Update to my snowblower saga, surprising outcome!

arsenix2001 · Jan 17, 2012

Well, it seems all of my frustrations, videos, phone calls and believe it or not, postings on TBN got the interest of Woods big time. My salesman, Don just called me this am to let me know that the snowblower engineer was out along with the factory rep to look at my blower. Messicks had forwarded all of my videos, calls and TBN postings to them as well. The outcome... Shocking, in a good way. Woods is acknowledging that there is an issue with the drive setup. (although I didnt get many specifics). They are actually meeting with the engineers to redesign a new drive setup for future units this week and it looks like I will be getting the prototype. What and how severe the changes will be arent known to myself or Messicks at this point. They are hoping to have things redesigned and a brand new blower built for me by the beginning of next week. Granted its been a frustrating experience but I do think its pretty neat that it has been escalated enough to fix my problem and hopefully save future buyers any trouble.
So thank you TBNers for your support. A big thank you to Messicks and all involved, especially the kind post fron Niel. And another thanks to Woods for stepping up to the plate to make this right. I will let you guys know the second I have a smooth running unit in hand. :thumbsup:

farmeratheart · Jan 17, 2012

Now that is good news! Good luck with the rest of the way ...

RoyJackson · Jan 17, 2012

Sounds like a good end to this saga!

I think Woods is pretty new to the snowblower industry. I don't recall seeing snowblowers in their product brochures last year.
I'm wondering if they build them inhouse, or buy 'em and market then as they do the Woods 5000 Chipper/Shredder (manufactured by Bearcat).

I do have two Woods implements: the aforementioned Woods 5000 chipper/shredder and a Frontier (Woods manufacture) 72" RFM. I'm quite happy with both, BTW.

Jerry/MT · Jan 17, 2012

arsenix2001 said:
Well, it seems all of my frustrations, videos, phone calls and believe it or not, postings on TBN got the interest of Woods big time. My salesman, Don just called me this am to let me know that the snowblower engineer was out along with the factory rep to look at my blower. Messicks had forwarded all of my videos, calls and TBN postings to them as well. The outcome... Shocking, in a good way. Woods is acknowledging that there is an issue with the drive setup. (although I didnt get many specifics). They are actually meeting with the engineers to redesign a new drive setup for future units this week and it looks like I will be getting the prototype. What and how severe the changes will be arent known to myself or Messicks at this point. They are hoping to have things redesigned and a brand new blower built for me by the beginning of next week. Granted its been a frustrating experience but I do think its pretty neat that it has been escalated enough to fix my problem and hopefully save future buyers any trouble.
So thank you TBNers for your support. A big thank you to Messicks and all involved, especially the kind post fron Niel. And another thanks to Woods for stepping up to the plate to make this right. I will let you guys know the second I have a smooth running unit in hand. :thumbsup:

Good news! Keep us informed on the final results. Better they get a handle on the problem now and fix it rather then build several thousand units, get them in the field, and then have a major recall.

Scooby074 · Jan 17, 2012

Glad i got the Kubota over the Woods i was looking at.

Glad they stepped up though. Heres to getting a redesigned model that works well for you in the future.

murphy1244 · Jan 17, 2012

It ain't over till my MIL sings...:laughing::laughing:

grsthegreat · Jan 17, 2012

Of course, their "Prototype" might involve some C4 plastic explosive.....that will cure all the complaints :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

Hope it all works out for you. And your right, an expensive blower should work 100% right out of the crate

doxford jim · Jan 17, 2012

Congratulations on getting the attention you rightly deserve.

I am sure both Woods and Messicks have learned a valuable lesson from this unfortunate episode.

You have done very well managing your feelings and I would like to think that this has not gone un-noticed by all concerned.

Here's to a satisfactory resolution and that the newly designed snowblower proves to be a real winner for you.

Cheers

Jim

JDGreenGrass · Jan 18, 2012

Best wishes with the new blower. All in all I would say you've been a patient man.:thumbsup: I could learn from this.

crazyal · Jan 18, 2012

That's good to hear.

I wonder if they would listen to ideas on what to do? Personally I would love to see the chain be replaced with a shaft drive and the shear pin for the auger be replaced with a slip clutch like you would find on a brush hog, and have it sealed so you would have to worry about rust and ice freezing it up.