I'm new to the Snapper community. I was recently given a Snapper RER. It runs beautifully and cuts grass like a dream, however the muffler seems to be a bit loud. This may seem like a dumb question, but will replacing the muffler make the engine a bit quieter? From a distance, it doesn't sound too bad, but with it right behind me, it's deafening. The mower is over 20 years old, so it may just be the way it is. Any thoughts?
mower muffles wear out faster than car mufflers but no one ever replaces them.
So yes a nice new muffler & gasket will make the mower quieter.
Check what is available for your engine and mower as all mower companies make a variety of mufflers.
Chap ones that are noisy for cheap mowers and good ones that are quiet for expensive mowers.
And remember the Magic Pudding is a childrens fiction so a quieter muffle will adsorb some energy thus you will loose a little power.
On some mufflers you can get end pieces that can be positioned so the noise annoys your neighbours more than you.