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

Hello everyone. What a great site this is. Certainly full of great information and helpful people.
I tried using the dealer locator on Simplicity's web site and it does not list Canada in the country drop down list. I've never seen Simplicity snow blowers in Ontario and I am wondering, are there any dealers in this neck of the woods?
I haven't heard back from Simplicity themselves yet.

Krank wrote:
Is the '09 unit still as robust as the older units? Does it have the cast iron gear case? Not that the aluminum units won't be up to the task. I'm just curious if Simplicity is begining to compromise their normally outstanding quality, as seen with the other leading snow thrower manufacturers?

borat wrote:
Good question. I don't have the machine home as of yet; it is still in a crate at the dealer... taking end of October delivery. They did have both a 1428 and a 1226 on the floor. Overall the 1428 still looks and feels like last years model (from what I remember); heavy steel, robust, solid frame and controls and great balance. Edit: I was back at the dealer and the gear case on the 1226 is aluminum and the 1428 and above are still cast iron.

Another thing I like is the dealer. They are real people and service oriented. I was given a tour of their shop and introduced to the staff and I hadn't given them my money yet. They also have a much bigger facility and main store outside of Rockwood. I was assured that when they do deliver the machine, it will be assembled and fully pre-serviced to my satisfaction.

I have nothing but admiration for my 1428 Simplicity. The last snow fall of the season was a real test. The machine never stumbled once. I ended up doing three 110' drive ways with at least two feet of heavy wet snow in them. I was pretty much beat but the Simplicity needed only more fuel and some one to stand behind it.

I've made some mods to my machine. Most importantly, I lined the chute with a piece of Krazy Karpet. I've got the Classic Deluxe snow cab on it and even put an hour meter/tach on as well. Make sure you pull the wheels and apply some good water resistant grease on the axles. You may also have to put some kind of cover/filler between the belt cover and engine crank case. Light snow can drop in between and cause the belt to possibly slip. Mine has not been too bad that way. A lot of snow has to falling onto the engine before that happens.

Good luck with your new machine.

borat wrote:
Thanks borat,

I know that the machine will give me many, many years of great service. Really appreciate your advice and others on proper maintenance. I do use a lot of those pointers already on my soon to be (almost) given away pos MTD. Even though I am not a big fan of winter anymore I really look forward to using a great piece of equipment that the 1428 is. I will let you and everyone know how the electric chute rotation works as well.

I just may try the Krazy Karpet chute liner and I really like the idea of an hour meter/tach.


Cheers!