Snapper self-propelled mowers
- Thread starter dkryan
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I've used my Snapper for about 20 years. Changed out the engine about 8 years ago. I really like it. My neighbor has a Honda Harmony and the Snapper is easier for me to use as it turns better. The Honda engine is great but I like the Snapper mower better. Also more speed control and overall simplier and proven design
My Troy-Bilt has been serviced more times than an ATM machine, and I'm BIG on regular oil, plug, and filter changes, plus blade sharpening.
My first Troy-Bilt with the Tecumseh ran well (and had an oil drain plug underneath!) and I had it for ten years, then sold it to a friend. It was only cutting height adjustable to 3", though. The rear axle (it was FWD) snapped in two without warning one day and I replaced it with a new axle.
The very last day of cutting season this past November, my current Troy-Bilt (RWD)had it's rear axle break. My mower shop said, "bad weld on the right-side of the axle."
I don't have an estimate on the repair yet (I will likely get it fixed and keep using it), but I am finished with Troy-Bilt, aka "MTD."
My mower shop is big on Snapper push mowers and riders (my lawn slopes, so no riders), so I thought my next purchase would be Snapper or Honda.
Thanks for the replies!
My first Troy-Bilt with the Tecumseh ran well (and had an oil drain plug underneath!) and I had it for ten years, then sold it to a friend. It was only cutting height adjustable to 3", though. The rear axle (it was FWD) snapped in two without warning one day and I replaced it with a new axle.
The very last day of cutting season this past November, my current Troy-Bilt (RWD)had it's rear axle break. My mower shop said, "bad weld on the right-side of the axle."
I don't have an estimate on the repair yet (I will likely get it fixed and keep using it), but I am finished with Troy-Bilt, aka "MTD."
My mower shop is big on Snapper push mowers and riders (my lawn slopes, so no riders), so I thought my next purchase would be Snapper or Honda.
Thanks for the replies!
I'm a big fan of the Honda series although Toro is very, very good. I think the difference is that the Honda will be a little bit heavier but also better built in every way, especially the engine. My toro still starts on the first or second pull (even first time in the spring) every time and it mows well but the Hondas with the hydrostatic drive are truly awesome. I've not owned but I've worked extensively with about 4 different Honda models including 2 "commercial" (read: very heavy duty) push/self-propelled mowers. They can NOT be beat IMO. They are very expensive but the ones I was using were almost 15 years old and could have been new if not for scratches and tires and such. They start great, run great, go great, and take abuse. The mower I own is a Toro but I bought it at curb depot and a carb clean later (5 years ago?) and it's been perfect ever since. Oil looks like new after 4 seasons of use. That's right, I'm one of THOSE people.
I use hand me down fifteen year old Snapper that was really abused by a relative. It is far ahead of the Home Depot Scotts (aka John Deere) I bought for another property (before I aquired the Snapper). When the JD s_ _ ts the bed, I am just going to keep using the Snapper, can't go wrong in my opinion, very heavy duty and simple. Plus cheap to repair, I've put all of $2 into it for a rubber drive wheel in the past six years. Owning a Honda lawn tractor, anything Honda is great, but very expensive to repair.
NThomas - what makes you say that about the new Toros? I have no experience with the new Toros and have no reason to doubt your word, but I'm not about to purchase a Briggs when I can purchase a Honda. What makes Snapper better than other $99 mowers (I know *nothing* about Snapper). If what you say is true about Toro, that's too bad - they used to be good.
I repair all of these mowers for a living. I sell the Snapper and Honda. The Toro mowers we let go a few years ago when things started going down hill with them.
I was at a Toro repair school the other day Feb. 13th. We must go to these once every other year to be able to do warranty, service and get parts on these units. One dealer said that they did about 200 repairs on the new 2005 model Toros with the blade brake. The first year the "cheap" $299 Toros came out (3 years ago I think) I had them in with bad transmissions.
The Personal Pace system I think is cheap. I replace a ton of cables on these style of machines, the handle you push on holds the cable and breaks which requires about $70 to repair. The other dealer I talked to said the new mower was lighter weight and bounced a lot and made the Personal Pace very jerky.
Toro made a much better product years ago, too bad they lost it.
Go to a local shop and have them explain differences about the mowers. It all depends on your mowing style as to what mower would fit your needs best. You can spend up to $1000 on a new 21" mower, just depends on what you like.
I was at a Toro repair school the other day Feb. 13th. We must go to these once every other year to be able to do warranty, service and get parts on these units. One dealer said that they did about 200 repairs on the new 2005 model Toros with the blade brake. The first year the "cheap" $299 Toros came out (3 years ago I think) I had them in with bad transmissions.
The Personal Pace system I think is cheap. I replace a ton of cables on these style of machines, the handle you push on holds the cable and breaks which requires about $70 to repair. The other dealer I talked to said the new mower was lighter weight and bounced a lot and made the Personal Pace very jerky.
Toro made a much better product years ago, too bad they lost it.
Go to a local shop and have them explain differences about the mowers. It all depends on your mowing style as to what mower would fit your needs best. You can spend up to $1000 on a new 21" mower, just depends on what you like.
NThomas:
Thanks for the replies. I'll likely pick up a Snapper from my local dealer who services my Troy-Bilt.
I need a 21" self-propelled that is a really good mulching mower, as that is 95% of my cutting. Any Snapper models come to mind?
Thanks for the replies. I'll likely pick up a Snapper from my local dealer who services my Troy-Bilt.
I need a 21" self-propelled that is a really good mulching mower, as that is 95% of my cutting. Any Snapper models come to mind?
My dad has a Snapper self-prepelled mower and although heavy, don't think any problems. The old Lawn-Boys can't be beat. I have 2 F-series alum. deck mowers that run like new and one is 16 years old. Around here the independent mower shops sell used mowers and if you can find a Lawn-Boy F-series I would get it. Way lighter and I think mows better than Snapper.
Yeah,
I borrowed a Toro from two separate neighbors this past season and both were the $299 Home Depot models (identical, including the high rear wheels).
Not too bad actually, as I liked the FWD and the high wheels on the rear with my sloping yard, but the Troy-Bilt mulched noticeably better than the Toros.
I'll stick with Snapper or Honda. I'm not "up" for the $900 commercial version of the Honda, and since my local shop sells Snappers, I'll likely give the RP or MRP series a try.
Spending $$ for quality does not phase me. If I carefully and consistently maintain the equipment, however, I demand the reliability be there from the beginning.
My local dealer described the welds on the rear axle of both of my Troy-Bilts as "chinsy-***, at best."
I borrowed a Toro from two separate neighbors this past season and both were the $299 Home Depot models (identical, including the high rear wheels).
Not too bad actually, as I liked the FWD and the high wheels on the rear with my sloping yard, but the Troy-Bilt mulched noticeably better than the Toros.
I'll stick with Snapper or Honda. I'm not "up" for the $900 commercial version of the Honda, and since my local shop sells Snappers, I'll likely give the RP or MRP series a try.
Spending $$ for quality does not phase me. If I carefully and consistently maintain the equipment, however, I demand the reliability be there from the beginning.
My local dealer described the welds on the rear axle of both of my Troy-Bilts as "chinsy-***, at best."
One more surprise from Toro that I forgot to mention. When I was at the dealer meeting they announced a new lawn tractor, which I am guessing is the one that Home Depot will sell, is being made by MTD.
As far as the Snapper I would recommend - they have a new cheaper line that starts with a SP designation that doesnt look to bad. It is being made with the mulch deck. Or go after the MRP or RP series which would be my suggestion. Stay away from the P series "high vac" deck if you want to mulch. And ask for the Ninja blade, it will do a better job at mulching.
As far as the Snapper I would recommend - they have a new cheaper line that starts with a SP designation that doesnt look to bad. It is being made with the mulch deck. Or go after the MRP or RP series which would be my suggestion. Stay away from the P series "high vac" deck if you want to mulch. And ask for the Ninja blade, it will do a better job at mulching.
Im with cousincletus, the lawnboys will never be beat when it comes to reliability. I own three of them, one is an 1986 model with a steel deck and isnt self propelled and the other is a 02 steel deck that is self propelled and the latest is the 05 I believe that has the aluminum deck and the personal pace system. I bought it off the internet over the summer when I heard they werent going to make them anymore. I paid suggested retail price for it, right at 500 bucks I believe. I just seen the same one on ebay for 699. Just keep an eye on ebay for used ones, that is where I got the one I gave my mom. I believe it is an 03. They fire right up and will mow through some serious grass, better than the four strokers.
Just got finished totally rebuilding a Snapper 25" electric start rear engine rider. Figure it has to be very close to 25 years old.
I found it on the side of the road, waiting for the junk man. A new rider would have cost me in the realm of $1400+ tax. The local snapper dealer has an extensive parts inventory and a mechanic that has been employed there for 30 years.
New front tires and wheels, front end steering rebuild, new smooth clutch, new bearing in the mower, new bearings in the primary drive, new babbits, seals and spacers on the rear end/transmission. Replaced the 8hp Briggs engine with a used 12hp, new battery, new wiring. She was repainted with a new galvanized mower deck (made it myself).
Total cost $405.
I found it on the side of the road, waiting for the junk man. A new rider would have cost me in the realm of $1400+ tax. The local snapper dealer has an extensive parts inventory and a mechanic that has been employed there for 30 years.
New front tires and wheels, front end steering rebuild, new smooth clutch, new bearing in the mower, new bearings in the primary drive, new babbits, seals and spacers on the rear end/transmission. Replaced the 8hp Briggs engine with a used 12hp, new battery, new wiring. She was repainted with a new galvanized mower deck (made it myself).
Total cost $405.
i have a self propelled 21-inch with a ninja mulching blade we bought new in 1994. still runs great, and the lawn looks like green carpet after that mower does it's mulching thing! we don't use it a whole lot since we moved to a larger (about an acre) yard and got a simplicity riding mower, just for around the house trimming and mulching in leaves in the fall. i think i have only needed to replaced a few of the springs that tension the drive pulleys. heavy, yes, but heavy means good when it comes to mower decks.
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