Snapper 21500 with Techumseh TVXL

[Snapster]

I recently found this on CL and it has become my go-to mower for now. I like it because it does all my mowing honey-do's without much complaining. It runs very smooth, not too loud, and the traction is better than the modern mower which I no longer want to use. It is by no means a power demon - it will bog down if I try to mulch deeper than 3 inches of the thick St Augustine grass in the pic but I don't do much deep mulching anyway.
This is a Snapper 21500PC 1989 year model and the Tecumseh TVXL-105 dates from 1994. i have never been a big fan of Tecumseh mills, but I like that it starts easy and I've had no mechanical issues whatsoever. I feel like this mower is lighter and easier to handle than say a 4-cycle Robin model which I have used, and like for it's brute power.
I plan to disassemble, clean, and paint the deck over the winter.
If you have experiences with the TVXL-105 let us know what you think.

 

[Carscw]

Nice mower nice and clean.
Did you replace the drive? Some parts look new.

 

[Myamada1230]

I recently found this on CL and it has become my go-to mower for now. I like it because it does all my mowing honey-do's without much complaining. It runs very smooth, not too loud, and the traction is better than the modern mower which I no longer want to use. It is by no means a power demon - it will bog down if I try to mulch deeper than 3 inches of the thick St Augustine grass in the pic but I don't do much deep mulching anyway. This is a Snapper 21500PC 1989 year model and the Tecumseh TVXL-105 dates from 1994. i have never been a big fan of Tecumseh mills, but I like that it starts easy and I've had no mechanical issues whatsoever. I feel like this mower is lighter and easier to handle than say a 4-cycle Robin model which I have used, and like for it's brute power. I plan to disassemble, clean, and paint the deck over the winter. If you have experiences with the TVXL-105 let us know what you think.

Awesome find! How much did you give for it if you don't mind me asking? I have several older snappers with wisconsin robin engines, love them to death. It's getting hard/expensive to find parts for them though.

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[cashman]

That's a good mower! The Tecumseh didn't have as much vibration as the Briggs I think. The Tecumseh V-50 was available on the commercial model for several years prior to when this mower was built.

 

[Snapster]

Nice mower nice and clean.
Did you replace the drive? Some parts look new.

I've not replaced anything on this mower since I bought it, I put it right to work, it has not dissapointed. Has some rusty spots and the usual debris around the the cooling fins so I cleaned it up a bit. All the bit parts appear in good condition so this is a good candidate for a winter clean up project.

 

[Snapster]

Awesome find! How much did you give for it if you don't mind me asking? I have several older snappers with wisconsin robin engines, love them to death. It's getting hard/expensive to find parts for them though.

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This one cost me $150 seller was firm. I'm ok with that. Some time ago I picked up a Robin model (1986 Yr) for $50 which although it runs well it does not look very nice and has a few worn bit parts, including belts. I was very surprised at the raw power that this machine will produce. Hope to work on this Robin model over the winter just for the fun of it. Don't plan to use it much tho.

 

[Snapperfreak]

Another good looking snapper. Ya mine with the Briggs does vibrate a bit but I like that engine. Wish I could find one with the WR-185 though.

 

[Myamada1230]

Another good looking snapper. Ya mine with the Briggs does vibrate a bit but I like that engine. Wish I could find one with the WR-185 though.

Too bad you don't live in Washington state, I have 3 with the W1-185, and 1 with the W1-145 that'd sell if somebody was interested.

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[Snapperfreak]

I really wish I had an excuse (that my wife would agree with, that is) to take a drive to Washington!

 

[afoulk]

I know a lot of people complain about techumsehs, other than the snow kings, but I have a lawn boy silver series with a 4HP model and while slightly under powered, it runs smooth and has never let me down. It was seriously neglected before I got it, and all I did to it was an oil change and tune up and it has treated her well for three years now. I'm actually happier with the engine than the mower itself. I have a Coleman generator that was just given to me by my father in law with a 8HP Tecumseh that runs ok as well. I think a tune up and carb cleaning should fix it up as well. I do want to see if I can come up with a quieter muffler for it however. My favorite is the Briggs intek on my snapper self propelled though. Fairly smooth and quiet, and nothing seems to bog it down, and uses no oil.