Briggs and Stratton discontinuing Snapper and Simplicity for North American market

[ultrarunner]

Several have tried wells with nothing to show.

Water is intertwined with a lot of what happens in California.

At least my $300 monthy irrigation water is seasonal… just looking on the bright side.

Lawns will never come back as the mindset has changed… just like wood heat and now gas powered landscape tools.

 

[jyoutz]

I'd do that while you still can..

I will order one from my local small engine shop/dealer tomorrow. But he did tell me that the Briggs parts are generally available for years after they are discontinued.

 

[5030]

Engines yes, other stuff maybe..

 

[tomplum]

I will order one from my local small engine shop/dealer tomorrow. But he did tell me that the Briggs parts are generally available for years after they are discontinued.

Times are not what they used to be.

 

[jyoutz]

Times are not what they used to be.

No they’re not. Still that shop owner told me that during the covid supply shutdowns, he was generally able to get Briggs parts when he couldn’t get Kohler or Kawasaki. Of course that doesn’t mean the same things would be the case in the future.

 

[tomplum]

Generally is the key with most manufacturers. Except for Husqvarna really in my world. Not in a good way either. Though Briggs has done well considering their turmoil. But parts that they shouldn't ever be out of are still a problem and have been year after year. Odds and ends get you too, but you pretty much expect those. Sources outside normal distribution have saved the day much of the time. Earlier this year their weren't service engines for anything that I sought at the distributor level, now they are back in stock. People move on and they won't get that back.

 

[Handloader109]

Repairs vs replacement is nothing new. My dad complained about that in the 1970s when it had become more cost effective to replace electric motors under 5hp with new vs repairing the old ones. It had progressed from the small fractional hp up to multi hp motors. Killed the large repair company he worked for. In the late 1940s when he was hired, there were between 40 and 50 folks working, mainly repair. By mid 70s, repair had dwindled to only a few guys. And the sales couldn't keep up with the Amazon like grainger.

Oh, and as far as Kali and watering lawns, they SHOULD ban lawn watering where there is no rain. Same as Las vegas. Make gravel yards. And drink the water.

 

[ultrarunner]

Repairs vs replacement is nothing new. My dad complained about that in the 1970s when it had become more cost effective to replace electric motors under 5hp with new vs repairing the old ones. It had progressed from the small fractional hp up to multi hp motors. Killed the large repair company he worked for. In the late 1940s when he was hired, there were between 40 and 50 folks working, mainly repair. By mid 70s, repair had dwindled to only a few guys. And the sales couldn't keep up with the Amazon like grainger.

Oh, and as far as Kali and watering lawns, they SHOULD ban lawn watering where there is no rain. Same as Las vegas. Make gravel yards. And drink the water.

Already in the works just like other bans already enacted.

 

[2manyrocks]

Gravel yards wouldn't seem that great for children to play in.

 

[tonys55]

I am in need of a new push mower and I have really been torn over gas vs battery. I have a X360 lawn tractor so that covers the bulk of the cut. It's the trim work and a steep hill I have in the front yard that requires the push. The hill is a 3' high bank down to a sidewalk that you see in older neighborhoods.
Anyway, I finally settled on looking for a battery powered mower that might work in a pinch if the X360 breaks down - even if I needed an additional battery to do the whole yard. I have EGO stuff, cordless trimmer and a backpack blower that I have had for a number of years. An EGO mower would make sense in this case. But buying made in China irks me. So now I am thinking more along the lines of a made in USA unit that could do the whole yard in a pinch. That leaves higher end models for longevity and whole yard in a pinch, or lower end models and throw away once the included battery(s) die. A lower end model would be more of a break-even deal, as long as, the mower doesn't fail before the battery. Lower end works, as pointed out, because a new battery will almost be the price of a new mower kit. And since battery technology is still a work in progress, why buy upper end mowers when they will become obsolete in 3-5 years? Even battery voltage changes occur, as was pointed out by another post. Sad to say mowers have gone the way of the computer industry. I may take my chances on the X360 and go mid-to-low end. I just need to find the best option for my needs. Sad it has all come to this.

 

[Torvy]

Not much battery stuff is made in USA, even if it is a US nameplate.

Your real tradeoff depends on a few factors.

1) Engine maintenance/repair. Gas will be more expensive to maintain. DIY will save a bit if you have the skills.

2) Battery life. Even the best batteries only have so many years they can be recharged. Also risk of discontinued batteries. Replacement batteries are almost as much as new equipment.

3) Local/state regs. You may get a gas model and be unable to use it down the road.

I have a Honda mower. It didn't like ethanol, but is great when it runs. We had a electric mower. Gave it to daughter when we got out of the city.

Anything I can't get with my flail mower I can get with my Echo battery string trimmer...or it remains natural.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Even if a battery remains serviceable... It's ability to maintain the same endurance degrades on day one. The Greenworks batteries I have are a good example. If you use them for 10 minutes between charges, you'd never know the difference. If you are asking them to compare to a new one before complete discharge, you'll see it.
I don't see it while running a trimmer or blower for a few minutes. I do see it when I go to chainsaw a tree... And one battery lasts 30 mins, and another 15.

 

[Torvy]

I don't have that problem with the chainsaw. The batteries last longer than I do. The string trimmer and chainsaw share batteries. Unfortunately, Echo changed from a 58v to a 56v with a different form factor. I can still find batteries, but harder to find other compatible tools. Irritating, because the ones I have are beasts.

 

[jyoutz]

IDK about today, but 2 years ago, JD dealers were selling a nice self propelled walk behind mower with a commercial Honda engine. I almost bought one, but ended up finding a used/refurbished snapper mower with a commercial Honda engine for half price. This mower is a beast.