In-depth review of the Snapper SP80, 21 inch Self-Propelled Gas Lawn Mower
A company accredited with the invention of the first ever self-propelled rotary lawn mower, Snapper has always been a renowned name in Lawn Care. The Snapper SP80, 21 inch self-propelled gas mower is one of its finest lawn mowers, combining excellent power with performance and durability. Well-suited for bumpy terrains, its easy-to-start 163cc engine and strategically inclined wheels (8” front and 11” rear) offer terrific maneuverability. Just steer the machine using the easy-grip handle, and not to forget the 6-height variation that you can play with, to achieve the grass-cutting finesse of a professional!
Let’s have a closer look at this stunning model and check its overall performance.
Snapper 21" Self Propelled Gas Mower with Side Discharge, Mulching, Rear Bag and Rear High Wheel
Amazon.com Ease of Use
Weighed at 78 pounds, the Snapper SP80, 21 inch self-propelled gas mower is definitely on the lighter side of most branded self propelled mowers available in the market today. As expected, I also found it to be extremely compact, with approximate dimensions of 39 x24 x 17 inches. No strenuous efforts required for assembling it either, given the simple design. Just affix the handle, bagger, fill in oil and gas, and you’re all set to go. I can tell you for a fact that this self-propelled model from Snapper is one of the easiest to start, with just one or two gentle pulls. Seriously, no crazy yanking like half the beasts out there! Even the handle is flexible enough to be adjusted to suit people of short, medium and tall heights. However, the biggest advantage of using this front wheel drive mower is that the toughest slopes become easy to scale with it. The 8” front wheels and 11” rear wheels are perfectly in sync to take over rough, uneven terrains and even damp patches quite adeptly. Here, let me warn you that the machine does tend to get wobbly if the grass is too wet. So you ought to be careful not to use it too much over damp grass, unless it’s really urgent!
Cut Quality
If you mow your lawn regularly and your grass is well-kept, a single mowing spree would suffice. But for very tall grass above 7”, thick variants, dense weed coverage etc, at least two passes are required to get that perfect finish. The 21” cutting deck is made of solid steel and the dual-blades are well-designed, ensuring a clean straight cut. The result is obvious- healthy grass and an impeccable lawn! But there’s a slight glitch as far as the ‘bagging part’ is concerned. Many a times I’ve noticed that the grass clippings are not being wholly collected in the bag, and tend to litter around the mower path quite haphazardly. So it’s best that you don’t choose to bag, and go for mulching instead. That’s healthier for your lawn, and a less strenuous activity for you. Another option would be to purchase a blowing attachment, in case you’re not keen on mulching.
Height Adjustment
There are a total of 6 different height settings that you can pick from, using a set of two levers that work in conjunction with each other. Now honestly, I’d have preferred a single-lever for complete ease of use, but it’s not very difficult to get used to the dual levers either. Also, the best part is that the height range is quite wide, ranging from 1.25” to 3.75”. So you can chose to make deep cuts when required, and restrict yourself to about 2” when the grass is not at its prime!
Motor Power
Briggs and Stratton lives up to its name, delivering a never-say-die performance in case of the Snapper SP80, 21 inch self-propelled gas mower . This 4-stroke, OHV engine works at a displacement of 163cc and hails from the 725exi series from Briggs and Stratton, exuding power of 6.5HP. You should know that self-propelled mowers are amongst the noisiest of all categories, but this dream mower from Snapper emanates minimal noise and vibration. I’m quite impressed with this mower’s effortless ascent over tough slopes and restrained descent while going downhill (when most mowers run the risk of toppling over), and all of the credit goes to the fabulous engine. Don’t forget to use the entire bottle of engine oil that comes along!
Maintenance
At the very outset, let me warn you that opting for a self-propelled mower automatically means that you’ll have to put in a lot more time and efforts towards its maintenance, as opposed to push mowers. But still, the Snapper SP80 Mower is one of the ‘easiest-to-maintain’ models, as compared to most of its counterparts in the same category and price-range. With the convenient Deck Washout Port, you don’t have to fret about cleaning the mower. Just grab a garden hose and get going! Similarly, there’s no clumsy oil changing process; you simply need to pour in more when you see the level dwindling. All said and done, Snapper offers a generous 3 years-warranty for this mower, and even crucial spare parts like the 21” cutting blade, the 8” front wheel replacement and 11” rear wheel are sold on Walmart real cheap. Should you be lacking proper storage space next to your yard, I’d suggest you also get the Universal Walk-Behind Lawn Mower Cover from e.g. Walmart as an add-on. It’s inexpensive, keeps your mower well-protected from harsh environmental conditions and spikes up the durability factor for sure!
Cost Effectiveness
As I’ve mentioned earlier, the Snapper SP80, 21 inch self-propelled gas mower comes pre-equipped with a mulch plug, bagger and side discharge attachment. The 4-stroke, OHV Engine is also fuel-efficient, doesn’t overheat and is therefore expected to last much longer than cheap knockoffs. Just so you know, Snapper has provided an exclusive ‘Starting Promise’ on this mower. This implies, that if it doesn’t start within 2 pulls, you can easily call a certified technician to come home and get it rectified free of cost! Plus you get a bottle of engine oil free of cost along with the mower, which easily lasts for a couple of months! The only area where I felt I was investing unnecessarily was when I had to buy a separate blowing attachment, since the in-built side discharge mechanism is not very effective in case of this self-propelled mower.
