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Service & Maintenance Question

    Victor Velarde
    My Poulan Pro Snow Blower PR241 only drives in reverse and I...
    Service & Maintenance Question posted November 18, 2016 by Victor Velarde 
    2063 Views, 7 Comments
    Question:
    My Poulan Pro Snow Blower PR241 only drives in reverse and I was told that the bracket that holds the drive cable is broken. I was told that the plastic bracket is not very sturdy and that other snow blowers have had them replaced. My question is: Can Husqvarana have this bracket replaced with a metal one?
    Details:

    I own a Poulan Pro PR241 snow blower and after a total of 8 to 10 uses since I bought it in late December 2014 it would only drive in reverse. I called customer service and was directed to: an authorized dealer in my area.

    The repair shop quickly looked over my snow blower and mentioned that he had just repaired a similar snow blower for the same problem. I asked what it could be? I was told/shown that the bracket that holds the cables (one being the reverse and drive speeds) had cracked/broke. He said that this bracket is made of plastic (he added: he didn't know why) and that since the cable wasn't being detained, that no tension could be given to hold the drive disc in whatever drive speed except the last position it was in last (reverse).

    The repair man said it would be a few days to get the part. I asked if the bracket was going to be replaced with a metal bracket. He said no. My question is: If this bracket is so important, why is it made of plastic? This will most likely be an on going issue in the future and I really don't feel like having to get this repaired more than once. I am happy with this product so far (bought at Sam's Club in Joliet, IL).

    In short, have there been other customers complaining or having the same issue? What can be done about this to prevent it from happening again? Can a metal bracket be made to replace the current plastic one?

    I was told that I could only have the bracket issue addressed if the repair shop addressed it to Husqvarna Professional Products Inc. I'm not a mechanic but do realize that if the cables aren't held in place by the bracket, no tension can be given for the drive positions, snow throwing etc. So can the bracket please be replaced with a metal one.

    Product: 961920086 00   Model # PR241

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    Answer

     

    • Ronald English

      I just had the same problem this morning.  Do you remember the part number for the bracket?

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    • Kay Jay

      I ran into the same problem with my Poulan Pro PR240. Only used the snowblower for one season. Went to start it up yesterday, and noticed the gear shift felt loose. Then I realized it only ran in reverse, so I looked underneath and the drive cable was hanging below a cracked bracket.

      Here is a picture looking up from underneath the control panel. Cracked bracket near the top:

      https://imgur.com/a/wrota

      Please let me know what replacement part is required. 

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      • Ronald English

        In order to fix it you have to buy the whole cover.  The part number is 581131206.  I paid $25 for mine and got a Husqvarna cover instead of a Poulan.  They both work the same. 

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        • Kay Jay

          Thanks for the response. Luckily mine was still under warranty and they sent me the part at no cost.

          Do you find the Husqvarna cover to be better quality? After installing the new cover I can see why the old one broke. There is a lot of pressure from the drive control cable put on that small bracket. 

          I'm going to limit how much I change gears because I don't see this one holding up. 

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      • Bryan Patterson
        I just had the same issue. I went to use it for the first time this season and noticed it would only drive in reverse no matter what gear it was in. The unit is only 3 years old has only been used 10 times. My model is PR300L but I am sure they use the same cheap plastic piece for many models. I like the machine and have had no issues with it. It starts first pull every time and performs as expected. I too wonder why they would cheap out on such an important part. I ordered a new replacement part and installed it although I wonder if I will have the same issue shortly. I
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    • Jim Kreider

      Picked up a Husqvarna ST244 with this same problem in December.  Finally got around to looking at it so I'm a little late-to-need with my comments.  Jay's picture of the broken bracket looks exactly like my broken bracket. Unfortunately, if it is the same, when you follow the bracket up to where it connects with the console base you will find that the bracket is a molded part of the console base so a new console base is required to replace the bracket.  This also means that the replacement is also plastic (no metal replacement) and that the repair entails the complete disassembly/reassembly of the console.  You can find parts diagrams for your snow blower on Parts Tree or similar site and then Google the part you need.  BTW, all of the cable-end brackets under the console are a molded part of the console base.

      Update: Looking at the parts diagram for the PR241 console base, it looks just like mine

      This appears to be a common problem. The bracket is plastic and does not look like it can take much force; like when there is any binding in the speed selection assembly. My 1970's snow blower is all metal and will bend push rods before breaking anything. I am considering fabricating some sheet metal brackets and *** and gluing them to a more substantial part of the console base. 

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      • Kenneth Benoit

        Also have the ST244 and same thing broke, nightmare.  Very upset with this snow blower.   Were you able to replace your console yourself?   And did you end up fabricating anything? I'd like to see pictures. 

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