Briggs and Stratton discontinuing Snapper and Simplicity for North American market

[RandyT]

Briggs has announced they have shutdown the production of Snapper and Simplicity products for the North American Market. And will concentrate on the Ferris market.

Briggs & Stratton to Discontinue Simplicity and Snapper Tractors, Zero-Turns in North America

In addition to tractors, Briggs & Stratton will also discontinue production of its remaining four series of Simplicity and Snapper zero-turns.

www.rurallifestyledealer.com

 

[oldnslo]

Well that is surprising, wonder if can’t compete with “box” store units.

 

[RandyT]

Well that is surprising, wonder if can’t compete with “box” store units.

maybe part of the issue with the cheap chinese mowers being sold at the box stores. Snapper has been made on and off by MTD, Husqvarna, and other companies over the last few years and sold through Walmart, along with Murray.. The other thing is the battery mower market on the homeowner side of things is making a dent in sales also. And the fact that people that are not buying into the battery market are purchasing semi to commercial mowers. So Scag, Toro, JD, Country clipper commercial mowers are having sales increase, whereas the consumer market is tanking.

I am hoping I can stay in the mower repair business another 7 years to reach retirement but that is starting to look doubtful. My nephew figures by 2025 things will be changed enough to close most mower repair shops if they don't adapt to either the battery market, or move into higher priced model mowers. Snapper, Simplicity, Honda have stopped production. Husqvarna left the box store consumer market around 2019-20. Toro has taken a large lose in revenue with the down turn of the consumer market and their purchase of the eliminator group, ie, Spartan mowers. Briggs has stopped support of their pressure washer and portable generators that were licensed under a different name. Like A Briggs pressure washer under the Craftsman name that Briggs is not supporting parts and service for their engine.

 

[5030]

All about profit margins more than anything else. Get rid of the low end stuff and concentrate on the high end stuff and hope the consumers can actually afford them and today, that is doubtful.

Far as battery powered mowers, not here. I do battery powered hand tools but that is it.

I do all my own repairs and that includes rebuilding engines.

 

[jyoutz]

I bought a used self propelled Snapper commercial mower from a retired landscaper last year. It has a Honda commercial motor. Best walk behind mower I’ve ever owned. The bagger is getting a bit worn, but otherwise it runs like a champ. I hope that parts remain available, and I better buy that new bagger while I can.

 

[2manyrocks]

Home Depot announced a goal of selling 85% battery powered mowers by 2028. The Home Depot Sets Goal for Battery Powered Products to Drive over 85% of Outdoor Lawn Equipment Sales by 2028 | The Home Depot

Been thinking I should buy a gas ZTR to set aside for the future even though my present one is running without issues.

 

[oldnslo]

Randy
I hope the market for gas mower repair doesn’t dry up by 2025 but certainly is a changing world. Is part of the problem the throw away mentality and cost vs replacement? Unfortunately urban areas will dictate the rural future for small engines going electric vs gas or diesel.

 

[jyoutz]

Home Depot announced a goal of selling 85% battery powered mowers by 2028. The Home Depot Sets Goal for Battery Powered Products to Drive over 85% of Outdoor Lawn Equipment Sales by 2028 | The Home Depot

Been thinking I should buy a gas ZTR to set aside for the future even though my present one is running without issues.

I think the high end commercial machines will continue to be available with gas motors, but not the homeowner grade models. Commercial landscapers often mow big acreage.

 

[CalG]

Does this mean that old LawmBoy commercial mower with the two stroke engine and rotted out magnisium deck that's under the shop just got VALUABLE? ;-)

 

[Torvy]

For small city lots, the electric stuff is fine. I've got a Honda gas mower that will probably sit until or unless one if my kids wants it. The only mowing we plan to do on the farm is with the tractor.

If you have enough lawn to need a gas mower, you may as well get one of those zero turn and/or stand on bigger ones. Between technology improvements and government mandates, the small gas engine is going the way of the telephone booth.

 

[2manyrocks]

Looking back, I wonder how many of us now wish we'd bought that nice pre-emissions tractor back in 2012 or whenever it was they were still being made?

I suspect the retail stores love the prospect of all battery tools because they expect to sell boatloads of expensive replacement batteries.

It's all about the green, but in this case, green means dollars.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Well I plan to have my 72” gas guzzler for many years to come. At 50 hours per year, I figure 20 more. Even then, engine swaps are easy and cheap.

 

[RandyT]

Randy
I hope the market for gas mower repair doesn’t dry up by 2025 but certainly is a changing world. Is part of the problem the throw away mentality and cost vs replacement? Unfortunately urban areas will dictate the rural future for small engines going electric vs gas or diesel.

Part of the issue is the throw away mentality. Part is the cost of repair vs replacement. Shops such as myself can't work on $169 push mowers or trimmers. A lot of the OPE sold at places like Menard's, Lowes, Home Depot are produced by companies with no service network and have no plans of a service network. Warranty amounts to the customer contacting the manufacturer and describing the issue and the company sending the repair parts to the customer to install themselves or pay a shop to install the parts for them. Sometimes the company will just refund the customers money and tell them to go buy another. Parts after warranty don't exist so it breaks just replace it.

The dynamics of the equipment I work on has changed over the last 25 years Mostly use to do the box store equipment but that has been slowing getting replaced with larger more commercial grade equipment. So the Huskee, Murray, Yard Machine, Poulan pro is now Scag, Ferris, Gravely, Toro. Years ago a lot of the repair work I did would amount to a lot of equipment with $75-150 repairs and now work on fewer pieces but the repairs average closer to $400.

Looking back, I wonder how many of us now wish we'd bought that nice pre-emissions tractor back in 2012 or whenever it was they were still being made?

I suspect the retail stores love the prospect of all battery tools because they expect to sell boatloads of expensive replacement batteries.

It's all about the green, but in this case, green means dollars.

And battery mowers will have issues with replacement batteries in the near future. If you purchase a battery mower today, will you be able to get a replacement battery for it is 3-4 years, and will it be cost effective to purchase a new battery vs replacing the mower.

 

[Torvy]

I am already seeing that. My echo 58v tools are awesome, but someone at echo decided to switch to a 56v battery with a different form factor for the new models.

 

[2manyrocks]

Funny how they sell a cordless drill, 2 batteries and a charger for $99 and then later two replacement batteries are $129 or more.

 

[WM75Guy]

And battery mowers will have issues with replacement batteries in the near future. If you purchase a battery mower today, will you be able to get a replacement battery for it is 3-4 years, and will it be cost effective to purchase a new battery vs replacing the mower.

It is already happening. I wanted another 40V battery for my Oregon trimmers and blowers. A battery was $169 or I could get the battery, charger, and 16" mower for $199. So I now have a little mower to do close up work where I can't get close enough with one of the big Kubota mowers.

 

[ultrarunner]

Plus restrictions on the sale and/or use of gas powered equipment has pushed a lot to the curb… I picked up 2 Honda powered mowers and 3 Echo trimmers free

Another blow is war on lawns with a bounty paid for every square foot eliminated…

The days of every home having a lawn let alone a nice lawn are long over… only two left in Moms street… that’s it… water restrictions and cost killed it.

I pay $10 a day in summer for just the water through the meter to keep the landscape including back lawn going… 20 minutes twice a week per station x 3 zones.

The county was giving away battery mowers for gas…

The battery mowers are showing up on the curb because either not suitable or replacement battery not worth it.

 

[RandyT]

I am already seeing that. My echo 58v tools are awesome, but someone at echo decided to switch to a 56v battery with a different form factor for the new models.

Did a warranty claim on a Poulan Pro battery blower a couple of years ago where Husqvarna had to issue a refund of the purchase price because the battery that failed 3 months into a 3 years warranty was NLA.

 

[5030]

I better buy that new bagger while I can.

I'd do that while you still can..

 

[5030]

Plus restrictions on the sale and/or use of gas powered equipment has pushed a lot to the curb… I picked up 2 Honda powered mowers and 3 Echo trimmers free

Another blow is war on lawns with a bounty paid for every square foot eliminated…

The days of every home having a lawn let alone a nice lawn are long over… only two left in Moms street… that’s it… water restrictions and cost killed it.

I pay $10 a day in summer for just the water through the meter to keep the landscape including back lawn going… 20 minutes twice a week per station x 3 zones.

The county was giving away battery mowers for gas…

The battery mowers are showing up on the curb because either not suitable or replacement battery not worth it.

Don't tell Gale Hawkins that...lol He worships anything with Li-Ion batteries.

Glad I don't have a water meter. My water comes out of the ground... 175 feet down.