snapper, john deere equipment

[ajy]

i have a snapper dealer that gives me good service right now. i'm thinking about changing from john deere to snapper is this a good move. i like the robin commercial trimmers and blowers but i'm not sure about the walk behinds. i do have a snapper 21' commercial mower powered by a robin engine and it cuts great. all i read about and see is toro, exmark, hustler, dixie, scag. are all these brands better than snapper? are these brands better than john deere?

[vipermanz]

Welcome To Lawnsite!!!!
I Myself Don't Have Any Experience With Any Of The Brands You Mentioned, But I Am Interested In The Overall Quality Of The 21"'s Made By Deere,Snapper,Toro,&eXmark

[sdwally]

Snappers are good units, you may have to replace a few parts more often then other brands. However these parts are fairly inexpensive and easy to change your self(rubber drive ring). The thing I liked as a mechanic is that they are easy to work on(less labor costs) and the unit is completely rebuildable. When the steel deck wears out you can replace it and with other parts have a new mower again. Prefer the steel deck over cast alloy decks, cast alloy decks are normally to expensive to replace, cheaper to buy a new mower usually.

[Mark]

As far as commerical walkbehinds i have a 1993 Snapper 52" Hydro Walkbehind that has been the best machine ive ever owned. Ive got close to 5000hrs on this machine,it has the 16hp Briggs Vanguard v-twin and i have never had any engine problems i repeat never. Ive replaced i belt, tires and one regulator for the pto switch. I run doubles and it stripes great.You wont go wrong with Snapper Commerical Equipment. Marks Mowing Service

[EJK2352]

Snapper dealer I know said that Snapper is coming out with a bunch of redesigned models next year. You might want to hold off buying a Snapper till you've had a look at next years models. ED

[turfstar2000]

I don't think that is a wise choice. I am not saying that Deere is the best, but between the two I would take the steel of the Deere over a Snapper.

I just have a hard time looking at their equipment as serious commercial equipment. The controls are sloppy on their w/b and the ztr's are sketchy.

I think with Deere buying Dane they will become a major player in the commercial lines. However with all the premium lines out there, I would think long and hard before buying a mower with a turtle on it.

[sheppard]

Morning All, have some experience with both manufacturers- the older JDs (WB) sound like a Harley Davidson cranking up! Fun to mow with. The 655 ztr has some problems. Used it for three months and was not impressed enouph to buy one when I started my own business. Belts kept coming off, uneven cuts, brakes not dependable, handles not secured tightly on the mower. Have been using a 36' Snapper wb for about 6 weeks now. Once I got used to everything it performed well. The Snapper dealership is very strong in Tallahassee as is the JD dealership. FYI there is an Exmark dealership in Tallahassee as well but their reputation on price gouging and overall integrity is some what shaky. The Snapper dealership seels and services their equipment like a pancake house! Fast and lots of them.

Cordially,
Sheppard

[Double D]

[QUOTE]I just have a hard time looking at their equipment as serious commercial equipment. The controls are sloppy on their w/b and the ztr's are sketchy.[QUOTE]




I have a 52" Snapper hydro with the loop controls. I think this mower is about a serious as you can get in a walk behind. The loop steering works great, and is very easy on the hands. The unit is built like a tank. Try a hydro with loop steering and I think you will be very pleased with how easy the unit is to put right where you want it. I have not used a Snapper ztr, therefore I cannot comment on this unit

[TFL]

I ese Jd JS60's they are the model with the 6 hp briggs but they have been true work horses for me i also heatr that the top of the line JX 85 with the 6.5 hp kawisaki just keeps going and going. I have always been satisfied with the service also.

[Hoosier Mower]

Not sure about the Snapper WB's but trust me when I say to STAY AWAY from thier ZTR's! I had a Snapper Yard Cruiser ZTR and I think you'd be better off with a Crapsman. It has no traction, cuts awful and is a very slow owing machine. I have heard alot of good things about the Snapper WB's oh so they might be okay. As far as ZTR's go I'd stick with eiter; Dixie Choppers, Exmarks,Scags or Grasshoppers. Best of luck.

[Fallguy]

although im not sure what kind your smoking. SNAPPER is a awesome machine they fixed all flaws on their ZTR mowes that were problems in the past - vibration of the front tires at high speeds was the first problem - a simple alighnment problem fixed it easily by tilting the tires more to the back on the older models. I have a 2000 SNAPPER ZTR with 25hp kohler and have expierienced not a single problem and am now pushing 350 hours on it . its well abused because all my yards are rough and it sits out in the open in the weather all day long every day but it cranks every day and the cut is absolutely remarkable - at the time it was the fastest mower in my area running neck and neck with a exmark ztr with same horsepower - it was a hard decision to make wether to get snapper or exmark but the snapper with its double steering bars that come up between your legs whan sitting on it was way more comfortable allowing your arms to rest on your knees while driving. The snapper dealers are polite and courteous and treat you like a king . In addition i have a snapper 36in walkbehind with a velkie attachment - a must for back yards and super steep slopes. I probably will remain with snapper permanently. If i did change it would be to either dixie chomper , hustler, or exmark .

[Hoosier Mower]

Well I'm glad yours is okay but I was just relating to you my experances with them.

[mowohio]

I have been running Snapper 48" WB for 6 years. Replaced belts, spark plug, filters and other normal maintenance items. Has a 14 hp Kaw and is built like a bullet. No problems at all. All it wants to do is eat grass! Dealer service is the best. Of course, no matter the brand the dealer makes the difference.

[ajy]

thanks guys for all the info.

[crazygator]

Guess I better add my 2 cents worth. I have the JD SR63 21" and I find it works great, for what I use it for. Smaller areas or for timming. It is self propelled with 3 speed settings. Starts with ease, mulches great for a 21" and with no striping kit stripes pretty good. I am in the works to design a kit to accent the stripes so I will have to get back to you on that. Over all I am very happy, but other brands are as well or even better, all depends on who you talk with. Hope this info helps!

[Eric ELM]

Originally posted by ajy
all i read about and see is toro, exmark, hustler, dixie, scag. are all these brands better than snapper? are these brands better than john deere?

In my opinion, YES.

Fallguy, what other ZTR mowers have you owned or operated? I'm just wondering what you are comparing that Snapper to.

Isn't resting your arms on you knees uncomforatable while mowing? I rest mine on the padded arm rests, which seems much more comfy to me. I steer with one hand and have a COLD drink in the other. ;)

[crazygator]

Eric, are you sure your on your Dixie Chopper, and not in the office looking through lawnsite.com with your cold drink? LOL just kidding!