I'm interested in a Snapper Pro S150XTBV2652 with the Vanguard 26hp engine. I presently own a Ferris IS1500Z with the 21hp Kawasaki which I really like, purchased new in 2006 and still running like a top. Has about 850 hrs on it now and I'm getting itchy for a new one. Any Pro owners have this engine? Any likes or dislikes? I really like the fact that this mower has the Hydro-Gear ZT5400 transaxles on it. Seems to be a very heavy duty mower. Any comments are appreciated.
Buying Advice Any Snapper Pro owners on here?
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Shughes717
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I own a 48" snapper pro s150xt with the 20 hp fx series Kawi. I purchased it in 2012 and mow a little over 4 acres with it. My father owns a 61" s200xt with the big block vanguard. He mows about 9 acres with his. His vanguard is very powerful. Imo it is every bit as good an engine as the Kawi. The s150xt is basically the same mower as the is1500z without the suspension. Mine is an excellent mower, and I really like the zt5400 hydros. Plenty of torque and very durable. However, if I wanted to upgrade and had a $9k budget, I would purchase an is2100z.
The vanguard engine is built by Diahatsu (subsidiary of Toyota), and is the top of briggs line. What is the asking price of the s150xt you are looking at?
The dealer i visited had a S150XT 48" with the Kaw FX 24hp engine, asking $6599 + tax, he didn't have the B & S Vanguard engine model that I wanted to test drive and said he didn't have any coming in with that engine, so I'm looking for another dealer that will have that model. He also said the new Vanguard was built in the U.S. now at B & S factory, no longer using the Diahatsu version, that I understand was an excellent engine. I think the Vanguard is slightly cheaper than the Kaw.
Shughes717
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It may be built in the U.S. Now. According to briggs & Stratton website the vanguard is still manufactured by Diahatsu. The new 48" s150xt mowers have wider tires than mine (23 x 12; mine has 23x 10 tires), twin 5 gallon fuel tanks, and and the fx730 Kawi engine as an option. Mine has the fx600 Kawi, and only one 5 gallon fuel tank. Another feature I like on the new s150xt mowers is the way the floor panel can be removed. Loosen the knob on top and remove the panel. You have to use a wrench and take 4 bolts loose to get mine off. I wish I had waited and got one with the larger engine, but I really can't complain. Mine has enough power to mow at 10 mph, and uses about 3 gallons of fuel to mow my 4.2 acres. I gave about $5300 for mine in 2012 and its a great mower. I really like the icd deck as well.
Pulled this off the website:
Commercial Engines
Briggs & Stratton Commercial Power designs and manufactures robust, high performance engines. Premium-grade Vanguard™ engines are application-engineered to power equipment that works for a living. Our team promises to work as hard as our Briggs & Stratton engines to earn the respect of everyone with whom we do business. We deliver the best total solution.
Through an alliance with recognized commercial engine manufacturer Daihatsu, a member of the Toyota Group, and internal production facilities, we are able to offer the most complete range of commercial engines. From 5.5 to 36 gross horsepower, Vanguard engines provide the broadest range of commercial air-cooled power solutions for your equipment.
Visit Vanguard Engines
Hi, I looked a little deeper and found this on B&S Vanguard site
Assembled in the USA, precision and pride go into each and every Vanguard 810.) I still think they are the same engine but maybe assembled in the U.S. now. While looking around yesterday I stopped at a Gravely dealer and test drove a Gravely Pro Turn 48", not impressed with the speed and handling, my Ferris is so much faster and easier to handle, which is why I'm interested in the Snapper Pro, since they are basically the same mower now as the Ferris without the suspension. I'm still looking!Shughes717
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Hi, I looked a little deeper and found this on B&S Vanguard site
You will definitely get the most bang for your buck with a snapper pro. you won't find many other brands with the same drive train for anywhere near the price. I was at a bush hog dealer yesterday and they had a commercial 61" ztr with a 30 hp kohler and zt5400 hydros in the $8k range. They are solid mowers as well and that price was in line with an s200xt, but I haven't seen any other brands out there with those drive train options in that price range. I am by no means brand loyal. I realized years ago that most of the major brands offer the same main components and fabricated decks. You are basically paying for paint color, and whatever extra features that brand offers. I want the best features I can get at the best price, from a good dealer. If budget wasn't an issue for me I would either own a ferris is2100, a country clipper boss, or a hustler super z. I couldn't have gotten a mower of the same quality as my snapper pro from any other brand for the $5300 I paid.
Shughes717
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I must correct my earlier posts. I gave $5500 for my mower in 2012 not $5300. I still think it was the most mower I could get for the budget I had.
RajunCajun
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Hi, I looked a little deeper and found this on B&S Vanguard site
Last fall I purchased a S150XTKAV2452. 24 Kawasaki, 52" ICD deck. I cut about 4.5 acres. Best bang for your buck in my opinion. It's a beast. No problems so far. I preferred the Kawasaki FX730 24 hp.
The new B&S 810 Optimum engine has good reviews. It has better reviews than the older B&S Commercial Series w/ cyclonic air filter.
Eric
Shughes717
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I agree that the fx series kawasaki is a better engine than the commercial turf engine. The vanguard is the only briggs engine that I would rank as equal. I wish I had gone with the 52" s150xt when I purchased mine. My 48" s150xt handles my 4.2 acres ok, but the 52" came with the larger engine, wider tires, dual fuel tanks, and flat free front tires. I could have gotten all of that for $6k when I purchased mine in 2012, but my wife gave me a $5,500 limit.
I recently bought a 150 XT with the Kawi and 52 inch deck. It only has 4 hours on the PTO. I don't know how many hours on the machine as I drove it around quite a bit playing. The hours only tick when the PTO is engaged. With the limited use I can say I am a believer in the Snapper Pro. I struggled with the engine choice but in the end went with a proven manufacturer. I know the Vanguard is not your standard B&S but could not make myself pull the trigger. Tested both and liked them both. It seemed to me the Vanguard was quieter. The Vanguard was also slightly cheaper by about 200 bucks. This may be because B&S owns the Snapper Pro Line. Just guessing. In the end I would have bought the mower with the Vanguard over any other popular brands just because this mower is built like a tank and has way better specs than the competition at the price point. The cut is out of this world with factory sharpened blades and the striping kit that comes standard worked better than I thought it would. Hopefully I will still be singing its praises when the PTO has 500 hours !