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

Buying a John Deere 928E, but I am concerned that it won't be easy to turn. On their website it states "Knob style wheel differential system", what exactly is that? Their other higher end models have "Easy Steer" and "Quick turn". Whats better? Should I look to Toro, Simplicity/Snapper instead? Which one is easiest to turn in the same class as 928e?

Link on their site for the 928E:

http://www.deere.com/en_US/ProductCatalog/HO/servlet/com.deere.u90785.cce.productcatalog.view.servlets.ProdCatProduct?pNbr=LP1695441&tM=HO

Thx.

Closest I could find on line.   I like to know if the John Deere comes with the automatic differential or not as well. 

There brochure for the JD 1130SE model states. "Easy Steer® drive system giving continuous power to both wheels and auto speed adjustment."
Sounds like the Ariens differential but it might be the way marketing describes a remote lock/unlock lever. 

http://www.brutepower.com/document/index.cfm?doc=1735373_D_HI.pdf

i have the john deere 928e, it's no problem to turn around, the only reason i could see using the unlock feature on the right wheel,
is when you had to make  a really tight turn, i clean my drive way, then i do my fence line along the front of my property so my dogs don't walk
over the fence when the snow gets to high, even at the end of the fence line it's no problem to turn around, the only time i unlocked that wheel
was to see if it worked,if you are in average shape,  i wouldn't worry about it

Ozzie: How does one turn it around?  Do you have to push down so that the font lifts up?

Also, does anyone carry Simplicity online...I am in MA and they appear to be sold out everywhere.  Not sure if the dealers or simplicity offer extended warranties, since I would like to get that also.

yes, push down on the handles, and turn it, my wife tried the machine out when we brought it home on the driveway,she has no problem,and she is maybe 105lbs soaking wet, i could see her having a problem doing the fence,but she has no intentions of doing the snow removale anyways, just wanted to check her out on it in case she needs to use it if i'm out of town.

I also own the 928E, and had the same concerns when I purchased mine.(My first snowblower)  The John Deere dealership didn't have the next model up (1130), although Lowe's did.  I talked to the John Deere person (who also does all the service on the Lowe's machines), and he seemed to think it wasn't that big a deal.  I was of the mind at first, that if I'm going to shell out THAT kind of money, the thing ought to go do my driveway and sidewalks all by itself.  At the very LEAST I wanted it easy to turn.  But, in the end, I went with the 928.  The first snowfall had me out experimenting, and it really isn't bad at all.  I didn't like the idea of bending over and popping out the knob every time I wanted to turn around, (and there IS a trick to that....) but with snow on the ground, the thing really isn't that hard to turn around.  As Ozzie said, just push the handles down and "muscle" it.

Where easy steer would help me is on my front walk which isn't straight, but curved. 

I've used the machine 3 times as of now, and after having a couple of issues (that were cleared up with some help from this forum), I have been very happy with the purchase.

Hope that helps.

Thanks everyone for the input, much appreciated.  I am purchasing this so that it maybe used by someone who  is 60+ years old, so that was the reason why.  I may cancel my order, but I am still debating it.

I also have the John Deere 928e, which is made by Simplicity and is similar to their large frame model L1428. Even with the 928’s 255 pound weight I have had no trouble maneuvering it so far. The operator has lots of leverage and it’s not hard to make it go where you want it. That said, if someone is worried about it, but needs the capability of something the size of the 928, then by all means go with the Simplicity L1428, if you can find one.

Well at 260lbs I'm not a little guy.  I have the size and weight to move a snowblower around. 
But I do appreciate the remote wheel lock/unlock trigger on my Ariens.
Especially at the end of a long day when the old back muscles are starting to tighten up.

I just bought this machine for my husband and he is not happy with the turning at all. By the time he reached the end of the driveway his back is killing him and oh by the way its two weeks old and already stops in the middle of use. No apparent reason and Lowes won't take it back. Do this sound familair to anyone?

ljacobsen wrote:

If the machine is causing problems running in a straight line, it is either out of adjustment or you have a very lumpy driveway and the machine has to be set up to deal with it.  What kind of surface does the driveway have?  Try loosening the fuel cap when it begins to stall.  Sounds like the air vent in the fuel cap might be blocked.   If it is, take it off and disassemble to see what might be causing the blockage.  

Buying from the box stores is not a recommended practice it the purchaser has little or no mechanical skill.  A minor glitch will stop the unexperienced in their tracks.  People with little or no mechanical understanding are better off paying a few bucks more and buying a machine from a dealer.   It's not as though you won't be taking your chances there either.  Generally, if you talk to people who own outdoor power equipment, you'll find out which dealers to avoid.   It doesn't hurt to know someone who's handy with wrenches either.  A cup of coffee and a piece of pie (cherry, preferably) can save you a trip to the repair shop.  I held a machine ransom once for a second piece.  Yeah, I know that's kind of low, but hey, I was shooting for the whole thing!