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

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

magoomba wrote:
I'm going to retract my suggestion that the 1130 SE be Snowblower of the Year.

Which leaves the Ariens 9526 DLET...

Paul

pvrp wrote:

You're joking right? 

borat wrote:
I believe the 9526 DLET is the only machine that hasn't gotten any bad reviews.

And then there are the Hondas...

Paul

Just returned my John Deere 1130 SE to Lowes today.  Boy did they fight me on the return, and refunding my money.  I guess, after spending $ 2000 dollars on a power tool, and returning it in a few days, they don't like taking the loss.  Mine would slip in forward and reverse, only after an hour or so.  Then it would dry out in a heated garage, and work " gangbusters" again, and then it would start slipping again.  After returning it, a repairman at Lowes said he worked on the belt tension, and wanted me to come and buy it back from them again.  He said he adjusted cables, and dried everything off, and now it was working, but he didn't try it in snow.  When I spend this kind of money, I shouldn't have to get everthing adjusted every couple of hours of use.  Plus I spent  $250 dollars on a 2 year extended warrenty.   I went
down the road to a Husqvarna dealer, spent less money for the same 1130 SB machine, was given a 3 year factory warrenty, given 2 free tune ups, and for $ 50 dollars was given another 2 year extended warrenty, (Thats a 5 year warrenty).  I have been working this thing to death, in hard packed snow, "NO PROBLEMS", No Adjustments, No Slippage.  The idea of the customer fixing the problem, with aluminum tape, to stop the leaking, is absurd, and asinine.   HEY JOHN DEERE, here is a solution, FIX THE PROBLEM       Obviously not happy, with the way I was treated, after being a longtime customer at LOWES

I also have noticed the problem with machine I am really regretting making this purchase but was under the gun my old toro didnt want to run and I said to heck with it and went to get a new blower went to lowes tojust look at the deere and seen the price was amazed was 1499.00 but 10% off sale plus sign up for lowes card get another 10 off so saved 260.00 knew I wasnt going to beat the deere dealer down that much or any other dealer in the middle of January so I bought it ,got it home light didnt work so I looked around found that was unplugged so no big deal then used it heated grips didnt work so found broken wire so I fixed that now the drive thing am begining to think I should have gone and bought the cub cadet i already paid the lowes card,I love the way the briggs run nice and quiet and the thing blows snow well but the drive thing pisses me off really i didnt think much of the wires I saved so much I said what the hell just fix it and shut up but now.Not what I expected out of a Simplicity built machine thats for shure...