So everyone says get a Honda Mower...

[ItsNemo]

...this is why:

10" thick grass, slightly damp, full width cut, full speed...literally no problem.

I had a regular ol' Briggs powered mower before this, even with a sharp blade, it would have been a crawl with a half width cut to get through this. The Honda, ya, just chews it up and mulches and keeps going.

 

[ATC]

I skip mowing "the field" off to the side of my house (leach field for septic) every couple mows. It gets THICK.

I also use a Honda push/self propelled mower. I have to slow down to get through it. If it's damp, I have to mow at a crawl.

 

[Half-fast eddie]

I had a honda self-propelled, died after 12-ish yrs. Went to buy a new one, didn’t like the price, so i bought a craftsman with a honda motor for $100 less. Bad mistake. Motor is fine, the rest of the mower is a cheap compromise.

 

[ItsNemo]

I had a honda self-propelled, died after 12-ish yrs. Went to buy a new one, didn’t like the price, so i bought a craftsman with a honda motor for $100 less. Bad mistake. Motor is fine, the rest of the mower is a cheap compromise.

How did it die?

 

[Desertskyy]

Go Honda or go home

HRX-217 owner

 

[finn]

We have a Honda and aKohler yard mower, plus a Briggs powered lawn tractor.

The Honda runs like ****. The other two are fine.

No love for Honda here.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I've got two of them, both bought used. The main one I use was bought in 2014, so this is the ninth mowing season. Works pretty well, the other is a spare.

 

[Outahere]

My 30+ year old Honda mower has always bogged down in wet grass taller than 3 inches.

 

[ItsNemo]

My 30+ year old Honda mower has always bogged down in wet grass taller than 3 inches.

WHAT HAVE I DONE


Somehow I've broken the mowing world, not once have I ever seen multiple people say not great things about Honda mowers...this thread though, a few already with negatives.

 

[Xcursion88]

Toro!!!

USA

Thank you

 

[Bockscar]

Toro!!!

USA

Thank you

I have two Toro's a 44" zero turn thats 20yo and 22" push mower thats about 5yo.....the zero turn still runs like a champ

 

[jsmeece]

Honda HRS-216PDA is what I have and she is pretty old.

 

[Rinspeed]

I have a cheaper push mower with Honda and it works pretty damn well. I've owned a boatload of Honda's over the years and they were all Tier 1 machines.

 

[nbpt100]

Toro!!!

USA

Thank you

Yes, Not because it is a USA company. Although that is a good thing. They just make some excellent mowers. I would bet a Super Recycler would do as good or better job of mulching that grass in the video. Just like any big company, they have some no so good products. I have used and worked on Hondas. The engines are great. It is the rest of the machine that sometimes is lacking. I have seen many of the older ones where the steel decks have rotted out but the engine is going strong. I have seen Hondas with Bent crank shafts that still hold up inspite of the vibration. Their 3 speed transmission is awkward to use. It is hard to use with out spinning the rear tires and they go bald pretty quickly. They have a hydro transmission that can go bad and is too expensive to fix. Why do you need a hydro on a walk behind 22" mower? You can't beaty the Toro personal pace variable speed transmission system. Pretty simple, easy to use and works great when set up properly.
You can get a Honda on a Toro and other brands. You pay up for it. Is it worth it? If you do not want to stay on top of maintenance, maybe. If you do, probably not, in my humble opinion. If you are using it commercially that is different.
That guy in the video says it is the best in the world. I try to stay away from that type of hyperbolic statements. Who the heck has time to try every thing out there in the world to make that statement with real knowledge? It is a nice mower, I am not knocking it! It is not the only one in the world that can mow how he just did. Just say'in.

 

[autobon7]

I have a Honda HR214 that was made in the 80s and this thing has been a beast (bought it 3 years ago). ALWAYS start on the 1st pull, self propelled works great, outstanding in wet or tall grass, bagger works great, mulches great, rear/side discharge throws grass a mile, rarely bogs down. True reliable workhorse.

Only thing close would be higher end Toro or the rare Kubota.........maybe others but have only had experience with these.

 

[RPH]

I honored no mow May. I have about 3.5 acres around the building that I mow. Kubota BX2680 with 60” deck, well no mow May turned into haying in June. Grass is old field grass from time before time. No mow May meant waist high good looking hay. I have to do a first pass with deck all the way up. Let it dry a couple days and then mow again to get desired height. But I have a twenty year+ old Honda 21” for the front yard, still works great!
Like all things Honda does.

 

[Kscardsfan]

I’ve got a lot of experience behind Honda and Toro mowers and they’re both excellent machines. The reason I went with a Honda instead of a Toro was because I had dealer support for Honda and Home Depot for Toro. The independent small engine shop that was a Toro dealer apparently didn’t pay taxes for several years and closed down the fall before I needed to buy a lawnmower, so Honda got the nod. I have had to replace some component of the automatic choke system, but it was under warranty so I didn’t pay for it. But while it was in the shop I had them change the oil and air filter on it so it would be worth the stop. Otherwise it’s been a strong runner for me.

 

[Half-fast eddie]

How did it die?

Owner neglect. 100% preventable.

 

[Stobal]

When I bought my current mower, a very expensive (imo) toro, it was available with a Honda motor or their own OEM made in China motor. (To be fair many of the Honda motors are manufactured outside of Japan). The price between the two was almost equal. After doing a lot of research opinions were split between the two which surprised me because I thought it would be pro Honda by a landslide. Finally I called the dealer to place my order and he said that the Toro (OEM built) was indeed the better more reliable motor. I mentioned that it would seem that he has a dog in the fight so I am not sure how much credence to place in his recommendation. He countered that with the long warranty on the mowers, it was in his best interest to sell the one he had the most confidence in which I admitted was a good point. He said that they began providing a Toro spec’ed motor because the reliability of the Hondas had been slowly decreasing. I went with the Chinese Toro OEM and as much as I hate to admit it it’s been the most reliable mower I have ever owned. It lives outside covered. It always starts with one pull. When I have gone on vacation during mowing season and come back to a jungle it doesn’t bog down. It has been soaked by flash storms a number of times, I am not as diligent with upkeep as I should be and it just keeps on ticking. It’s just further proof that when a company specs a high quality product, the Chinese are able to deliver. Again the price was equal to the Honda so it’s not like there was significant cost cutting if any. I am not saying anything bad about Honda mowers or
Engines, their reputation speaks for themselves but it’s worth noting that it’s no longer the only game in town. I think the key factor to remember is you get what you pay for.

 

[Xcursion88]

Yes, Not because it is a USA company. Although that is a good thing. They just make some excellent mowers. say'in.

For me it is...provided it is in fact quality. In today's world most things (not all) but most...if made in USA is every bit the tool and or machine it's Asian made counterpart is. Most cases it's better and in some cases significantly better.

I have a 17 year old made in USA Toro recycler 22" that starts the first pull all the time every time.
It had that one pull guarantee horseshit for three years on it.....
After a rope repair to the pull starter....and privided you keep a new filter in it, new plug and oil changed this thing has no end in sight and still does the one pull start 17 years later.
The deck is still like new and has the deck wash feature. It can bag, mulch and side discharge.
The self propeller cable has been rerouted to combat cable stretch...
But this thing just keeps on keeping on.

An educated guess is that it's mowed approximately .8-1 acre about 1,050 times in its life.
There are areas I can't mow with the John Deere....To which is even more impressive.
An lx172 circa 1991. That thing just like the Toro...just starts and goes to work.

Belts...need changing every so often...the mower blade saftey latch on the swutch has broken...now you just push the button in...
The seat has more cracks in it than remaining vinyl...the shift knob broke in half which now has an old Jeep NV3550 shifter knob I sourced from a Wrangler after I changed the shift handle in it...
The orange trottle lever/cable broke one time as well.
It's a simple machine. Gear driven transmission. Mechanical deck lift...
It pulls one thousand pounds or more behind it at times...I've a cart I use for mulch, stone and firewood etc...
Made in USA

 

[m6z]

Eh, I bought a basic Honda push mower around three years ago. It cuts well and has been reliable, but it's underpowered IMO. I've got to slow down in the thick stuff.

 

[Slednut]

I have a Honda HR214 that was made in the 80s and this thing has been a beast (bought it 3 years ago). ALWAYS start on the 1st pull, self propelled works great, outstanding in wet or tall grass, bagger works great, mulches great, rear/side discharge throws grass a mile, rarely bogs down. True reliable workhorse.

Only thing close would be higher end Toro or the rare Kubota.........maybe others but have only had experience with these.

I bought two of these brand new in the 80s, both are still running every week at rentals and these are the best mowers ever made.

The aluminum deck is made so much better than even the HRA214 which has a steel deck. It will pack the bag to the point it's hard to get the clippings out.
Back then I paid $488 each for them, after around 20 years of use they will start smoking on start up. Once the piston warms up and expands the smoking stops. This is a ring problem because the cylinder, valve guides and seats last forever. I've replaced the rings and head gaskets in both and it cures the smoking on startup.

If you can find one in decent shape buy it, fix it up and it will last until you can't walk behind it any longer.

 

[Jswain]

No hate for Honda's but if you treat them like ****, leave old gas in them etc they can have the same problems as everything else with a carburetor.

Treated well they are basically a lifetime mower. Most people probably don't even know how to set the rpm on a push mower so if the little tab gets bent + a dull blade (insert brand name here) is so underpowered...

 

[nbpt100]

Eh, I bought a basic Honda push mower around three years ago. It cuts well and has been reliable, but it's underpowered IMO. I've got to slow down in the thick stuff.

What Engine is on it? GCV160???

 

[nbpt100]

No hate for Honda's but if you treat them like ****, leave old gas in them etc they can have the same problems as everything else with a carburetor.

Treated well they are basically a lifetime mower. Most people probably don't even know how to set the rpm on a push mower so if the little tab gets bent + a dull blade (insert brand name here) is so underpowered...

Yes and yes. 1st you need a tachometer which most people do not have and then you have to know how to make the adjustment. On a Honda GCV it is a bit tricky. Not as simple as bending a sheet metal piece with your fingers or plyers, like on many of the Briggs.

 

[m6z]

What Engine is on it? GCV160???

Model HRN216PKA, looks like GCV170 is the engine.

 

[engineer2]

I got my parent's old Craftsman/Honda mower. It's probably 30 years old. Compression ain't what it used to be, but it doesn't burn oil. It does struggle a little with tall wet grass. No big deal.

A dose of Stabil before putting it away and it starts on the first pull in the spring. Very little maintenance required. The carb has never been touched.
I'd like a new battery powered mower, but this one refuses to die.

 

[ItsNemo]

No hate for Honda's but if you treat them like ****, leave old gas in them etc they can have the same problems as everything else with a carburetor.

Treated well they are basically a lifetime mower. Most people probably don't even know how to set the rpm on a push mower so if the little tab gets bent + a dull blade (insert brand name here) is so underpowered...

It's probably a case of people who spend the money on a Honda, are also the type of people who take care of them...hence them seeming to last forever.

 

[oldmachinenut]

We have a Honda and aKohler yard mower, plus a Briggs powered lawn tractor.

The Honda runs like ****. The other two are fine.

No love for Honda here.

I had the same experience

 

[isb cornbinder]

We have had our Honda mower for 20 years. It starts on the first pull for the first mow of every year. We put fresh fuel in the tank. The tank gets drained at the end of the mowing season then we run the system dry.. The mower runs smoothly and takes on heavy grass like a champ. We use Honda synthetic oil in the mower.
I bought a Honda weed eater. It has an overhead cam, like the Honda mower. The weed eater runs as well as the mower.
Our high pressure washer is Honda. My Briggs and Stratton rototiller will not stay running after it starts. I will be rehoming the rototiller via Craigslist.

 

[zendriver]

It didn't really look like 10" (other than a few blades) and it didn't really look all that wet, IMO

Hondas are very nice mowers, but other than stating "I'll bet your mower will not mulch mow this good!", seems a bit of a stretch.

 

[ItsNemo]

It didn't really look like 10" (other than a few blades) and it didn't really look all that wet, IMO

Hondas are very nice mowers, but other than stating "I'll bet your mower will not mulch mow this good!", seems a bit of a stretch.

When it gets that high, it starts laying down...it wasn't WET but it was damp enough to make my shoes moist lol

Either way, it was a lot of grass to eat compared to normal and this is the only mower I've ever had that actually can make it through it full width without slowing down, I've always had to cut a half path or go real slow with others.

 

[AA/FC]

I'm a Toro guy.... I grew up a few blocks from Toro world headquarters.... I have friends who work at the corporate office... some of them are engineers....

What I don't like is: Toro now uses their own "Toro" brand engines on some of their product lines.... Toro has these engines made in China. I haven't really heard much bad about the Toro engines but I'm just not a fan of them. (Or the idea behind them)

 

[seber]

Honda and Kawasaki both make great lawnmower motors but it is horsepower, not brand that powers through the tough stuff.

 

[volpster31]

i bought a craftsman with a honda motor on it about 5 years ago from sears and thought it was gonna be junk,but its actually great.the deck is half plastic but its got a nice deck adjustment.its starts on the first pull every time..i use sea foam in my gas and do oil changes and keep the blade sharp and im thinking it might last 10 more years

 

[bbrins]

I have two Honda mowers, an HRX217(6 or 7 years old) and a HRS216(2ish years old). The HRX cuts nice, but more often than not it is a ***** to start, that auto choke thermowax thingamajig has been replaced 4 times now, the first two times under warranty. Now the choke itself has started to stick. Most of my lawn stuff is used in a lightish commercial environment, but this one is used to cut one lawn only, it has had a pretty easy life. Also, the hydrostatic transmission has started to leak.

The HRS216 has been trouble free, starts easy, cuts decent now that I replaced the standard blade with a Honda mulching blade. Actually it cut fine before, it just didn't mulch well. It is a bit under powered if the grass has gotten tall, or wet. I initially bought it mostly for getting the nooks and crannies where the riding mower can't go, plus it is easy to just toss in the bed of my truck. I use the heck out of this mower. This one is the self propelled version.

My newest mower is a Toro Timemaster. I like it so much, I'm half tempted to go buy another one and just leave it in the box for when this one eventually wears out, just because every time I find something I really like, that's when they decide to stop making it and I can't get another one. I have areas that I used to use the riding mower for that I now use this one for. It cuts nice in all three modes. I wasn't sure that I'd like the "Personal Pace" function, but I love it. This one gets used to cut the one lawn that the HRX217 used to do in addition to all of the other areas, so now the Honda is just collecting dust. The Timemaster comes with a pretty good sized Briggs & Stratton engine.

I have had two commercial push mowers that had the Kawasaki FJ180V, both engines suffered from the same connecting rod failure. One of those mowers is now sporting a Briggs & Stratton.

 

[ike]

i had a husqvarana awd push mower that i really didn't like due to the awd system. it had a honda motor and ran fine. i sold it and got a dewalt cordless mower that was the biggest piece of junk not made by GE that i've ever seen. returned it and bought a honda mower and i've had some issues with it. the self propelled quit functioning after about three uses, i had to adjust the cable about to the full extent to get it to engage and it makes a strange noise now. i'm going to have to take it all apart to figure it out. pretty disappointed with it overall.

 

[nbpt100]

I'm a Toro guy.... I grew up a few blocks from Toro world headquarters.... I have friends who work at the corporate office... some of them are engineers....

What I don't like is: Toro now uses their own "Toro" brand engines on some of their product lines.... Toro has these engines made in China. I haven't really heard much bad about the Toro engines but I'm just not a fan of them. (Or the idea behind them)

The Chinese engines are pretty good. Don't shoot me! I know people do not want to hear this. No doubt, They are cheaper than the USA made Briggs or the old Tecumseh(now LCT), but they are fairly reliable. Most are copies of the Honda OHV design. Like the HF Preditor. Most of the Chinese manufacturers (i.e. Loncin) have been making motorcycle engines for decades. My biggest complaint is getting parts. MTD (Troybilt, Cub Cadet, Craftsman etc) makes their own chinease engine called the Powermore. It has been around for about 14 years now. Pretty reliable. Will it last as long as a honda? unlikely. But for the cost you can not complain.

Toro has made their own engines in the past. Remember the 2 Cycle Lawnboys? People were comfortable with that back then.

In case you can not tell, I like Toro too.

I do not see the ODPE companies investing too much more in the internal combustion engine. They know the residential market sales will be most all electric in a few years. Briggs(Snapper, Black Max,Simplicity) will be selling eletric walk behind mowers in a few years. Their gas engines for that market will be done. They can make some money on spare parts for a while. If they can survive the transition to electric. They went through a bankrupcy last year. They may not be around in 5 years if they can not fix their business model and operations.

i bought a craftsman with a honda motor on it about 5 years ago from sears and thought it was gonna be junk,but its actually great.the deck is half plastic but its got a nice deck adjustment.its starts on the first pull every time..i use sea foam in my gas and do oil changes and keep the blade sharp and im thinking it might last 10 more years

20 more years if you take care of it.

As said above. Powering through tall thick grass is all about Horsepower. More CC = more HP. How well you mulch it is a different story. The Toro Super Recycler is the best Mulcher I have ever used. To me it is noticeable. A lot of cheap mowers can not mulch very well. Especially as the grass gets taller. It comes down to the blade and deck design. Toro and Honda have their own unique blade designs. Toro uses kickers under the deck. Remember the John Deere TV ad.? it is not about how fast you mow. it is about how well you mow fast. You can mow well fast with a Super Recycler. I can not speak to a john Deere. I have never used one. I do not think they make walk behinds any longer.


@m6z: The GCV170 was an engine I was not familiar with, so I Googled it. It is apparently used on Pressure washers. My guess is you have a GCV 160 which is about 4.5 HP.

Unless it has been is discontinued for mower use?

Honda Engines | GCV170 4-Stroke Engine | Features, Specs, and Model Info

Official specs and features for the Honda GCV170 OHV engine. The GCV170 is a small four-stroke gas engine designed for premium residential pressure washer use.

engines.honda.com

 

[nbpt100]

i had a husqvarana awd push mower that i really didn't like due to the awd system. it had a honda motor and ran fine. i sold it and got a dewalt cordless mower that was the biggest piece of junk not made by GE that i've ever seen. returned it and bought a honda mower and i've had some issues with it. the self propelled quit functioning after about three uses, i had to adjust the cable about to the full extent to get it to engage and it makes a strange noise now. i'm going to have to take it all apart to figure it out. pretty disappointed with it overall.

I am not impressed with the Husqvarna AWD. It is over kill and adds unnecessary complications. I have worked on a few. A good rwd can handle most challenging hills. Or a good FWD with larger rear wheels. The FWD is a solid axle where most RWD have a differential. With FWD you can get both wheels working harder for you. The larger wheels reduce rolling resistance.

Sorry your Honda has been troublesome. Which model.?

 

[crasher98]

My mower accolades:

Craftsman self propelled mower with Honda GCV160 engine. Bought about 10 years ago. Has never not started on the first pull, including this spring when I started it for the first time in 4 or 5 years after zero shutdown prep, because I parked it and walked away like I always do. It was a weak and unenthusiastic pull too, because I hate groundskeeping, but that didn't matter - fired right up.

Deere L110 lawn tractor with Kohler Command engine - left at my house by the former owners; based on the serial numbers it's from the early-to-mid 1990s. Still chugging along, despite a lot of tall, wet grass over the years and oh yes that one time it was completely submerged in a flood for 2-3 days. This was in 2016; just blew the water out of the fuel system, changed the oil and a couple of switches, and away it went. Seems like it might have lost a little power lately, but maybe I've just gotten fatter lately -- the jury is still out on that one.

I wish everything in my life was as reliable as my lawn mowers! (knock on wood)