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

I want this thread to be a place where I can log some ongoing experiences with this machine since it is really new.  I purchased it 12-1-08.  First let's look at the specs.  I pulled these right off of the Sears website:

Product Overview:
Stages:	Two stage
Stages:	Two stage
Item Weight:	293.0 lbs.
General Warranty:	2 year limited
Chute System:
Directional Chute Control:	Yes
Chute Material:	Steel
Chute Rotation:	Yes, single motion
Maximum Chute Rotation:	180 deg.
General Features:
Impeller Diameter:	12 in.
Auger Style:	Serrated drum
Auger Type:	Curved blade
Number of Rotor Blades:	3
Snow Dispersal:	Impeller
Drive System:
Propulsion Type:	Wheel engagement
Speeds, Forward:	6
Speeds, Reverse:	2
Motor-Engine:
Amps:	1.5
Engine Brand:	Briggs & Stratton®
Series:	1450 Series
Electric Start:	Yes
Starter Type:	Electric
Torque Ft./Lbs.:	14.5 ft. lbs.
Wheels & Tires:
Material:	Rubber
Type:	X-trac
Capacity:
Clearing Path:	30 in.
Controls, Overall:
On/Off Type:	Lever
Primary Location:	Consoles
Primary Type:	Lever
Controls, Safety:
Safety Override:	Yes
Safety Lock:	Yes
Convenience:
Starter Mitten Grip:	Yes
Handles:
Handles Fold For Easy Storage:	Yes
Color:
Overall Color:	Red
Dimensions:
Intake Height:	23 in.
Installation Requirements:
Setup:	Fully assembled
Included with Item:
Accessory Type:	Starter mitten grip

The specs on this unit are very nice at this price point.  I was able to buy the unit on a Cyber Monday during the holidays at a price of under $1000.  This unit is manufactured by Husqvarna and is similar to the Husky 1130SB-LS but is much, much less expensive to buy from Sears than at a Husky dealer.  You can see this unit here on the Husqvarna website:  http://www.usa.husqvarna.com/node3099.aspx?nid=84620&pid=78456

Even though my current, 5 hp, 21 year old snow blower has a Tecumseh engine that proved to be very durable, I was concerned about the parts availability of Tecumseh engines given the recent bankruptcy.  The large B&S engine has more power than I need, but when it comes to power and snow throwers, too much power is never a bad thing. 

The power steering is a nice option and the maneuverability of the almost 300 pound machine was quite good.  The 30” wide, 23” tall intake chute makes short work of the driveway and side walk.  I’m impressed with the ability of the unit to do what it was designed to do and that is throw snow.

The variable speed took me some time to get use to, but after a couple of times using it, I have come to appreciate the flexibility of the system vs. an older type of speed control.

The discharge chute is metal and operates smoothly.  There are two points of concern here though.  The biggest one was the placement of the cables allowed one cable to melt against the hot muffler.  While Sears did dispatch a service rep to my home under warranty, when he arrived he didn’t bring the part with him even though I gave them the part number of the damaged cable on my initial call to the service department.   The service rep said that he saw where I requested the proper part but didn’t have one on the truck and would have to order one and return in another week.  I found this very frustrating and am not impressed with the service from Sears at this point.  The second point of concern for me was the amount of adjustability from the chute.  It comes with 180 degrees of adjustment.  My old unit had a greater adjustment range and I do miss that.

So to recap, I love the physical size of the unit and the power plant provided by B&S engine.  I would buy this unit again at this price point.  I realize that there are other fine units out there, but I wasn’t able to find anything else that came close in performance at this very reasonable price point.

I have a forecast of over 12” of snowfall over the next day.  This larger snow fall will give me a better idea of what the unit is capable of and I will do a follow up after I tackle it. 

Rick

 I looked at that Craftsman last year.  Compared to the Simplicity 9528, it was too expensive (around $400.00 more at the time), and too complicated for me. 

When it comes to snow throwers, simple and strong is best.   The controls on the Husky/Craftsman look neat but are relatively complicated and likely  to fail sooner compared to the Simplicity's all mechanical chute control and cable deflector control.  The variable drive system is a novel idea but it's also a complicated piece that would not be easily repaired if it ever needed work.  Fortunately, they've been in use on lawn tractors for years and are pretty reliable.  Yeah,  I'm old school when it comes to machines whose primary function is to perform a relatively simple task albeit in an often hostile environment.   That is to move snow from one place to another.   Complicated controls and drive systems don't like harsh environments and usually have a tendency to fail right in the middle of a tough job.   If you keep a close eye on your adjustments, keep melting snow from forming into ice and freezing up on the machine, you will reduce the possibility of having a problem with the controls.  You should have a few years of clear sailing before the electrically controlled stuff starts to cause issues.   Let us know how it does over the winter. 

Edit:  I have to correct myself.  I thought the unit I looked at had an electrically controlled chute rotator.  From looking at the pics, it actually cable actuated.  That's a plus.  Lube them up good. 

I also read that one should have some extra shear pins and bought the last package that they had at Sears when I purchased mine.  I'm not sure if it is because of the large engine size, but it looks like when a shear pin goes it goes more often for those who run their machines on gravel driveways or pick up a heavier stick than when someone is just running the machine of blacktop or a concrete driveway or sidewalk..  That powerful of an engine and lodge a rock or piece of gravel and something has to give, I'm glad that the $1.50 shear pin breaks instead of something else.   

I mentioned that this unit is similar to the Husky 1130 but I should have mentioned that the Husky used the Tecumseh engines and this uses the B&S engine, which I feel is a plus right now.  I sure would like to have the hand warmers that come with the 1130 standard though.  I am not sure if the light on the 881063 is Halogen or a standard light. 

I am considering putting one of the plastic cabs on this unit when it gets really windy, it might be a very nice option.  Anyone use one of these?  Would you buy one again or just use a face mask instead and it gets in the way more than it helps?  There are many out there but something like this:  http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_07188040000P?keyword=snow+thrower+cab&sLevel=0

On my short list it came down to three machines that were at the same price point locally.  The Ariens 927LE, Craftsman 14.5 torque rated thrower or the Simplicity 12/26.  These machines were not equal in specs but within $20 of each other at the $1000 price point locally.  I felt that I got a bigger bang for the buck with this Husky built unit  than the other two.  Only time will tell if I stay happy with my decision.  My goal is to be brutal honest during this report. 

http://www.classicaccessories.com/product_detail.aspx?pid=112&cid=0

We had a nice big snow fall predicted, 12 to 13", but much of it ended up as freezing rain last night instead of snow but it did turn to snow and dropped about 5" of very heavy snow.  I wanted to play so I went out and did 4 of my neighbor's driveways and sidewalks and two other people on the block I did their side walk.  She powered throw the heavy stuff at the end of the driveway that the plows left without a hitch.  Understand it was freezing rain and this was about as heavy of a snowfall as I have seen as far as the weight of the snow.  There wasn't a lot of it, but I was impressed never the less busting through the plow leftovers.  No I don't plan on doing everyone's driveway and side walk all season long, but I was able to really put the machine through it's paces as well as make some neighbors happy.  I remember one little guy three houses down shoveling that stuff.  I felt sorry for him and remembered when I was a kid and Mom told me to go "get her done".  He had to be about 11 and was really struggling with the driveway.  When I walked up and went right through his driveway without stopping he gave me a big smile and that is all that I needed to make it worth it. 

All of the schools are closed today and many people stayed home from work.  The interestate traffic was going about 30 mph, but I was having fun at home. 

Rick

The kid's mom might be a little pissed with you.  She probably wanted him out of the house to get him away from the video games and burn off a few calories.   Nice gesture nonetheless. 

Did you grease up the wheel axles, put a bit of spray grease on your drive chains, some light oil in your cables and friction surfaces?  Also grease your auger shaft?  After doing all of that work for the neighbourhood, I'd change the oil and use synthetic at the recommended weight.