Poor Warranty Coverage by John Deere & Co.

For those of you that are interested in the outcome of this warranty
problem!! I received the snowblower back from the dealer yesterday
(10/2/07) Frontier the manufacture of the snowblower for John Deere,
paid for all the repairs. The snowblower looks and runs like it just
came off the showroom floor.

Thank you Frontier!!

Jerry

For $446.00 you can go out and just buy a new one. Any machine,
regardless of the owners manual has oil related issues and plugs and
holes and all types of things that make it work. So it's your
responsibility to keep it maintained and in good working order. If
everyone who had issues with their John Deer products expected them to
fix them for free, they wouldn't make any money. And why are you now
just getting around to writing your letter? The snow season is long
over? That makes me a little suspicious!

"The owners manual doesn't even talk about an oil filler plug being
located there. In fact the only thing the manual talks about (and
shows a picture) is to use the dipstick tube as the place to pour oil
into the engine."

If this is true, then I am completely on the OP's side. If the
owner's manual isn't going to be more helpful, if this isn't important
enough to include in that book, then how can they expect the
owner/operator to take proper care of the machine?

Did you check the oil level BEFORE using your blower? Generally in
the user manual, it will indicate that the oil level should be checked
before each use. You can also try contacting Briggs & Stratton
directly regarding this issue. I have worked with them at my job
before (regarding warranty issues), and sometimes they are willing to
make exceptions for some situations. If you checked the oil before
using it, and the oil plug came out during use, they might be willing
to cut you some slack. Good luck!

Jerry S.,
Sorry for your dilemna.
I had something simular happen to me on a brand new Sears mower a few
years ago and they replaced it...no questions asked. In my case the
tip stick had come loose and I failed to see the leakage.
However, in your case, the oil filter plug is for draining ( as you
found out ) while the manual states to fill through the dip stick
hole.
That being said I see that as the operators duty to check that it is
secure prior, during and after use.
Do stop back and let us know how this works itself out.
BillR.

It is ultimately the owner's responsibility to make sure the engine is
supplied with enough oil to run correctly.

In this instance either the oil was dropped prior to using the blower,
which would mean the oil was never checked prior to use or, the plug
came loose during the use. Snow storm or not, you should absolutely
notice the difference between the white snow and oil content coming
from the engine.

Now consider the circumstances after the fact. After the problem was
diagnosed, Jerry is told the cost of service, rebuilding the engine.
Jerry didn't ask for the cost of just replacing the engine, but
instead gives them the go ahead to perform the service. This alone
removes any claim for warranty coverage. Warranty coverage is handled
in specific ways, possibly not rebuilding the engine through someone
who is NOT factory authorized.

As such, any claim to warranty service is absolutely forfeited.

Why in the world were you using a snow blower DURING a snow storm? Did
you think the wind needed help in blowing the snow about?

Admittedly, I live in an area that gets snow only every couple years,
but I would think common sense would rule out using the snow blower
DURING a storm, so the clerks comment that you should have seen the
oil coming from the machine is correct.

1. Snow blowing during the storm makes it easier to snow blow after
the storm.

Let's say there's 12 inches total. If you snow blow halfway through it
will make it easier because you will only have to do 6 inches later,
even if it was windy. Lots of snow makes the machines jam up and you
have to move slower.

2. If the snow isn't the icy hard kind, when you snow blow it goes all
over, including the machine sometimes. Plus, if it is windy a lot of
the snow coming out of the thrower will go right back in your face
(sucks!) and you can't see very well.

Everyone must have heard about the insane St. Valentine Day storm this
year. I probably plowed 3 times that day just to keep up on it.
Otherwise, I'd be out there for hours and hours.

I don't own a snowblower, I use a plowing service, but of COURSE you
use a blower during the storm. I've gotten over two feet in one
blizzard ... more than once. Friends who get lake effect snow can get
regular dumpings of a foot or more. If the snow gets thick or it's
just the heavy wet stuff you have to blow or shovel multiple times.
It'll kill the machine if you don't. A neighbor is a retired
firefighter, and he used to be outside blowing snow at midnight
sometimes, just in case he got called out. I can't imagine seeing
spraying oil with snow flying, especially at night.

The clerk needed a good swing of the clue bat.

My husband gets out both during and after the storm to keep up with
the snow. He also likes doing it for some odd reason. He clears the
snow from about 4 or 5 houses.

and the best way to keep from having to remove 12" of snow at one time
(no simple feat) is to do it once and sometimes twice before a storm
has ended.

I think that common sense would rule out jumping down the OP's throat,
since this situation doesn't occur where you live.

Some winters we get no snow. Some winters we get an INSANE amount of
snow. (not like some of NY snows, didnt you guys get somewhere around
seven or eight feet of snow this year?)

Well, when we get the insane snow, keeping up with the snow is the
only way to do it. really sucks when you cant even get out of you own
driveway after a storm :(