And if I'm not strong enough to tip it over?

[Very Fine Person]

Thank you for all the lovely and helpful responses to my question about the friction wheel on my newly-acquired rear-engine Snapper mower.

Now about that wheel. I want to take a look at what I have before hauling off and buying a new wheel. Just pick the machine up and tip it over. Well, the whole reason I bought a rider is that I'm getting too weak to push stuff around let alone lift it up into the air.

Is there a standard method for the physically condemned to get this thing pointing skyward? I'm thinking maybe a long two-by-four grounded near the rear axle? Extra people is not available. I shan't describe the neighborhood except that there ain't nothin' but white hair here.

Thank you kindly.

 

[sgkent]

I would start looking for a good mobile mechanic. Just got over open heart surgery earlier in July and my weight limit right now is 5 - 8 lbs. Trust me, I know where you are coming from. I use things like an engine picker, or a pair of floor jacks with additional safety jacks to lift heavy things the last few years. Right now I can't even use a floor jack or a torque wrench. Six months to a year before I can. Something like 10 lbs additional every month I can add to what I can lift, when not out of breath.

 

[Very Fine Person]

Oh, man, please get well.

 

[RayMcD]

Thank you for all the lovely and helpful responses to my question about the friction wheel on my newly-acquired rear-engine Snapper mower.

Now about that wheel. I want to take a look at what I have before hauling off and buying a new wheel. Just pick the machine up and tip it over. Well, the whole reason I bought a rider is that I'm getting too weak to push stuff around let alone lift it up into the air.

Is there a standard method for the physically condemned to get this thing pointing skyward? I'm thinking maybe a long two-by-four grounded near the rear axle? Extra people is not available. I shan't describe the neighborhood except that there ain't nothin' but white hair here.

Thank you kindly.

Sir, tell us where you are and maybe someone will be close enough to come assist..Ray

 

[sgkent]

Oh, man, please get well.

thank you.

Maybe some kind of Harbor Freight lift might be inexpensive and help him raise his mower SAFELY to work on it.

 

[Forest#2]

I just cannot trust them RER standing up by themselves when I'm working on them.
I remove the battery and gas and lift them with a chain hoist or a cherry picker and leave the hoist connected as a safety.

Stay Safe..

 

[Very Fine Person]

I feel the same way. I mean, people are way too scairdy these days, but this is a good case for safety.

 

[Very Fine Person]

How does this sound: A cheap or even abandoned (Free) swing set out of Craigslist. Shorten the top tube. And instead of swings, a modest chain hoist from Harbor Freight?

I'd have to disassemble the swing frame to bring it home, and assemble it to use it, and disassemble it to store it, but maybe that's not a real big job.

Or sawhorse brackets and long-leg two-by-fours with bracing? If the load is such that healthy men can lift the mower, but healthy men generally can't break two-by-fours by hand, they might be sufficient. You can probably stand on a sawhorse made with those brackets, so they'd probably be strong enough.

I don't know how I'd lower the mower after the surgery was done. I'd have to work out something for that. Something would have to provide a rearward vector of force on the back of the machine while it was being lowered (are the rear wheels free to turn?). Or inch the swing set forward in increments...

 

[Oddjob]

I’m old (73) but still have enough strength to put my RER Snapper on its butt. It helps that the heavy part is all in the rear and you lift the front. But if I couldn’t lift it I’d use my come-along and the cleat that I screwed into a ceiling joist in my garage. The come-along is rated at 1000lbs, so more than enough to lift a Snapper front end. Once you get it within 20 degrees of upright, you can easily push it onto its sitting rails even if the rear wheels are free spinning. My Snapper does not have a parking brake. You leave the gear selector in the park position and the transmission holds it. If your disc is worn out or the spring is too slack, it won’t keep the machine from rolling. To test, put it in park and try rolling it. If you can roll it, you can clamp the brake pedal down to keep the brakes on or you can chock the wheels. Jim Jackson of Jim’s Fix It Shop is a RER Snapper guru and a great instructor. If you haven’t already, do yourself a favor and watch his videos before working on your Snapper.

 

[Douglas Lee]

Maybe, apply the brake.