[Old_Nodaker]

I'm going to look at a 11 hp snapper with a 2 year old snowblower on it. Price $650. Thats all the women could tell me, her husband was gone. Can anyone give me a clue ahead of time what it might be and opinions? I'm just looking for something that will do light snowfalls so I don't have to haul my JD between work and home so much.

 

[jodyand]

How old is it :question:Snapper made some nice LTs and GTs. I know when most people think of Snappers the think RERs but they made good tractors as well. As long as it runs good and look descent along with the snow blower sound like a descent price to me.

 

[Old_Nodaker]

I don't know yet how old it is, I'd assume that being a 11 horse that it's fairly old.

 

[Old_Nodaker]

I was concerened about 11 hp, but have heard plenty of people say its sufficient. Owner figured it was an early 80's model. I bought it for $600. Has a low-high range hydro tranny of some sort. The blower is a two stage, basicly new, and has the chains and weights. If nothing else, I'll adapt the blower to my 318 JD.

 

[jodyand]

Thats great i take it was in good shape then.

 

[Old_Nodaker]

Not to bad shape, started and ran fine. I didn't go over it very closely as it was obvious the blower was worth the price. I can have the shop kids overhaul it if needed. I have to go back with a trailer to pick it up.

 

[aegt5000]

Old_N…

Sounds like you got yourself some residential capability.
In fairness to the tractor (Ha-Ha) You should do a belt,
oil, plug and air filter change.

I’ll bet the 11hp and 2 stage blower do fine this winter.
If the snow get real heavy, just use a lower gear to the
the blower a chance to deal with it. The nice thing about
the 2 stage is you don’t have to ram the snow down its
throat. How about posting a pic, I think you have the
forums only Snapper Tractor.
:tractorsm

 

[bontai Joe]

I know of a late 1970s/early 1980s vintage Snapper tractor with a cast iron Kohler engine for sale in north NJ. Hydro tranny. If anyone is interested, I can stop and get the particulars on it. Driving by a 50 MPH, it looks decent with faded paint. It is currently being stored outside in the weather.

 

[Old_Nodaker]

Picked it up yesterday. Hopefully there's a picture attached. I'm guessing its an 83 as their's an 83 in the engine model #. There appears to be a AMF label, although to faded to read. So maybe it's not a real snapper anymore. Not real well built, sheet metal front axel, steering linkage a little worn, tranny is just the walkbehind snowblower type - spinning plate that a pulley rides in and out on for speed variation. Don't know if that's a good or bad think, seems to work ok, plus it has a high/low range. I strongly suspect though that only one wheel is driven . Engine runs fine. The blower is shaft drive, although there's a short v belt from the electric clutch on the engine down to the shaft drive.
Guess if I'm the only one on this forum with one of these, it makes me the resident expert!! Bring on your questions.

 

[chrpmaster]

It looks pretty good! Does it run good? if so it will probably do well for you this winter. You're right that the blower is probably worth the price you paid so if the tractor dies you could get your money back

Andy

 

[jodyand]

It looks to be in good shape how does it run:question: I think maybe someone put that AMF sticker on it as far i know reading on there history there was nothing about AMF. I see it has the same set up trans as the RERs. I have pulled a 14' boat with my RER and it did fine. But it wouldn't hurt to have a spare rubber disk on hand just in case. You never know how old that one is unless he just replace it. Now your the first one with a Snapper tractor now we need to get some more.

<img src=http://www.tractorforum.com/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=65202>

 

[Old_Nodaker]

It starts right up and runs fine. The previous owner said he disconected the battery cable as it would drain the battery. I could find no evidence of a draw touching the cable to the battery nor can I imagine why it would. Not a whole lot of complicated circutitry on here. Any ideas. Am I right that only one wheel is powered? I might as well take that chain and weight off the other side. Good idea about a spare rubber disk. I'd assume parts would still be available if its the same as the RER.

 

[memmurphy]

I suppose you could jack up the back and spin one wheel and see if the other one turns in the opposite or same direction to prove out your theory. With the weight of the blower on the front, I'd leave the weight on the back tire either way just for counter balance. As for the battery, maybe it is not a draining problem and instead a charging problem or a bad battery with a shorted cell?

We're going to need some pictures of it in action. It looks like it should move a lot of snow.

Mark

 

[Old_Nodaker]

I lifted the rearend, it does indeed drive both wheels. I'll have to pull it apart sometime to see how it works as there is no obvious differential. There is a cover on the left wheel side that would appear to just be a chain cover and the axle from the right wheel runs into that cover. Something secret is happening under that cover It is sealed, has some sort of lubricant in it. I'll just have to wait and see what happens with the battery.

 

[jodyand]

Old Nodaker i see on the other forum your asking what type of oil goes in the trans. Its not really a oil but a grease. Its called "00 Grease" Here is a like to jacks so you can see it scroll down the page a little and you will see it. It comes in a tube and a bottle.


00 Grease

 

[Old_Nodaker]

Thanks Jodyand, I'd checked the local yokels, they'd never heard of it. At $8.60 a quart I think I'd better make sure there are no leaks

 

[bontai Joe]

So did you get to use this little jewel yet? How is it working?

 

[Old_Nodaker]

We had a couple of inches of snow last week so I got to try it out. Had a couple of little problems, steering was a little loose so got it tightened up, lift lever wouldn't stay latched in place so revised that. Snow was wet so it didn't throw it to well. Certainly not a Deere, but then it only cost 10 percent of my JD. Worse thing was not having a cab.

 

[Durwood]

Originally posted by Old_Nodaker
Picked it up yesterday. Hopefully there's a picture attached. I'm guessing its an 83 as their's an 83 in the engine model #. There appears to be a AMF label, although to faded to read. So maybe it's not a real snapper anymore. Not real well built, sheet metal front axel, steering linkage a little worn, tranny is just the walkbehind snowblower type - spinning plate that a pulley rides in and out on for speed variation. Don't know if that's a good or bad think, seems to work ok, plus it has a high/low range. I strongly suspect though that only one wheel is driven . Engine runs fine. The blower is shaft drive, although there's a short v belt from the electric clutch on the engine down to the shaft drive.
Guess if I'm the only one on this forum with one of these, it makes me the resident expert!! Bring on your questions.

I have that same tractor only with a 12 1/2 hp motor. I bought it brand new in 1987 i believe it was. The tractor looks the same though mine is a LT12. You should also have a tilt steering wheel. It is heavy duty for sure. The only thing i don't like about it is it has the turning radius of a Kenworth. That sure is a nice snowblower you have there.

 

[Old_Nodaker]

Durwood - does yours have the "spinning disk/wheel" transmission (what ever it's called?) Can you tell me how much grease should be in the chain drive? There's a rubber plug on the back side of the chain cover, should it be filled up to it? Boy, you got the turning radius pegged. It does have the tilt steering wheel. It is made out of heavy stuff. I'm reserving judgement on the blower until I can give it a better tryout. I have several walkways that the state snowplows like to fill full of snow. If it will open them back up I'll forgive the turning radius.