Abby’s Guide > Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) > Discussions > New Simplicity 1524E goes kabam!
Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions |
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Tubby
Joined: Dec 5, 2007
Points: 78
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New Simplicity 1524E goes kabam!
Original Message Dec 24, 2008 12:31 pm |
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Really let down on this machine. I suppose any machine could have a hiccup though. The first thing I notice is that it always seemed slightly in gear, always wanted to tug a little. It was like this for a couple hours. Today, I was using it, and BANG! Then of course no more forward locomotion. The drive plate sheared right off its axle inside! It looks like it is a press fit, and it walked itself right off. Crap. The banks of the edge of the driveway are already 4 foot tall. I hope they don't charge to pick it up. The 8 year old ariens I sold to get this thing never left me high and dry!
This message was modified Jan 3, 2009 by Tubby
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MacLorry27
Joined: Dec 23, 2008
Points: 54
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Re: New Simplicity 1524p goes kabam!
Reply #7 Jan 1, 2009 5:58 pm |
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Sick, The friction wheel-disk drive system used on the 1524 is such a simple system that it’s rare for it to not disengage when the traction control lever is released. On a new machine the adjustment could be off, but then it should be engaged all the time. Also there are spring that pulls the swing plate away from the friction disk, disengaging the friction wheel, and thus, the drive. If one or more of these springs is broke there might not be enough tension to disengage the drive. Another possibility is operator error. I’m not saying this is true in your case, but it has been known to happen, particularly when a person first gets a new machine. The 1524 has the Easy Turn lever mounted on the left under the handlebar and a new operator might get confused and either pull or release that lever when they want to stop rather than releasing the traction control lever, which is on top of the handlebar. The Easy Turn lever only disengages the right wheel when it’s pulled, so in either position at least the left wheel is engaged. Please don’t be offended. As for the electric chute and hand warmers not working, does the light work? If not, the plug from the wiring harness to the engine may be lose, in which case you have no power for any of these systems. There’s a red wire coming out of the engine near the electric starter that connects to the wiring harness with a small plastic plug. Also, make sure the black ground wire from the wiring harness is connected. This black wire usually goes under one of the engine mounting bolts. If the light works then follow the wiring harness and make sure all plugs are tight. If you have no power and all the wires seem to be ok, then it may be a problem with the alternator built into the engine flywheel. That’s a problem only the dealer can fix on a machine in warranty. Mac
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Tubby
Joined: Dec 5, 2007
Points: 78
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Re: New Simplicity 1524p goes kabam!
Reply #11 Jan 1, 2009 10:46 pm |
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Well, the place I bought it is really tying to help as best they can, they even offered me a loaner. So far, only 5 or 6 inches of light powder. so i did not need it. We both agreed it was/is a very bad design. The drive wheel is pressed on, and has a lot of stress. This works it loose, and as it does so, it works towards the rubber drive disc, That is why it always wants to pull, engaged or not. I hope if anyone else here has problems they post about it. It is a major fix, you have to dis-assemble the entire guts to get to it. It is a major safety hazard as I see it. In reverse it keeps coming at you.
If this keeps happening, I see problems for Simplicity.
As I understand it, the old design had the wheel threaded on. It must have been much cheaper to build it this way. Smooth move simplicity.
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borat
Joined: Nov 10, 2007
Points: 2692
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Re: New Simplicity 1524E goes kabam!
Reply #14 Jan 3, 2009 1:10 pm |
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Hey Tubby: You're right on track with the safety aspect. I'd be waving that flag high and often. Keep it in their face and demand that a better quality component to replace the defective one. If they can't do it, tell them you want a machine that doesn't have that type of failure prone mechanism. Good luck to you. Anyone else out there with a similar problem should be getting on the band wagon too. Even if you haven't had the problem but own a similarly appointed machine, I'd be getting in touch with Simplicity for a fix before you have a mishap caused by a similar failure. There's strength in unity.
This message was modified Jan 3, 2009 by borat
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