Lawn mowers have come on leaps and bounds over the years and some of the machines we have today are light years ahead of those old Snapper mowers. But you have to look back fondly at the old Snapper riding mower as it was something that featured in many of our childhoods.
Remember back in the day when anyone who was everyone wanted to get their hands on a Snapper rear engine rider because of how much better than the old push mowers they were? But today, you don’t really see them about anymore thanks to the tech that we have at our modern disposal.
While the old Snapper riding mower probably isn’t going to make a comeback, we’d love to reminisce about this classic lawn care tool.
Snapper has been making lawn care equipment since the late 1800s under the name of Southern Saw Works and has produced a massive range of tools since. However, one of the most iconic was the old Snapper riding mower which was first launched in the early 1950s when the brand took on the name we all know and love today.
The Snapper rear engine rider was described by many as a real workhorse and made cutting the grass so much easier than the commonly used manual reel mower.
They weren’t the fastest lawn mowers in the world, nor were they the largest. In fact, if you compare them to the huge zero turn mowers we have today, they probably look more like a child’s toy. But despite that, these were long lasting, durable pieces of equipment and there are still some knocking around today.
There were two different types of old Snapper lawn mowers; those with an electric start and those that used a pull cord.
How Do You Tell How Old A Snapper Mower Is?
As we mentioned, there are still a number of old Snapper riding mowers about. If you’re still getting good use out of your machine then there will come a day that you need to order new parts and to do that, you’ll need to know what year the mower was made. Moreover, if you’re looking to sell your old Snapper lawn mower then being able to provide information about the year will entice buyers and give you a better idea of what it’s worth.
Finding out what year your Snapper rear engine rider was made requires you to locate a plate on the mower which is usually on top of the mower deck, behind the seat, or under hood, depending on the model. Once you have found this, you will notice that there is an engine code which is a 12 digit number.
The first two numbers tell you which year the Snapper lawn mower was made. For example, if it was manufactured in 1986, then the first two digits would be 86. It’s as straightforward as that.
What Model Is My Snapper Mower?
As well as information about the year of manufacture on the Snapper mower plate, you will find a variety of other details. One of these details is the model. Moreover, if you still have the user manual that came with your old Snapper riding mower then there will be details about the model in there.
If you are having a hard time locating the product information plate on your Snapper then the brand’s website has some useful information which you can find here.
Are Old Snapper Mowers Good?
Asking the question are Snapper mowers good can yield a massive number of answers. Snapper is still producing lawn care equipment today and the reviews that the brand gets are very impressive. Back in the early 2000s, Briggs and Stratton took over the parent company that has recently purchased the Snapper brand so with a name like that behind it, it doesn’t take us to tell you about the level of quality to expect.
However, when it comes to old Snapper rear engine riders, are they as good as the riding mowers you can get today?
In terms of power and performance, old Snapper mowers probably won’t live up to the standard we have come to expect. That said, they are still effective tools that are ideal for domestic use which is why there are still so many second hand Snappers on online marketplaces like eBay.
Whether a lawn mower is good or not is really down to the features of that individual mower and how well maintained it has been. You could go out and purchase a used Snapper riding mower that has been lovingly taken care of for the last few decades meaning it will run like a dream. On the other hand, you could buy one that’s been sitting in a garage for 30 years and not been touched; it would probably need a LOT of work to get it running like it used to.
Today, Snapper makes the SPX riding lawn mower which is powerful and incredibly versatile thanks to a range of attachments that instantly convert it into a snow plough among other things. This is a robust piece of equipment made from sturdy steel and cast iron that can move at up to 5.5 miles per hour. With a 42 inch cutting width and a range of heights along with supreme power, the SPX is today’s answer to the rear engine rider!
What To Consider When Buying A Used Snapper Lawn Mower
If you’re going to buy a used Snapper lawn mower then it’s no good just purchasing any old tool. One of the most important things is that you are able to see the mower in real life before you part with any cash. If you’re buying online, be sure to choose a location that you’ll be able to get to.
On top of this, you should be able to see the lawn mower in action. If there are any problems that limit how the Snapper works, the buyer should be open with you about this as you’re the one that’s going to have to foot the repair bill. What’s more, a mower that isn’t fully functional shouldn’t sell for as high a price.
You’ll want to think about the year that the mower was made. We’ve seen rear engine riders made as late as 2016 but if you’re looking to buy a vintage model then you’ll need to make sure that you’ll be able to get your hands on the spare parts.
The original Snapper riding mowers were pretty compact compared to the large cutting decks we see today so perhaps give some thought as to whether the tool will be large enough for your needs.
Finally, we would always suggest asking as many questions as possible to ensure that you understand everything there is to know about the mower you’re buying. As we mentioned, honest sellers will let you know if there’s an issue so don’t ever part with any cash until you’re 100% sure about what you’re buying.
