It is a self propelled walk behind mulching mower. It has a Briggs&Stratton 875 series OHV engine and the simple friction disk self propelled drive system found on most snowblowers. The deck is stamped steel which is 15 gage, handlebars are strong and powder coated. Overall, this feels like a good mower, good build quality and robust materials. Without actually using it, I do not know how well it handles or the quality of cut it produces with the Ninja mulching blade. The Briggs & Stratton 875 engine is new to me, haven't found much information on it, so I don't know how strong or reliable this engine is. If you had owned a Snapper, what's your opinion?
Depends on what you're planning to use it for. I have a Snapper Ninja as a back up mower. I got it used. It has the Ninja blade and does a decent job mulching...no better or worse than my Ariens. It doesn't bag as well as the hi-vac models...but then very few mowers bag as well as the hi-vac, especially the older hi-vacs. On mine the bag is a pain to put on and take off because the starter cord is in the way.
As far as construction the mower is built like a tank...rock solid. Feels a bit heavier to use compared to my other mowers and the spring on the land lever to engage the drive wheels is a bit stronger than it needs to be in my opinion. The Briggs engine is very strong. The air filter needs to be changed every year but other than that it a beast and starts easily. One thing...it says to press the primer three times for a cold engine. I found out that three times means three times. I got carried away once and hit the primer 10 times and flooded it. Three primes and it fires right up.
All in all a very solid mower. I used mine to mow an over grown field once and the mower didn't even know that it was being abused.
Thanks for your feedback. I've been going back and forth among the Honda HRX, Toro Super Recycler, and the Snapper Recycler/Hi-vac. While the Snapper is well built and have primitive but effective friction disk drive, I'm not too fond of the clumsy bag attachment and the awkward side drive lever. Honda blade and drive bails are overly complicated, and Toro Super Recycler handles are to flexible for my taste.
Do you have this particular model? What do you think about the Ariens mower? I'm kind of worried about getting support for the Ariens since I don't see any dealers carrying it
I'm currently using an 7 year old Snapper ELP21702BV. Cast aluminum deck with Briggs Intek 7.0 hp engine. This engine is disappointing, it is anemic for its power rating. I think the Tuff-Torq transmission is not at all useful. 3 speed, too slow, too slow, too fast. I can only make right turn under drive power as it has some kind of one way differential
The only thing that I like about this Snapper is the solid build quality. To get a good cut, I have to mow at lowest drive speed. I'm kinda leaning towards a Toro Super Recyler. Have heard that is a great mulching mower, but the Personal Pace drive have gotten mixed reviews.
I currently have three different Ariens walk-behind mowers.One is an older self-propelled 2 cycle...I used it to mow steep slopes.One is a three year old Pro model with a 6hp Robin OHC engine.It’s build like a tank and works flawlessly.The chain driven OHC engine is as quiet and smooth as any Honda GX engine I’ve ever used. The only thing I could complain about is that Ariens put 8 inch steel rear wheels on this Pro model instead of the 10 inch nylon wheels that are on the Classic model.Also my Pro model has a three speed drive instead of the infinitely variable drive.
I do have a 3 year old classic model as well.It’s the LM21S with the 6.5hp Intek engine.It’s a joy to use.Solid but not too heavy.The bag is extremely easy to use.Much, much easier to use than my Snapper.It’s a good mulcher but I really like the way the side discharge chute disperses clipping.The 10 inch rear wheels make it very easy to pivot and maneuver.The first week I had it I hit a steel rebar property marker stake...ruined the blade but didn’t damage the mower at all.It has the friction disk drive so you can set it at any speed you need.A few times during the mowing season I have to grab a wrench and tighten the speed adjusting lever so it stays at the speed I set it at.
I bought my first Ariens classic in 1987 and the machine was 100% trouble free for 20 years.I only got rid of it because it’s Tecumseh engine was wearing out and burning oil.
I really like the Ariens Classic mowers but I’m not impressed with their Blade Runner line of mowers.
