Power chutes lack of customer care

[Maple Wood]

I bought a Power chute back in April. Foot switch broke on the first yard out on the second activation. I was told I would get a new switch in two weeks. It has been two months. I feel that I was ripped.

[gene gls]

You need to stay in touch with Lawn Site. Power chute had a long thread on here in regards to thier problems. Call them and let them know you still haven't gotten your switch.

[Jason Rose]

I know how you feel, I was in the same boat. Definately CALL NORM and tell him about your foot switch. I had to PM him a few times and then found out that my invoice (proof of purchace) for my unit was not filed into the "send a new foot pedal" pile. I received my new pedal today, finally. Yes, It's been a looooong time waiting for a resolution.

[LushGreenLawn]

I got my pedal the other day, norm at powerchute has been nothing but attentive on this issue. The first poster is way off base here.

I would recommend a powerchute over any other unit. I donkt know what I would do without mine.
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[Easel]

I bought a Power chute back in April. Foot switch broke on the first yard out on the second activation. I was told I would get a new switch in two weeks. It has been two months. I feel that I was ripped.

I'm in the same situation as you. I have lurked on several sites and searched for OCDC threads. I thought I had finally found a good product with Powerchute but alas I too find the customer service to be lacking. Really disappointing given that so many here feel it ot be a solid product.

[Jason Rose]

I must admit, and to add to my previous post, that it did take a LOT of effort on my part, and much persistance to finally get a new foot pedal switch. Just like Maple Wood, my switch went out on the first lawn, not more than a few minutes into it. Other than the operation I had done of it when I mounted it on the mower a month prior it had a grand total of maybe 50 cycles on the switch. At first I was told it was a VERY isolated problem, but as time wore on I believe it was much more widespread.

I have not mounted the new switch, and don't plan too. I'm just going to sell the unit as I have found that I really have no use for it now. If anyone is looking for a powerchute, with the NEW switch for a 61" grasshopper, let me know!

[LushGreenLawn]

I don't understand why my experience was so different, I just sent him a PM on lawnsite, he responded with an estimated timeframe, yes, it did get delayed, but those were problems beyond his control.

When he posted and said the pedals had all been mailed, I got mine 2 days later.

Now, the problem has been corrected, so all of the issues with the foot pedals are a moot point anyway. The units that are shipping now have the issue corrected, and you will not have to wait for a foot pedal. If you are looking for an OCDC, a powerchute is the only way to go.

Choice one: Stop mower, take hands off the controls to reach down to operate manual OCDC (I open and close mine quite often on some lawns, sometimes on every single pass)

Choice two, tap a foot pedal and have it open automatically, without skipping a beat.

I know my choice.

[Easel]

I don't understand why my experience was so different, I just sent him a PM on lawnsite, he responded with an estimated timeframe, yes, it did get delayed, but those were problems beyond his control.

When he posted and said the pedals had all been mailed, I got mine 2 days later.

Now, the problem has been corrected, so all of the issues with the foot pedals are a moot point anyway. The units that are shipping now have the issue corrected, and you will not have to wait for a foot pedal. If you are looking for an OCDC, a powerchute is the only way to go.

Choice one: Stop mower, take hands off the controls to reach down to operate manual OCDC (I open and close mine quite often on some lawns, sometimes on every single pass)

Choice two, tap a foot pedal and have it open automatically, without skipping a beat.

I know my choice.

There is a third option, that is to fabricate your own unit. We did so on striping kits and have been much happier versus the manufactured ones. JMO but will likely do the same for an OCDC after issues with this one.

[LushGreenLawn]

There is a third option, that is to fabricate your own unit. We did so on striping kits and have been much happier versus the manufactured ones. JMO but will likely do the same for an OCDC after issues with this one.

Thats great for people who have the time to find all the parts fabricate a unit, but there are alot of people who do not have the know how, or are too busy to fabricate a unit when you can buy one for $300

[Easel]

Thats great for people who have the time to find all the parts fabricate a unit, but there are alot of people who do not have the know how, or are too busy to fabricate a unit when you can buy one for $300

Dude............JMO is an acronym for Just My Opinion...........Sorry I got in front of your grill.

[LushGreenLawn]

Dude............JMO is an acronym for Just My Opinion...........Sorry I got in front of your grill.

Mabye I came across the wrong way, I was just pointing out that not everyone has the time or know how to fabricate a unit, but for someone with the means to do it, its a great option.

Really, I'm trying to steer the many people who will not make their own towards powerchute, because after having a manual, and a powerchute, I think people will be much happier with the powerchute.

[Mickhippy]

I would like to know how the new switches are going. Probably to early to tell yet though!

[Maple Wood]

I received a new switch today on UPS. I think I will have to burn the fireworks today instead of the 4th.

[DLCS]

I used to think the Power Chute was the cats arse and I still do to a point. But I have replaced the motors countless times, Norm has sent me two replacemnts and I have bought a couple motors from Napa. Norm had me mail two of my failed motors to him so he could see where they failed? I already knew.:) When I bought my Power Chute, Norm had a lifetime guarantee on the motors but that change when his supplier(auto part store) stopped the lifetime guarantee. Napa has like a sixty day policy but for use as a window motor only, not for other unintended uses. Norm says that I'm the only one with this many motor failures and that I need to evaluate how I use his product. I have two Chutes but I only handed Norm cash for one. The other one for my 850a was given to me, in exchange for me coming out to his place 200 miles round trip so he could get the measurments off my 850a casue then they were still to new for most dealers to stock the new JD 800 series. So in a sense it was not free to me and Norm did get something out of it.:) My foot switch on the older unit failed too, I run toggle switches on mine, until I get another brand of Chute.


BTW, I'm the "good customer" ,Norm refered to in his foot pedal thread that found Line master for him.:rolleyes:

[nosparkplugs]

Sometimes simple is better, The ACS Advance Chute System I have works flawless, all the time no motors or switch's to fail. Oh, It use's good old muscle power to open & close. It has taken some hard shots, and never bent, stays were you leave it to, and costs about $135.00. Three bolts hold it on the deck:)

I thought Norm "bragged" about the Motor's having some ungodly number of cycles before failure.

Now the ACS only comes in black so I know that is a major issue for the Power Chute clan too.

It also fits all ZTR's, and their is now a smaller ACS for Walkbehinds.

[Jason Rose]

DLCS, I used my PowerChute on one property today, and one property yesterday. I bag everything else. My PC has a total of maybe 3 hours, if that, of "on the mower time" and today, midway through the property I was on the gears in the motor stripped out in a spot. It will close, but about 1/4 of the time it won't re-open. To me that's a VERY small amount of time for something to last. After waiting months for a new foot pedal, and now I will have to spend $50 on a new motor to make it work...

Also, when I need to close the chute as I pass by things I just get a great windrow of grass that I then have to go back over to get rid of. I also can only run it either wide open or closed. Anywhere inbetween and the thing flops up and down like a limp noodle.

I wish someone would appear that really wants one for a Grasshopper. I'd make them a heck of a deal.

[DLCS]

DLCS, I used my PowerChute on one property today, and one property yesterday. I bag everything else. My PC has a total of maybe 3 hours, if that, of "on the mower time" and today, midway through the property I was on the gears in the motor stripped out in a spot. It will close, but about 1/4 of the time it won't re-open. .



Exactly how it starts. If you unblot the linkage and rotate the shaft a quarter of a turn, it will work fine, UNTIL that spot gets stripped out. Master Chute had the same problem. I'm working on a fix of my own.

[LushGreenLawn]

I must just be lucky. My motor has held up well. As I said before, I use it alot, I'm sure it has to be at least 100 cycles per day.

[Mickhippy]

I was going to import one but at $600au I wasnt very keen! Now, I think I'll look elsewhere or keep modifying my own!

[Jason Rose]

Exactly how it starts. If you unblot the linkage and rotate the shaft a quarter of a turn, it will work fine, UNTIL that spot gets stripped out. Master Chute had the same problem. I'm working on a fix of my own.

Yeah, I remembered seeing that in the instructions after I had made that post. I used it on the first few lawns this morning and it was hit and miss if it would get stuck shut, but it also isn't closing tight anymore.

It irks me that when I close it to go by something I end up with a windrow of clippings, and then a pile when I open the chute back up. I Knew it would do that, but was in denial about it I guess when I read all the steller thing on here about the PC. (when I bought it).

It CAN be a handy gadget, yes I said gadget If it's working like it's supposed to be and you get used to running it. But like I read someone post a while back, the "The powerChute is an answer to a problem that dosn't really exist". I CAN side discharge and by maneuvering the mower to direct the clippings I can keep most of the grass out of the street and beds. Anything that's too tight quarters I bag anyway.

[MCLC]

Just got a http://www.qwikchute.com/ for my 727a and really like it, the only way something can go wrong with it is if I am not carefull and hit it hard with something. I do not really like anything electric on my mower other than the blade clutch, I even like the manual start and manual clutch on my Exmark TTHP 48". KIS. Don't like to call the other S.

[DLCS]

he don't like bad comments in his threads. This is the threat that I got through a pm. I don't like being threatened.


"We did not have a good outcome and we both have our sides of the story. The quickest way for you to be banned from lawnsite.com is to harass a sponsor and have the sponsor complain. They are pretty touching about supporting their paying sponsors".

[Toy2]

he don't like bad comments in his threads. This is the threat that I got through a pm. I don't like being threatened.


"We did not have a good outcome and we both have our sides of the story. The quickest way for you to be banned from lawnsite.com is to harass a sponsor and have the sponsor complain. They are pretty touching about supporting their paying sponsors".
That's total BS, customer is always right, if you sell junk, then you need to back it up..........I don't think LS would ban someone who bashes a sponsor, especially when its legit........I'm one person who wouldn't buy from them...

[redmax fan]

Sometimes simple is better, The ACS Advance Chute System I have works flawless, all the time no motors or switch's to fail. Oh, It use's good old muscle power to open & close. It has taken some hard shots, and never bent, stays were you leave it to, and costs about $135.00. Three bolts hold it on the deck:)

I thought Norm "bragged" about the Motor's having some ungodly number of cycles before failure.

Now the ACS only comes in black so I know that is a major issue for the Power Chute clan too.

It also fits all ZTR's, and their is now a smaller ACS for Walkbehinds.

this is how you make a damn shute !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:weightlifter:

im so sick of all the electrical gadgets on cars and other things ,
complicating stuff for no good reason . just making more stuff
to go wrong , which in terms of cars i still believe its made that way for the makers to make money on service and parts where
they gouge
your eyes out :angry::gunsfirin

[DLCS]

I don't mind the manual operated chutes, I have built a few myself. They work well but the handle gets in the way on occasion, which is why i went with the PC. The PC works good, except for the motors. I've replaced 6 of them, the auto parts store will not warranty mine anymore because they know they are not going on a car. I was told that I need to evaluate how I use this product because out of 1100 units, I am the only one with problems. I wasn't asking him for another "free" motor but was going to let him know that I'm trying to find a heavier duty motor, but in return I got the above comment.

[Runner]

I use the Director by Yorksheet on my lazer. This is one of the best OCDC's ever built. Simple design, and built very heavy and well. It has like 5 different adjustments on it, but truthfully, for the short times it was used in certain places, it was just closed briefly and reopened. As far as doing it one handed, it is a piece of cake to run the sticks with one hand and operate the ocdc with the other.

[DLCS]

I talked to the guy who makes the Director, he said that they are going to start making them for other models this winter. :)

[integrityman]

I just purchased and installed an OCDC. Granted the instructions seemed somewhat lacking- Thus far though the satisfaction is great.... I hope it lasts.

Seems like Norm could solve the problem of worn out motors by getting a supplier who builds a heavy duty motor.

I think the ocdc is a neat innovation.

[Easel]

he don't like bad comments in his threads. This is the threat that I got through a pm. I don't like being threatened.


"We did not have a good outcome and we both have our sides of the story. The quickest way for you to be banned from lawnsite.com is to harass a sponsor and have the sponsor complain. They are pretty touching about supporting their paying sponsors".

Wow!!! Sounds like a typical "liberal" attitude if this statement from Norm about LS is true. i.e. it's allright to have another viewpoint just DON'T feel free to express it.

Thats to bad, I thought this was a place where not only ideas and business practices could be exchanged, but one where evaluations of products was not only encouraged but sought after.

Good luck with your OCDC DLCS

[freedm2]

Wow!!! Sounds like a typical "liberal" attitude if this statement from Norm about LS is true. i.e. it's allright to have another viewpoint just DON'T feel free to express it.

Thats to bad, I thought this was a place where not only ideas and business practices could be exchanged, but one where evaluations of products was not only encouraged but sought after.

Good luck with your OCDC DLCS

Why are you guys surprised? Once the replacement (redesigned) pedals came in he decided to ship new orders of PowerChutes FIRST, before replacing the pedals of previously shipped units. Sounds like many of those users were waiting months for the replacement pedal having only used the chute for a limited number of hours. In my opinion that poor customer service. Why not ship to those poor customers first? Here's a quote below and a link to the thread (p4).



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OK..... You have been tortured enough!

All replacement foot pedals have been shipped. Yesterday all back ordered Power Chutes were shipped and today all replacement pedals are out. So if you have not received your order in a week please let me know.

Thank you so much for your patience and support. Like I said, my only concern is your final satisfaction.

Thanks much...Norm
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www.powerchutedesign.com

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