Old Snapper Riding Mowers

[GarageChop]

Hey Guys,

I think this is the most relevant place to post this, being that it is technically a tool and all...

I've gotten the bug to buy an old Snapper riding mower (Like the one from Forrest Gump--which may be a Comet model?). Anyway, I was hoping to get some insight about the machine. How are they in terms of maneuverability around fences and landscaping, forward to reverse while cutting around obstacles, turning radius for tight spots, etc...

Any feedback would be great. I have your standard suburban yard with a fence in the back, some landscaping and a few trees, maybe 1/3 acre give or take. I know this "much" mower (as in a rider in general) may be overkill, but something about a cupholder with a beer in it attached to an old Snapper has caught my interest!


Thanks!

-Mike

 

[TRTOOLSUPPLY]

Well Mike...a comet Snapper is about the most "simple" rider type mower you can(should?) ever buy.Here's a couple of neat things about a Snapper:they are somewhat like riding on top of a bush hog type mower!...they have the nickname of the lawn "scalper" for a reason(if you have any mole hills..they're history!).
The plus side ,very easy to work on them,parts still available and brings you right back to the 1950's!

P.S. There is NO KOOL factor while mowing with a comet!

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I had one I acquired used. It was a piece of ****. Not because it was used or abused, it was just cheaply built and very frustrating to use.

Charles

 

[mdoolittle]

Terrible cut, and takes an acre to turn the thing around. Easy to work on though.

 

[81Seca]

Don't own a Snapper, but have an older (mid 80's) Wheel Horse 18Hp and a Craftsman 21HP bought new 4-5 years ago. The Wheel Horse was sitting unused (& rusting) for some years and was picked up for $125. The Craftsman has a nice tight turning radius and is great for cutting grass. The Wheel Horse has larger rear wheels and easily out pulls the bigger HP Craftsman. When we need to pull our 20 foot boat out of the mud we go right to the Horse. Same with plowing. The Craftsman just slips and slides. OTOH, the Wheel Horse mowing deck is fine, but the larger turning radius makes it a pain for cutting the grass.
I guess it all depends on what your intended use is. Each tractor has it's advantages and it's weaknesses.

 

[RM209]

Several years ago I had a Jacobsen riding mower with almost the identical design, including the driven disc “transmission”; however, the Jacobsen had a single front wheel and a tiller for steering. It was OK for level ground, but I wouldn’t recommend it for a lawn w/ hills, as the brakes were weak and the disc would sometimes slip on steep hills.

RM209

 

[Tarheelgarage]

I have a 1982 Snapper and love it. It's still going strong after seeing several owners. Easy to work on and does a great job mowing. I wouldn't have anything else.
BTW, you couldn't give me a POS Craftsman

 

[toymn6366]

around north georgia a nice older snapper comet will still bring in $300 to $500 range, they are easy to work on basic mowers that will you need a hunderd acre field to turn around they are not what you call lite on their wheels and to hold a beer you need one of those helments with holders and straws but i love those old snappers we used to use them as go karts when i was a kid

 

[GarageChop]

Sounds like it may not be the best idea for me based on the turning radius. I have some tight areas around the corner of the fence and patio...

Thanks for all the feedback guys!

-Mike