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

I have made a few comments about this machine in a couple of other posts, but wanted to do a review on a stand alone thread. 

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 & StrattonŽ
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

Think I'm returning it. Was at lowes today and measured the one they had  assembled on a blower.It was 41" at the widest part.Much too big fo me! And like you say may not protect enough anyway.

Allan

snowmachine wrote:

First thanks Snowmachine for all of the great info on this unit, but I am a little frustrated today.  The 4th post in this thread spoke about the auger pulley shearing.  This happened to me this morning.  I thought that I broke a belt, but when I pulled the unit apart, the pully that looks pressed together split down the middle and the two sides separated.  The soonest that the service department can get here is Jan 8th, over two week lead time.  I bought this unit on Dec 1st  and Sears said that I can return it.  I looked at the Simplicity 1530 this morning but they wanted $1700 for it and it is the closest machine in the Simplicity line to this unit that I spent under $1000 on.  I bought the extended warranty for $200 so I am up to $1200.  Home depot was selling the 1130 DLE for $1199 with a 3 year warranty.  I am wondering if I made the best decision today. 

The local Sears stores don't have the $17 part in stock and to just get the part and install it myself, it will be a week.

Frustration mode has now officially started.

Note:  Snowmachine, order the $17 part NOW.

Rick

Sears is now selling packages of shear bolts for this model.

$5.99 for (4) bolts & nuts
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_07188009000P

It says it fits Model 88115.

I cross referenced the parts diagram for this model.

http://www.searspartsdirect.com./partsdirect/getSubComp.pd?modelNumber=917881150&productCategoryId=1507200&brandId=0247&modelName=SNOW-THROWER&diagramPageId=00001&componentDescription=AUGER%20HOUSING/IMPELLER&documentId=P0509009&backToLink=Return%20to%20Sub%20Components%20list

and shear bolt part (#28) number is the same at 192090 = 198636
Poulin Pro part number: 198636 1/4-20 x 1-3/4
Husqvarna 532-198636


This seems like a decent deal compared to buying these individually and should work fine with the related Husqvarna and Poulan Pro models. From what I have gathered all the late model Huskies seem to use the same shear pins as well.

Clay,

Do you have a pic of how it split? Do think it needs a new bolt and washer as well?

I've looked around at cross referenced parts and this pully seems the same on all of the Husqvarnas as well. I wonder if they will are start doing it or if there was a bad batch with weak welds.

Snowmachine

Clay wrote:

Even the top of the line Husqvarna 1330SB-XLS professional model use this same impeller pulley.

Part Number: 191079

Rick,

You might see if local Husky dealer has it in stock.

A dealer locater link is on this page:

http://www.usa.husqvarna.com/node3098.aspx?nid=45713

Snowmachine

Rick,

Did pulley break in the middle of using it or when you first started out using it for the day? Curious if impeller was frozen with ice from previous work and instead of impeller bolts shearing it took the weak pulley out instead. I'm just amazed they would use such a weak pulley. I wonder if the late run of Craftsman, Poulan Pro and Husqvarna models that all utilize this same pulley are experiencing this issue? Older reviews that go back to last year do not report it breaking like this.

I read in a that forum on wire melt issue that they stated they ran short on parts so some subsitution were made. I wonder if in addition to the cables they substituted a different pulley as well. My blower did not have cable routing issues and appears it was manufactured in July so not sure if mine is going to be a problem as well.

Husqvarna does make a high performance impeller kit. I wonder if this would be more stout than this stock pulley.

http://www.usa.husqvarna.com/node3253.aspx?nid=53246
"High Performance Impeller Kit
Designed for rural use where snow needs to be removed to a maximum distance (up to 40-50 feet). Not designed for residential use. Increases snow throw distance 30%. requires minor belt adjustment. Includes a pulley, belt and instructions."

Snowmachine

It appears that high performance impeller kit is $32.95 from Jack's small engines.

PN# 532187724

Thanks for all of the links and the advice.  While I like the machine and the engine is powerful, I'm more sick of Sears service than anything else.  I have a 30 day return policy and I am taking it.  I located an Ariens 1130 for a little more than this one and I already bought it over the phone.  I'm on the way to pick it up. 

I can take a digital picture of the pully issue and maybe someone can post it here for me since I don't know how.  The Home Depot closes in a hour and a half so I am off to pick up the new Ariens.  Looked at Simplicity but the 1530 is selling for $1700 and the Ariens is $1200.  Maybe Sears will sell this unit as a used unit and someone will get a good deal on what I consider to be a good machine.  I just am not going to wait two weeks before it gets fixed.

Rick

Check the setup on the Ariens before using it. Especially a Home Depot assembled unit. If it comes with the Ariens style Joy stick chute control make sure to cable tie the cable away from the exhaust. If you don't you will have the same experience as you had with Sears. Most of the Ariens units I have seen at home depot come shipped with oil already installed.Those are on Tecumseh powered models. Check it anyway before using the machine. In fact I would go through the assembly instructions on the unit before using it the first time.If you can take it home in the box and assemble it yourself so much the better. I've done two that way-believe me it is not rocket science.

By the way I think you served yourself well by getting rid of the Sears for the Ariens. Sears is no better than Home Depot when it comes to set up and assembly. A little TLC during setup will go a long way in terms of trouble free service from any brand machine.

Good Luck,

Marc