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

Aside from The Great Drive Problem, this appears to be one of the better machines out there. If you're willing to tinker a bit - or perhaps even talk the dealer into replacing the "missing" Part #46 mentioned above - that's an awesome price.

But if you're willing to tinker a bit you might consider taking one of the slipping-drive-repair-tagged ones at the dealers off his hands for, say, $700 or so. Find one that's otherwise as-new, fit the weatherproofing, and you'll have a hell of a machine for just over half price.

I'm not in the market for a blower at this time, but if I were I'd grab one that somebody hates because "they got a brand new machine with problems" - then fix it for a few bucks.

Any updates on this drive problem?Has Deere provided any info to anyone on providing a free  upgrade on a kit to correct the problem?

I had the same drive issues on my brand new 1130SE and i have done 2 things and now awaiting any other snowfalls to test out..  

1.  i bought a small sheet of aluminum and made a small shield that  i bolted to the location of that gastet part # 46 in above referenced diagram.  it acts as both a snow deflector, and i sealed underneath it with silicone.  ( also put some weatherstripping on the bottom of the belt cover ends which essentially seals all the way across that end of the cover now).     this should eliminate the water dripping down from the snow melting on the engine issue.

2.  i did look at the hex shaft and there did seem to be a significant amount of lubricant which i could see could cause the issues as well.  I cleaned the shaft and drive plate with brake cleaner and re-lubricated the shaft with bearing greese which is much thicker and shouldn't fly off.  When i sprayed brake cleaner to clean the black residue from the drive plate, it came right off, which would lead me to believe the slippage could have been caused by the lubricant as well, (lubricant mixing with the rubber drive wheel on that plate causing the rubbery black residue on the drive plate ).  

so whether it was water dripping causing the slipping, or lubricant flying off the hex shaft, I addressed both and now am waiting to see if i get any more snow.

Brian

Local dealer called, and requested that I bring in the 1130Se asap for some retro fix for the drive problem.  I didn't talk to him, so I don't know exactly what that will be.  He said he wants them ALL taken care of before mower season starts.  Anyway, if you haven't been contacted yet... you may want to give them a call... apparently, there is a fix, and you may as well let them do it.  I'll report back when it's finished.

trekguy wrote:
Hi trek, did you get your machine back?

I just picked one of these up at my local Lowes store yesterday for $800, ($890 on seasonal closeout with 10% coupon) new, never started. If the two that were sitting there were not sold by next weekend the guy said they would go up on a shelf until this Fall.

Do you guys think I should just ring my local JD dealer on Monday, or should i go with calling B&S or JD directly? Looks like a beast of a machine, just hoping to see if there is a service bulletin out yet and if there really is a kit to fix it that can be provided to the JD dealer.

Got it back with a different plastic cover.  I think they double-checked adjustments, as well... and cleaned the disk.  My retired Dad had time to spare, so he ran it to the dealer... I didn't talk to them myself.  Guess I won't know for sure til next winter, whether or not the problem is fully resolved.  The dealer said to let him know how it goes.  They are fully aware of the problem, so I wouldn't hesitate to give your's a call... they should know exactly what's what.  I will say again that besides that drive hiccup, the machine throws snow like nobody's business!  The last storm we had dumped 22 inches of heavy, wet snow in my yard..... the 1130 went through it like it was nothing.

Hi Everyone,

I am looking at an 1130SE for this winter and came across this thread. I realize the posts are from last season, but I am thinking of purchasing one (from new stock) very soon. Does anyone know if John Deere has made any changes yet to solve the friction drive problem?

I am trying to decide between the 1130SE and the Toro 1028OXE. Each has advantages over the other, but the JD has a much better price point for a larger engine.

Thanks for any input,
Mike

mikkel'

I had the friction drive problem last year - sometimes.

I racked my brain and came across this site. I read the pages and could see some very interesting progress being made.

I figured the parts were missing on my 928E as everyone else was having the same experiences with their 1130SE.

Finally my local Lowes in Hamilton, Ontario started selling the snowthrowers again and I popped in to take a look at them this weekend.

Sure enough, the correct parts have been installed to stop the water seepage onto the friction disc on the new models (both 928E and 1130SE). So it looks like this years models will be fine.

I asked the sales staff about the model I purchased last year and they directed me to my local John Deere dealer who is now ordering me a kit to install myself. They did however offered to install the parts free of charge - nice.

Once the kit arrives, I'll post the results and hopefully be able to post pictures.

As for the Toro 1028OXE I can't comment.  I can however say that the JD is a brute and has impressed me like no other.

Len

Thanks LennyB for your reply. I really appreciate it; sounds like the friction drive problem has been solved for sure.

Couple more questions for anyone:
1) Regarding the electric-powered chute rotation: is this system robust? Does anyone think snow and ice will freeze the operation up, or is it shrouded well enough?
2) Is the Easy-Steer system similar to a limited-slip diff? How does it actually function? The dealer cannot really explain to me how the system works, although I did operate the blower on a cement floor and it seems to work seamlessly.

Thanks again,
Mike

I just purchase the JD 1130SE. I called the JD dealer and he knows nothing about the "Retro fix" for the Drive slippage problem.  The Sevice guy started to laugh when I told him that I was getting my information from the internet. He was not interested in what people were saying and said that he checked and found nothing about a cover or anything from B and S.

Well, I will have to wait until the snow flys in Minneapolis to find out if it slips and has problems. Maybe this is a isolated incident. If you can supply me with the "Fix" that your dealer did for you I can follow up with the dealer.

Jim