Worn out gears

[Gaylagt]

I'm the woman of the house, so I don't know a lot of the technical aspects. I do know after mowing for 23 years on our Snapper riding mower, I just hate to give up on it. My husband bought the mower brand new in 1992. It's a SR130 with a 12 hp Briggs and Stratton engine. On the engine is a plate that reads as follows: Exclusive Signature Series, F. P. Stratton, Jr., Syncro-Balenced, 12 HP Quiet Rider I/C, Industrial/Commercial Engine with Quiet Features, 2Year Commercial Warranty.
I was mowing when it started jerking like the engine was stalling, yet the engine sounded normal. Then, it quit pulling all together before I could even get back to the house. And yes, it was that sudden, basically without warning. We have a friend who works on lawn mowers. He "opened it up and saw the gears were worn out. One was almost smooth". He said trash it and get a new mower. Our Snapper Repair place in town told my husband on the phone that it could take up to $500 to replace all the gears. He wasn't sure it's worth fixing.
The Snapper has had NO engine problems. It's had the usual maintainence of replacing belts, blades and oil changes at least yearly. It cranks easily with the starter or the pull cord and does NOT smoke. It's been a good mower with only minor problems which have been fixed with replacing belts, etc.
I know I have been very, VERY wordy, but just tried to give all the facts. My question is this: am I crazy to want to fix this 23 year old mower's transmission or should we get a new mower? If the consensus is to replace it, is it worth trying to sell instead of just scraping it? What would it be worth? I appreciate any help y'all can give. I am very attached to what has been a faithful mower, but I'm realistic, also. Thanks in advance.

 

[mechanic mark]

Post Snapper model & serial numbers from mower data plate or sticker. I would have transmission rebuilt or purchase a new one & have it installed. Five hundred dollars is slim pickens to what some of these guys have to spend for a new transaxle on tractors or ZTR mowers. Just make sure you use a reputable Snapper full service repair shop with warranty in writing.

 

[gainestruk]

I would, I have a 1980 or 81 Snapper rear engine rider, it's my back up mower and it always starts and mows, it's on the second engine.
Only thing I need to do is replace friction drive.
These are very well made mowers and easy to work on, I'm not sure about yours but mine has a rubber friction wheel that runs on a round plate on bottom of engine that drives the axel, Give us the serial number off your mower and also numbers off engine, those should be stamped in blower housing by spark plug. That way we can look up your snapper and see what drives it has.

 

[Gaylagt]

Thanks for the replies. I found the info you need. Serial # 35248886 and model #301213BE.

 

[gainestruk]

I looked at mower parts, it's just like mine, I would defiantly fix it, like mechanic mark said have it rebuilt or buy new and have it installed, I would use Snapper dealer to fix, that mower will last many more years, if engine goes bad just replace it, my mower was an 8 HP, when engine blew I replaced it with a Briggs 10 HP L head (flat head) if I remember right in 1999 it cost $250.00.
Even if you replace transmission and engine you would have a much better mower than a new residential model.
Let us know what you end up doing
Mike..

 

[Gaylagt]

I just got off the phone with our Snapper dealer and a new transmission would be $509. That's a LOT cheaper than the Scagg zero turn my husband wants to get! I would still like feedback from everybody. My husband isn't so sure about fixing the Snapper. Of course, our friend isn't helping any. He says to get a new mower. He probably has more influence over my husband than I do! Zero turn mowers do sound like a lot of fun, as I love mowing grass. But, more money in the bank sounds better! Thank you for the replies so far. They've been a help to me.

 

[gainestruk]

Well mine is 12 years older than your mower and it is still going strong, those rear engine Snappers were made to be repaired and kept in service, I hope you can talk him into repairing it (I do know that I want a new mower feeling)
Even if you get a new one keep that Snapper and when you can fix it, mine is now the family spare mower and its used quite a bit. The only reason I got my zero turn was that we have 2 acres to mow and it took a long time to mow with 30 inch Snapper.

 

[Darragh]

Realistically your comparing apples with well rolls royces. The small snapper rear mounted mower equivalents are probably 1300 to 1500 dollars. Where as the scag is a commercial lawnmower. Extremely capable and fast but only distantly related in terms of lawnmowers. There are loads of alternatives out there for you which will cost only 800 to 1000 dollars more than a rebuild on the snapper. Also with the snapper so old you are likely to encounter further trouble very soon from another part. Deck, steering or engine. Which will also cost you. Far wiser to write off the snapper. There are loads of options out there in cub cadet John deer snapper etc