if you stop then you will incur more wear starting the snow thrower from rest.  But as mentioned earlier, it could get dangerous if you upshift while going uphill.

I love the blower, bought the 10524 in October.  The dealer put it together good and delivered it and demonstated it.  However, the salesperson at the store is only good for looking up parts.  I sent a technical question to Simplicity.  They responded quick enough but it took some back and forth for them to admit a technical feature they used for just one year and didn't bother to mention it in the documentation; I am not impressed with Simplicity's customer service.  Other than that love it!

Talldog wrote:
Nope, sure as poo sticks to a blanket, that stupid motor gave it up. The gear box got contaminated. :( $150 + cold fingers.

Tubby wrote:
Sorry to hear of your troubles.  I remember when I first joined this forum, you had some other problems with this snowblower.

Is that $150 the price for a replacement motor, or the whole motor/gearbox assembly.   Is your snowblower about 7 years old?  If so, I am surprised that the electric motor actually lasted that long.  If I did have a snowblower with electric rotation, I would keep a spare on hand just in case it gives up.

Found one on ebay for $100.
Yes, I did have a problem with the drive plate backing off the spindle, which got fixed under warranty.
There was what I felt a safety issue wuth that, in that as it comes off the spindle, it forces itself onto its matching gear, effectively putting the blower in gear with no way to stop it short of shutting the engine off.
Since then it has been a good machine.
Ordering up the new chute motor now.
I just find it ironic that the one that gave me hesitation when I was shopping blowers was predictably an issue.