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

Clay wrote:
Yep, I see that pulley in the picture... but my question is, if there is a spring pulling on that arm/pulley, providing the tension on the belt... then doesn't that arm that's holding the pulley just swing free... which would allow the spring to put tension on it?  And, if it is swinging free, then what adjustment could there be?  I'm sure that it will make more sense when I actually can get a look at it... but it was -30 last night, and cold again today.  I'm going to wait for it to "warm up" a bit before I take a peek.

I will check the friction wheel adjustment, as well.

But... but.... IF they are not adjusted correctly, would it NOT drive properly all of the time??

Hmm, more and more, I'm thinking it's snow causing the slippage.  Heck of a deal, considering what it's designed for! 

borat wrote:
I will be waiting for your report. 

I have noticed some slippage on my machine also on two separate occasions. The symptoms are similar to what others have stated, generally the machine works fine until snow accumulates on or around belt cover / engine then some slippage occurs, moving the gear selector between speeds for a moments usually solves the problem. After the second occurance I took a look at both the cable attachment form the control panel, and the belts, but both appeared fine. I then tilted the machine on the auger housing and removed the bottom panel, to my surprise there was a considerable amount of oil/grease/water on the drive plate and friction disk. I cleaned this with solvent and the problem went away until the next time snow accumulated on or around the engine.

I believe Snowman is onto something because the amount of oil/grease/water on the drive plate cannot simply fall from the belt cover opening alone onto a vertical drive plate, but rather must contact some oil/grease on the way down. The rubber on the friction disk appears to be quality and the grip on a clean drive plate is considerable. If anyone has an approach for how this leakage can be solved I'm all ears.

I have the John Deere 1130 and right away I had  problems with the drive in reverse and forward (especially the lower speeds). I took it to a dealer and they said that they have had to replace the friction disk in all of these because the original had rubber that was too soft. They replaced the disk and it worked great for two snowfalls. I have a large area to clear and it takes about 11/2 hrs., during  that time it will act up intermittantly and then correct itself over and over. If not for this problem it's a great machine.

 i think Snowman is right, take a look at the space between the cover and engine, i have the john deere 928e and have the intermitant drive problem, there is more than a 1/4 inch space in some areas, take a flash light and you can see  the belt and part of the pulley, the cover can't sit flush against the engine becuase of the bosses on the front cover, i'm going to try installing some foam strips on the cover and engine to fill in the gaps and see if this helps, i'm pretty sure it will,  i haven't talk to john deere about this yet, but i bet there will be a recall, with a newly designed belt cover

My 1130 has the new belt cover kit that Briggs is sending to the dealers to correct the drive problem, But it still did not correct the problem.   I spent a big chunk of change on this snowblower.    This is totally unacceptable.  I don't believe John Deere or Briggs did any field testing of these units.  This is a huge engineering defect.   I have no choice but to return this unit and get my money back.   

I'm having the same problem with my drive.  I read this whole thread just before going out to clear some snow, as I needed to adjust the auger belt and I never received an owner's manual with my machine.  A google search had this forum as one of the top items. 

I was able to figure out how to adjust the belt for the auger, but not for the drive.  I sprayed some belt dressing on both belts.  It definitely helped the auger belt, as there was zero slippage on that.  It was really loose beforehand.  However, my drive was slipping quite a bit, and it was very early in the job.  It does seem a little loose, but not really bad. 

There was no snow falling onto the engine or the cover, nor was it raining or snowing outside.  It started to slip within about 60-70 feet on my first pass.  I was discharging the snow forward and to the left, in about the 10 o'clock position, if that helps any of you to further diagnose.  It did it a bunch of times early on, then not as much later, but I was using higher speeds.  It seems to happen more in 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear and not nearly as often in 4th and I don't think ever in 5th or 6th.

magoomba wrote:

Next time it slips, reach down and pull on the drive cable with your hand.  See if that gets it moving.  If it does, there's a good chance the problem is your drive cable not being properly adjusted. 

e suggested snow Hello,

Thanks for all the good suggestions I have same problem as everyone, did the adjustments, wiped of the friction disk and wheel all to no avail. But I hope you guys get lucky like I did this is what worked for me. I looked at the spaces from the belt cover both front and back and like many have suggested  water and snow was getting in. I used metal duct tape that is like a thick tin foil with a sticky side. Took my time and really sealed the area good on both sides. Today 8 inches snow no poblems, and when I was done lots of snow on the tape that would have gone in. It worked for me Not the best look but until a better fix is in place I will go with it.

Don

Hi guys
I don't have this problem but can only envision the gap you guys speak about but, don't really know how big or small.

Check out this site http://www.mcmaster.com

Take a look at pages 3408,3409,3410. You can also look at 3468 which should give you a good idea of functionality from a material perspective.I use this stuff from time to time depending on the situation and can only say I had great success.

Allan