So everyone says get a Honda Mower...

[Radio Flyer]

Used to be a Honda fan.

I fixed up a Honda mower my dad gave me. I think it was from the 80's. I gave it to my daughter.

I wanted to by the new version of it. This would be the first new mower that I ever purchased. I always had used mowers. The local Honda dealer closed down, so I went to the Honda website to "Find a dealer".

Home Depot kept coming up. Sure enough they had the one I wanted in stock, so I bought it.

Used it 3 times and the spring loaded handle adjuster fell apart in the lawn. I emailed a picture of the mower and some of the found items. They respond with " we don't send out parts, it must be properly diagnosed by an authorized service center". I made a trip to the service center with parts and picture in hand. I was told that I had to bring the mower in and leave it for warranty repair, or purchase the parts and repair it myself. I felt as though I was being punished for not purchasing it there. I was looking up parts online and many of the reviews state "works perfect for the one the fell out while mowing".

I put a bunch of zip ties on it, and get pissed every time I see it.

 

[nbpt100]

Used to be a Honda fan.

I fixed up a Honda mower my dad gave me. I think it was from the 80's. I gave it to my daughter.

I wanted to by the new version of it. This would be the first new mower that I ever purchased. I always had used mowers. The local Honda dealer closed down, so I went to the Honda website to "Find a dealer".

Home Depot kept coming up. Sure enough they had the one I wanted in stock, so I bought it.

Used it 3 times and the spring loaded handle adjuster fell apart in the lawn. I emailed a picture of the mower and some of the found items. They respond with " we don't send out parts, it must be properly diagnosed by an authorized service center". I made a trip to the service center with parts and picture in hand. I was told that I had to bring the mower in and leave it for warranty repair, or purchase the parts and repair it myself. I felt as though I was being punished for not purchasing it there. I was looking up parts online and many of the reviews state "works perfect for the one the fell out while mowing".

I put a bunch of zip ties on it, and get pissed every time I see it.

This is why I tell people if they are buying an expensive piece of ODPE go to a dealer. They will set it up correctly and stand behind it. The Big Box stores are not interested in setting anything up or servicing it.

The Big Box stores have been putting Dealers out of business for years. I am sure the Dealer you went to is feeling that pressure. Just put yourself in their shoes for a minute.

I know someone who bought a new Toro snow blower on line at one of the Box stores. He had to assemble it when it arrived. It never ran good so he brought it to me and he paid me to set it up correctly. It works great now. Did he realy save any money? Maybe $20 but he had to deal with a poorly running machine for 2 or 3 storms and then had to put it on his truck and bring it to me on his day off. Then hope it does not snow while I had it for a couple of days.

 

[m6z]

 

[LB-1911]

@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.

Model HRN216PKA, looks like GCV170 is the engine.

 

[Ton ton]

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

Well said.

 

[Ton ton]

I bought what my favorite small engine had in stock @ the time. Which happened to be Briggs and Stratton. It says made in USA. Good enough for me. I'm not going to argue with anyone over it.

 

[Ton ton]

For tall grass, I recommend a walk behind sickle bar from BCS . It cuts like a champ.

 

[speed bump]

Glad the new mower is doing well.

As far as mowers Ive got a 20+ year old MTD (cheapest mower Kmart had) that I have put through hell. I mowed a guys 2 acre lawn that was half knapweed and most of the soil was decomposed granite every 2 weeks for 5 years, mowed 3 lawns a week in my parents neighborhood for about 7 years then it came out to place and I mowed 2 acres of pasture and decomposed granite for a couple years before I got a riding mower. Other than a fuel tank and carb because the old one cracked I have done nothing to that lawnmower but clean the air filter and put fuel in it, I'm not even sure we have ever changed the oil.

 

[GreenIron]

So everyone says get a Honda Mower..

​

I've never said that.

I do own a Husqvarna self-propelled mower equipped with a Honda engine that has served me well for ~16 years.

 

[Rinspeed]

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.

Sure some of them but for some reason not mine. I leave old gas in it for six or eight months, or more, and it always starts right up. Never had to replace a fuel line or mess with the carb at all. Most of my other tools I will run them out of gas if they are going to sit for more than a month.

 

[LB-1911]

For tall grass, I recommend a walk behind sickle bar from BCS . It cuts like a champ.

Tall grass and ditches?

Do it in style

 

[Xcursion88]

This is why I tell people if they are buying an expensive piece of ODPE go to a dealer. They will set it up correctly and stand behind it. The Big Box stores are not interested in setting anything up or servicing it.

The Big Box stores have been putting Dealers out of business for years. I am sure the Dealer you went to is feeling that pressure. Just put yourself in their shoes for a minute.

I know someone who bought a new Toro snow blower on line at one of the Box stores. He had to assemble it when it arrived. It never ran good so he brought it to me and he paid me to set it up correctly. It works great now. Did he realy save any money? Maybe $20 but he had to deal with a poorly running machine for 2 or 3 storms and then had to put it on his truck and bring it to me on his day off. Then hope it does not snow while I had it for a couple of days.

If I could like this post 10 tines I'd like it 20.

THE ABOVE POST IS ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY PARAMOUNT!!!!!

Firsr of all the box stores don't need your money. They sell every ******** thing under the sun...they don't need your power equipment money. Moreover you're a complete nobody to them. Absolute nobody. Just a number like cattle.

The smaller dealer, if they intend on being in business long term, will treat you much differently. You're definitely not just a number to them. From selling you the right product to the very important service after the sale you build a relationship with the small dealer.

Most of the mfg's have MAP anyways so you're NOT ultimately saving money buying at the box store like you've trained yourself to think.
The box stores might run a dumb sale on a particular piece of its leftover stock...floor model...whatever...but by and large their prices are the same as the small dealer.

Another reason is garbage.
John Deere for example whom I love so dearly(pun intended) has some riding mowers at the box store.
Look at the model of them.
They are cheap garbage made exclusively for the box stores. Matter of fact your JD dealer won't or can't...nor would even want to carry those models. They're cheap garbage hitting the walking customer @ Lowe's or Home Depot right between the eyes with a ...wow..look at that low price for a JD mower.
I can't speak for Cub but I'd bet they're doing something similar.

Go to your local dealer please. They do need your money and you'll ultimately be money and less aggravation ahead in the end. 101%

 

[Ton ton]

Well said, xcursion88.

 

[Radio Flyer]

If I could like this post 10 tines I'd like it 20.

THE ABOVE POST IS ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY PARAMOUNT!!!!!

Firsr of all the box stores don't need your money. They sell every ******** thing under the sun...they don't need your power equipment money. Moreover you're a complete nobody to them. Absolute nobody. Just a number like cattle.

The smaller dealer, if they intend on being in business long term, will treat you much differently. You're definitely not just a number to them. From selling you the right product to the very important service after the sale you build a relationship with the small dealer.

Most of the mfg's have MAP anyways so you're NOT ultimately saving money buying at the box store like you've trained yourself to think.
The box stores might run a dumb sale on a particular piece of its leftover stock...floor model...whatever...but by and large their prices are the same as the small dealer.

Another reason is garbage.
John Deere for example whom I love so dearly(pun intended) has some riding mowers at the box store.
Look at the model of them.
They are cheap garbage made exclusively for the box stores. Matter of fact your JD dealer won't or can't...nor would even want to carry those models. They're cheap garbage hitting the walking customer @ Lowe's or Home Depot right between the eyes with a ...wow..look at that low price for a JD mower.
I can't speak for Cub but I'd bet they're doing something similar.

Go to your local dealer please. They do need your money and you'll ultimately be money and less aggravation ahead in the end. 101%

I agree....

My local dealer, Honda House, is gone. There is a "doggie daycare" in its place. They were good. No discounts at all, but would assemble and deliver for free.

Honda mowers seem to be like weber grills, roughly the same price no matter where you buy it.

The power equipment store is farther away and wasn't open at a convenient time for me either. So I ended up at HD.

In this case, i would have still been required to bring it back for the repair. Granted they may have done it while I waited, but it is still a repair due to some hokey, plastic, spring loaded handle. Com'on Honda, threaded wing nuts worked for you in the past, don't over complicate it!

 

[Stobal]

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)

I posted above about one such engine. I agree that it is a disappointment anytime manufacturing is shipped to a country I would rather not support, but in this day and age it is inevitable. I try to buy alternatives when possible. The upside is that Chinese built Toro engines have proven themselves to be of equal quality to what they used before.

 

[gearhead1]

Maybe a push mower, but I have a Honda rider that is terrible. The speeds are off - it’s way to slow and top gear is too fast to mow. You can’t even order replacement blades, you just have to try and match something up. I bought a Cub Cadet zero turn and keep the Honda as an emergency back-up.

 

[BillK]

Like Speed Bump, my 20 or so year old Yard Man (MTD) with a Briggs engine will easily do the same thing that the Honda in the video was doing. It has been used and abused and I know for a fact the oil has never been changed. My lot is 1/2 acre with probably 1/3 of it grass. Use it to mulch leaves, cut down the weeds in the wooded part etc. Keeps on going

 

[captain14]

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.

I’m curious how they lasted so long at your rentals. Do you cut the grass there and leave them locked up or allow your tenants to use the mowers?

 

[Rinspeed]

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

I doubt I will ever in my life buy another rider that wasn't a JD with Kawasaki motor.

 

[WNYflyer]

I used to shop power equipment at the mom and pop shop a couple blocks over but the owners aged out and shut the place down. They handled Honda, Toro & Ariens so when I became a homeowner I bought a Honda steel deck mower an HR something or other. Probably had it 10 year or so and the problems I had with it was rear wheel replacement due to twisting etc. while pivoting the machine on the rear wheels and the death knell was the transmission took a dump. Asked how much for a new transmission then told them that wasn't happening. Pointed at the Toro Personal Pace Super Recycler with a B&S on it sitting over there and said I'll take that one. In my experience that current Toro has been a better all around machine that the Honda I had and the Honda wasn't exactly cheap..........that said your mileage may vary.

 

[johnu]

Love my Honda but love my Toro Timemaster 30” even more.
1 hour to mow with the 21” Honda, 40 minutes to mow with the Timemaster.

 

[Slednut]

I’m curious how they lasted so long at your rentals. Do you cut the grass there and leave them locked up or allow your tenants to use the mowers?

My wife did the lawns, we just sold the rentals and the mowers are now sitting in a shed. My wife likes doing gardening/landscaping so our rentals never looked like rentals. Now she's volunteering at a cemetery to fill her need of gardening.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

Change oil, 93 octane gas, new spark plugs and filter every year, and sharpen/replace blade - should last 10 years easily Toro/Kohler engine. Last mower was a Craftsman/Briggs and Stratton lasted 15 years but the deck rotted out. Simple maintenance goes a long way.

 

[IndyGarage]

I had a Toro for a long time - thought it was the best push mower I ever used. It was very good - And I've spent a lot of time behind push mowers - When I was a teen I mowed half the lawns in my neighborhood - probably 30-40 hours a week. Mostly with old craftsman **** with a Briggs Engine.

The Toro finally died and I bought a Honda about 10 years ago. Honda is even better. Mine is the basic GCV160 engine and it has more power than any Briggs I ever had or the two stroke suzuki that was on my Toro. It hasn't missed a beat for 10 years and starts first pull every time.

If it dies, I'll go to the store and buy another Honda. There is literally no other brand I would look at.

 

[Metallitubby]

Unless it has been is discontinued for mower use?

We don't build the GCV160 anymore. I actually assembled the very last one sold in the country at the factory.

I emailed a picture of the mower and some of the found items. They respond with " we don't send out parts, it must be properly diagnosed by an authorized service center".

This has been our policy for 40yrs. Home Depot is the bain of our existence (for now). If we sent parts out to customers to fix their own stuff, we'd have a gigantic liability on our hands. Think about what lawn mowers do. A blade that spins 200mph can mangle a human being, and we don't "just trust" people because they said so.

This is why I tell people if they are buying an expensive piece of ODPE go to a dealer. They will set it up correctly and stand behind it. The Big Box stores are not interested in setting anything up or servicing it.

This guy gets it.

Honda mowers seem to be like weber grills, roughly the same price no matter where you buy it.

Yep. MAP pricing. Anyone advertising a lower price is a scam.

Maybe a push mower, but I have a Honda rider that is terrible.

What model? I suspect you ended up with one of our John Deere rebadges.

 

[genog]

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.

This is my experience EXACTLY
EZ Start, so it starts on the first pull
Cuts through TALL weeds EZ-PZ in our back field without issue.

I bought my steel deck HRA214 back in the early 90's from a landscaper friend. It was well used by the time that I bought it, so much so, that the tires were going bald!
I have used it for the past 30 years!
Had to put new tires on it and of course, spark plugs and filters.

Sounds like the newer Hondas are not as well made as the old ones.
This mower is one of my best tool purchases of all time

 

[Radio Flyer]

This has been our policy for 40yrs. Home Depot is the bain of our existence (for now). If we sent parts out to customers to fix their own stuff, we'd have a gigantic liability on our hands. Think about what lawn mowers do. A blade that spins 200mph can mangle a human being, and we don't "just trust" people because they said so.

It is understandable.

My small little frustration comes from trying to purchase a higher quality machine, only to have it fail on the third use over a $6.00 plastic/roll pin knob.

Then have to jam it into the back of my car and schlep to a repair center.

In this case it really doesn't matter where I bought it, I'd still be jamming in my car for repairs.

The old place had a pick up truck and trailer for deliveries, the other place does not.

 

[Mr.zippy]

My HRT 216 has served me well for 20 years. It started to get ”finicky” and blowing smoke. I suspect the extreme angled hills I have on my property have taken its toll. I have replaced 2 sets of wheels over the years, that is it, and now it serves weed and cheatgrass cutting duties on the fringes of the property. Not exactly easy duty. I just purchased an HRX 217 this spring, from a legitimate Honda dealer. No big box store for me. I am fine with Honda mowers. This newest one will likely last me until I can no longer do yard work, but I hope I can wear it out too!

 

[nbpt100]

My HRT 216 has served me well for 20 years. It started to get ”finicky” and blowing smoke. I suspect the extreme angled hills I have on my property have taken its toll. I have replaced 2 sets of wheels over the years, that is it, and now it serves weed and cheatgrass cutting duties on the fringes of the property. Not exactly easy duty. I just purchased an HRX 217 this spring, from a legitimate Honda dealer. No big box store for me. I am fine with Honda mowers. This newest one will likely last me until I can no longer do yard work, but I hope I can wear it out too!

The drive wheels on these go bald too easly. That is why the Big Box stores carry Honda replacement wheels.

 

[seber]

This has been our policy for 40yrs. Home Depot is the bain of our existence (for now). If we sent parts out to customers to fix their own stuff, we'd have a gigantic liability on our hands. Think about what lawn mowers do. A blade that spins 200mph can mangle a human being, and we don't "just trust" people because they said so.

And that is why I will never own another Honda. If I can't fix it, I don't want it.

 

[nbpt100]

And that is why I will never own another Honda. If I can't fix it, I don't want it.

Based on the quote you chose I am not sure if I fully understand your intended context here.

When it comes to warranty work most any ODPE manufacturer want their people to evaluate and do the repairs. Why would they?

Now, if you mean after warranty that is a different issue. If you do not have the knowledge to repair something take a class. If parts are unavailable that is a reasonable consideration.

From my own experience MTD does a pretty good job of supporting replacement parts. The Same with Toro and Briggs and Stratton. Not so good with Husqvarna (HOP)and their family of residential brands. I can not speak to Honda. Just never had to replace many parts other than common tune up parts.

 

[seber]

Based on the quote you chose I am not sure if I fully understand your intended context here.

When it comes to warranty work most any ODPE manufacturer want their people to evaluate and do the repairs. Why would they?

Now, if you mean after warranty that is a different issue. If you do not have the knowledge to repair something take a class. If parts are unavailable that is a reasonable consideration.

I am a certified Honda small engine mechanic but because I don't work for a Honda shop, I can't get parts. As far as warrantee, Hondas rarely need it. Parts are needed when they get older.

 

[csp]

My Honda is from the early 90s and I completely neglect it. It gets fresh gas and that's about it, but it starts on the first pull every time except the first use of the season. That one might take three pulls.

My grandfather liked Toros. He bought a new one every year or every other year for some reason. I think it was boredom after retiring. I never liked how heavy they were, but I was barely a teen when I was mowing his grass. My dad was a 2stroke Lawn Boy fan, which were much lighter than just about any other brand back then.

 

[Rabid Badger]

I had a Husqvarna with a Honda engine. I never did anything to it but change the oil and filter every two years and use ethanol-free gas. I never even drained the tank at the end of the season. The first start in the Spring took two pulls, after that it only needed one.

That said, since switching over to a Makita XML08 that I picked up for $400 I haven't missed the gas mower for a second. It's quiet, ramps up the power when it needs to and I don't stink like gasoline after I use it. I'd also argue that the build quality is as good or better than Honda's best.

 

[njride]

I am a certified Honda small engine mechanic but because I don't work for a Honda shop, I can't get parts. As far as warrantee, Hondas rarely need it. Parts are needed when they get older.

Honda Power Equipment Lawn Mower OEM Parts, Shank's Lawn Honda

Shop our large selection of Honda Power Equipment Lawn Mower OEM Parts, original equipment manufacturer parts and more online or call at 717-375-1021

www.hondalawnparts.com

I'm not sure what you're talking about, there is sure to be a zillion places like this where you can order anything so long as they still make it or have old stock. Why wouldn't Honda sell parts? Of course they do, you need to work for a dealer........lmao.

 

[nbpt100]

Honda Power Equipment Lawn Mower OEM Parts, Shank's Lawn Honda

Shop our large selection of Honda Power Equipment Lawn Mower OEM Parts, original equipment manufacturer parts and more online or call at 717-375-1021

www.hondalawnparts.com

I'm not sure what you're talking about, there is sure to be a zillion places like this where you can order anything so long as they still make it or have old stock. Why wouldn't Honda sell parts? Of course they do, you need to work for a dealer........lmao.

That was my first reaction. You can order Honda parts from Jacks or Proparts. Ask me how I know this.....But if you want to go directly to Honda to purchase, that may be different. When you go on the Honda website they refer you to your local dealer to purchase parts. Why is that a deal breaker???? You can still get the parts to fix a potential problem. What am I missing?

 

[jonshonda]

I like that a mowers quality is based on cutting excessively long grass! I bet the program director had that in mind when developing the mower, like "hey....what is the mark of top quality mower?" Dunce in the back answers, "Mowing my hay field of a yard, when wet, w/o stalling".

Who the **** invited that guy to the meeting? Haha

 

[exmaxima1]

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.

My power washer has the similar Honda 160cc horizontal shaft engine and it always takes 5-10 pulls---and starting fluid after that point. I bought it new and it was always like that. My Ariens mower with the B&S Intek starts 1-2 pulls every time, and I've had it 24 years now!

 

[ItsNemo]

I like that a mowers quality is based on cutting excessively long grass! I bet the program director had that in mind when developing the mower, like "hey....what is the mark of top quality mower?" Dunce in the back answers, "Mowing my hay field of a yard, when wet, w/o stalling".

Who the **** invited that guy to the meeting? Haha

A mower that can't actually cut through thick/tall/wet grass is so annoying, nobody likes having to do twice as many passes at half the speed.

For myself, buying a mower, I'd say top 3 criteria are powerful, reliable (ie always starts, doesn't break), and longevity.

 

[JAYoung]

I got my Honda push mower 15 years ago when I bought my house. I went to the farmers' supply store expecting to pay full price for a new one, but they had a fresh trade-in -- a guy bought a push mower and discovered his lawn was much larger than he thought it was and he returned it for a self-propelled. His loss -- I got an almost new mower for $125.
I do all my maintenance in the fall -- clean and oil the deck bottom, sharpen blade, clean spark plug, drain fuel and run dry. Air filter and oil change every couple years when they're dirty. I keep it in my heated basement over the winter to avoid freeze/thaw and condensation.
Two no-spark pulls to prime and she always starts on the third.
I mow only dry grass in mulching mode so I expect this machine to last a long time.