One of the world’s most popular residential lawn care and snow removal equipment manufacturers, Snapper, Inc. was founded in 1894. Back then, it was called Southern Saw Works. In half a century the company was purchased by William Raymond Smith. It was he who changed the company’s specialization. His most famous invention is the “Snappin’ Turtle”.
Your lawnmower won t start, and you’re looking for expert advice? Below you will find a reliable repair guide that will help you to fix the lawnmower that is not starting, is cutting the grass poorly, or is not working at all. Some of the problems can be resolved in less than an hour.
Snapper ELT145H33GBV Safety lawn mower troubleshooting
The Snapper ELT145H33GBV Safety is a model of lawnmower equipped with a hydrostatic drive. The model utilizes a Briggs & Stratton Engine. It offers several individual adjustments (engine adjustments, mower deck and blade brake adjustment, blade belt adjustment, deck level adjustment etc.).
| PROBLEM | PROBABLE CAUSE | CORRECTIVE ACTION |
|---|---|---|
| Starter Will Not Crank Engine | 1. Battery dead. | 1. Service battery. |
| 2. Blown fuse. | 2. Replace fuse. | |
| 3. Electrical connections loose or corroded. | 3. Clean and check connections for good contact. | |
| 4. Defective ignition switch. | 4. Contact authorized SNAPPER dealer. | |
| 5. Starter Spins without engaging. | 5. Release Start key and repeat attempt. If starter continues to spin contact Engine Dealer. | |
| Engine Will Not Start | 1. Blade engagement switch in the “ON" position. | 1. Move blade engagement switch to “OFF”. |
| 2. Park brake not set. | 2. Set park brake. | |
| 3. Fuel tank empty. | 3. Fill fuel tank with fresh fuel. | |
| 4. Engine needs choking. | 4. Move engine speed control to “CHOKE". | |
| 5. Spark plug wire disconnected. | 5. Place spark plug wire onto spark plug. | |
| 6. Battery weak or dead. | 6. Service battery. | |
| 7. Faulty interlock switch. | 7. Contact authorized SNAPPER dealer. | |
| Engine Stalls After Running | 1. Operator not in seat. | 1. Sit in operator’s seat. |
| 2. Engine speed control in the “CHOKE" position. | 2. Move engine speed control to “FAST". | |
| 3. Fuel tank empty. | 3. Fill with fuel to proper level. | |
| 4. Engine air pre-cleaner and or air cleaner dirty. | 4. Clean free of all debris. | |
| 5. Spark plug defective or gap set improperly. | 5. Service spark plug. | |
| 6. Fuel filter stopped up. | 6. Replace fuel filter. | |
| 7. Water, debris or stale fuel in fuel system. | 7. Drain and clean fuel system. | |
| Engine Loses Power | 1. Excessive load on engine. | 1. Lessen load by slowing ground speed. |
| 2. Engine air pre-cleaner or air cleaner dirty. | 2. Clean or replace filters. | |
| 3. Engine oil level low. | 3. Fill with engine oil to proper level. | |
| 4. Engine cooling fins and air screens excessively dirty. | 4. Clean free of all debris. | |
| 5. Spark plug faulty. | 5. Service spark plug. | |
| 6. Water, debris or stale fuel in fuel system. | 6. Drain and clean fuel system. | |
| Engine Backfires When Turned To “STOP” | 1. Engine speed control set too “FAST". | 1. Set engine speed control to “SLOW" and allow engine to idle. Then, turn key to “OFF". |
| Excessive Vibration | 1. Damaged or bent mower blades. | 1. Service mower blade(s). |
| 2. Loose blade components. | 2. Service and tighten loose parts. | |
| 3. Loose or missing air lift (if equipped). | 3. Replace air lifts. Tighten to proper torque. | |
| Tractor Will Not Move Or Loss Of Traction | 1. Speed control handle in the neutral “N" position. | 1. Place speed control in desired speed. |
| 2. Roll release control in “ROLL" position. (Hydro Models Only) | 2. Move roll release control to the engaged position. | |
| 3. Low transmission oil level. (Hydro Models Only) | 3.Contact authorized Snapper dealer. | |
| 4. Shifter out of adjustment. | 4. Adjust shifter. | |
| 5. Traction drive belt requires adjustment. | 5. Adjust traction drive belt. | |
| 6. Traction drive belt requires replacement. | 6. Replace traction drive belt. | |
| Blade(s) Not Turning | 1. Blade engagement switch in the “OFF" position. | 1. Move switch to the “ON" position. |
| 2. Blade belt requires adjustment. | 2. Adjust mower belt. | |
| 3. Blade belt requires replacement. | 3. Replace mower belt. | |
| 4. Electric clutch not functioning. | 4. Contact authorized SNAPPER dealer. | |
| Cutting Grass Improperly | 1. Uneven tire pressure. | 1. Bring to proper pressure. |
| 2. Cutting height too low or high. | 2. Adjust cutting height. | |
| 3. Engine speed too slow. | 3. Move engine speed control to “FAST". | |
| 4. Forward speed too fast. | 4. Move speed control to a slower speed. | |
| 5. Deck side to side level requires adjustment. | 5. Adjust side to side level. | |
| 6. Deck front to rear level requires adjustment. | 6. Adjust front to rear level. | |
| 7. Cutting Blade dull or damaged. | 7. Sharpen cutting edges or replace blade. | |
| 8. Blade belt requires replacement. | 8. Replace blade belt. | |
| 9. Blade belt slipping. | 9. Replace blade belt. | |
| Poor Grass Discharge | 1. Engine speed too slow. | 1. Move engine speed control to “FAST". |
| 2. Forward speed too fast. | 2. Move speed control to a slower speed. | |
| 3. Grass is wet. | 3. Mow when grass is dry. | |
| 4. Excessively worn or damaged blade(s). | 4. Service mower blade(s). | |
| 5. Build up of grass clippings and debris under deck. | 5. Clean deck. | |
| 6. Improper blade(s) installed on deck. | 6. Install proper SNAPPER blades. | |
| 7. Blade(s) installed improperly on deck. | 7. Install blades properly. | |
| Battery Will Not Charge | 1. Poor cable connections. | 1. Clean cables and battery terminals. |
| 2. Bad battery cell(s). | 2. Replace with new battery. | |
| 3. Faulty alternator. | 3. Contact engine manufacturer’s dealer. | |
| Oil Leaking From Transmission | 1. Loose or missing oil filler cap on transmission. | 1. Check oil level and re-install oil cap. |
| 2. Leaking axle seats. | 2. Contact authorized SNAPPER dealer. | |
| 3. Leaking at casing seal. | 3. Contact authorized SNAPPER dealer. |
Snapper EMRP216015B Safety lawn mower troubleshooting
The EMRP216015B Safety belongs to the 15 Series of lawnmowers manufactured by the US company Snapper. It boasts a 21″ steel deck and a Briggs & Stratton engine. The type of engine may vary, including 5.0 HP and 6.0 HP models. If the lawnmower is experiencing an issue, refer to the troubleshooting table below.
| PROBLEM | PROBABLE CAUSE | CORRECTIVE ACTION |
|---|---|---|
| Engine Will Not StartUsing Recoil Starter | 1. Fuel tank empty. | 1. Fill fuel tank with fresh fuel. |
| 2. Engine needs choking or priming. | 2.Choke/Prime. Check Engine Manual for Instructions. | |
| 3. Spark plug wire disconnected. | 3. Place spark plug wire onto spark plug. | |
| Engine Stalls or Stops After Running | 1. Blade control is released or is not being held securely against handle. | 1. Blade control should be held securely against handle at all times during operation of mower. |
| 2. Choke control in the "CHOKE" position. | 2. Move choke control to “OFF" position. | |
| 3. Fuel tank empty. | 3. Fill with fuel to proper level. | |
| 4. Engine air pre-cleaner and or air cleaner dirty. | 4. Clean free of all debris. | |
| 5. Spark plug defective or gap set improperly. | 5. Service spark plug. | |
| 6. Water, debris or stale fuel in fuel system. | 6. Drain and clean fuel system. | |
| Engine Loses Power | 1. Engine air pre-cleaner or air cleaner dirty | 1. Clean or replace filters. |
| 2. Spark pluq faulty. | 2. Service spark pluq. | |
| 3. Water, debris or stale fuel in fuel system. | 3. Drain and clean fuel system. | |
| Excessive Vibration | 1. Damaged, out of balance or bent mower blade. | 1. Service mower blade. |
| 2. Loose blade components. | 2. Service and tighten loose parts. | |
| 3. Loose or missing air lift (if equipped). | 3. Replace air lifts. Tighten to proper torque. | |
| 4. Lumpy or frayed belt | 4. Replace belt. | |
| 5. Bent Idler pulley | 5. Replace pulley. | |
| Mower Will Not Move Loss Of Traction (Self-Propelled Models) | 1. Damaqed transmission | 1. Contact authorized SNAPPER dealer. |
| 2. Enqine drive belt broken requires replacement | 2. Replace enqine drive belt. | |
| 3. Engine drive belt has jumped off of the pulley | 3. Reinstall belt onto pulley. Check for damage. | |
| 4. Polv V belt is broken. | 4. Replace Polv-V belt. | |
| 5. Polv V belt has jumped off of the pulley | 5. Reinstall belt onto pullev. Check for damaqe. | |
| 6. Driven disc slipping | 6. Clean or replace driven disc. | |
| 7. Broken or loose differential link bolt | 7. Tighten or replace link bolt. | |
| Cutting Grass Improperly | 1. Cutting height too low or high. | 1. Adjust cutting height. |
| 2. Engine speed too slow. | 2. Move engine speed control to “FAST" position. | |
| 3. Forward ground speed too fast. | 3. Move ground speed control to a slower speed. | |
| 4. Terraced cut. side to side. | 4. Adjust height of cut with height adjust levers. | |
| 5. Excessive deck pitch, front to rear. | 5. Adjust height of cut with height adjust levers. | |
| 6. Cutting blade dull or damaged. | 6. Sharpen cutting edges or replace blade. | |
| Poor Grass Discharge | 1. Engine speed too slow. | 1. Move engine speed control to “FAST" position. |
| 2. Forward speed too fast. | 2. Move ground speed control to a slower speed. | |
| 3. Grass is wet. | 3. Mow when grass is dry. | |
| 4. Excessively worn or damaged blade. | 4. Service mower blade. | |
| 5. Build up of grass clippings and debris under deck. | 5. Clean deck. | |
| 6. Improper blade installed on deck. | 6. Install proper SNAPPER blade. | |
| 7. Blade installed improperly on deck. | 7. Install blade properly. | |
| Oil Leaking | 1. Leaking engine case. | 1. Contact authorized SNAPPER dealer. |
| 2. Check and tighten drain plug. | ||
| 3. Make sure dip stick or oil filler cap is securely in place. |
Snapper Legacy XL 2000 lawn mower troubleshooting
One of the most successful models of the US lawnmower manufacturer Snapper, the Legacy XL 2000 is a 46″ single stage snowthrower. Although it is considered rather reliable, this snowthrower can grow prone to malfunctions in the course of time. If an issue occurs, use the troubleshooting advice below to fix the equipment.
| PROBLEM | POSSIBLE | CORRECTIVE |
|---|---|---|
| CAUSE | ACTION | |
| Blower does not | PTO Selector in wrong position. | Put selector in forward position. |
| Blower does not lift | Hydraulics Selector in wrong position. | Switch to forward position. |
| Auger does not rotate. | Broken shear bolt. | Replace shear bolt. |
| Faulty auger gearbox. | See your dealer. | |
| Snowthrower vibrates excessively. | Faulty bearings (gearbox, auger or discharge fan). | See your dealer. |
| Auger or discharge fan bent or broken. | See your dealer. | |
| Faulty auger gearbox. | See your dealer. | |
| Uneven cut on bottom of blower. | Scraper bar is worn back to blower housing. | Replace or reverse scraper bar. |
| Uneven cut on bottom of blower. | Skid shoes out of adjustment. | Check and adjust shoes accordingly. |
| Discharge chute does not rotate. | Discharge chute not lubricated. | Lubricate discharge chute. |
| Something is caught in discharge fan. | Inspect and remove foreign material with engine off and all motion stopped. |
|
| Electric Motor defective. | See your dealer. |