Whilst I am fully aware that this is not sold or endorsed as a commercial use product, I just thought I would share my experiences of this machine in the hope it may be of use to fellow trade persons!
Some commercial sites I picked up earlier this year required a ride on mower, so I went hunting for one and found one - a secondhand Snapper 28" rear engined hi vac ride on mower, complete with collector.
So how has it stood up to moderate commercial use? Well over the last week, I have spent around 20 hours on the machine, with many more hours spent in previous weeks and I have to say, it really has surprised me!
Mine has a Briggs and Stratton 12.5 hp engine, which seems to use a tank full (about £10 worth) of fuel every two hours - so economy is pretty good. Starts first time on the key or the back up recoil starter. New models offer a 15hp Kohler option on the 33 inch deck model.
Collection is VERY good, even in long, slightly damp grass, indeed some of the grass that I was cutting on Wednesday was around 10 inches long and the collector tube never blocked once. The collector bag really fills to capacity (I struggle to carry it). Collection is aided by two additional 'wings' that bolt onto the blade, giving plenty of air flow to blow grass out in side eject mode or into the bag in collect mode.
I also bought a mulch blade for the machine, a proper Snapper 'Ninja' blade which seems to do a satisfactory job of mulching appropriate length clippings, especially when considered that my 'mulch plug' is at present only a home made blanking plate and not the proper item. To change the blades over is easy, as the machine is designed to stand on its end for servicing/maintenance, no need to remove the deck - just 2 x 19mm bolts which secure the blade - this also makes it easy to regularly clean under the deck.
The ability to shift gears on the move is also great, its just like a hydro drive, but the only 'wearing part' is a rubber drive wheel that costs about £20. There is only one deck belt, that can be changed without removing the deck or any idlers and takes about 10 minutes to change. 1 to 1 steering makes it easy to turn in really tight circles and very simple to get around shrubs/trees etc.
I realize that this machine does have a downfall, as it doesn't leave a stripe, (although I am looking at modifying a roller to fit under the collector brackets) however the majority of my ride on work at present is on commercial or informal lawns, so it is not a issue for me. I also know they are not the most elegant models to look at, but they are really robust and there's no plastic bits to break off!
Note - I am not employed by, or indeed do I know any persons employed by Snapper - I am just satisfied with their product and thought i would share my experiences!
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Good review.
Think we need a picture of said machine and its driver in action......just to help visualise ;-) lol
I had a Snapper for several years and sold it to one of my clients.
Powerful and useful machine and I regretted parting with it instantly. Apart from being extremely efficient and powerful when cutting grass (from fine cut through to rough cut) the Snapper also doubled up as a very efficient leaf collection machine,
The single 28" blade really does create some serious suction. We even used it for collecting hedge cuttings after the initial rake-up.
Here's some for Gary RK - sorry they are not 'action' shots, didn't have time whilst on site...
Great to drive - the steering is 1-1 with no slack - as much as you turn the handle bars, the front wheels move - will execute quite tight turns when you get used to it.
Maintenance is super easy - the entire machine stands on its end to change the blade or oil etc. Deck belt can be changed in less than 5 minutes with only a spanner to undo the belt cover bolts required.
Grass catcher is good, the fabric slides out from the frame, so no dropped clippings when emptying it onto the compost heap or into the trailer - hold about a dustbin full of clippings - that's heavy enough. Every last clipping gets blown into the bag too. I only blocked the chute once, but that was cutting 10 inch long, lush green, quite wet muddy paddock grass - expecting a lot of any machine! I found gently shaking the handle on the tube during 'dense' bits of grass encourages it to go up the tube, after all its possible to gear up and down on the move so thick bits can be cut in low gear, then instantly sped up again.