OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums General Discussion Forum Off Topics Self-Propelled Mower Advice

My grandson is thinking of getting a self propelled mower, something in the 20 inch plus size but a Honda is out of the question because the gearbox is just junk and it seems the Victa is no better. Does anybody know of a self propelled mower that is strong in the gearbox department, no point in spending $1800 on something with a dodgy gearbox. The Deutscher self propelled are good but a bit bulky and he wants something with a catcher for certain jobs

The Victa Self propelled from the 1960s seemed to be a robust design with rollers directly on the wheels. They should bring that back.

Some of the older Toro self propelled mowers are good. One self propelled mower that has always worked for me is the older Rover Turbothrust self propelled it's 20" cut, the engine had a shaft coming out the side and they are chain driven with cork clutch plates, once worn out, new cork can be stuck on. I haven't had one yet that didn't work.

Sad isn't it when we have to look back to 20/30 year old machines that were built tough enough to do the job. I have just remembered that I have a 27 year old Ariens here that needs a drive belt so that might be something worth looking at

Yes it is but we all know stuff was built better than they are today.It's no good making something that will last a long time,you just won't sell others for a long time then,won't make money.

It sounds like self propelled in general is not worth the hassle and extra weight involved.
Auto push all the way!!

Honda just couldn't help themselves because they thought they were so smart and smug and had to make it a 3 speed box, probably the next thing they will bring out is a 5 speed with overdrive just for the sake of it to make people think how clever they are. Stick to single speed and make it strong and reliable. My mate has told me the latest gearbox I put in his is fine, that is because he hasn't used it and isn't game enough to, and I think it will be a while before he bothers with it again

Single speed is problematic enough thanks!

G'day all

I wish the snapper self-propelled still sold here.
They had a brilliant - but simple - 5 speed friction drive.
These were well-regarded machines in the 1970s and 1980s.

I think Snapper is now a Briggs brand.
Snapper are not imported here.

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Jack

Looks like somebody in SA is selling them Jack, might be worth investigating one of these.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/SNAPPER-P21875-Self-Propelled-Mower-Catch-and-Mulch-/141942447372?

G'day Norm

That's amazing!

I can say the seller is reputable and used to be a manufacturer.
https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showgallery&Number=67874

Here's an image of the drive - no gearbox, oil or complex bits.
It was - and is - a brilliant design.

Cheers
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Jack

^I'd be tempted to buy that myself. Looks awesome.
Bear in mind that I remember a Victa Professional series self propelled catcher model had a price tag of around $1000 in 1989!!

There has been a domestic grade self propelled mower sold in Aldi at around the $350 mark, but it had the tiniest grass catcher and was an unknown quantity being an unknown brand, although it did have a B&S motor not that it means much on it's own these days.

Mowerfreak
it would not have been a Snapper at that price.
Perhaps some cheap copy ...

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Jack

Sorry you caught me out editing after you answered before.
That Snapper self propelled system looks so easy to service, all exposed and accessible like that.
I think Norm K has narrowed down the field with this one.

Hi Mowerfreak
I think that too.
We had no trouble with this drive at all - and we sold a lot of them.

Looking at the history of Australian self-propelled pedestrian machines,
I feel we went for too simple or too complex drive systems.

Rover had their 'Posi-Track' system that placed wear on drive dogs and
rear wheels. Victa's first efforts involved the same system - but with a
gear box!. These designs produced either too many wearing parts, or
were way-too-complicated.

It wasn't as though friction drives, like the Snapper, were patent-restricted
at the time. Rover used such a design on their Ranger - from about 1962!

I should point out that the snapper does have a differential box - unlike
the Rover Posi-track system of the day.

Cheers
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Jack