Snapper RE130 Review
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Editor Rating - 8.5/10
8.5/10
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Customer Rating - 8.3/10
8.3/10
Summary
The newly designed Snapper RE130 is a premium rear engine riding mower, and it’s one of the nicest models you will find in this category. The high quality does not come cheap however as it is one of the more expensive models as well. It features a very wide 33” cutting deck with Snapper’s patented Hi-Vac system to keep air moving upwards through deck and out the chute. This air flow allows for perfectly even cuts every time - even when the grass is long. The deck is also highly customizable with 6 different preset height settings and an easy to use lever to engage the blades. These features combined with its smooth handling and comfortable seating make this one of the best rear engine riding mowers available today.
Pros:
- Wide 33” mowing deck to cover area quickly
- Briggs and Stratton 12.5 Horsepower Overhead Valve Engine
- Disc Drive transmission for easy speed changes
- Capable of mowing in reverse
- Seat is comfortable and provides enough support without being restricting
Cons:
- Bigger size means wider turning radius
- Not good for lawns with many sharp turns or obstacles
- Changing gears with the clutch was jerky
- Turning takes more force due to the mower’s heavy weight
- Many users have reported mechanical problems
Performance:
After a brief testing cycle, we found the Snapper RE130 to be an efficient mower that is best suitable for lawns around an acre and up to two acres. Its large 33” mowing deck with Hi-Vac worked well to cut grass cleanly and evenly throughout the lawn. The wide cutting path combined with the powerful Briggs and Stratton engine allowed for quicker mowing times than comparable rear engine mowers. The few downsides we noticed included difficult steering due to the mower’s heavy-weight and wide turning radius. We also felt that the disc drive transmission was a little jerky when changing speeds.
Final Thoughts:
Even though our tests revealed very little wrong with the Snapper RE130, we have found a plethora of negative comments online regarding this specific model. Several users have reported faulty mowers that completely fail shortly after purchase, and many have even complained about Snapper’s failure to address their issues. While some individuals write about their total engine failures, others discuss broken safety switches and brake knobs. For these reasons, we suggest that you purchase this mower cautiously at your own discretion. If you feel purchasing the RE130 is too much a liability, we highly suggest you look at other riding mowers in this price range.