19. Rebuilding a snapper drivetrain part 1 of 7 

I always appreciate the videos that you make. I had forgotten about the o ring that goes on the bolt that holds the cover on the differential. Reviewed the process and will have my dad's Snapper 307XS rebuilt this coming week some time. I have been mowing grass on this mower since dad bought it in 1968. I was 10 years old then, am 66 years old now. Been through many engine replacements over the years. Getting the machine ready for my daughter to inherit when I am pushing grass up instead of mowing it! Really appreciate all the time and care you put in your videos. Keep up the good work!

I just broke the chain on my differential on my snapper 30in 13hp. thank you so much for making this video. I would be lost without it.

The conical spring washer (Belleville washer) has a cone shape that presses against the underside of the bolt head and into the installation material. This gives increased tension that a flat washer does not give. This has a number of benefits including reducing chances of the fasteners loosening from vibration. Due to their resistance to vibrations, conical washers are also considered to be lock washers as they perform a similar function. Cone washers are also used to keep an o'ring in place for better sealing around a bolt or shaft.

Wow! Am I ever happy I found your videos. My son bought a used Snapper Series 7 several years ago and used it for a couple of years. He left it at my house when he relocated, as part of his employment. It set in my side yard for a few years before I decided to play with it. I started with tires, tubes and front bearings. It had not been well maintained. I was amazed what a well designed machine it was. With little maintenance it had survived decades of service. I got the engine running and it smoked like a fogging machine. I mowed my yard with it several times and liked it so well I decided to put a new motor on it. I bought a 13hp Honda and I have enjoyed using it for several years. Sometimes after I back up and start going forward I hear a loud pop sound. I suspect it is a chain and sprocket. Your video will be a great help to me in rebuilding the only thing on the mower that has not be rebuilt.

Great information! Thanks for sharing Jim.

Great videos. I appreciate the easy explanation.

Nice video 👍

Thank you

Thank you for your time, Useful Information.

Thank you Jim! I kind of just fell onto a snapper mower I found on craiglist and this will be very helpful.

I just found your channel and I am loving it. Great idea on the makeshift press! Thanks I am looking forward to viewing all you videos! I have a old oval steering snapper in my back yard. I guess I will rebuild it now with your help. Wish me luck.👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼

Wow You are the Snapper Master! Just a FYI; The 8-planetary gear 'commercial' Snappers you discuss will have the 'Extra Tough' decal up front. The Extra Tough models also use ball bearings instead of the pressed in bushings for the axle. I've got one with the 33" deck. Thanks for explaining how it all works!

Jim, they use cone washers cause it is the shape of things to come. Just like the movie Coneheads. Just my two cents worth.

Thanks jim

just watched, you helped me soooo much. worked on it all day took it all apart could not find the problem till i watched turns out someone pinned the left axle shaft. drove out the pin works perfectly thanks

i also wanted to ask you if you could address the visual inspection of the main shaft gear. from my experience i know burred edges mean a worn out gear yet its still has the majority of teeth intact, just pointy and not as rounded as they should be. in other words its worn between the teeth making it very pointy and its not the tips that are worn down. this seems something the average person wouldnt think to look at very carefully and might put a shaft back in with worn teeth that will fail later on. love your videos and just trying to help you with some extra info, please keep up the good work.

jim, i just wanted to point out you forgot the last thin flat thrust washer (part number 0110 on the diagram) that goes between the outside cover bushing and the big gear. not sure if you can edit the video to add that in but we cant forget to install that part which keeps the gear from rubbing on the shaft bushing/bearing. also could you tell us what o-ring replaces part number 0050 on the diagram? i dont mind buying snapper parts when i need actual parts but if i just need a nut or bolt or new o-rings, i would prefer to get them at the hardware store if i knew the right size to buy. i am rebuilding some of these differentials while using your guide (6 broken ones from parts mowers that i hope to combine and get 2 or maybe 3 good working ones) and i noticed the omission of installing that last thrust washer in your video

I have found that Tractor supply is a good place to buy "OO" grease. I Think it was about $6.00 a quart.

Jim, Where might you suggest i go for parts?

Jim, I normally consider myself pretty handy but I'm having a problem with my rear engine snapper. It will not turn over with the ignition switch. I can pull start with no problem and when I jump the solenoid it turns over fine. I tested the ignition and all safety switches with multimeter and all seems to check out good. I also just replaced solenoid thinking that might be the problem. Still nothing!! Can you please offer a little advice on where to go from here. Thank you,

Jim, My machine (about a 1993 Snapper SR928) conventional rider stopped and never re-engaged after my foot sliiped off the combo clutch-brake. My clutch and pressure plate are making good contact. Appears I may have a chain or bind of some sort in the drive train, gear box, or other. I removed the entire back assembly in one piece - whats the best test to make to pinpoint the issue. Thanks again for sharing your craft - as I will be viewing these exact videos as I progress - Respectfully Steve

When you replace the nylon washer you want the lip facing out right? I just took mine apart and they had the lip facing in which I'm guessing is backwards.

What is the part number for the commercial gear for the 8 threaded gear

Do you know what part would cause wear to drive housing

Jim, I have rebuilt mine with new components. However after assembling the differential it will only spin 180 degrees then lock up. Any clue why?

JIM I have been following your videos for some time and fine them very helpful. I have 3 snappers(One in Miami the other two in Georgia). Just experienced a problem with the one in Georgia. The mower runs but every couple of seconds the mower has a metallic clunk. Everything checks out now play in the axles. Sounds like the chain case has a problem could be a chain or worn sprocket. Any time ideas?

Hi Jim this is Harold from Tennessee I purchased a 2007 model rear engine Drive Snapper Mower with a blown motor I am looking for a new motor to purchase it is a 13 horsepower Briggs & Stratton could you recommend a company or a dealer with a good background and a reasonable price thank you so much Jim Harold

Hi Jim, I am curious if you have any words of caution for what I am thinking of trying to do. I have a RER SR140 (12.5 hp, 33 inch). The big gear in the transaxle developed a knifes edge and two of the teeth broke. Also I see that the inside of the transaxle cover has a significant groove due to the chain rubbing against it as a result of side slop. (all things you talk about but that I did not realize until watching your videos). I found an earlier version 33 inch Snapper (model 3312X6S, has the bicycle handlebar) for a parts mower. I hope I can swap the right fender with the transaxle and axle in place (would reuse my original chaincase) onto my original machine (I have looked a the parts diagrams of the two machines and it looks like the axles and hex tube all have the same parts numbers) Any cautions or suggestions would be appreicated.

The reason they use the cone shaped wasers with the 0 rings so they don't flatten the 0 rings and cause leak.

where do you get your parts for these things

I’m trying to figure out how to get the four bolts out

hey jim,i am having problems ordering parts for my old snapper rider,i found the original decal from mc donough power equipment in ga., i called them and their no longer there.there is no tag on the frame,only a decal that reads serial #538033 model #307x.307x does not come up at parts tree when i called them.i think it was bought around 1970,it was my dads mower.do these new parts inter change change with the old snapper riders.its a 30 inch cut with a 8 hp motor.i took the drivetrain apart and the gear that goes into the planitary gears is seperate from the hex shaft.meaning the gear and hex shaft are 2 different pieces.i need to know the what series to order for parts.also who makes the seal for the left side that goes in the outside axel boot.THANX FOR YOUR VIDIOS ,hope you can help!

Where did you get torqe specs and parts

My planetary on my snapper isn’t working and I wondered if you had any ideas, thanks

I'm having issues with my SR1433. I got it running and I started working on the drivetrain next and it's kicking really hard and I guess a gear is missing a few teeth because it stops and starts moving.

Anyone have the part number for the gear that supports the 8 planitary gears ?

So, I’m mowing with my snapper and it quit running, now it will only run with the clutch /brake pushed in. Why does it die e every time I let off the clutch? It will run as long as the clutch is in… help!

crap... i didn't use locktite hate to tare it apart now and lose my gasket.. but i guess i will

I need your email can you send it to me or list it here