Is this old Snapper worth anything?
- Thread starter LawnBoy97
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bwdbrn1
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Don't worry, I don't intend to preach to you about what you should or shouldn't do, or pretend to know what your intentions are. Just saying, you've got the bones of a good mower there, and if I ran across one like it, I'd be all over fixing it up, and here's why.
I had an older Snapper High Vac that I reconditioned over time, thus keeping my costs to a minimum at any one time. I tuned it up first. New plug, air filter and fresh gas and oil go a long way in keeping the old Briggs running. The front wheels were first, the rear wheels later. They were after market wheels, not Snapper. I picked up a new blade along the way. It came with the rear bagger when I first got it, and I added the side discharge, mulch cover when I ran across them for a good price. I eventually found a good used engine to replace the original. The deck was as sound as the day it was made, so it was worth the time, effort and cost, or at least it was to me. It probably took me the better part of 3 years to do all of those things. I used the mower for 5 years and sold it on CL for more than the total of what I had invested in it.
If you have access to tools of your own, or can borrow them, you're way ahead of the game there. The tools to do most of what's needed are really pretty basic, and common.
Good luck with what ever you decide to do.
I had an older Snapper High Vac that I reconditioned over time, thus keeping my costs to a minimum at any one time. I tuned it up first. New plug, air filter and fresh gas and oil go a long way in keeping the old Briggs running. The front wheels were first, the rear wheels later. They were after market wheels, not Snapper. I picked up a new blade along the way. It came with the rear bagger when I first got it, and I added the side discharge, mulch cover when I ran across them for a good price. I eventually found a good used engine to replace the original. The deck was as sound as the day it was made, so it was worth the time, effort and cost, or at least it was to me. It probably took me the better part of 3 years to do all of those things. I used the mower for 5 years and sold it on CL for more than the total of what I had invested in it.
If you have access to tools of your own, or can borrow them, you're way ahead of the game there. The tools to do most of what's needed are really pretty basic, and common.
Good luck with what ever you decide to do.
LawnBoy97
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Thanks, I understand what you mean. I will have to give it a good look over, but from what I remember the deck is pretty good. Could use new paint, which that might be fun and a good learning experience. The newer hi-vac I have, newer being like 80's or 90's, just needs could use a new engine, and it already has the self-propelled and a very nice deck. My dad bought it for about $50 maybe like 5 or more years ago and it still runs great, but just doesn't have enough power. So hopefully I will find the parts for the old one, and the engine for the new one, to make them both great mowers again. Because I think Snappers are my favorite mowers. Thanks for all the help so far, and I'm sure I will need some advice later on. Thanks
Since you are in Ohio,and in high school,you could just ask a friend who attends a joint vocational school how long the waiting list for customers who want machines repaired is at the small engine repair class. Even if there is no high school program for this,it is almost certain that there is a class in adult education.
I taught carpentry at JVS,and the customer got a real bargain on yard barns with materials + 25% --and the school got 50% of that for lab fees and the student club got the other 50%. At the end of the year,the kids each got a real nice set of Craftsman tools with their surplus club money. Better than blowing it on parties and such...
Then there is Harbor Freight with their replacement engine of 6 horsepower or so,but I do not know if it is a good fit for Snapper.
When these old engines quit running,it is often a little thin rubber diaphragm in the carb assembly that essentially pumps gas to the carbs,or simply a dirty carb.
Hope this helps.
I taught carpentry at JVS,and the customer got a real bargain on yard barns with materials + 25% --and the school got 50% of that for lab fees and the student club got the other 50%. At the end of the year,the kids each got a real nice set of Craftsman tools with their surplus club money. Better than blowing it on parties and such...
Then there is Harbor Freight with their replacement engine of 6 horsepower or so,but I do not know if it is a good fit for Snapper.
When these old engines quit running,it is often a little thin rubber diaphragm in the carb assembly that essentially pumps gas to the carbs,or simply a dirty carb.
Hope this helps.
LawnBoy97
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Okay, I will have to look into that. Especially for a shed....... Anyways we had nice wheather this weekend and I tried to start it again, but no luck. There is a spark and the plug smells like gas, but it still isn't running. It does seem like something is leaking from the muffler, it doesn't quite smell like gas, but didn't look like oil, so I don't know.
LawnBoy97
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It's been awhile, so I thought I would do an update. I got the motor running. Just needed some fresh gas, but it it smoking pretty bad and it seems like there is a leak from around the head, and then something coming from the muffler. Then I got the idea to take the engine from my newer snapper and put it on this one, and then use this engine I had lying around to put on my newer one. I am not sure if this will work, as I haven't really checked the shaft sizes, but I really hope it does, because not only do I need more power for the newer snapper, but I am in need of a mower to give to a family member.
http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/build-yourself/15662-3-engines-2-mowers-1-goal.html#post104992
Here's the thread, so if you have any tips, they would help out a lot.
http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/build-yourself/15662-3-engines-2-mowers-1-goal.html#post104992
Here's the thread, so if you have any tips, they would help out a lot.