Snapper (21") 190cc Commercial Ninja Self-Propelled Mulching Lawn Mower

This is the 4th Snapper I have owned and the review for this commercial model is after one season's use. Overall, I have praise for this mower and B&S engine. No problems were encountered over the entire season. The engine always starts with "one pull.." Great! However, there is one annoyance and I one initial set up problem.

The mower arrives in a large box with the hardware in a bag. The bag had broken during shipment and the hardware was scattered. Someone decided (Snapper must assume the owner is a "commercial user" with good tool box and air tools) that self-tapping Torx screws (1/4-20) would be best for mounting the console rather than Phillips or hex head.

One of these was missing and another could not be installed because the hole in the handle was too small. I had to replacement them both with hex head so I could apply enough torque to "self" tap the holes. Why not tap them for the customer? I assume they wanted to be sure they were "tight"... and yes they were!

A real annoyance is the interference between the oil filler cap and the starter rope. The rope runs directly OVER the top of the oil filler cap/stick. So every time the oil is checked, the owner must use both hands... one to move the rope out of the way to avoid wiping oil off the dip stick with the rope! Poor design. B&S not talking to Snapper er vice versa.

Another annoyance is oil replacement. No drain plug in the bottom which means it is nearly impossible to drain ALL the old oil out by just "tipping it over.. " not to mention the physical problem of doing this. The solution is buying a pump to remove it which works but just another expense. I think engine mfgs quit putting plugs in bottom for some reason.

The mower's guard on the rear will "drag" and try to fold-back under the frame IF the cutting height adjustment is not set high (above 4). it is not suppose to do this the way it was designed but it does on mine.

The mower's frame is very rigid especially with the extra bracing on the handles. This is good for but you will feel every bump in your yard.

The engine has a lot torque and it will cut and mulch the high grass but works best only when dry other wise the deck will fill in with cut grass.

I never did like the wheels on a Snapper. They are too narrow so they don't distribute out the weight and smash down the grass.. Even more noticeable on this mower because it is heavier. Not bad.. just noticeable but since it is rated "Commercial" this is probably not much of a concern. I really like the "cast" decks on the early Snappers as they were "light in weight.." but guess safety and cost required the change to heavier steel.

Be sure to change the oil after the first 4-5 hours. Engine will "use some oil" and it will be dirty after break-in. After that, very little oil was needed during the season to top it off. 3rd party filters are available at lower cost. The B&S filters were not available from my local supplier.

This is the 4th Snapper I have owned and the review for this commercial model is after one season's use. Overall, I have praise for this mower and B&S engine. No problems were encountered over the entire season. The engine always starts with "one pull.." Great! However, there is one annoyance and I one initial set up problem.

The mower arrives in a large box with the hardware in a bag. The bag had broken during shipment and the hardware was scattered. Someone decided... more

I bought this lawnmower because it said it was Commercial grade.... I got it on a Wednesday after waiting for delivery guy to drop it off since Monday. I put it together, and checked and filled the oil.

We to do yards on that Friday I got 1 yard done and then started on the second and the motor busted. Talking about pissed.... long story short I think snapper is crap now. Nothing like it was when I was growing up. It's a 800 dollar price of junk.

I love the mower, and it does a good job, but twice the engine died due to plastic camshaft.

I was 24 when I bought my first mower in 1989. I wanted the Snapper Hi-Vac Self-Propelled with 5.0 hp BS engine, but could only afford the 3.5 hp push model. Many years later, I replaced the engine with a 5.0 hp BS commercial engine, but it was so heavy to push without assist.

Spring forward to 2016, and I just took delivery of this Snapper Commercial Ninja. Wife and I assembled it yesterday. Instructions were a little confusing because the diagrams aren't very clear, and the parts list doesn't match this model exactly.

I mowed our new yard this afternoon. We have a very difficult back yard, with two terraces that are really too steep to mow, and lots of trees and bushes to get around.

After filling with gas, this mower started on 3rd pull and ran perfect in even the most difficult cross-hill and hill climbing conditions. The steel wheels and rubber tires are worth every penny when you are mowing in hilly conditions. Plastic tire/wheels would have just spun in the grass. This mower will climb up a hill that I have a hard time walking up. (Yes - I know I violated about every safety rule on mowing.)

The lack of a throttle on the engine was a little concerning at first, but I quickly forgot I didn't have one. The slowest ground speed on the self-propelled feature worked great for difficult conditions.

This mower is big and heavy and not always easy to move around. But after I learned how to use the self-propelled differential to assist in corners, and how to use it as a brake when the mower was wanting to come back down the hill, it was much easier. Like a big, strong horse, this machine is built to work and does it with ease.

I was 24 when I bought my first mower in 1989. I wanted the Snapper Hi-Vac Self-Propelled with 5.0 hp BS engine, but could only afford the 3.5 hp push model. Many years later, I replaced the engine with a 5.0 hp BS commercial engine, but it was so heavy to push without assist.

Spring forward to 2016, and I just took delivery of this Snapper Commercial Ninja. Wife and I assembled it yesterday. Instructions were a little confusing because the diagrams aren't very clear, and the parts list... more

Seriously! This is the best mower I've ever owned! It has the most power and the most torque of any mower I've ever owned - including Snappers. And I've used Snappers for the last 20 or so years. This thing cuts through anything and doesn't miss a beat. I have hills in my yard and sometimes the grass gets rather high. No problem for this mower!

The only thing that caught me by surprise is the fact that it does not have a throttle control. This took me a bit to get used to, but I love it. It runs flat out all the time, which is what I really need it to do.

The starting system works great - no setting choke, no pushing little primer bulbs. Just pull the rope and it starts - hot or cold. Couldn't ask for more. And it is good on gas too. I can trim my whole yard on one tank, and I have almost two acres! Runs great! This thing should last me many years!

Seriously! This is the best mower I've ever owned! It has the most power and the most torque of any mower I've ever owned - including Snappers. And I've used Snappers for the last 20 or so years. This thing cuts through anything and doesn't miss a beat. I have hills in my yard and sometimes the grass gets rather high. No problem for this mower!

The only thing that caught me by surprise is the fact that it does not have a throttle control. This took me a bit to get used to, but I love... more

I have owned three different Snappers, an NXT, a Hi Vac and now the Ninja Commercial. If Snapper could combine the plus side of all three machines they would have a Super Mower.

My only complaint about the Ninja Commercial is that it takes five or more pulls to start once the machine has been in use and allowed to sit for more than a few minutes. If I stop the machine to refuel it starts right up again. If I stop to take ten it gives me difficulty. Other than that the mower is great.

The ninja blade chops the grass into small pieces while the disc drive allows me to walk beside the mower if necessary with no real effort from me to propel it unlike the so called personal pace drive systems as are found on the NXT model. The power of the engine makes cutting most high grass easy.

The reader should know I live in Florida where the grass grows by the hour. Mowing weekly isn't enough if you want to remove only 1/3 of the blade so my mower gets quite a work out. Finally, rear axle allows me to spin the owner easily without digging into the grass or using up my energy which the sun and heat down here do nicely on their own. I would recommend this mower strongly.

I have owned three different Snappers, an NXT, a Hi Vac and now the Ninja Commercial. If Snapper could combine the plus side of all three machines they would have a Super Mower.

My only complaint about the Ninja Commercial is that it takes five or more pulls to start once the machine has been in use and allowed to sit for more than a few minutes. If I stop the machine to refuel it starts right up again. If I stop to take ten it gives me difficulty. Other than that the mower is great.
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The mower is running at full blast all the time sounds like it will blow up at any time. The speed control that is supposed to be load sensitive does not work and Snapper will not respond to my emails. I bought this because I had two before and love the drive system but now I wonder about my wisdom.

I purchased the Snapper Commercial after receiving the Snapper Ninja which did not have engine throttle control as pictured on the Mowers Direct website. This mower was returned. Much to my surprise, the commercial model also did not have throttle control. As a result, the Commercial model was also returned. With a price tag of $720, you would expect to receive what is advertised.

much the same it's been for years, the best drive system out there for ease of use & durability , except for the engage cable that breaks often, needs re-engineering. the out-ward curl on deck bottom is a good improvement, rather than inward which built up more crud underneath & made cleaning it out harder.

The plastic thumb screws on the chute opening are a joke, busted first time you get close to a fence, curb, or tree. I have both the Honda & Briggs engines. The Briggs is better on longer grass. Doesn't bog down as much as the Honda. I'm a landscaper for 25 years & snapper is best choice in 21" mowers.

much the same it's been for years, the best drive system out there for ease of use & durability , except for the engage cable that breaks often, needs re-engineering. the out-ward curl on deck bottom is a good improvement, rather than inward which built up more crud underneath & made cleaning it out harder.

The plastic thumb screws on the chute opening are a joke, busted first time you get close to a fence, curb, or tree. I have both the Honda & Briggs engines. The Briggs is... more

I ordered it because it and its sibling (the sibling is setup for bagging this one is setup for mulching) were the only ones I could find with non-plastic wheels. Every other push mower I could find anything to read about (no matter how deluxe and/or expensive) seems to sport plastic wheels -- which was a point of failure on our last mower.

It arrived quickly, in perfect condition and was easy to assemble. It started on the first easy pull, and has started on the first pull each time since.

Even though heavier than our last mower, it free-wheel pushes far more easily. Probably because of the ball bearings in the wheels, and the fact the drive mechanism thoroughly disengages when not wanted.

Speaking of that drive mechanism, the complete and easy engage-disengage is a pleasure to work with. The variable speed is a pleasure to work with also, and the speed range (from max slow to max fast) is perfect. I also find I like rear wheel drive better, as compared to our old mower's front drive.

I also very much like the fact I was able to order a mulching-mower designed as such, and not have to modify one as otherwise setup for bagging, nor have an unwanted bag and accessories to store and/or throw away.

All in all, this thing is a beaut! Quality is better than first rate. You feel good operating it, like you're driving an Audi or a BMW, as opposed to a 1970s-quality Chevrolet. Really, it sparkles quality through and through. I love it.

I ordered it because it and its sibling (the sibling is setup for bagging this one is setup for mulching) were the only ones I could find with non-plastic wheels. Every other push mower I could find anything to read about (no matter how deluxe and/or expensive) seems to sport plastic wheels -- which was a point of failure on our last mower.

It arrived quickly, in perfect condition and was easy to assemble. It started on the first easy pull, and has started on the first pull each time... more

I ordered it last Thursday, and it arrived on Friday. 20 hrs after ordering it. I was shocked. I put it together and have used it a couple times now, I cut lawns. It's got awesome power, 8.5 hp with a screw-on oil filter. This is the little mower I have always wanted. Fair price, tough unit.