You might want to consider buying a used Snapper and saving a ton of money.

I never heard of the Coronet knock-off of the Snapper; where did you find one. I DO know that the Snapper is an excellent piece of equipment, and would have to save a bunch of money to even consider a clone.

The Coronet is a Simplicity product.

Simplicity, or Briggs and Straton owns Snapper.

Here is a link that might be useful: Simplicity Coronet

I guess Simplicity/Briggs puts a Snapper decal on the Coronet model and sells it as the Snapper RE 200...

I have a 2 year old Snapper RER. Free of problems. The Coronet has one feature that mine doesn't - a 12 inch turn radius versus 26 - but I think newer Snappers fixed that. My Snapper was about $1,000 or more less than the Coronet. The best thing about my Snapper is its simplicity, as in simple. If the Coronet has a PTO, potential problems and more maintenance that I could probably not do.

I had a older freebie Snapper RER breifly- the 11hp motor still ran on it altho the rest of it had nearly rotted away. The chassis was worth saving- the deck wasnt. Ironically i had a replacement deck for it but gave it away before getting the tractor- since i didnt have room for the chassis- i junked it after stripping it. It wasnt a longevity issue- it was a lack of maintence/neglect( was left outside for quite a few years).

Here is a link that might be useful: Modified lawntractors

Rear engine riders are a throw back from the 70s and 80s. I've owned several and there is basically no advantage to them. Get a good hydro lawn tractor type mower or even a zero turn and you will save yourself much time mowing.

Beagle,

Back to your original questions. The hydro tranny on my two year old (60 hours) Coronet has been trouble free and very convenient to operate. Also, the electric PTO has operated without any problems whatsoever.

Allow me to add a bit. I had a previous Coronet for 6 years and 185 hours on the clock. (30", 9HP, gear tranny). Although absolutely trouble-free (including the PTO), I traded it on a new one in the spring of 2006...simply because I wanted the hydro tranny model. The "new" Coronet is the 30", 13HP, hydro model. As mentioned above, this machine has been without ANY problems in its 60 hours of use.

Now, RER vs. tractor? I like the Coronet over any available tractor for the 30" compactness, and especially for the very tight turning radius...not to be found on any tractor I'm familiar with.

Simplicity has perfected the Coronet to the degree that changes year to year are almost non-existent. In fact, the twin bagger from the old machine (as well as the dethatcher) fit perfectly on the 2006 model. They have increased the HP, but not much else (except some required "safety" switches) has been changed for a long time.

For what it's worth.....best of luck with your final choice.

Hal

Beagle,

For what it's worth, I have a faulty memory (among other things). ~grin~

Just checked my maintenance records. I had that last Coronet for 9 years, not 6, and it had 237 hours on the clock when I traded it.

One other thing I appreciate about the 30" Coronet that I failed to mention....the single blade.

Hal

I want to thank everyone on this forum who responded to my question on buying a small Snapper/Coronet. I bought the small 28" Hi-Vac with the Ninja blade/mulch kit. My property is only around 75x125 feet, so the mower should be okay for that. Thanks again guys for your help...

Beagle-1,

Thanks for letting us know your final decision. For your use, you done good! ~grin~

Spring is nearing, birds are chirping, and Old Man Winter is losing his grip. Seat time is not that far away! ENJOY!

Hal

One thing to remember: DO NOT start out from a dead stop, heading up hill, with a full grass bag on the back! And, ALWAYS start out in low gear!
The first warning, if not heeded, may necessitate the changing of one's drawers, because you'll think you are on the back of a bucking bronco!
The second warning will excite you, too, but not to the extent of the first one! And, its hard on the gears, to boot!
Ask me how i know this bit of info!

Would anyone know if it is okay to tie or wire down the reverse mowing switch and just leave it tied down all the time. It is the small rocker type lever on the right side near the base of the shift lever on the snapper?

beagle-1,

See...you ignored my advice to buy the Coronet, and now you have to ask this question!! On the Coronet, one touch of the "mow-in-reverse" switch lights a lamp and you're good to go (forward or reverse) until you shut off the machine. (sorry beagle...I couldn't resist that!) ~grin~

Sorry, too, that I can't answer your question about that Snapper. I'm sure someone on here will have the answer. Best wishes with your Snapper. I just had to "tweak" you a little. haha!

Seat time will be coming soon. Our robins were back as of Monday morning (3/3). Woohoo!

Hal in Pa

Hercules, I almost bought the Coronet/Snapper RE200. It was sitting next to the Snapper. It sits a little higher and was a little wider (30" verses 28"). But the Coronet was about $600 more than the Snapper. Being that I'm a cheap "old fart" (going on 68), I went with the Snapper. The Coronet is a nice looking mower and has a lot of nice features that I liked. Thanks for your help. I'm looking for the first robin here in Indiana...

Beagle,

Have no fear...you bought a good machine. I know the Coronet is not cheap. I could have bought a Simplicity Regent for the same money, but it just wasn't what I wanted or needed.

I love machinery! I worked my way through college while working in a small engine sales and service shop...maintenance, as well as total engine rebuilds on both 2 and 4 cycle units. When you're having fun, it's not work. BTW, my 68th is coming up, too! "Old farts"?? I don't think so. My father-in-law is an old fart!

Anyway, after all this baloney (grin), enjoy your new Snapper. It should last you as long as you want it to, and your Indiana robins should be hopping around your lawn soon. Seat time follows before long.

Have a great summer...I'm outta here now!

Regards,
Hal in (presently stormy) PA