[ge-off]

Looking for a discontinued part for my old Snapper Comet. I spoke with a local Snapper Dealer and after they made a phone call to Snapper direct (and talking to one of the "old school guys"), he came back with a part number that has been discontinued since 1998.

Tractor: Snapper Comet 30 - RER, Model 306RA
Part: Mowing Deck Brake/Spindle Brake (see photo)
Part #: 50170, could also be 7050170

(Note, the photo has the spindle shaft removed as I was replacing the bearings)

I can get the newer style no problem, but I'm not sure how to retrofit it onto my antique machine. I know there have been upgrades available for older models, so perhaps this could be one? I can get the newer style brake pad no problem, but I don't know exactly how it would mount up.

If anyone can point me in the right direction or knows where I can find such an old-school part, I would be very grateful as it would pretty much complete the restoration project.

Thanks!!

 

[davidg]

does it HAVE to have a brake? many mower produced today(even with all the legal ramifications) do not have one.

 

[ge-off]

does it HAVE to have a brake? many mower produced today(even with all the legal ramifications) do not have one.

No, it doesn't... However, I'd like to fix it up to factory condition -- if possible. :i_praying

I'd be interested in a method for upgrading it with newer factory parts, if I can't acquire the original factory component...

 

[LoveLearn]

Thanks for the nice photo, now added to my Snapper photo archive.
It appears to be a very conventional older brake style. Other than for its exceptionally-small size, finding relining candidate material shouldn't be too tough. You might duplicate a brake relining shop's work.

Find a suitably curved piece of brake lining material, cut aligning holes and use a pop-rivet gun to lock the replacement lining to your old brake band. I just don't know which specific brakes might be donor material candidates. Go-karts? Some cute bicycles were fitted with brakes sized in that range. Antique Honda 50 brakes? Similar-style candidates.

Perhaps you should post the brake drum's actual braking-surface diameter. Someone reading this thread may know of a suitable candidate donor source.
John

 

[walter g]

You can by brake lining material from MCMaster Carr and fix it yourself. Here's a link to the product page.
http://www.mcmaster.com/#clutch-lining/=39iyy5

 

[Don B.]

theres an old style auto machine shop around here that still has the rivets and that style friction material; I'd bet they could reline that for a few dollars.
They've done a few for me.

 

[bontai Joe]

I know of a long time Snapper dealer in NJ that maybe has your part on his shelf. Try www.mayberrys.com, or if you have a long time Snapper dealer in your area, try giving them a call. Odds are some old dealer has a box full of these on a shelf in the back collecting dust.

 

[ge-off]

B. Joe -- I'll give them a call and see what they can come up with. We don't have any old-school Snapper dealers local to me without traveling way out of state. I am able to get many of the older parts from a place just across the WV line, but when I as there a few years back they didn't have that specific part. Our local Snapper dealer doesn't go back that far...

Don & Walter -- I would have to go back and double check, but if memory serves me correctly, the steel the brake lining material adheres to is worn thin and has a rather large cut in it from the lack of material. Therefore, I would assume it would need to be replaced completely. However, if I ever need to replace the brake bands on each rear wheel, I'll keep this in mind as I've never seen a brake band that large before.

John -- Sorry I haven't been in touch for a while, things have been very crazy lately. I've got a go-kart from when I was younger that had a similar style brake but the band is much too wide. I've thought about seeing if I can find a thinner brake band but I don't know what used them way back when. Guess I'll have to take what I have left to a local parts dealer and see if they could match it up with a generic part.

Thanks for the ideas!!