John Deere 1028E

$1,299

Type: Dual-Stage
Engine: 305cc OHV 1350 series
Clearing Width: 28" (71.2 cm)″
Starter: 110V Electric/Recoil w/Large Mitten Grip

Snowblower Specifications

Brand	Briggs & Stratton
Type	2 stage
Horsepower	305cc OHV 1350 series
Starting System	110V Electric/Recoil w/Large Mitten Grip
Fuel Tank	3qt (2.8L)

Overview

In-Dash_Headlights	Halogen
Heated_Handles	Heated hand grips
Weight	255.0 lbs
Consumer_Warranty	2-Yr Limited
Commercial_Warranty	90-Day Limited

Drive System

Drive	Friction Disc-Drive
Forward_Speeds	6 forward
Reverse_Speeds	2 reverse
Tire_Type	X-trac
Tire_Size	16” x 4.8”(41x12 cm)
Skid_Shoes	Heat Treated / Reversible

Impeller

Diameter 12" (30.48 cm)

Profile Steel 3-Blade
Auger

Clearing Width 28" (71.2 cm)

Clearing Height 21" (53.3 cm)

Material Cast Iron

Chute

Material	Steel
Chute_Rotation	Quick-Turn remote
Turning_Radius	200°, Push Button
Max_Throwing_Distance	40 feet (12.19 meters)

Snowblower Reviews

Blows my socks off
By Dave(Owner), Dec. 9, 2010
This blower is awesome. I bought it not long ago and it is everything I though it would be. I have shopped around and looked at all the most popular brands ie. poulan pro, ariens, mtd, craftsman, simplicity, huskvarna, and toro. I though I would spend a little extra and get the John Deere and I'm glad I did. The cast iron differential is a nice looking beefy piece compared to all the other brands aluminum differentials. It has a nice metal dash, not plastic like the others, that's not wobbly when you manhandle it. Just a nicely built piece of machinery.
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John Deere 1028E Dual Stage Snowthrower Review
By RJS(Owner), Dec. 12, 2010
Having had several blowers before I was skeptical of John Deere, primarily because finding reviews was difficult and even on their site their is a footnote that this product is not covered by the John Deere promise (whatever that is). Anyway, what sold me the power chute-rotation and the extra bar reinforcement for the auger axle. My brother in law bought the same one and we both love it. However, his 2nd gear reverse is much faster than mine so I'll need to get it looked at. The axle release on one wheel makes jockeying in the garage a snap. I considered the 30" but, it seemed substantially heavier in the nose and would be too much for wife to handle. It takes some work anyway. I hope to have this for at least 10 years.
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Wow
By SÃ©bastien Vaudry(Owner), Jan. 25, 2011
I have a Yard Machine 30" 10.5.

I want a real thrower.

I had the choice between John Deere and Toro after a lot of DD.
After all, a snow thrower got to blow, no.

When I saw the John Deere, I found it expensive, but full metal, electric chute, and it's made by John Deere. (only between 1991 and 2001 snowblower was made by brokers, Arien, Murray...)

When you take a look, it's not a cheap machine.

I wanted a tough snowblower, I got it.

My machine sleep outside.

SÃ©bastien
Canada, Qc

It's -28oc today and it's snowing, I am a happy man
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Despite a serious issue
By Mike Zortman(Owner), Feb. 3, 2011
I bought a John Deere 1028 snowblower at Lowes in November, long before any snow arrived. I used it twice. On the second use, I did my driveway and a neighbors. On the way back to my shed, the engine oil "plug" popped out and spewed all of the engine oil in my neighbors driveway. I didn't notice that it had happened (It was dark out) and continued on my way back to my shed, with the engine running. The inevitable happened and the engine locked up. Before I blame John Deere for a bad unit, I will place the blame on the local John Deere tech guys that serviced it and got it ready for me. Someone obviously forgot to tighten the plug and it vibrated out. My local John Deere dealer supplies Lowes with snowblowers etc. and they perform the work on them. Lowes delivered a brand new one to me in less than a week and all is good. The problem is not a John Deere 1028 issue, it was a tech issue. Everyone makes a mistake, it just happened to be my snowblower.

As for the snowblower itself, it is AMAZING! It clears snow like nothing I have ever had before! The tires work great in deep snow, the heated grips are great and the thumb control for the chute is almost effortless, it's simply a great machine! The best unit available if you ask me. I'd even buy another one from Lowes. I am THRILLED with the John Deere 1028/1028E snowblower! All is well..
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It's an Animal!!!!!!!!!!
By Michael J. McDonald(Owner), Feb. 10, 2011
I just got this snow thrower 2/5/2011. I first used it 2/8/2011. I was sick and tired of the snow throwers I've had just not working or having the capbility to do the job. I've been shoveling snow all winter in Massachusetts do to another broken snow thrower. (8 car driveway by myself.) This machine went through frozen snow. Snow with sticks from fallen branches in it. Plowed packed snow banks. The wettest heaviest snow and slush with out a problem. It throws the snow so far I have to be careful where chute pointed. Never had that problem before. If this machine lasts it will be well worth the price.
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Beast
By Lucias Maximus(Owner), Mar. 1, 2012
My 1028E can handle any snow on the planet. It handles regular snow with ease. Today I was snowblowing 5 inches of slush and water. The 1028E turned into a firehose and cleared my driveway in under 15 minutes. When the snow is wet and heavy with my old snowblower, I had to go slow to make sure the machine did not get over loaded. The 1028E actually performs better with more slush in it so I had it on gear 6 and cruised to the finish line. Excellent snow blower!!!
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disappointed
By JOE(Owner), Dec. 9, 2012
bought this 2 years ago to do a 90 foot driveway - the snowblower chute freezes up within 5 minutes of blowing... I would not by this blower. also my previous blower had steering this one does not bad choice on my part.
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Starts Hard
By Trevis Augesen(Owner), Dec. 11, 2012
I love this machine. It does everything promised. It shoots the snow, scrapes the concrete and makes you look cool pushing a Deere (when you can start it). But mine won't start worth a crap!! If your using the pull cord.. forget about it! It won't start!!! I tried pulling it for over a 1/2 an hour and nothing!!! If you have electricity it starts right away. I have mine at my cabin with no electric and it worthless!! What a waste of $1,400!!!!
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broke after one hour
By Jim Isham(Owner), Dec. 29, 2012
My brand new JD 1028 E worked great for one hour in heavy snow here in Rochester, NY. Then it just quit. I plugged in the starter, but nothing happened with the starter button.
I bought this one b.c.my old one wasn't worth fixing. Now I'm out $1300, and have no way to deal with a ton of snow in my 300' driveway.
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Auger belt snapped on 8th use
By Gary S(Owner), Feb. 11, 2013
Really liked this snow blower until I was in the middle of clearing my driveway during the Blizzard of 2013. I heard a snap sound and noticed that no more snow was being blown.

The auger belt drive had snapped. Broke clean through.

Very disappointed in this failure on a machine that was virtually new.
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Electric chute control problems
By Bruce Graham(Owner), Jan. 22, 2014
I've owned this machine for two years and had problems with the chute controls from the beginning. The machines was set up by the dealer, delivered and demonstrated, at which time the chute rotated properly. Four months later, after the first heavy snow, I found that the chute was jammed and had to be disassembled and adjusted because the pinon prevented the chute gear from moving.

The next season, the motor or switch failed during the first use of the season. I removed the cover and loosened the screws enough to allow the chute to be turned by hand. As soon as it warms up a bit, I should be able to determine whether the $70 motor or the $26 switch failed.

If I had it to do over again, I would have bought a snowthrower with a mechanical chute control.
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Great machine
By henry(Owner), Mar. 3, 2014
Glad I picked it up last fall - thought if I did it wouldn't snow and man was I wrong - must have used it 10 times already. The deeper the snow the better. handles soft and wet snow no problem. should have got one years ago.
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Lemon
By Kevin(Owner), Feb. 4, 2015
I've had this 1028e for 4 years now and have never gotten a full winter's use out of it. It gets used about 2/3 per winter and every time something breaks on it. Currently the motor needs work again for the second year in a row. The chute rotation is nice, but the cable to elevate the chute is always frozen so where ever your chute is is where it is staying until it gets warmer outside. Very disappointing to spend that kind of money on a blower and have it break down all the time can cost more money every year. I would not recommend anyone buy this snow blower.
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