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

I did a search and found a few references to this machine but no answers.  Any one have one of these?  15.5 snow max engine, heated hand grips, 30" wide.  I can't find a listing for auger diameter or impeller diameter.  I called John Deere and the guy that was suppose to be the snow thrower expert didn't know either. 

What is the Easy Steer drive system?  The literature says: 

Easy Steer® drive system giving continuous power to both wheels and auto speed adjustment

Is it similar to the Ariens auto differential? 

I've heard that the units are built by B&S which translates to Simplicity.  They do have cast iron gear cases like the Simplicity.  The chute control is different than the simplicity and so is the turning method so they are not exactly the same.  I'm trying to compare the Simplicity L1530E to the JD 1130SE.  Any help would be appreciated.

Rick

So the drive is the same as the Simplicity, at least apples and apples there.  That doesn't surprise me.  What is currious is how they describe it in the literature as "giving continuous power to both wheels and auto speed adjustment"  Pulling a lever and removing power from one wheel does not sound the same to me as continuous power to both wheels and that is what prompted the question. 

Any ideas on auger or impeller size as well as the number of vanes in the impeller?

Has anyone tried the chute rotation?  What do you think of the system?

Simplicity L1530 E locally for $1450, JD 1130 SE for $1499 with a bigger engine and heated grips.  Both will be serviced at local tractor supply companies with on site staff and good turn around times.  What would sway you one way or another.  I will make this decision today since both are still in stock.  One will come home today.

Rick

I have been reading posts on this board for some time, but have not contributed as I have primarily been learning from the rest of you. Just wanted to say 'thanks' for all of the useful info. Now onto the intial question posted...

I purchased the JD 1130SE from Lowes in Canada earlier this fall, so I can hopefully answer some questions related to this machine.

• What is Easy Steer? Unfortunately, JD has not provided a great deal of info on this feature to help consumers, but I can tell you that there are no triggers on this machine. Each wheel is independently powered, so steering is very easy. I can't comment if this is the same as the Ariens differential as I have never used one of those machines
• Chute control? The chute control uses the more traditional hand crank connected to a type of worm gear located at the bottom of the chute. Mechanism appears robust, but takes 5-10 cranks to move from left to right.
• Auger/Impeller? Auger is listed as 14", and impeller as 12", but I have not measured.

Let me know if there are any other details I can provide.

rukey wrote:

So how is it to turn?  I do a lot of turning in my application. 

Has the Worm gear either slipped for you or frozen up?  They use to use that type of application on machines years ago, but they were durable.  With all of the turning I do flip the chute often as well.  It looks like the handle for the crank is on the operatoring dash board for lack of a more concise term.  I use a snow cab so I have to have something that I can reach while inside of the cab.

The John Deere rep sent me a piece of literature in an email that shows chains like a bike chain for the drive.  Not sure about the desireability of the chain vs a belt.  My uneducated first impression is that the chain would not slip, but your shear pins better work. 

Are there grease zerts on the auger shaft?  The Ariens unit did not have them.

Are the auger pivots bushings or bearings?

Thanks for all of the quick help.

Rick

I have the JD 928, which is the 1130’s little brother. It also has 14 inch auger and a 12 inch 4 blade impeller. The chute rotation is the same as on the 1130, which is done by a worm gear turning against a ring gear mounted to the bottom of the chute. Once I adjusted mine it works good and is likely more reliable that many of the other schemes.

As for the Easy Steer® drive system, the 928 doesn’t have it and I was assuming the 1130 uses the same system as the equivalent Simplicity. With only $200 difference in price between the 928 and the 1130 and given the larger engine, and hand warmers on the 1130, I would be worried about the robustness of some really cheap differential that might be used on the 1130. I would go the JD dealer and have them explain exactly what it is.

Turning? I consider the machine relatively easy to turn for its size, I do however need to mucle the machine a bit. If you get the opportunity to handle the machine at a dealer, you will be able to judge the amount of force needed to turn. Whether the machine is running or not, it takes the same amount of force to turn it. 

Chute rotation? I did need to properly grease the chute, as Lowes only had a squirt of grease on it. Once I correctly greased the chute and the worm gear, the rotation is effortless.

Grease zerks? There are grease zerks on both augers (left / right)

Bushings / bearings? The friction disk definately turns on bearings (from manual). The auger appears to turn on bearings, but I would check with JD to verify.

Differential? I am hesitant to comment on the robustness of this feature. It works well so far, but I have only use the machine for a couple of months, and have no other machine for comparison. If JD sent you a brochure, the inside of the machine is pictured at the top of the second to last page.

A subtle difference between the engine on the 928 and 1130 other than size is that the 1130 is the Snow Series MAX which has throttle adjustment.

Here is a link to the JD snow thrower literature that has a picture of the Easy Steer mechanism.  http://www.deere.com/en_US/ProductCatalog/HO/media/pdfs/jd_snowthrowers_brochure_eng.pdf

I was able to talk to the service depart at the local John Deere dealership that spoke very highly of the 1130SE even though they don't have any to sell in the store.  They have been sold out for months.  What was funny is that Lowes pays the JD dealership to come to Lowes and set these units up.  Lowes employees don't set up the JD products like the Home Depot employees set up the Ariens products.  The JD dealership also provides local service for the unit and the service manager said that they have had no return on the product and it has been a trouble free unit.  That was nice to hear.  The Easy Steer was a popular option the manager said. 

While the chute rotation isn't quite as convenient as some models of quick turn cables etc, I would have to agree that the design with the worm gear, while not being high tech is probably very durable. I haven't seen anything that makes this JD a no go product.  While I won't likely be able to tell the difference between the Briggs snow max 14.5 and the 15.5 bigger is usually better.

Rick

Bought the John Deere 1130se.  Chute rotation isn't bad at all and it turns as good as an Ariens in the short run that I took it on in the driveway when it came home.  I think that it is a winner.  I aked for a better price on the unit from Lowes and while he said that they are still selling 20 units a day after a good snow fall and wouldn't be able to discount the unit he did give me a coupon worth $50 of any purchases over $500.  $1450 and I am officially Green now.

Rick

That certainly looks to me like it could be a differential.  This
would be interesting since Simplicty doesn't offer one to my
knowledge.

You can buy a engine block heater as an accesory.  First time
I've heard of that on a snowblower.

You know Clay, I think you've found the perfect strategy.  If you
keep it up you'll have had a different machine for every storm
and all you'll have to do is return the last one and the winter
won't have cost you anything

Paul

pvrp wrote:

I'm driving my wife crazy.  I have never returned this much stuff in my whole life and this is not standard operating proceedure.  My old snow thrower  lasted 21  years and I didn't want something that wouldn't be around.  Truth is for under a grand that Craftsman 14.5 is still a heck of a machine.  This was 50% more than the first one.  The problem is that each machine has become more expensive.  The first one was around a grand, the second one $1200 and the third one $1500 after tax.  By the way Lowes does have a 30 day return policy and if this thing treats me like crap or I have 3 service calls in 3 weeks you don't even have to guess where it will end up.  So yes, I will take all of the ribbing anyone wants to give me.  I have had a very unique selection process but I don't recomend it to anyone else.  The first unit I bought out of state, but was able to return it locally, the second unit was bought out of state and returned out of state and the third unit was bought about 30 miles away.  Luckily gas prices have been down too.  The first unit I did an oil change with synthetic oil and lubed up the wheels with grease etc.  While it might sound fun to some, this has been a royal pain in the rear.  I just want a machine that works and I can get parts for after the warranty ends.  Is that really too much to ask for $1500 of my money?  If I wasn't going through this myself and I was reading my threads, I would be laughing my rear off at me, so I don't mind the friendly poke in the ribs.  I probably deserve it.

I did turn on the heated grips and they made me smile tonight.  More to follow after we get some snow and I can play with it for real.

So how does it turn ?    

Paul