reviewer
Sprocketman
Norwich, CT

All the right moves

5 star rating


JUL
10
2008
This mower's deck is one of the most rugged consumer models I've seen. The single height lever not only adjusts all wheels at once, it eliminates the flimsy individual sheet metal adjusters that become immobile as they rust. Larger 9 rear wheels, improve traction without the inherent leverage on the cantilevered axle and mounting plate that causes larger 12' wheels to sag and wobble. Wheel wobble inherent in plate-mounted axle-stubs is eliminated with full length axles. Inner and outer BB races in each rear wheel keep the drive wheels running true on the axle, and reduce pushing effort when the drive is disengaged. Rear drive helps keep mowing paths straight, and the hand throttle lets you gentle-up to obstacles, yet hammer the straight-aways. The speed control is simple; therefore less to break down. The throttle lever pulls a cable that increases the distance between a drive pulley (above the blade) and a transmission pulley that are linked by a surrounding drive belt. Increased belt tension reduces slippage around the pulleys and drives the transmission axles. A simple barrel adjuster on the throttle cable allows compensation for inevitable (initial) cable stretch and drive-belt wear. If during break-in, the drive either won't disengage, or becomes jerky, it's a 10 sec. adjustment to put slack in the cable. You can also reduce throttle sensitivity (for smaller hands) and mower speed the same way. The cable could be a little longer for more available slack. I would have liked to reduce throttle sensitivity a bit more, but smooth speed control is quickly mastered and throttle sensitivity becomes ideal after a few hours of operation as the new drive belt breaks-in. I purposely looked for a large mouthed grass catcher, as well as a higher ejection chute into the bag, to prevent clogging when filling, as well as emptying, the bag. Why all the major manufacturers have returned to including a side mounted discharge is beyond me. Is it marketing (3- way operation) or insuring early failure when either the plastic discharge cover breaks or the weakened frame below the side-port rusts away? On this model the second is highly unlikely, thanks to a far sturdier design beneath that side chute. The massive deck rides low relative to the blade for better ground suction. It effectively pulls the matted grass blades up for a well manicured cut. The cut is even, with not a tree leaf left behind. The engine is worthy of the mower. Starts first pull. This is very well thought-out package. It's user friendly, and will stay that way because of rugged design. We can build good stuff



I_thumb_up Snapper 190 cc 21 in. 3-In-1 Deck Rear Bag Mower, Rear Wheel Drive is recommended by Sprocketman

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I_comment_shdw24 Comments about Sprocketman’s Review

 


4 star rating
"Great mower, touchy throttle"
More Snapper 190 cc 21 in. 3-In-1 Deck Rear Bag Mower, Rear Wheel Drive reviews
5 star rating
"oldman70 ill"


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