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

Last year I bought a John Deere 1130SE snowblower and for the most part I was extremely happy with it's performance. I love the hand warmers, electric chute rotation, easy steer and the front end weight just to name a few.  The only problem I had, which was pretty significant, was the intermittent transmission slipping.  After sealing the transmission housing with silicone and some weather stripping, the problem was completely gone.  The remainder of the winter was very pleasing and I always looked forward to using the 1130.  I also had a second snowblower that I'm trading for a new 1330SE.  So now I'll have the 1130 and the 1330.  The 1130 will be for my business parking lot.  Some of the interesting features of the 1330 is the addition of an electric deflector control and dash area integrated headlights.  So now the chute is totally electric (both rotation and the deflector).  The slipping transmission should be resolved from water getting into the rubber/aluminum disc drive.  To fix this problem, Deere added a rubber gasket between the engine mounting plate and the transmission housing.  I'll try to post some pictures in the future.
BTW, my second choice would have been an Ariens since they seem to give people on this website support from at least one poster.  I wish Briggs, Simplicity or Deere would give the same support.

In this neck of the woods they use potash instead of salt on the roads in winter.

Stainless wrote:
No such thing as too much snowblower!

Bill_H wrote:
I beg to differ. 

As long as it's powerful and light and it doesn't work me half to death, I'd agree with the above.  However, due to the laws of  physics, from my experience, that's not been the case.   Hence my sudden interest in single stage machines.  In most cases, I can clear reasonable amounts of snow just as fast using an SS machine vs. the two stage without anywhere near the fatigue. 

I concur with Borat.  Don't feel like wrestling with a big, heavy, and powerful snowblower when I don't have to.

Snow accumulations less than 8 inches and if the EOD isn't frozen solid, I take out the smaller single stage snowblower.  I can move around easier, get into tighter spots close to walls and things.

Bill_H wrote:
Video Link

aa335 wrote:

I think he needs a single stage for that amount of snow and for the size of his driveway, that might be considered overkill as well.

Looks like he's throwing the heaviest stuff a good 3-4 feet.

When my budget allows, and if deemed beneficial, I might pick up a single stage.  Right now, I wanted to prepare for as many scenarios as possible with a single solution.

FrankMA wrote:
With 32" wide manual snow pusher, he can be done in 10 minutes.  Getting some exercise and not having to breathe in that exhaust fume of that beast. 

Yeah......well, what can I say???

If he had a lot more snow, maybe he might have given a more impressive performance.  As it was, I'd have to say, at best, lackluster if not bordering on the absurd. 

On the upside, I have to say that it certainly turns nicely and with it's bulk likely could push  some serious heavy snow.   He could be assigned the e.o.d. man for the entire block. 

I'm already jealous of the Honda snowblowers.  Those things seem to throw snow an absurd distance.