Will not drive

Making 100,000 tractors a day, it is impossible for any manufacturer to inspect every unit. This is one down side of teh assembly line business, the upside is faster better products, at less expense to you

Take that unit back immediately and demand another one.  The only way manufacturers will learn their products are unsatisfactory is when they have a backroom full of units waiting for problems to be repaired on their dime.  That impacts the bottom line and that's what gets their attention.   

We purchased this product in Mid December of 2009 and three storms later, it was no longer usable.  It no longer self-propels, and even once the drive belt was replaced, the transmission had problems.  While the machine is under warranty, that doesn't help you when there's two feet of snow coming down and the nearest repair center is 20 miles away.

What brand and model number?  Sears doesn't use a
"transmission" per se.  It's just a friction wheel running against a plate.  Something doesn't add up here.  Let us know.   

What is needed is the machine's long model number, off of its data plate.

This will allow a manual download, and access to the Parts Direct sites exploded parts diagrams of your machine.

Since it's a brand new machine, I'm assuming all of the parts will be available to site lookup.

I bought a craftsman's electric start 22" 4-cycle snow thrower in mid November 2008. I didn't use it that year because it was purchased after the little snow that we did have that year. However, I did use it the for the first time in Dec. of 2009. It broke down the very first time I used it. The snow would get stuck in the shoot, so I had to keep pushing a stick down the shoot to clear it out. Soon after that the blade would not rotate; I had to switch back to shoveling the snow because it was such an inconvienece. I took it back to Sears (Bowie Towne Center- Maryland) that same day to show them the problem, but they were reluctant to hear my story. They told me since it was more than a year old, to call the warranty department.

While still in the store, I called the warranty department. They told me that I had purschased a "5 year in-home warranty" (which I had forgot about) & the earliest appointment available would be in three weeks. Well, when the repair man finally came out- he told me that I needed a new belt & it would be a one week wait period for a new belt. I want to point out that it was an entire month before it was up and running again...

On top of all of that I was required to install it by myself. The belt did fix the problem, did the machine come with a used belt or something? I mean, I only used it one time for-goodness-sake! Yesterday (February 7th, 2010) while I was using it... still having to clear the shoot with a stick, I noticed engine oil leaking and on top of that both tires went flat- so it killed the self propel feature! I give up! Any suggestions? I even had a much cheaper snow thrower and didn't have this many complications. I gave that to my friend, and now I am borrowing it back from him!!!

-Richard Anthony

Rich, it sounds like fixing the tires will get you up and running. Set the machine on a block to get the tire off the ground. Cinch your belt or a piece of rope around the tire, in the middle of the tread. This forces the sidewalls into the rim, then inflate the tire. Best of luck... here comes another foot!

What's the point of purchasing a new snow blower and it's breaking down the first time?! I don't think this assembly line has anything "better" about it! These belts are no good!!! I am an auto-mechanic and looking at these pulleys, I can see that the pulleys are not properly aligned... this will cause the belt to jump off or wear out excessively. I purchased a new snow blower because I didn't want to deal with the repairs, and the new one I purchased is having more problems then the old one! I thought that Craftsman was a reputable brand... I guess not. If I wanted to repair one, I would have repaired the old one!!! Stay AWAY!!!

Thank you for your advice- it's good advice. I did take it to a friend on a Sunday and he did just that, but if I didn't have him on my side... I would've been stuck. Even so, air was still leaking out within 5 min... I was in the middle of my snow removal, this is a brand new unit, with brand new tires. He had to remove the wheels, and reseal the tires... should I have a repair guy on call? This is not a reliable unit- flat tires was the last thing on my mind. It's not like it got punctured with a nail or something. Where did the air go? It sounds like poor quality to me.

I have a concern when reading your post.

the greatest concern is you post that  you purchased a 5 year in home warranty, which I assume you mean service agreement.

I am quite concerend that you had to install the belt yourself.  That doesnt sound like complete in home service to me.  What does your contract say?

Rich's tires are covered under the Protection Agreement but that doesn't help much in the middle of a storm. Snowthrower service is the worst for 2 reasons. First, everybody needs service at exactly the same time... a storm hit. And second, the storm slows down the poor repair guys who have to drive all over residential neighborhoods in rear wheel drive vans. But its free, for 5 years.

To quote a fellow community member:

"Whaddaya want for free?  A RRRRRRUBBER BISCUIT!?!?!?!?"

ok you keyed in on the tires however,

I keyed in on the belt.  I didnt even go for the time stuff no matter how common a complaint that part is.  Its really not free,  it was paid for in advance.

Here's the belt replacement:

1. Tip the snowthrower up and forward so that it rests on the auger

housing. Remove the belt keeper as called out in Figure19. Return

the snowthrower to its upright position to complete the following

steps.

2. Slip the front auger belt off of the engine pulley, pushing it forward

and rolling in  off of the pulley.See Figure18.

3. Squeeze the auger control handle to release the auger brake,

which is the tab that holds the belt on to the auger pulley. Remove

the belt.

4. Replace with new belt.

5. Feel Good about yourself. 

http://www.managemyhome.com/mmh/lis_pdf/OWNM/L0907490.pdf

Where did the air go?

Just guessing, a loose valve stem. You can check for leaks with soapy water, look for bubbles.

Richard...  Just about the samething happened to me, except I bought mine at almost end of January 2009 and hardly used it .  This year however I have used it twice and today 2/9/10 that NEED to use it... it does not want to start at all.  I am quite handy at things and have followed all the start up porcedures to no avail.  On top of that Sears promised a rebate which was never honored.  How about that!  The snow blower I bought is Craftsman 123cc 21" path 4 cycle.  Now, almost new not working, sits in garage idle.  What a piece of junk Sears sells!!!

NEVER AGAIN WILL I BUY FROM SEARS, THAT'S FOR SURE!

I can appreciate that but instructions are not what they paid for either.  Im sure that many of these are sold to the for lack of a better term.......unhandy.

I can appreciate that but instructions are not what they paid for either.

If you mean the Protection Agreement, yes, the customer pays for Rapid Resolution contact with experienced technicians, not part of the limited manufacturers warranty. Service will show up and replace the belt when weather allows. Otherwise, the above instructions were from the manual.... except #5. 

sooo... you think that both brand new tires coincidentally went flat at the same time with no punctures? I've been riding a bike since I could walk... I know how to check a leaking tire & I've never seen anything like this!

Anyways, I had to get rid of it today, in the middle of the blizzards! I would rather use my shovel than to be burdened by that P.O.S...

By the way do you work for Sears Mr. Madgolfer??

Yes, a sales associate in a store, here on a day off.  And yes, that's the cheapest 2 stage machine on the market, Rich.