How old is it??

[Snapperfreak]

Hmmm that is wierd. I can think of only two possibilities: 1) is the drive disc under the mower bigger? If its bigger then the fastest setting (on the outside edge of disc) will be faster. If not then 2) if the throttle control is not original it might be opening up the throttle on engine more giving u more RPMs and making it go faster. That's about all I can think of.

 

[Tikal]

I will check the disk out, the throttle is( from what I can tell) original, but i am going to get a new one because it keeps sliding back down towards ""slow"", I am going to end up buying a key(because I am using the one from my other snapper) and a pulley cover, and also the starter cover, I am thinking of some new mufflers, (fpr both snappers) the ones on them are really loud... Thanks for the tips

 

[Blade Runner]

Just wanted to comment that in my personal opinion, the Snapper rear engine rider is one of the best built best cutting riding mowers EVER. I grew up using one that lasted over 23 years with original engine and another that lasted over 26 years with the original engine. I loved how they shifted. The single blade cut the grass the best. My favorite is the 33" blade hi vac deck. Your pics look like you have the hi vac deck.

When it came time to own my own riding mower, I searched for a Snapper rear engine rider frame with the 33" blade hi vac deck. I tore the whole thing down and rebuilt it. I used Snapper red factory paint as well. I put a "modern" 15 hp OHV Briggs engine on it, as everyone told me that was about the limit for that model (it just blew up and bent a rod). I wanted to put a 18 hp Briggs on it, but the experts said the transmission pullies could not handle the torque. You have a cool project.:thumbsup:

 

[Tikal]

That is neat do u have some pics? And where did u get the engine? And how much did it cost?
Thanks!!

 

[Blade Runner]

No pics. I rebuilt it 15 years ago before cell phones with cameras:biggrin: I would not want to show it off now as last years tornado damage beat it up. Its setting under a tree weathered and alone right now. Poor little rider got beat up by a tornado and then bent a rod in the engine:frown: ....but I will rebuild that little jewel:biggrin:

I local mower shop had bought a huge amount of new Briggs "short blocks" and sold them cheap ($100). Shop has since closed. For new engines you could try engine warehouse or Tulsa engine warehouse online, craigslist or you might find a great deal at a local mower shop. I would try local mower shops for a deal on a good used engine or a rebuilt engine, etc.

I love how you can just loosen a u clamp and stretch out the frame if your belts get worn and loose. I miss how easy it is to clean the deck, I miss how smooth the shifting is. I miss all that heavy guage US steel under me, yet the rider was light enough for one person to put in the back of a truck. I miss how it fit through standard yard gates. I miss all the grease zerts it has. I miss how you can stand it on end to clean it or work on it. I miss how you can actually work on and fix a "transmission" problem by changing a pully. I miss the uncomplicated design. ...don't miss the handle bars.


.....as good as my black Poulan Pro looks, if I could tear it down and paint it Snapper Red, I would....really:biggrin:

 

[Tikal]

That is really neat about stretching out the frame does any kind of standard riding lawn mower engine work on the snapper? Or is there a special kind?

 

[Blade Runner]

See link below for latest info on Snapper Rear Engine Riders including engines (WOW they put a 17.5hp engine on them now, they must have really upgraded the transmission pulley system)
RE Riders Riding Lawn Mower | Snapper Lawn Mowers

See link below for good info about your Snapper and engine choices
Snapper Rear Engine Rider Outdoor Power Equipment Repower from Small Engine Warehouse

See link below for new engine prices (Good to know BEFORE you start searching for another engine)
http://tulsaenginewarehouse.com/

See link below for a mower salvage yard in your state
Jamestown Pa Lawn & Garden Lawn Mower Grave Yard Used Tractor Parts Salvage

When I rebuild my Snapper, I will install a 12hp to 15hp Briggs and Stratton vertical shaft engine that is an Industrial/Commercial (I/C) model because it has an iron sleeve in the piston shaft. I will also use a single cylinder engine. I prefer a low use used engine to a rebuilt, if the rebuilt has had the piston shaft bored out. I will never find it, but if I could find an older low use Briggs I/C engine with the metal engine cover, I would get that.

 

[Tikal]

Thanks for all the research wow, a 13.5 hp engine costs $600?! That is kinda expensive, do u know how much they cost used, my snapper rer has a commercial 12 hp engine on it, it is really beat up though... I think I will be getting a new engine here soon thanks a lot for your help!

Samuel

 

[Blade Runner]

Your welcome. I have to do the research for my Snapper rebuild as well.

I just clicked the link I provided in my previous post, to the mower grave yard in you state and then clicked complete engines. They show complete engines that would work on your Snapper for as low as $125...but it appears they sell out fast. But buyer beware. Unless they certify the quality/age/use of the engine, you could be buying problems.

Complete Engines : , Lawn Mower Grave Yard Equipment Used Tractor Parts Salvage

 

[Tikal]

Ok, cool I will keep a eye on that, do they ship the engines? If so, how much would It cost?
So any engine under 13 hp that has a vertical shaft would work?